Plants

Have been trying to grow plants in Kuwait from the time I landed here. The ones that are successful are the ones that need least maintenance. Watering them during vacations needed much planning though. So, what are the plants that are easy to maintain indoors as per ChatGPT? 

🌿 Snake Plant (Sansevieria) – Super tough, barely needs water, and thrives in low light. Plus, it’s a great air purifier!

🌱 ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) – Practically indestructible. It grows slowly but can handle dim corners like a champ.

🍃 Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) – One of the best trailing plants for low light. It’s also super forgiving if you forget to water it.

🌵 Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior) – Named for its toughness, this one survives in shady spots and is pretty low-maintenance.

🌿 Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum) – A little more dramatic (it droops when thirsty), but it thrives in low light and even gives you lovely white blooms.

🌱 Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea elegans) – A great way to add a tropical feel to a dark space without needing much light.

🍀 Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema) – Comes in lots of cool leaf patterns and colors, and it’s very adaptable to low-light areas.

Snake plants and Pothos are the real heroes from the above. 

And have you tried DIY fertilizers for them? 

1️⃣ Banana Peel Fertilizer 🍌

Good for: Snake Plant, Peace Lily, Chinese Evergreen, Parlor Palm

• Chop up banana peels and soak them in water for 24-48 hours.
• Use the water to water your plants (potassium boost!).
• You can also dry the peels, crush them, and mix them into the soil.

2️⃣ Coffee Grounds ☕

Good for: Peace Lily, Chinese Evergreen, Pothos

• Coffee grounds add nitrogen but should be used in moderation.
• Mix used coffee grounds with compost or dilute them in water before applying.
• Avoid for Snake Plants and Cast Iron Plants (they prefer slightly alkaline soil).

3️⃣ Eggshell Tea 🥚

Good for: All plants, especially Parlor Palm and Snake Plant

• Crush eggshells and soak them in water for 24 hours.
• Use the water for calcium enrichment.
• You can also grind the shells into a powder and mix them into the soil.

4️⃣ Rice Water 🍚

Good for: Pothos, Peace Lily, Chinese Evergreen, Parlor Palm

• After rinsing rice, save the starchy water.
• Use it to water your plants for extra nutrients.
• Helps promote microbial activity in the soil.

5️⃣ Epsom Salt Mix 🧂

Good for: Snake Plant, Pothos, Peace Lily

• Mix 1 tablespoon of Epsom salt in a gallon of water.
• Use it once a month to provide magnesium and sulfur.

6️⃣ Vegetable Scrap Tea 🥦

Good for: All plants

• Boil vegetable scraps in water, let cool, then use the strained water for watering.
• Adds a mix of nutrients naturally.

 

Crossing the desert

Winter is back again in Kuwait and it takes me back to the trip we made during the end of last winter.

A road trip through GCC countries had been in our bucket list since long and then KSA opened up and we grabbed the chance. We watched YouTube videos and read whatever google offered. Hubby took the Saudi tourist visa before we could change our minds. It was our first border crossing by road and there was a lot of apprehension. Our plan was to travel to Qatar and then visit Bahrain on our way back. In Qatar we had a few friends who had shifted from Kuwait a decade ago and few cousins too. We left for the Kuwait border early in the morning to avoid the crowd and since it was mandatory to take biometrics to cross Saudi. This took almost an hour since there were a lot of travelers like us taking advantage of the 4-day long weekend. The rest of the formalities went on quickly and we started the first leg of our journey. There were petrol bunks every 100 km or so where one can have some refreshments and visit a restroom. But I had packed some food and had also brewed some black coffee. Did try the tea at one stop and did not like it at all. Our first stop was at Al Kobbar where we dropped a friend who wanted to visit his brother. Lunch was done at their place, and we proceeded to Qatar soon after lunch. Guess it is okay to say that Qatar is what Kuwait was in yesteryears. We had a lovely time with friends and relations. Drove around Qatar and saw tourists from all around the world. On our drive back we did visit Bahrain as planned. A short visit though but could get the feel of the place. The border crossings can either be short or long depending on the country. Sometimes they let you pass without much ado; else the whole vehicle will be checked. 

