Stupid Reporters Maketh Stupid News-Media

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Just the other day I had posted that no one seems to understand what Women Empowerment is all about. And soon, the country’s ‘leading’ newspaper goes right ahead and does a big boo boo.

They put up this uncalled for tweet about actress Deepika Padukone. You can find the details here: TOI Fucked Up… Big Time!

Why is this any different from the numerous previous times that the newspaper has fucked up… from typos to inappropriate headlines to outrageous articles in the name of journalism? Well, this time somebody reacted. Ms Padukone rightly took offence and hauled them up for being inappropriate and quite immature on her Twitter timeline. And because she has thousands of followers the issue went viral.

The deterioration in the quality of reporting by TOI and the lack of morals of the newspaper and its affiliated media is something we all discuss on a regular basis. But our discussions and protests fall on deaf ears, an obvious result of us not being famous. And that is why I would like to thank Ms Padukone for reacting the way she did and not letting the issue slide.

Now, as a friend hoped while we discussed this incident… I too hope that the government issues a show-cause notice to TOI from the PM Office. There would be many women who would applaud such a move by the Modi Government. This is, after all, a perfect way the government can show that they are, in fact, serious about protecting the Indian woman.

Times of India needs to revamp itself and do something about this degradation of quality. Media is important to society as they shape the society’s views and such irresponsible behaviour on the part of TOI can do nothing to improve the already uncouth way the country treats its women.

I sincerely hope all this hoopla hasn’t been for nothing.

Get some sensible journos, TOI! Also, please invest in a good spell-check software!

I Have Moved

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Image Courtesy: http://mecaniquefairy.deviantart.com

I finally got my own domain and shifted my blog to Wordpress. 

I love Blogger, which is why my design blog: www.smartdesignsstudio.com is still here.

For my personal blog I wanted a site that will allow me to change the look as often as it fancies me.

So, now you can find me at...

***Tada!***

www.suryamurali.com

Graphic Designer / Animator Required (Preferably Freshers): Urgent

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Hi folks!

I have an urgent requirement for a Graphics Designer / Animator... preferably freshers.

Post: Graphic Designer / Animator

Qualification: Any Graduate (Fresher)

Location: Bombay / Mumbai



Job Requirements:

• Has excellent working knowledge of basic 3D modelling and animation.
• Excellent in Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator.
• Well versed with Adobe InDesign
• Has a working knowledge of video editing software.
• Good working knowledge of MS PowerPoint and MS Word
• Has a creative mind.
• Can take initiative to come up with ideas.
• Has the ability to execute ideas with speed.
• Has good communication skills.
• Can work well in a team.
• Can work with voice overs and basic voice software.

Compensation: Negotiable according to the calibre of the candidate.



Candidates who think they would fit this profile, please email their CVs with the following:

• CV

• Create a sample logo for an existing company or an imaginary/fake company with description of the logo. (Logo Image size: A5 - 148 mm x 210 mm)

• Animation clip on "Brick layer stacking bricks" (Video Duration: Maximum 10 seconds)

• A 3D model of man. (Rendered image of the model would do, but the candidate if chosen should be able to provide the 3D model)

Last date to sent in the entries is Monday, 25 August 2014
Email the above to ispat.iiipl@gmail.com

Nothing Compares 2 U... And It's Annoying!

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This song has been playing in my head for over a week know. It is annoying me, making me restless. I used to love the song, now I am not sure if I just hate the fact that it is in my head or the song itself.

I should listen to more crap like 'Pinky hain paise waalon ki' or 'Pyar hain hookah bar'. WTF!!

"Nothing Compares 2 U"

- Sinead O'Connor

It's been seven hours and fifteen days

Since u took your love away

I go out every night and sleep all day

Since u took your love away

Since u been gone I can do whatever I want

I can see whomever I choose

I can eat my dinner in a fancy restaurant

But nothing

I said nothing can take away these blues

`Cause nothing compares

Nothing compares 2 u

It's been so lonely without u here

Like a bird without a song

Nothing can stop these lonely tears from falling

Tell me baby where did I go wrong

I could put my arms around every boy I see

But they'd only remind me of you

I went to the doctor and guess what he told me

Guess what he told me

He said, "Girl, you better try to have fun no matter what you do."

But he's a fool

`Cause nothing compares

Nothing compares 2 u

All the flowers that u planted, mama

In the back yard

All died when u went away

I know that living with u baby was sometimes hard

But I'm willing to give it another try

Nothing compares

Nothing compares 2 u

Nothing compares

Nothing compares 2 u

Nothing compares

Nothing compares 2 u

...

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Ghamon ne gher liya hai mujhe toh kya gham hai 

Main muskuraa ke jiyuungi aapke khushi ke liye 

Kabhi kabhi toh aap mujhe yaad kar toh lete ho

Sukuun itna sa kaafi hai zindagi ke liye

Mujhe mili hai muqaddar se aisi tanhaai

Jinhen tarasti rahi anjuman ki rangeeni

Rainbow Crafts

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Rainbow Crafts (Paper & Clay Jewellery)

Post by Rainbow Crafts.

The Common CM?

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Arvind Kejriwal needs to see this (I am sure he would have)...  And like someone says in the video... He is now a CM not Shaktiman... 

