Monday 9 June 2008
Tuesday 25 March 2008
Dhansak with brown rice -- A traditional Parsi favourite, ideal for entertaining
Ingredients
1 cup Lentil
½ cup Bengal Gram (split)
¾ cup Red Gram (split)
2 nos. Onion(large(finely chopped))
2 nos. Potato(medium(diced))
1 no. Tomato(large(finely chopped))
2 nos. Eggplant(medium(diced))
½ cup Pumpkin (Red)(diced (optional))
½ cup Fenugreek Leaves((finely chopped))
¾ tsp. All spice powder
¼ tsp. Garlic(paste)
¼ tsp. Ginger(paste)
½ tsp. \½ bunch Red Chili Powder
1 tbsp. Vegetable OilSalt to taste
Mint for garnishing
1 no. Onion(sliced)
5 pieces Cinnamon(whole)
3 pieces Cabbage
2 nos. Cardamom(black/green)
4 nos. Bay leaves
4 tsp dhansak masala (powder) 3 cups rice 5 whole cloves 2 tsp sugar 1 tbsp butter/oil
Directions
For Dhansak :
Wash all the dals and pressure cook with haldi, salt, half the amount of onion, potatoes, brinjals, methi and red pumpkin for 3 whistles.
Mash to a rather fine consistency(no whole vegetable should be evident).
In a kadhai heat oil and add the ginger-garlic paste and dhansak and garam masalas.
Stir till oil seperates from the masala.
To this add the rest of the chopped onion & fry till light brown.Add the tomato and cook till the mixture becomes pulpy.
Add chilli as required.Now add the dal and simmer for 10 minutes till gravy thickens.
Garnish with mint and serve hot with Brown Rice and papad.
For Brown Rice :
In a pan heat butter and add the whole masala; fry till fragrant.
Add the sugar and let it brown, then add onions and fry till brown.
Add 5 cups of water and bring to boil. Add the rice, salt and cook till done.
1 cup Lentil
½ cup Bengal Gram (split)
¾ cup Red Gram (split)
2 nos. Onion(large(finely chopped))
2 nos. Potato(medium(diced))
1 no. Tomato(large(finely chopped))
2 nos. Eggplant(medium(diced))
½ cup Pumpkin (Red)(diced (optional))
½ cup Fenugreek Leaves((finely chopped))
¾ tsp. All spice powder
¼ tsp. Garlic(paste)
¼ tsp. Ginger(paste)
½ tsp. \½ bunch Red Chili Powder
1 tbsp. Vegetable OilSalt to taste
Mint for garnishing
1 no. Onion(sliced)
5 pieces Cinnamon(whole)
3 pieces Cabbage
2 nos. Cardamom(black/green)
4 nos. Bay leaves
4 tsp dhansak masala (powder) 3 cups rice 5 whole cloves 2 tsp sugar 1 tbsp butter/oil
Directions
For Dhansak :
Wash all the dals and pressure cook with haldi, salt, half the amount of onion, potatoes, brinjals, methi and red pumpkin for 3 whistles.
Mash to a rather fine consistency(no whole vegetable should be evident).
In a kadhai heat oil and add the ginger-garlic paste and dhansak and garam masalas.
Stir till oil seperates from the masala.
To this add the rest of the chopped onion & fry till light brown.Add the tomato and cook till the mixture becomes pulpy.
Add chilli as required.Now add the dal and simmer for 10 minutes till gravy thickens.
Garnish with mint and serve hot with Brown Rice and papad.
For Brown Rice :
In a pan heat butter and add the whole masala; fry till fragrant.
Add the sugar and let it brown, then add onions and fry till brown.
Add 5 cups of water and bring to boil. Add the rice, salt and cook till done.
Tuesday 11 March 2008
Top UK police chief is found dead
The head of one of the biggest police forces in Britain has been found dead.
Michael Todd, the Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police, disappeared while out walking on Snowdon, north Wales, on Monday night.
Rescue teams found the 50-year-old's body on part of the mountain called Bwlch Glas on Tuesday afternoon.
The cause of his death is not yet known but suicide is understood to be one line of inquiry. Letters addressed to his family were also found.
Deputy Chief Constable Dave Whatton confirmed the death of his friend, a father-of-three, in a statement outside force headquarters in Manchester on Tuesday evening
He said: "Yesterday, Michael Todd, the chief constable of Greater Manchester Police was off-duty and walking in Snowdonia.
"Last night we became concerned for his welfare and as a result searches started to find him.
"These searches have continued today and unfortunately this afternoon a body has been found.