Such road trips are possible since there are restrooms across the region. Since prayers are mandatory, mosques are mandatory and hence there are restrooms attached to these mosques too, if not petrol pumps. It is possible in India too since roads are essential, why not restrooms too?  Making it mandatory is essential too? Clean toilets maintained by the same folks maintaining and building the roads? (NHAI or  National Highways Authority of India) Yes, there are restaurants everywhere but one would need to eat too even if not needed. I have used a toilet attached to petrol pump once in Kerala but it is guarded like a bank vault :). 

Anyway, it was during this trip that another wild idea got hold of us but never thought it would materialize so fast. (Youtubers can be inspiring and encouraging too!)

The Rub Al Khali desert or the Empty Quarter beckoned us since there were loved ones at the end of it. 

'A road between Oman and Saudi Arabia,^[8][9] through the Empty Quarter, was completed in September 2021.^[10] Measuring between 700 and 800 kilometres (430 and 500 miles), it extends from Ibri in Oman to Al-Ahsa in eastern Saudi Arabia. A 160 km (99 miles) stretch of the road is on the Omani side and 580 km (360 miles) on the Saudi side.^[8][9] The road also goes through the archaeological sites of Bat, Al-Khutm and Al-Ayn in Oman.^[10] '

We have already visited Oman by air but crossing the desert was a once in lifetime opportunity and we latched on to it before we could change our mind. While crossing it, the scenes were stunning, especially the changing colors of the sand dunes. We travelled during the day and hence could stop in between. Crossed the Saudi stretch and reached Oman in time for some lovely food. On our way to Oman the roads were fine but during the return trip it was windy, and the sand piled upon the road. One had to be very careful. We had 3 drivers eager to take turns so none complained of tiredness. In Oman, we watched the dolphins swim and while the youngsters snorkeled, I tried testing my fear of water and found it is still terrifying. 

There is Riyadh and Dubai beckoning us now... maybe... who knows?

Our world

There goes 2024 too, since it will soon be October!!

Was going through my blog and realized that I have posted at least once each year since the start of this blog. I do not want to break at least this.

Wars are rumbling around, and the world seems to not have changed an iota even after technology advanced. Imagine if all this tech is used only to give ease and happiness to humans instead of death and destruction? Is the dream of life beyond this world stopping many to give up on this world? Are you sure you can enjoy the next one (if there is one) if you have not been able to do so out here? 

This is our world. This is where we have to love ourselves and ours. No one else shall do it for us.

Anyway, as I was wondering how this world is going to be, came across this article which looked interesting. 

Happy birthday, baby! What the future holds for those born today

An intelligent digital agent could be a companion for life—and other predictions for the next 125 years.

By 

• Kara Platoniarchive page 

•  

What the future holds for those born today | MIT Technology Review

But then if you want to imagine a more promising and exciting world: 

What might the world look like in 2050?

So, in 30 years time, what kind of world might we be living in?

Right now, inventors and entrepreneurs at Imperial College London are developing world-changing ideas that could transform our relationship with the planet. For over ten years, the Grantham Institute has supported students, researchers, business and startups to transform bright ideas into useable products that both create prosperity and help tackle climate change. Here is our vision, inspired by their work, for a cleaner, greener, fairer future for us all.

The World in 2050 - Imperial Tech Foresight

 

August 15, 2024

Milestones

Our life is measured by milestones and the majority of us cannot escape it's hold on us. When we are born, our parents count the milestones. Our first word, first steps, and it goes on until one is put in school. And from there, we take over the counting. As children, all we ever wanted to do want was play. I can still remember the excitement and the anticipation that one had when the time came to play. In those days it used to be any game and mostly outside. And then we ourselves started to give more importance to the milestones and forgot to enjoy the journey itself.

One such milestone happened in my life too; our daughter's marriage. Only when the time started to plan the wedding ceremony did it dawn upon me that she will soon leave to start her own family. Yes... I panicked and lost sleep too. I wanted to have more of her in the short that time that one had which was impossible. 

