I removed my heart blockage without surgery 20 years back and am still active

The heart is the most vital organ of any living being. This organ loses its powers with age and once the symptoms become visible, one seeks medical advice. The patient has to go in for medication as the medical team pores over the findings of various tests. Usually, the suggestion of the learned professionals is surgery. However, I did nothing of the sort when doctors advised that option. It happened in 2003 when I was in service. I still had one year left to retire and the doctors said – ‘don’t worry - you will not need to pay anything because the company will bear the expenses since you are still an employee.’ It did not convince me. Yes, my heart was weak. I was taken to the hospital from my office and preliminary investigation in Mumbai showed my LVEF to be far below limits. In those days, the cardiac scene was practically not there in Nashik and I had to go to Mumbai. I dreaded the very thought of lying unconscious on the operation table as surgeons tried to repair my damaged heart. I had never undergone any surgery until then and even now, there are no such scars on my body.

Well, when I returned back from Mumbai, a woman who worked in my section gave me a local Marathi magazine in which there was a medicine prescribed to improve the functions of the heart. It consisted of three ingredients. These were basil leaves, fresh lemon and ‘khadi’ shakkar. This is a form of sugar that comes in the form of lumps. I would pluck 10 to 12 basil leaves, clean them and make a paste with the ‘khadi’ shakkar using a marble-stone mortar and pestle. I would then put the paste in a cup, mix the juice of a fresh lemon and swallow the mixture on an empty stomach. Simultaneously, I would munch a pod of garlic along with my morning tea. I continued this ‘medication’ for nearly six months. When I next went for checkup in Mumbai, the LVEF value had gone up to a satisfactory level. I did not go for any surgery and am as fit as a fiddle even today. My age is 78.

Durga Puja from outside India and within –

13 Best Durga Puja in London UK 2022

14 Best Durga Puja in New York USA 2022

2022 Durga Puja Calendar for Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Tourist hotels in Puri, Darjeeling and Digha –

GosaniYatra or The Durga Puja of Puri

Darjeeling hotels brim with tourists

How Can You Enjoy Durga Puja At Affordably Priced Hotel In Digha?

Some popular stories of this blogger –

Money is flying in the wind - Kolkata could rename itself as the City of Crorepatis

Cheetahs went extinct in India in 1953 and the first batch of 12 new animals will arrive from South Africa soon

Tropical storm Kay strikes parts of Southern California with winds of over 100 mph

North Korea declares itself as a nuclear weapons state

The Royal family and the world paid tributes to Queen Elizabeth II who passed away peacefully at the age of 96

Virat Kohli scores a century against Afghanistan in Asia Cup 2022, India registers a convincing win

Bengalis of Kolkata love mouthwatering dishes and Khaibaar Pass helps them choose the best

Kolkata loves variety in foods and the Kokattans have their favorite food joints

Prince William and Kate head to school with their kids George, Charlotte and Louis

Jilebi and Vada-pau make it to a list of 50 of the best street foods in Asia

Street foods have become the norms in any country. The world today has much to offer and one of these is the mouthwatering street foods. Those who operate these joints try their utmost to promote the cuisine unique to their own country. These could be in the raw or fried, baked, or even refrigerated. A list of 50 of the best street foods in Asia shows jilebi and vada pav as favorites of India. For our neighbor Pakistan, it is falooda and for Bangladesh, it is fuchka. Both are favorites of India also.

Jilebi is a sweet and people in Kolkata and Bengal love to take it as a part of breakfast. It is easy to make and cheap. Obviously, there are many takers and a combination of kachuri and jilebi is always on the cards for the common man. Kachuri is also very popular and ovens begin making these items even before the day breaks. Customers literally queue up to share the hot kachuris with a few jilebi. In Maharashtra, jilebis do not find a place at breakfast but are a welcome treat later in the day. They also appear during marriage feasts.

Vada pav is an Indian version of the burger and is popular in Mumbai. The outer portion is a bread-like casing stuffed with a mixture of mashed potato, onion, chilly, chopped coriander leaves and spices. The mixture is made into balls. These are then dipped in a batter of besan (powdered gram) and are deep-fried. Each of these balls is then stuffed into the bread (better known as pav) and then served.

