Smit Machchhar – 5 Learnings

 

1. Sense of belongingness and responsibility – Some people do think that we should feel responsible. He was deeply wounded; he was in immense pain. However, he thought about his fellow passengers that he was carrying to Abu Dhabi.

2. He says that we have to be aware that there can be a snake in the grass when we go for a stroll in the early morning or walk in the early morning. People who are near you, work with you, are sometimes your hidden enemies, and perhaps the Captain must not have even thought in his wildest dreams that someone sitting by his side would stab him and would try to crash the plane. So, the second thing is being alert and not trusting anyone blindly.

3. Presence of mind – Despite being in a wounded condition, he still had the intention to save all the people on the flight. For that, he tried to open the cockpit door and was able to fulfil his intention. Crew members rushed into the cockpit and took charge. Two extra pilots helped in landing the plane in Tabuk.

4. Fight or Flight or Die – He decided to fight back. He is a fighter, a warrior.

5. Optimistic Thoughts – He is healing now in Tabuk Hospital. If we reframe the entire incident, we can see that throughout, he had a positive aura around him. According to him, this is due to the Hanuman Chalisa that he recited when he felt that he was in danger and everyone on the flight was in a dangerous situation.

Fit India Campaign by Government of India

 he Fit India Movement was launched on 29 August 2019 (National Sports Day) by our Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi. The aim of this initiative is to encourage people across India to lead a fit and healthy life.

Today, many people follow a sedentary lifestyle. For example, shopkeepers often spend long hours attending to customers and may remain seated for 12 hours or more each day. Similarly, professionals in the corporate sector spend about 8-9 hours working on laptops and rarely leave their desks. Many other professions also require individuals to sit for long periods. Higher-grade students preparing for competitive examinations often study for several hours at a stretch.

To address this growing concern and promote a healthier nation, the Government of India launched the Fit India Movement. It aims to encourage people of all age groups, including students, adults, and senior citizens, to make fitness a part of their daily routine.

The motto of the campaign is "Fitness Ki Dose, Aadha Ghanta Roz", which means dedicating just thirty minutes each day to physical activity. This small step can help transform an unhealthy lifestyle into an active and healthy one.

So, let us visit the Fit India Portal and take the fitness pledge. I have done my part. Now, it is your turn!

Bhel Puri - A quick Snack

 Bhel Puri is one of the easiest and quickest snacks to prepare. It requires no cooking and can be put together in just a few minutes.

Finely chop cucumber, onion and tomatoes and add them to aloo bhujia or fried murmura. Add a few sauces of your choice and mix everything well. For that extra tangy and delicious flavour, add some tamarind chutney—it takes the taste to another level!

Garnish with freshly chopped coriander leaves. You can also add finely chopped green chillies for a crunchy, spicy touch. Some potato chips can be added too for extra crunch.

A quick, colourful and delicious snack that is easy to prepare and perfect for those sudden hunger pangs!

Teacher Par Excellence Award by IIHM, Hyderabad

 So delighted and honoured to receive the Teacher Par Excellence Award by IIHM, Hyderabad!

It is even more special because I was nominated by my former colleague. The award ceremony was held at TIME School, Bandlaguda, Hyderabad. Although the venue was quite far from my home, my desire and determination to receive this prestigious award made the distance and journey seem insignificant.

It was truly a moment of immense pride and happiness for me. Over the years, I have nominated myself for various awards and recognitions presented to educators. Today, I feel that a long-cherished dream has finally come true!

This recognition is not just an award; it is a beautiful token of appreciation for my 13 years of dedication, passion and commitment to the field of education. The joy and pride on my family's faces made this moment even more memorable and emotionally fulfilling.

I strongly believe that even the smallest words of appreciation and gestures of recognition can go a long way in boosting an educator's confidence, inspiring them to grow and motivating them to give their best.

I am truly grateful, immensely excited and deeply motivated to continue contributing to the field of education with even greater passion, enthusiasm and dedication.

Some moments are not just achievements; they are dreams fulfilled and memories cherished for a lifetime!

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.