I try telling others to enjoy the time when they have their baby or when they are going to school. But then there is no use, since all are counting milestones and only a few are lucky to enjoy all the lovely moments in between.

Letting go

My mind is foggy these days. It takes a long time to recall names of places and people. Maybe I should blame it on Covid or vaccines? There are so many blame games going on these days and it is hard to catch up with it all. And even if you catch up with it, the next one comes up. Is the world spinning faster for the young too or just for folks like me?

It is going to be one year since my Mother left this world and this can definitely be blamed upon Covid. Now she smiles at me from my bedside table, silent as always. When I lose sleep some days, I make her take trips with me as a child. They say you grow up finally when you lose your mother. Am not sure though. But she can still bring tears to my eyes like a child. Maybe out of regret. For all the times that one never had with her, thinking that she is going to be in this world forever. How stupid we are!!

But death is inevitable and one should not dwell upon it since this world is spinning fast. You keep listening to people asking you to grab each day and enjoy each moment. Do you? I try to. 

They say the trauma of death brings the rest closer to each other. I believed too, until I realized that some things can never be changed. It is best to accept and let go. 

Sometimes letting things go is an act of far greater power than hanging on. – Eckhart Tolle

Memories

Realized it is more than a year since I wrote on these pages. Twitter stopped me from writing and now Netflix from reading. Yes.. silly justifications. But we are all human and prone to temptations and the real reason I am on these pages is something different. I forgot our wedding anniversary and realized that my mind is full and needs to be emptied.

There are two Asha's in my college whatsapp group and when I saw the anniversary wishes I assumed it was for the other but then remembered that the other Asha celebrated hers only recently. That is when I saw my name written. How did I forget?

My mind is preoccupied with various issues beyond my control. Daughter out of Covid infection but still showing some after effects. A visa which ought to have arrived earlier. A pain in the leg which refuses to leave my better half. 

Last night my mind freed itself and went on a trip elsewhere for a short while. My first visit to Kodaikanal was during my school days and with the local Lions Club members. A bus was hired and we had a lovely trip. I still remember stopping for lunch, the roads to Kodai that had a stretch of tamarind trees. Our stay was in a bungalow belonging to one of the members or their relative. It was way up on the hills and had a good view. We visited almost all the touristic spots and Kodai was a beauty those days. Suicide point, Coaker's walk and many others. Maybe one reason I remember this trip more is because my mother asked us children to write down about the trip. Probably my first travel memoir. 

My next trip to Kerala now has one more task. To find out the journal which has recorded our travel memories. Need to take a copy of all that is left of those wonderful childhood memories. 

It is a different world out there now with the internet and the facility to visit any part of the world without even moving an inch. For that matter, now everything is being done without leaving your chair. My son plays with the same ardor but only inside, with all his gadgets. I remember how he used to skip even his lunch to play with his friends while in school. All those lovingly packed lunch would be returned until I was forced to forgo it altogether. My daughter attends her classes while in her bed. Can hear the teachers with different accents giving the lectures. I engage in silly debates from people sitting God knows where, without ever leaving my chair.

Yes.. it is different world out there and sometimes we get lost.

My Mother..

 Today it is my mother's birthday... She is not her old self due to ill health and seldom speaks. She has always been an avid reader and this is the only habit which she has retained. Am sure it is reading which still keeps her alive... a few words to my dearest mother...

Happy birthday dearest...

Hope you remember the good old times you created for each one of us...

Hope you remember the time you spent teaching us not just from the books but to preserve our integrity no matter what...

Hope you remember that it is you who taught us to have faith but without it's trappings.

Hope you remember that it is you who taught us to love the elderly since you dropped everything to run and look after your parents...

Hope you remember that it is you who taught us to love without all the show...

Hope you remember that it is you who taught us to love books and to read....

May God give you many more years...

2020

 What is there to write about 2020? How is 2020 going to be remembered? 

It is one year that changed everything, everyone. 2020 changed the world. For many Corona may have taken away a loved one but for my family we lost a loved one but not to corona. It was totally unexpected and all of us are yet to come to terms with it. 

