Memorable moments with my dearest cousin Jai

Memorable moments with my dearest cousin Jai

She is simple, yet quite sensitive, Sensible and responsible too. She shares and cares; she is a good speaker and a good listener. More than that she can get along with all age. That’s my dearest Jai akka. Akka in Tamil, Telugu and Kannada languages mean elder sister. With profound love all call her Jai. Jai is a good learner and likes to learner and gather information, just not gathering information but she likes to keep updated from time to time. During every visit I get to learn so many things from her. She is a good counselor too. I consider as akkas better than the reputed counselors who undergo training in family counseling.

For every thing she does, there is logic behind. I remember Jai’s wedding. I was barely five and she was dressed in Mustard yellow silk saree Brown checks with temple border and top knot new hair style, resembling like yesteryears popular actress Sharmila Tagore (Heroine of Aaradhana film paired with yesteryears superstar Rajesh Khanna) Perhaps she was the first to get married among her friends. Brought up in a large family with lots of relatives and friends visiting her maternal family everyday. There were maids and cook to take care of house and kitchen. Akka had no knowledge of cooking. It was only after her marriage she started learning right from lighting kerosene stove and heating water and milk. Today she is an expert not only as a good cook and host but in giving handful of useful household tips and good tasty recipe.

I find quite relieved when I share about my personnel problems and other issues. She has an insight to through other person’s angle also. Her solutions and suggestions are quite unique. I hardly see in near relative in any families taking such initiation and extending help.

Being eldest in the family she, had a good time and memories with grandparents, maternal and paternal aunts and uncles. At the same time she regrets of being born as eldest as she had to sacrifice some her personal interests for all her younger siblings.

She has played multiple roles during her younger days: Right from assisting her father in official work, as a typist, a good companion to her grandmother (watching cinemas), she was of course dearest grand daughter to her grand father; more than that he liked her driving and going to marina beach and spending some time with her. To her mother she was more like an English teacher; of course she helped all her younger siblings in home works and assignments, she was true friend for her sisters and obviously for all her cousins she was dearest Jai.

She has interests in visiting malls, doing shopping and buying things when she has good company. At the same time she has interests in spiritual learning. More so she is down to earth kind of person who respects others privacy and time. She is practical and also for sure makes others also learn to be so.

She shows special interests towards me and appreciates me, corrects me, helps me, admires me, and more so encourages me. She is one of the close near and dear to extend my support.She has come a long way and has learnt from every day today experiences. It’s amazing to see the same Jai even at 50+ at times like a small kid, she still shows in her eyes, at times she is so matured who is more confident and has positive approach. Oh! how little I know about my Jai. All her brothers, sister and cousin have special love, affection and regards for Jai. She is liked by all. This is what I admire her the most. How can she be loved and liked by all? Is it because she is eldest in the whole family? No, it's because her approach and maintaining social relation is different. Equipped with good communication skills, patience, able to judge other level of understanding and analyzes the situation. That's Jai.



!!!! May the Almighty shower all his blessings on her and family with good health and strength!!!!

Some of the common Kitchen tips known to many is this:

1.If you've added too much salt to a recipe, there are several solutions, 1) add a little sugar. 2) In gravy, soups or stews, a raw potato slice added to the mixture will absorb the salt, and 3) a second batch can be made, omitting the salt, and added to the first batch. Combine the two mixtures and freeze half for later.

2.Remove brown edges of vegetables and sprinkle with water. Wrap in a towel and pop into the refrigerator for about an hour.

3.Store Curry leaves, mint, celery and coriander leaves and leafy vegetables in refrigerator in paper bags instead of plastic. Leave the outside leaves and stalks on until ready to use.

4 Remove the tops on carrots, beets, etc. before storing.

Tips in bring up kids

1.Speak to them in mother tongue.

2.When a small child is angry and crying, whisper in his ear. He'll calm down in order to hear you.

3.When small children fuss over the clothes you pick out, lay out three outfits and let them to choose what they want. Respect their interests.

I shall share her special recipes and tips in my next blog.

To be continued……