A Masterclass That Turned the Humble Roti into Something Exciting

 On Sunday, 19 September, I had the pleasure of attending a cooking masterclass organised by the Telangana Association of Chefs at Q Mart, Gachibowli, conducted by Chef Abdul Rehman. The session was supported by Minar, a brand known for its multigrain atta that makes soft, fluffy and nutritious rotis rich in protein.

What made the session particularly interesting was the idea of giving the humble roti a creative makeover, especially to make nutritious food more appealing to children.

Chef Abdul Rehman demonstrated some wonderfully innovative creations.

Roti Sushi was prepared using a half-baked roti layered with mashed potato on one side and covering the other side with - sauces, vegetables, cheese and grated carrots. It was rolled tightly, coated with crushed Doritos, sliced and briefly baked.

Chocolate Lava Roti was a delightful combination of roti, chocolate, cheese and butter. The roti was folded, secured and baked to create a delicious dessert-like treat. This was my favourite, and I have already tried making it at home. It was loved not only by the children but also by the adults at home.

Roti Cones were made by cutting half-baked rotis into pieces, shaping them into cones and filling them with a flavourful mashed-potato mixture seasoned with chaat masala, ginger and coriander. The cones were then finished with crushed Doritos.

Roti Tokri was another interesting creation. A half-baked roti was shaped into a basket, fried and filled with chickpeas, onions, carrots, tomatoes, ginger, chaat masala and lemon juice. Sprouts could also be added to make it an even healthier option.

What I particularly enjoyed was the thought behind these creations. Healthy food does not have to be boring. With a little creativity, even familiar everyday foods can become exciting and appealing, especially for children.

It was an enjoyable and enriching session, and I came back with not just new recipes but also a fresh perspective on making nutritious food more interesting.

Thank you, Q Mart, Telangana Association of Chefs, Minar and Chef Abdul Rehman for such an engaging experience.

Good Morning ..!!

 Good morning starts with coffee—not merely because of the warmth in the cup or the aroma that fills the air, but because coffee gives us a moment to pause before the day begins to demand our attention. It is a small ritual that reminds us that every morning deserves to be welcomed, not merely endured. 

As the first sip travels through us, the world seems to slow down for a while. Perhaps that is why coffee feels less like a beverage and more like a quiet conversation with oneself. It gives us time to gather our thoughts, leave yesterday where it belongs, and face today with renewed calm. 

Life, too, is somewhat like coffee—the same ingredients can taste different depending on how we brew them. Some mornings may be bitter, some strong, some unexpectedly sweet, but each one carries the possibility of becoming meaningful. 

         So perhaps a good morning does start with coffee—not because coffee makes the morning good, but because it teaches us to slow down, savour the moment, and begin again.

Lessons from a Tiny Shoot

Give nature the right conditions, and it will survive, grow, create its own ecosystem, and generate life. In doing so, it can even influence the peace, thoughts, and mindset of the people around it.

I experienced this through a very simple observation at my school. I took a small shoot of an ornamental plant from my home and placed it in a water bottle. A few days later, my colleagues and I noticed a tiny root system beginning to develop. Over the next few days, the roots grew further, developing a main root along with smaller tertiary roots.

What fascinated us even more was the way the roots moved with the ripples in the water. Whenever someone moved the bottle, the delicate roots swayed, slid and glided gently through the water. Watching this tiny root system dance within the bottle created an enthralling experience for all of us. Something so small had the power to capture our attention, bring us together, and fill us with a sense of wonder.

Nature teaches everyone—if only we pause to observe.

The shoot had adapted itself to an entirely new environment. Though its roots were growing in water through a simple hydroponic-like setup, they did not simply decay. Instead, the plant continued to develop its root and shoot systems, drawing what it needed from its surroundings. It reminded me of one of nature's most important lessons: adapt to your surroundings, accept change, and find a way to grow.

A few days later, we even noticed a small piece of algae floating in the bottle. It seemed to be gently dancing with the movement of the water. I immediately changed the water, thinking that the algae might have a negative effect on the plant. But the sight left me with something to ponder.

Here was a tiny shoot giving rise to a root system, while a simple piece of algae had also emerged and was floating happily in the same little ecosystem. There was no complaint, no resistance, and no struggle to prove who belonged there. They simply existed, adapted, and continued to grow.

Perhaps that is another lesson nature quietly offers us.

As human beings, we often find it difficult to adapt when circumstances change. We resist new environments, complain about situations that are beyond our control, and sometimes forget that growth itself requires adaptation. Nature, however, does not waste time complaining about its circumstances. It observes, adjusts, and continues to live.

That little water bottle at my school became more than just a container holding a plant. It became a miniature classroom—a living lesson in adaptation, coexistence, resilience and growth.

Nature teaches us that even the smallest beginning can create something beautiful. Give life the right conditions, and it will find its own way to flourish.