This year took away my younger sister's husband. He was in his prime and had no business going away so soon. But he is gone.. leaving behind many perplexed, grieving souls. 

Once again he left on a day that was being celebrated. He died on the day our son was born. As I wrote on this blog, my FIL died on our wedding day.

These 2 days will remain as a day of happiness and sorrow. Maybe life is telling us not to be too sad or too happy? 

Ayodyha

Let me begin my thoughts by reaffirming that demolishing Babri Masjid was wrong especially in a secular and democratic nation like India. Those who did it ought to be punished so that such acts are not repeated.

Yesterday the Indian supreme court gave the verdict on the centuries old Ayodhya dispute. The timeline for the dispute is as follows:

- 1528: Babri Masjid built by Mir Baqi, commander of Mughal emperor Babur.

- 1885: Mahant Raghubir Das files plea in Faizabad district court seeking permission to build a canopy outside the disputed structure. Court rejects the plea.
 Click here for the full events.

The final verdict  : Entire Disputed Site Goes to Hindus for Ram Mandir, Muslims to Get 5 Acres of Alternate Land
It is not a fair judgement since one cannot demolish a structure and build another based on hearesays alone. If so, entire India would need to be dug up to right whatever wrongs imagined or otherwise. But I think SC wanted to end this dispute in a peaceful manner and it is indeed a relief to note that the Muslim board has accepted the same though it could be out of compulsion. But it is clear that India needs peace. The animosity between the two communities is not new. Blame it on various invasions and specially partition. Invasion was unavoidable but partition was avoidable. The fate of millions were decided by few men who only wanted power? 

Why did the 1947 partition of India unfold the way it did?

The context of World War II and the transfer of power were critical in shaping the violence. During the war, the British jailed much of the Congress Party in India. In the meantime, more violently inclined nationalist movements flourished, some bearing an imprint of fascism. Indians who fought in the war came home with violent experiences. They and their arms were recruited into new defense groups and paramilitary volunteer bodies attached to these violent movements, such as the RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh) and the Muslim League National Guard. Some Indian politicians in provincial governments began to use such groups for policing as they shifted from being the opposition to being the government.

Although the agreement required no relocation, about 15 million people moved or were forced to move, and between half a million to 2 million died in the ensuing violence.

If one thinks the above did not affect the remaining Indians then one is naive and shall never understand the Ayodhya issue too. I think the two communities continue to test each other. They hide their insecurity and fears and at times erupt in riots. Now with a nationalistic party at the helm it is not getting better. But what if the courts had given a different verdict? There is no guarantee that the government would have been able to quell the unrest. This am sure is one reason the Muslim community is accepting the verdict while hoping to move forward.

Sometimes one hears from the south of India, specially Kerala boasting about religious tolerance as opposed to the north of India. Maybe they should look at the following map to know who was affected the most during the partition if not by the various invasions.

The extent and patterns of ethnic cleansing that led to the collapse of minority population shares in then western India was not anticipated. As late as November 1945, the Commander of the Indian Army, Field Marshal Claude Auchinleck, predicted that the “principal danger areas (for ethnic conflict) are likely to lie in the United Provinces, Bihar and Bengal”, these having also been the principal areas where religious rioting had taken place in the years leading up to Independence (Figure 2a, and Jha and Wilkinson 2012). Yet, the patterns of ethnic cleansing were very different (Figure 2b), and the areas that Auchinleck thought would be most susceptible to violence still enjoy sizeable minority populations to this day.

If Ayodhya is viewed against this backdrop let this verdict take the nation forward since there are many wounds still festering. India is indeed diverse and can never be like another democratic country. But the least one can do is understand the issues involved and stop escalating issues.

