" HELP "

Today on this International Women's Day, I dedicate my post to all those "HELP" around us who help us out to smoothen our day to day life.

The most important one being the House Maid or the Nanny.

Here I will  pen down about my daughter's Nanny BASANTI. I had written earlier, in my older post, "Chutki", about me, being a Govt. Servant and also, about an additional help, I will be referring her in this post.Since, I was hesitant to leave my child in a creche or daycare, I had taken an year long leave, along with my maternity leave, to look after my little baby, until I could find a good caretaker. As luck would have it, my distant relative arranged it for us. Basanti was a house help working for them. She used to work in many household to maintain her family of six children. Thus she insisted that she should be paid a good amount, as, from now on, she would have to leave all the rest of the  household jobs.  Since she was trustworthy and has been working at my cousin's house for a long time, we agreed to her demand.

Basanti came to our home to care for my little angel. She was an eight month's old baby just learning to sit. We kept an additional help to do the mopping, dusting, washing,and  cleaning the utensils. I had asked Basanti not to do any other house hold work . She was advised, to just, focus, on my Chutki. I was at ease when I handed over my baby to her. I joined my duty with a peaceful  mind. I was sure my baby is in safe hands. 

Basanti looked after my child well. I missed out most of my child's earlier years of growing up. She tackled her teething, her first step, her babbling, all missed out by me. Now the time had arrived for my baby 's admission to the kindergarten. Here too Basanti was a great help. She would come early and would accompany my little angel to her Kindergarten in her school bus and would wait outside till the school gets over. 

We never give a heed to these things, we often take them ( people like Basanti) for granted,  " oh so what they are paid na", without realising the value of those moments and the sacrifices they have done to protect our child's well being. I am really greatful to God to have send this good soul to us to help us out in the need of the hour.

Basanti was with us till my daughter started going to college. She took immense care in her adolescence her higher studies, tensions, mood swings, carrying her to her tution classes her extra caricular activities. All she carried out well.

She had to leave due to her health conditions and plus her son's too were now working and her financial conditions improved so they too didn't wanted her to work any more. 

She is still in touch with us,me, and my daughter, makes an effort, to visit,  her place, once a year, to checkout on her whereabouts, and well being.

Like her there are so many out there, helping us out. Like the Jadu Pocha wali, Koodawali, Dhoban, Sweeper, ........so many.

God bless them all without their help we all would have been in a chaotic situation and our back would have been bend under the overburdened work. 

They are our unsung heroes who play a vital role in our life.

A big salute🙋‍♀️ to these women who help us out unconditionally.

XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX

Label: Tribute 

Pic courtesy: Google Images 

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Chembu kootaan( Taro roots curry)

 Ingredients 

1. Taro roots   : 1/2 kg

2.  Turmeric powder: 1/2 teaspoon 

3. Chilli powder: 1 teaspoon 

4. Shallots or small onions chopped ( 1/2 cup)

5. Curry leaves a few

6. Coconut oil for tampering : 2 table spoon

7. Salt to taste

8. Water : for boiling 

Method:

Clean the Taro roots well. Remove the skin. Cut it into small pieces. Mom used to make this in ( kal chetti) black stone vessel. You can try out in clay pots too or the easy way in cooker. Add the washed cleaned and cut Taro roots in the vessel add turmeric powder, chilli powder, salt and water. Water should be  1 inch above the taro. It should be well soaked. Now boil the whole thing until it's soft and mushy. Check the salt. Add curry leaves and remove from fire.

If you are making in a cooker add the taro roots cut into pieces chilli powder, turmeric powder and salt with two cups water and boil until four whistle. Cool it down open the lid and add curry leaves.

Now for the tempering, heat a small pan add two table spoon coconut oil when hot add the chopped onions or shallots, fry until brown. Add this tempering to the boiled taro mixture. Mix well and your curry is ready to be eaten with steamed rice.

Best accompaniment is lemon pickle.

Cherish this curry with hot steamed rice, roasted papad and lemon pickle.

Label: Mom's Delight