I do wish AAP all the best, but hope they don't continue to make a mockery of themselves and of the ideals they so righteously touted before coming into power.

Do not let the people who voted you up regret their decision.

I have always liked AIB and their satirical humour... This is another of their gems.

(To the tune of Lungi Dance)

Jab bhi Kejru ka bheja hatega...
Tab woh raaste pe protest karega...
Wagon R mein woofer bajeja...
Topi pehen ke aana padega...
Kejriwal Kejriwal Kejriwal...

Rate Card for Graphics / Artwork

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I finally got down to making a rate card for the art / graphical work I undertake. Until now I would discuss the fee only when a client approached me with a request, but I think it is better to have the rates out at a place where it is accessible to prospective clients.

So, here is the rate card. Feel free to contact me with any clarifications regarding the fee at murali.surya@gmail.com

Sambhar Recipe

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There might be a slight issue with the quantity. The quantity of Sambhar I made turned out a medium wok-full, some 1.5 litres of it. This would last me and bro for a week at least. Sigh…

Here I have tried to give lesser quantities and measures. If you use lesser amount of vegetable and dal you can reduce the quantity of Sambhar.

Pic taken in a rush, with a background score of tummy growls.

 

Ingredients:

• Sambhar Masala: 1 – tbsp.
  I used the readymade version by Eastern Masalas (South Indian companies are preferable for South Indian masalas). Mom makes and stores her own Sambhar Masala. If you have the patience, here is the recipe: http://www.rakskitchen.net/2013/06/2-sambar-powder-recipe-homemade-sambar.html
• Tur Dal – 1 cup (1/2 cup for a thinner Sambhar.) Pressure-cook it.
• Tamarind – pulp or juice of one gooseberry or lemon sized ball.
• Turmeric Powder – 1 tsp (Use ½ with the veggies and dal and rest with the seasoning)
• Salt to taste.
• For one bowl of Vegetables:
  Preferably, use roots and tubers, gourds, aubergines, tomatoes, beans, drumsticks, okra. Here is a list of the veggies normally used in Sambhar (You can adjust the quantity of each vegetable according to your preference; the total quantity is better to be limited to one bowl / katora):
• Yam (suran) – Cut into cubes approx. three quarters of an inch.
• Potatoes – Diced into chunks (fairly large, for e.g. A medium-sized potato needs only be cut into 4 pieces)
• Carrot: Quartered and diced into 1” sticks.
• Pumpkin – Diced into cubes.
• Bottle Gourd (lauki) – Diced into cubes.
• Small Aubergines – Diced into fairly large chunks.
• Drumsticks – Cut into index or little finger lengths.
• Tomatoes – Diced into large chunks, preferably 4 pieces each.
• Beans – Cut into 1.5” lengths.
• Vegetable For Seasoning: Okra – Cut into 1” lengths

(The idea is to dice the vegetables into chunks of approximately the same size, except for the ones like tomatoes and aubergines which need to be slightly larger so that they do not completely disintegrate while being cooked.)

Note 1: Yam needs extra cooking time; if you plan to include it in Sambhar it might be a good idea to cook the yam separately.

Note 2: Keep the okra separately. Do not steam or boil it with the rest of the vegetables. Wash, pat dry and slice the okra and then fry it till they give this nice aroma (Do not crisp them.)

Note 3: There are two ways to cook the veggies –

1. Pressure-cook them separately. In the cooker tin, put in all the veggies except yam and okra and add a bit of salt and sprinkle some Sambhar powder (I used about 2 tsps. as I had a lot of veggies.) Use enough powder to coat the veggies lightly. Sprinkle some salt and turmeric and add a bit of water, half a cup or less. Pressure cook for 3 whistles. (I used this method, because I didn’t want the veggies to be overcooked)
2. Pressure-cook both dal & veggies together. Place the dal in the cooker and place the veggies in a small container on it. Pressure cook for 3 whistles. (This might result in the veggies becoming a bit overcooked and they might disintegrate in the Sambhar – but according to Mom, this is best for kids as they can’t really throw away the veggies.)

• For The Tadka / Seasoning:
• Small onions / Sambhar onions /shallots – 3-4 sliced
• Mustard seeds – 1 tsp.
• Fenugreek seeds – 1 tsp.
• Dried Red Chilli – 1 or 2
• Curry leaves – 8 to 10 numbers
• Asafoetida / Hing – A generous pinch.
• A bit of chilli powder – optional
• Oil for cooking
• For Garnish: Coriander leaves – Coarsely chopped

Method:

In a large kadhai, heat some oil. When it’s hot enough, throw in the mustard seeds and as they splutter, add the fenugreek seeds, hing, dried red chillies, curry leaves and small onions (all the seasoning ingredients). Sauté till the onions are done.

Add the tamarind juice, turmeric powder and the rest of the Sambhar powder and let it boil. Add a bit of water if the mixture is too thick or it will burn. Boil until the raw smell of tamarind and Sambhar powder is gone. Add salt to taste.

Now add the vegetables (except okra) to this boiling mix. Mix well.

Add the cooked dal, mash it if necessary. And with the dal add a half cup of water. Adjust the water quantity according to the consistency you want your Sambhar to be.

Mix well and now add the fried okra.

Bring the Sambhar to a boil and add the coriander leaves. Let simmer a bit.

Tada! Your Sambhar is ready.