Source:
https://news.stanford.edu/2019/03/08/partition-1947-continues-haunt-india-pakistan-stanford-scholar-says/
https://www.news18.com/news/india/ayodhya-case-verdict-live-updates-ram-janmabhoomi-babri-masjid-ayodhya-mandir-news-samachar-supreme-court-uttar-pradesh-2379563.html


https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/chronology-of-events-in-ram-janmabhoomi-babri-masjid-land-dispute-case/articleshow/71980846.cms

https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/ayodhya-verdict-sunni-wakf-board-not-file-review-petition-112032
https://voxdev.org/topic/institutions-political-economy/drawing-line-short-and-long-term-consequences-partitioning-india

Kashmir

If there is heaven on earth they say it is in Kashmir. 

Maybe it is because of this that everyone is fighting for this piece of land. History tells us that Kashmir was once ruled by a king who sought help from newly independent India in order to avoid being invaded by Pakistan. While India tried to win the hearts of Kashmir by giving it a special status and by pouring more money that it has ever given to other states, Pakistan never gave up it’s pursuits. In fact, the first war between India and Pakistan was fought over Kashmir and the next one in 1965 ensured that Pakistan shall be forever under the grips of the military regime. 

(The Indo–Pakistani war of 1965 caused thousands of deaths on both sides with a heavy deployment of armoured vehicles)


India had two options: either give up Kashmir or make Kashmir a part of India in every way. Over the years India tried in every way to make Kashmir a part of India but it has never worked. Pakistan never gave up and has always encouraged militancy among the Kashmir youth. Even today if you converse with a Kashmiri who fights for independence at the end his/her support is for Pakistan.

 In the late 1980s, separatist discourse gained momentum in Kashmir and the military insurgency started spreading in the valley against what is perceived as an Indian occupation. 





Now one may wonder why India should resist this. If Kashmir is ever separated from India it is for everyone to see that Pakistan shall occupy it within no time. Why not says Pakistan. But shall the world ever say that? Look at the both the nations and where they stand after 1947. The same set of people or DNA started building a nation. Where does Pakistan stand now? How good is it’s economy as compared to India?



As of 2019, GDP of India is around of 10 times greater than Pakistan. In nominal terms gap is wider (above 10 times) than ppp terms (below 10 times). India is 5th largest country of the world in nominal method and 3rd largest economy in ppp method. Nominal ranking of Pakistan is 43 and PPP ranking is 25. India's economically largest states Maharashtra has GDP ($334 billion) greater than Pakistan. Margin between these two countries was lowest in 1993 when Nominal GDP of India was 5.43x of Pakistan and highest was in 1973 (13.53x).





Now let us see how minorities have fared in both the countries over the years.


In India, if in 1951 Muslims were 9.8% as compared to 84.1%  of Hindus, in 2011 it is 14.23% as compared to 79.8%.  



It is obvious that the Muslim population in India is not declining whereas in Pakistan the situation is getting worse day by day.



At the time of partition in 1947, almost 23% of Pakistan’s population was [composed] ofnon-Muslim citizens. Today, the proportion of non-Muslims has declined toapproximately 3%. The distinctions among Muslim denominations have also becomefar more accentuated over the years. Muslim groups such as the Shias whoaccount for approximately 20-25% of Pakistan’s Muslim population, Ahmadis whohave been declared non-Muslim by the writ of the state, and non-Muslimminorities such as Christians, Hindus and Sikhs have been the targets ofsuicide bomb attacks on their neighborhoods, had community members converted toIslam against their will, and had their houses of worship attacked and bombedeven while they were inhabited by worshipers.”








How did minorities fare in India over the years politically and economically?

A small list of positions minorities have/are occupying in India.



APJ Abdul Kalam(Muslim- Former President)

Manmohan Singh(Sikh- Former Prime Minister)

Giani Zail Singh(Sikh- Former President)

Zakir Hussain(Muslim- Former President)

Mohammad Hidayatullah (Muslim- Former President and Chief Justice)

Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed (Muslim- Former President)

Mohammad Hamid Ansari (Muslim- Former President)

Sonia Gandhi(Roman Catholic- Former Congress President)

Aziz Mushabber Ahmadi (Muslim- Former Chief Justice)

Altamas Kabir (Muslim- Former Chief Justice)

Jagdish Singh Khehar(Sikh- Former Chief Justice)

S. Y. Quraishi(Muslim- Former Chief Election Commissioner)

Nasim Zaidi(Muslim- Former Chief Election Commissioner)

Sunith Francis Rodrigues(Catholic- Former Army Chief)

Joginder Jaswant Singh(Sikh- Former Army Chief)

Salman Khurshid(Muslim- Former Foreign Minister)

Syed Akbaruddin(India’s current UN representative)

Asif Ibrahim(Muslim- Former Chief of Intelligence Bureau)


These are some of the most important posts of India.


