टूटे हुए कप का नया जीवन - क्रोशिया का जादू और वेस्ट से बेस्ट

 कुछ दिन पहले मेरी सुबह की चाय का सबसे मनपसंद कप अचानक हाथ से छूट गया। चाय की चुस्कियों के साथ दिन की शुरुआत करने वाला वह प्यारा सा नारंगी कप टूट गया और उसका हैंडल पूरी तरह अलग हो गया।

टूटा हुआ कप

हादसों से यादें ख़त्म नहीं होतीं - हैंडल टूटने के बाद भी मेरा मनपसंद नारंगी कपं

दिल तो थोड़ा दुखी हुआ, क्योंकि अक्सर कुछ चीज़ों से हमारा एक भावनात्मक लगाव हो जाता है। मन उसे फेंकने का बिल्कुल नहीं हुआ। फिर सोचा कि क्यों न अपनी रचनात्मकता का इस्तेमाल करके इसे एक नया रूप दिया जाए!

फ़्लावर वासे के रूप में

क्रोशिया के धागों का जादू - नीले जालीदार कवर और फूलों के साथ कप का नया जीवन

मैंने तुरंत अपना क्रोशिया और नीले रंग का धागा उठाया। दोपहर में टीवी देखते-देखते और फुर्सत के पलों में 2-3 दिनों के अंदर ही मैंने इसके लिए एक सुंदर क्रोशिया कवर (पाइनऐप्पल डिज़ाइन वाली जाली) तैयार कर लिया। इस नीले रंग के जालीदार कवर को जब मैंने उस नारंगी कप पर चढ़ाया, तो टूटा हुआ हिस्सा पूरी तरह से छुप गया और नारंगी-नीले रंग का यह कॉम्बिनेशन बहुत ही आकर्षक लगने लगा।

फ़्लावर वासे के रूप में

टीवी देखते-देखते बने क्रोशिया पैटर्न की बारीकी - सुंदरता भी और मजबूती भी

कप का यह पुनरुद्धार देखकर मन खुश हो गया। मैंने इसमें कुछ कृत्रिम फूल सजाकर इसे टेबल के लिए एक प्यारा सा 'फ़्लावर वासे' (Flower Vase) बना दिया।

जब मेरी बेटी ने इसे देखा, तो उसे यह नया रूप बहुत पसंद आया। उसने एक बहुत बढ़िया सुझाव दिया - "मम्मी, यह कप काफी भारी, मजबूत और टिकाऊ है। इसे सिर्फ़ सजावट के लिए रखने के बजाय रसोई में चम्मच-कांटे रखने के लिए (Kitchen Spoon Holder) इस्तेमाल करते हैं।"

बेटी की बात सुनकर लगा कि यह विचार भी बेहद शानदार है।

अक्सर हम थोड़ी सी टूट-फूट होते ही चीज़ों को बेकार समझकर फेंक देते हैं, लेकिन अगर हम थोड़ा सा समय और रचनात्मकता जोड़ दें, तो वही चीज़ें हमारे घर की ख़ूबसूरती बढ़ा सकती हैं। वेस्ट मटेरियल से बनी इस तरह की चीज़ें न केवल पर्यावरण के अनुकूल होती हैं, बल्कि जब भी इन पर नज़र पड़ती है, तो खुद के बनाए होने की एक अलग ही खुशी मिलती है।

आप भी मुझे ज़रूर बताइएगा कि आपको मेरे टूटे हुए कप का यह नया रूप कैसा लगा? क्या आप भी अपने घर की पुरानी या टूटी चीज़ों का इस तरह पुनरुद्धार करते हैं?

XO

Why I Still Use This Traditional Method Before Making Multigrain Flour

 

Some kitchen traditions never grow old.

For many years, I have been following the same simple method to prepare soybeans before getting my homemade multigrain flour milled. Even today, despite having modern kitchen appliances, I still prefer this traditional technique because I believe it makes the soybeans cleaner, easier to digest, and better suited for everyday use.

Freshly washed soybeans drying naturally in the sun.

Jowar drying alongside the soybeans on a sunny afternoon.

The process begins by washing the soybeans thoroughly and spreading them out in the sun until they are completely dry.

Once dry, I pulse them gently in a mixer grinder—not to make flour, but just enough to loosen their outer skins.

Then comes my favourite part.

Separating soybean husks using a traditional bamboo winnowing tray (Chhaj)—a simple technique passed down through generations.

I transfer the soybeans into a traditional bamboo winnowing tray, known as a Chhaj. With gentle movements of the tray, the lighter husks separate from the heavier beans. It is a simple technique that has been passed down through generations and still works beautifully today.

The cleaned soybeans are then mixed with wheat, jowar (sorghum), barley, gram, or other grains before being taken to the flour mill for making our family's multigrain flour.

Soybean husks separated after light grinding.

The separated husks are never wasted. They can be fed to cattle, making this an eco-friendly and sustainable practice.

Many people ask me why I continue using this traditional method when machines can do much of the work. My answer is simple: some traditional practices have stood the test of time because they are practical, economical, and effective. They also keep us connected to the wisdom of earlier generations.

This is one such tradition that continues to be a part of my kitchen even today, and I hope it remains alive for many years to come.

Do you still follow any traditional kitchen practices in your home? I'd love to hear about them in the comments!

XO

Is Today's Spirit of Helping One Another Also a Form of "Ishq"?