The August Fest- Big Ideas start here ..! Creative festival - August 22- 2026

 

The August Fest was conducted at T-Works, Hyderabad, on 22 August. It was an engaging and informative gathering that brought together start-ups, authors, entrepreneurs, creative professionals, and visitors from different fields.

One of the major attractions of the event was the wide variety of start-up stalls. Several new businesses had set up stalls to showcase their products and offer special deals to visitors. There were also stalls featuring new and upcoming authors who were promoting and selling their books. This provided an opportunity for visitors to discover new writers and learn about their work.

A number of innovative start-ups were also present in the food and beverage sector. One such venture, Who Am I ?, offered different varieties of beverages, including coffee, coconut water, pineapple juice, and beetroot juice. There were also stalls displaying handmade products, cotton T-shirts, garments, and other creative items.

Another interesting feature of the fest was the continuous interaction with personalities from the creative and business world. Authors, entrepreneurs, and business professionals took to the stage and participated in conversations facilitated by mediators. They answered questions about their experiences, ideas, challenges, and journeys, making the sessions both informative and inspiring.

I also had the opportunity to interact with the August Fest representatives and learn more about the event. When I asked whether the fest was conducted only in August, they explained that earlier it was primarily held during August. However, it is now being expanded to other months, including September and December, with different themes and a new set of participants and personalities.

The event also introduced visitors to some interesting and innovative business ideas. There was a photo booth where visitors could have their pictures taken and receive the photographs instantly. Another unique start-up had developed an app through which participants could upload a selfie taken before or during the event. The app could then identify and provide photographs taken of them throughout the gathering. This was an interesting example of how technology can be used to create new experiences and business opportunities.

Overall, the visit to the August Fest was a highly interactive and enriching experience. It gave us an opportunity to explore new businesses, meet creative professionals, discover innovative products, and understand how start-ups develop and promote their ideas. More importantly, it demonstrated how such gatherings provide a platform for people to interact, build connections, increase their reach, and explore new opportunities.

Mental Fatigue: Why We Need a Break from Our Screens

 Earlier, fatigue was something we mostly associated with the body. After a long day of physical work, people felt tired, rested, slept, and woke up ready to begin again. But today, we seem to be dealing with another kind of fatigue—one that may not make the body tired, but quietly drains the mind: mental fatigue.
Mental fatigue has become increasingly prevalent in our lives. Almost every profession today demands a laptop, a phone, or both. Whether you are a teacher, a doctor, an engineer, a designer, an entrepreneur, or someone working in a corporate office, staying connected has become part of the job. There is nothing wrong with technology or with being committed to one's profession. In fact, technology has made our work faster, easier and more efficient.
The problem begins when the working day ends, but the screen time does not.
We finish our work on a laptop and pick up our phones. We check messages, scroll through social media, watch videos, browse endlessly and sometimes even carry our work conversations into the evening. The body may be sitting comfortably on a sofa, but the mind is still working.
And slowly, the mind begins to ask for what we rarely give it—a break.
The wiring of our brain is such that it needs pauses. Constant stimulation, notifications, information and multitasking do not necessarily leave us refreshed. They can leave us mentally cluttered. We may not have done anything physically exhausting, yet we feel strangely drained, restless or unable to concentrate.
So perhaps the answer is not to abandon technology. We need our laptops and phones, and we should use them for as long as our work genuinely requires them. But once the requirement ends, perhaps we should learn to disconnect.
Instead of extending our screen time at home, we could give ourselves experiences that engage us differently. Learn a dance. Try a new recipe. Pick up an old hobby. Read a book. Meet a friend. Talk to family. Sit in the balcony without reaching for the phone. Or simply step outside and take a walk.
Our residential communities already have spaces that can help us do this. Parks bring together children, young adults and older people in the evening. Many societies now have yoga sessions, pranayama groups and open gyms. These are not merely recreational facilities; they can become spaces where the mind gets an opportunity to breathe.
Perhaps we need to look at weekends differently too.
With many organisations following a five-day working week, Saturday and Sunday should not become two more days of endless scrolling, binge-watching and catching up on digital content. They could instead become two days of rejuvenation—days to slow down, reconnect, explore something new and spend time away from the constant noise of screens.
A weekend need not always mean an elaborate outing. Sometimes, a quiet walk, a conversation, a book, a home-cooked meal, music, gardening or simply sitting in nature can do more for the mind than hours of entertainment on a screen.
We often charge our phones when their batteries are low. We service our cars when they need maintenance. We take a break when our bodies are exhausted.
Perhaps it is time we learnt to do the same for our minds.
Technology should remain a tool that helps us work and live better—not a constant presence that follows us everywhere.
Because sometimes, the most productive thing we can do is not to do more.
It is to pause.
And perhaps, after that pause, we return to the new week not merely rested, but with a clearer mind, renewed energy and a little more space to think.