And, the list is unending(Even if I don’t include Actors, Sportsmen, Businessmen and many other notable non-Hindus in India.)






Whereas in Pakistan the national assembly rejects a bill that allows non muslims to become the President or the PM.




Now let us return to the present status of Kashmir.

The Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir was rendered infructuous by The Constitution (Application to Jammu and Kashmir) Order, 2019 (C.O. 272) issued by the president of India on 5 August 2019. Indian President Ram Nath Kovind issued an order under the power of Article 370, overriding the prevailing 1954 Presidential Order and nullifying all the provisions of autonomy granted to the state. The opposition calls this unconstitutional and without any precedence. But it has precedence if you look at Indian history. The state of Goa came into existence thus but even now there are many Goans who want Goa to be an independent state.


The fight for freedom began in the 1940s as India inched closer to independence from British rule. But Goa remained a Portuguese colony until 1961, straining relations between India and Portugal as the former's support for the anti-colonial movement in Goa grew. In 1955, India even imposed an economic blockade on Goa. 



In 1961,the Indian army invaded the state after the Portuguese fired at Indian fishingboats, killing one fisherman.







If you think Goans have given their pursuit for freedom then you are wrong.



Thepetitioners appeal to the current members of the United Nations GeneralAssembly (UNGA) to review the subject matter of this petition with a freshperspective as the conscience keepers of world peace. The UNSC resolutionS/5033 was passed in the 988th meeting on 18.Dec.61 with 7 members out of 11voting in favour of the motion calling for India to withdraw its forces fromGoa to its pre 17.Dec.61 position which was vetoed by USSR, a permanent member.





As for this letter’s claim of genocide, it is utter nonsense.



If Kashmir is looked at from the point of religious majority, let us look at another princely state in India which joined India much later. While Cochin joined in1949, Travancore joined only in 1956. 





Even now my mother who experienced the princely rule states that those times were much better as compared to now. Now I may disagree as much as I can. J



Kashmir too will have its problems in the years to come but am glad that the current step was taken. This will give its inhabitants a chance to experience India just like any other Indian. Without the intervention of Pakistan I believe Kashmir shall prosper and shall truly become an Indian paradise. 

If not, let India give up Kashmir to it's fate. 



The restrictions imposed on tourists intending to visit the Kashmir Valley will be lifted today following a direction from Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik on Monday. On August 2, the state administration had issued a security advisory asking tourists, especially pilgrims taking part in the annual Amarnath yatra, to leave the Kashmir Valley as soon as possible. Back then, the government had said this advisory has been issued due to a "terror threat" in the Kashmir Valley.

An interesting conversation if you have time to read.

Source: 
https://www.resetdoc.org/story/brief-history-india-pakistan-conflict-kashmir/
http://statisticstimes.com/economy/india-vs-pakistan-economy.php
https://www.quora.com/Which-country-is-worse-for-minorities-India-or-Pakistan

https://www.aninews.in/news/world/asia/pak-national-assembly-rejects-bill-non-muslim-cant-be-countrys-pm-or-president20191002194738/

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-42390008https://www.change.org/p/prevent-genocide-of-goan-christians-by-communal-corrupt-illegal-indian-administration-in-goa-former-portuguese-colony-where-goans-are-forced-to-immigrate-from-their-own-motherland-to-other-countries
https://www.thehindu.com/features/kids/Joining-hands/article14410304.ece
https://theconversation.com/kashmir-india-tomorrow-part-3-podcast-transcript-115732
https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/kashmir-tourist-advisory-ends-today-shutdown-political-detentions-continue-1607746-2019-10-10