Other street foods country wise (alphabetically) are –

Bangladesh – Fuchka
Bhutan - Ema datshi
Brunei - Kuih cincin
Cambodia - Lort cha
China - Jianbing, Jiaozi, Laping, Tibet, Rou jia mo, Xiao long bao
Hong Kong - Cheong fun, Curry fish balls, Egg waffles
Indonesia - Gado gado, Getuk, Kerak telor
Japan - Sofuto kurimu, Takoyaki, Yakitori
Laos - Khao jee, Nam khao
Malaysia - Asam laksa, Nasi lemak, Rojak
Maldives - Kavaabu, Khuushuur
Myanmar - Lahpet thoke, Mohinga
Nepal - Momos,
Pakistan - Bun kebab, Falooda,
Philippines - Halo-halo, Kwek kwek
Sri Lanka - Achcharu, Hoppers
Singapore - Chili crab, Kaya toast
South Korea - Kimbap, Tteokbokki
Thailand - Crab omelets, Khao soi, Sai krok Isan
Taiwan - Salt & pepper fried chicken, Stinky tofu
Vietnam - Banh mi, Iced coffee, Pho

Some popular stories of this blogger –

Maddox Square puja returns in all its glory after two years due to Covid-19

The Midwest and the South of the U.S. faced severe storms, damaging winds, heavy rains and flash floods

Greenland is losing ice at a fast rate with global sea level rise

Meghan Markle says she and her husband were "happy" to leave the UK

NASA enters second phase of going to the Moon after 50 years

It is easy to mint millions in Bengal if one knows the ropes and has the right contacts

Warships of the U.S. enter the Taiwan Strait, adds to tension in the region

India and Pakistan meet in Dubai for Asia Cup 2022

Treaty to protect marine life on the high seas

He helped me to bring home my scooter

Here is the thirty second unforgettable character in my life …

It was in 1978 that I bought my scooter. It was a Vijay Super and grey in color. I had just learned how to ride a two wheeler and went to the outlet in the city at Shalimar point to buy one. The dealer asked me to come the next day to collect the vehicle. I was still with an ‘L’ license and would need someone to ride the scooter back to township, a distance of nearly 15-Km. The next day was Maha Ashtami and my friend and I left for our mission by an ST bus.

However, things were not as simple as I had expected. There were plenty of formalities involved in getting the two-wheeler on the road like installing the accessories, testing the engine, going for a test drive etcetera.
We had thought we could be back by late afternoon but by the time we were ready to take off, it was evening and the roads were crowded. I was pillion riding and my friend was negotiating though the traffic. When we reached the Adgaon naka near Tapovan, he stopped the scooter and got down.
‘Ghose,’ he said, ‘you must now drive.’
I was shocked. I was still a learner holding an ‘L’ license and township was nearly 10-Km away! I lacked the confidence to ride the scooter on the Mumbai-Delhi highway.
‘I am having trouble with insects getting into my eyes,’ my friend explained. ‘I have not brought my goggles. Don’t worry. I will guide you. Just go slowly.’
Well, that is what I did. And – it boosted my confidence to a new level. I remembered the management policy – nothing is impossible. Throw someone into the water and he will trash his hands and feet and learn to swim because of the survival instinct.
I meet him on and off even now on special occasions like the Durga puja and will always remain thankful to him.


Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org

Jharkhand to become plastic free, ban on polybags less than 50 micron thick

Conflict between man and elephants on the rise in Odisha

Gurgaon to get environment friendly electric buses


He was a Chinese and his assistant was a Muslim

He was framed for a crime he did not commit

He was my first boss and be taught me the basics


Clint Eastwood's upcoming film "The 15:17 to Paris"

Work on superhero film "Deadpool 2" begins

'Spider-Man: Homecoming' brings back the teenage crime fighter


Two Americans gored by bulls in the San Fermin bull running festival

At least 15 killed in shootout in Mexico between police and drug gangs

Suicide bomber kills at least 15 in Mosul

His contribution to Durga Puja will never be forgotten

Here is the thirty first unforgettable character in my life …

Durga Puja is the largest festival of Bengalis wherever they may be and our township was no exception. When it started, those who were involved in it devoted their energies to make it a success from the very first day and managed to create a festive mood for not just the four days but the taste lingered on long after the immersion of the idols in the River Godavari.
The period was in the late seventies and the man responsible was an ex-Navy officer. He possessed a never-say-die attitude that is unique to anyone who has seen service in the armed forces. When the Bengalis decided to hold the first ever Durga Puja in the township, he led from the front and ensured that the festivities left a lasting impression on not only on the Bengali community but also the locals.