A few days ago, I watched this video of an interesting conversation between Kapil Sibal and Justice Markandey Katju, here Justice Katju spoke about the idea of an "Ishq Karo Party."

I do not see this as a political slogan. To me, it is a human and philosophical idea.

Over the past days, we have witnessed many moments when people from different backgrounds, faiths, communities, and beliefs have stood together, supported one another, and shown compassion during difficult times.

Isn't this, too, a form of "Ishq"?

If Ishq is understood not merely as romantic love but as humanity, empathy, kindness, mutual respect, and the willingness to stand by one another, then perhaps we are already living this idea in many ways.

This thought raises an important question:

Can a better society be built on love, dialogue, cooperation, and shared humanity rather than division and distrust?

I am sharing this post not as an endorsement or criticism of any political viewpoint, but simply to encourage thoughtful discussion.

This idea has been on my mind since I first watched the conversation. The current social atmosphere has only made me feel that it is the right time to reflect on it and invite others to think about it as well.

What does "Ishq" mean to you?
Can compassion, solidarity, and mutual support also be considered expressions of it?

I would love to hear your thoughts.

XO

A Pilgrimage to Our Roots: Seeking Blessings at Mungipa Baba, Tosham Hills

 

A Family Pilgrimage to Mungipa Baba at Tosham Hills | Faith, Heritage & Family Memories

A heartwarming memoir of our family's visit to Mungipa Baba at Tosham Hills when our granddaughter turned one. A journey celebrating faith, ancestral roots, and unforgettable family moments.

Flashback to October 2015

These photographs were taken eleven years ago, yet every image still brings back the warmth of that beautiful family day. We had gone to seek the blessings of Mungipa Baba when our granddaughter celebrated her first birthday.

Three generations united by faith, visiting Mungipa Baba at Tosham Hills in October 2015.

A Journey Close to My Heart

Some journeys remain etched in our hearts forever—not because of the distance we travel, but because they reconnect us with our roots.

These photographs were taken in 2015, when my granddaughter had just celebrated her first birthday. To seek blessings for her healthy and happy life, our family—my son, daughter-in-law, little granddaughter, my niece, and I—visited the sacred shrine of Mungipa Baba on the beautiful Tosham Hills in Haryana.

For us, it was much more than a family outing. It was a pilgrimage filled with faith, gratitude, and memories that continue to warm our hearts.

Every journey becomes memorable when shared with loved ones.

Our Ancestral Connection with Tosham

Tosham is not just another town for our family.

According to the stories lovingly preserved by our elders, our ancestors originally belonged to Tosham. In later generations, they moved to nearby agricultural lands, and over time those settlements gradually developed into villages with new names.

Every year, the traditional family genealogists (known locally as Jagas) who maintain ancestral family records in Haridwar would visit our village and share details of our family lineage. Listening to them was like opening a living history book.

Our elders also believed that our family traces its lineage to Prithviraj Chauhan, and that over the centuries the family gradually became part of the Jat community. Such oral traditions have been passed down through generations and remain an important part of our family's heritage.

Whether preserved in written records or through family memories, these stories remind us that knowing where we come from gives deeper meaning to where we are today.

Seeking blessings amidst the sacred surroundings of Tosham Hills.

A Day Filled with Smiles

The photographs capture simple but beautiful moments.

My niece and daughter-in-law laughing together on the stone steps…

My little granddaughter, barely one year old, looking around with innocent curiosity…

Our family pausing before the sacred statues…

The peaceful surroundings of Tosham Hills…

Every picture carries the warmth of togetherness.

Years have passed since then, but these smiles still feel fresh.

The happiest memories are often the simplest ones.

Discovering the beauty of Tosham Hills together.

Faith and Nature Together

One of the most beautiful aspects of Tosham Hills is the peaceful harmony between spirituality and nature.

Ancient rocks, green trees, gentle pathways, and sacred shrines create an atmosphere where one naturally slows down and reflects.

Standing there, it felt as though time itself had paused for a while

Moments of peace surrounded by nature.

Joy needs no words.

Looking Back with Gratitude

Today, whenever I revisit these photographs, I realize that they preserve much more than a family picnic.

They preserve blessings.

They preserve traditions.

They preserve relationships.

Most importantly, they preserve our connection with the land where our family's story once began.

And perhaps that is the greatest gift photographs can give us—they allow memories to remain alive long after the moment has passed.

Laughter makes every pilgrimage unforgettable.

Candid moments often become our favourite memories.

Family traditions are not only preserved in history books—they live on through journeys, prayers, conversations, and photographs.

This visit to Mungipa Baba, Tosham Hills, reminds me that every generation should know its roots, cherish its heritage, and pass these stories on with love.

As time moves forward, these memories become priceless treasures for the generations that follow.

Note:

These photographs were taken during our family visit to Mungipa Baba, Tosham Hills, in October 2015. I am sharing them today from my personal photo archives because some memories become more meaningful with time.

A Small Request to My Readers

Thank you for spending a few moments with my family's memories.

If this post reminded you of your own hometown, your ancestors, or a special family journey, I'd love to hear about it.

Have you ever visited Tosham Hills or Mungipa Baba?

What place in your life holds the deepest memories?

Please share your thoughts in the comments below. Your words encourage me to continue sharing more stories from my memory archives.

Thank you for visiting my blog. See you again with another cherished memory!

XO