The biggest challenge was to organize entertainment packages for the four days. Since necessary funds were raised from donations and subscriptions, the donors expected to get their money’s worth. And - he took a decision to arrange programs of artistes from Mumbai and Pune. The tentative program for the four days were – inauguration, entertainment package by artistes of Mumbai or Pune, a program to the Marathi population, and an evening meant exclusively for local talents.
It was that stage in our lives when television was in its infancy and cable TV was unheard of and people would crowd to venues of entertainment to spend an evening and watch celebrities and renowned singers.
He had managed to bring famous artistes from Mumbai like Hema Malini, Manna Dey, Babla’s orchestra, Tun Tun, Sachin Shankar’s ballet and others to entrain the gatherings.
The idol of Goddess Durga and her retinue would be brought directly from Kolkata by train as would be the dhaki and there would be community lunch consisting of khichudi on all the four days that would be open to everybody, irrespective of caste, creed or religion.
However, all of a sudden, he passed away and others took off from where he left. Even today, he is remembered as the man who made things happen. The word ‘impossible’ was not in his dictionary.


Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org

Jharkhand to become plastic free, ban on polybags less than 50 micron thick

Conflict between man and elephants on the rise in Odisha

Gurgaon to get environment friendly electric buses


He was a Chinese and his assistant was a Muslim

He was framed for a crime he did not commit

He was my first boss and be taught me the basics


Clint Eastwood's upcoming film "The 15:17 to Paris"

Work on superhero film "Deadpool 2" begins

'Spider-Man: Homecoming' brings back the teenage crime fighter


Two Americans gored by bulls in the San Fermin bull running festival

At least 15 killed in shootout in Mexico between police and drug gangs

Suicide bomber kills at least 15 in Mosul

He was one of the wittiest persons I have ever met

Here is the nineteenth unforgettable character in my life …

He was extremely careful of how he spent each paisa because, to him, each paisa saved added to your confidence to tackle the world. Before shifting over to the township, he stayed in rented accommodation outside. When he received the allotment of the quarter, he transferred his belongings by using the shift buses – one evening he brought the two plastic chairs, next day, the mattresses, followed by the bedroll, suitcases of clothes and on the last day, the steel cot.
It was a long drawn out process spread over the whole week but he completed the exercise without spending any money on transportation charges.

At that time he was newly married – subsequently, his parents came over to stay with him because he was their only son. He, in turn fathered two sons. He had the gift of the gab, wit came to him spontaneously and he had a wonderful bank of knowledge pertaining to Hindu customs, Gods and Goddesses. He was the heart of any party because he could make people break into peals of laughter by his play upon words. In addition, being a Brahmin, he was an indispensable part of all Bengali religious rituals and enjoyed the attention. The family was an exceptional one.
I remember an occasion when he borrowed Rs 20 from me in the hospital. Both of us had retired and would go to the hospital for our monthly medical checkup and medicines. That month he was in need of the money because the girl at the medicine billing counter did not have the necessary change. So, my friend borrowed the money from me to pay her and when we met next month, the first thing he did was to return the money to me.
Both his sons were good students and, in due course, completed their Engineering degrees. He married off his elder son who was employed in Mumbai – therefore, the son and daughter-in-law shifted over to Mumbai. Every alternate weekend he would come over to visit his parents. However, one Friday he did not turn up. He had met with a fatal accident on the railway tracks on his way home.
The younger son specialized in Metallurgy, got married and is now settled in Hyderabad. But, my friend lost his life to a cardiac arrest. He used to be the life of any gathering and we miss his company and his ability to crack jokes at the drop of a hat. It is a gift that very few people have.


Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org

East Coast Railway to run 186 special trains during Rath Yatra

Tax on the 326-year-old Jagannathpur Mela waived

Pollution in Subarnarekha river a matter of concern


He loved model planes and aero modeling

He practices homeopathy with a smile

My friends who used to sell saris


The Big Sick is Anupam Kher’s 500th film

Suicide Squad 2 - the sequel - to start shooting in 2018

Shooting started in Paris for Tom Cruise starrer 'Mission Impossible 6'


900 migrants rescued off the coast of Libya by coast guards

Death toll in the London Tower fire rises to 30, could go up to 100

ISIS carries out its first attack on Iran - at least 12 dead

The Russian who was afraid

Here is the eleventh unforgettable character in my life …

He was a Russian and I had the pleasure of his company for nearly one whole month in the summer of Delhi. It so happened that there were some problems in the aircraft that my company had supplied to the Air Force. The problem was related to the engine which came from another unit of our factory and I was deputed to attend a meeting at the Air Head Quarters with my Russian specialist. We flew from Nashik (yes, at that time there used to be an IAC fight from Nashik to Mumbai), landed at Delhi via Mumbai. Once in Delhi, I put up my Russian friend at his designated hotel and went to our Guest House in Asian Village.

Next morning after breakfast the transport reported at the Guest House and I went to the hotel to pick up my Russian specialist and we headed to the Air Head Quarters to attend the meeting. It was a very difficult meeting with plenty of accusation and counter accusations and finally it was decided that we study the matter first hand for which we had to move to Hindon where the aircraft were positioned.
Therefore, the next day, my Russian friend and I proceeded to Hindon in the same car with the same youthful driver. And, the ride was a nightmare for my companion. The driver wanted right-of-way always and would keep flashing the headlights with his feet on the accelerator and my friend panicked.
In broken English he requested the driver to stop the reckless driving and implored – ‘I have a daughter back home and I want to see her when I return.’
The driver just grinned back and did not bother but, the next day we got a replacement driver and had to do thee Hindon trip daily for a while before shifting base to Chandigarh where some more aircraft were held.
In short, my Temporary Duty which was initially for three days got extended to thirty days and I was in real trouble because I had gone with only one set of extra clothes and had to spend one whole month in the summer of Delhi with that. It was an experience that I’ll never forget.


Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org

New outlets for fresh fish from Chilika

The Great Indian Bustard makes a comeback

Trekking options open up in Uttarakhand


Another boss who understood my feelings

My boss rode a scooter and wore a wig

The man who loved his work


Airstrikes kill at least 27 ISIS militants in Iraq

US police arrest serial killer of Phoenix who had killed at least nine people

Gunmen disguised as doctors shoot dead 38 persons in a Kabul hospital


Sequel of ABBA's hit musical Mamma Mia on the cards

Hackers demand ransom for Disney’s latest Pirates film

'Wonder Woman' with Gal Gadot arriving in India in June

We played contract bridge together

Here is the fourth unforgettable character in my life …

He was my partner in contract bridge and we played contract bridge together. We had developed our very own bidding system that we tabled in one of the National championships held in Nashik in 1981. We were no match for veterans who had come from Mumbai, Pune, Sholapur and distant locations but it was an experience that we cherish even today.

My bridge partner and I had an understanding – that is important in these games. One must have the minimum number of accumulated points based on the cards he held and depending on the vulnerability he had to take decisions that could tilt the balance in his favor. Bidding was one part of the game; the actual play was the other. Sometimes I would be over enthusiastic and bid for a game that could never be made – my partner would blow his top if the game was played in the confines of my or of his drawing room.
But, in public when we played in our Officers’ Association or in other forums, he would stare at me as if he could burn me to ashes. Since I was weak at hand play, I would invariably try to settle for game in the suit he bid – but, when I had to open the bidding and when the game came to my hand, I dreaded the consequences. In spite of these drawbacks, we did manage to bag a few awards.
Today he is a retired person like me. He has two sons – both settled abroad. My friend and I stay in different parts of the city and meet only when there is an invitation to marriage. The clubs like Mitra Vihar, where we once played, have acquired a modern look; the Meher hotel has been demolished and a huge shopping center has come up in its place. Our bridge days are over but not forgotten.


Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org

Barack Obama enters the league of top US Presidents with ranking of 12

Public tours of the White House will begin again from March 7

Explosion in French nuclear power plant in a non-nuclear zone


Didi caught in the whirlpool of industries (satire)

Moody’s love hate relationship with the raincoat (satire)

The curse of social media – cold blooded murders committed


Mumbai will get to see Justin Bieber in action on May 10

Kangana Ranaut is 'fearless Julia' in Rangoon

Shakti Kapoor holds his audience spellbound in the Khandagiri Yatra


ISIS carries out car bombing in Baghdad - kills at least 55

Suicide bomb attack kills at least 72 in a Sufi shrine in Pakistan

Mayor of London worried about ISIS attacks on the city