"I and all the officers of Greater Manchester Police and all the members of Greater Manchester Police Authority are absolutely shocked by what's happened and what has taken place in the last 16 hours."
Mr Whatton said although the body had yet to be formally identified, he believed it was that of the chief constable.
Reports of his disappearance emerged after a large scale search was reported in Nant Peris, above the village of Llanberis, Gwynedd.
The Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team began the task of taking his body off the mountain on foot on Tuesday evening.
It was brought down at about 1930 GMT and transferred by ambulance to Ysbyty Gwynedd, a hospital at Bangor.
Rescue spokesman Ian Henderson said teams had been hampered by "appalling" weather conditions, including heavy rain and high winds, which meant rescuers could not use a helicopter.
Mr Henderson confirmed that the alarm was raised by walkers who found "personal effects" belonging to Mr Todd while out on the mountain.
His body was spotted just before 1500 GMT about 200 yards away from the spot where the items were found, he added.
Sources at Greater Manchester Police said that among the items found with him were personal letters written to his loved ones, the BBC's Nick Ravenscroft said.
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith led a series of tributes to Mr Todd, saying she was "saddened" to learn of his death.
"Chief Constable Todd has had a long and distinguished career in various forces and has contributed greatly to the fight against crime and terrorism," she said.
"My thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues."
Taser stunt
Tributes also poured in from police bodies, chief constables from other forces, senior MPs and political figures in Manchester.
Mr Todd, a former Met Police assistant commissioner, joined GMP in 2002. He also worked in Essex and Nottingham.
He was appointed chief constable in Greater Manchester, England's third largest force, in October 2002 following the retirement of Sir David Wilmot.
He had been a police officer for more than 30 years, having joined Essex Police in 1976, and was tipped to become Britain's highest-ranking officer - a future Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police.
Mr Todd's most high-profile media appearance was when he allowed himself to be hit by a Taser stun gun to prove they were a safe alternative to firearms.
Michael Todd, the Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police, disappeared while out walking on Snowdon, north Wales, on Monday night.
Rescue teams found the 50-year-old's body on part of the mountain called Bwlch Glas on Tuesday afternoon.
The cause of his death is not yet known but suicide is understood to be one line of inquiry. Letters addressed to his family were also found.
Deputy Chief Constable Dave Whatton confirmed the death of his friend, a father-of-three, in a statement outside force headquarters in Manchester on Tuesday evening
He said: "Yesterday, Michael Todd, the chief constable of Greater Manchester Police was off-duty and walking in Snowdonia.
"Last night we became concerned for his welfare and as a result searches started to find him.
"These searches have continued today and unfortunately this afternoon a body has been found.
"I and all the officers of Greater Manchester Police and all the members of Greater Manchester Police Authority are absolutely shocked by what's happened and what has taken place in the last 16 hours."
Mr Whatton said although the body had yet to be formally identified, he believed it was that of the chief constable.
Reports of his disappearance emerged after a large scale search was reported in Nant Peris, above the village of Llanberis, Gwynedd.
The Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team began the task of taking his body off the mountain on foot on Tuesday evening.
It was brought down at about 1930 GMT and transferred by ambulance to Ysbyty Gwynedd, a hospital at Bangor.
Rescue spokesman Ian Henderson said teams had been hampered by "appalling" weather conditions, including heavy rain and high winds, which meant rescuers could not use a helicopter.
Mr Henderson confirmed that the alarm was raised by walkers who found "personal effects" belonging to Mr Todd while out on the mountain.
His body was spotted just before 1500 GMT about 200 yards away from the spot where the items were found, he added.
Sources at Greater Manchester Police said that among the items found with him were personal letters written to his loved ones, the BBC's Nick Ravenscroft said.
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith led a series of tributes to Mr Todd, saying she was "saddened" to learn of his death.
"Chief Constable Todd has had a long and distinguished career in various forces and has contributed greatly to the fight against crime and terrorism," she said.
"My thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues."
Taser stunt
Tributes also poured in from police bodies, chief constables from other forces, senior MPs and political figures in Manchester.
Mr Todd, a former Met Police assistant commissioner, joined GMP in 2002. He also worked in Essex and Nottingham.
He was appointed chief constable in Greater Manchester, England's third largest force, in October 2002 following the retirement of Sir David Wilmot.
He had been a police officer for more than 30 years, having joined Essex Police in 1976, and was tipped to become Britain's highest-ranking officer - a future Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police.
Mr Todd's most high-profile media appearance was when he allowed himself to be hit by a Taser stun gun to prove they were a safe alternative to firearms.
Thursday 6 March 2008
Eight killed at Jerusalem school
Eight people have been killed and nine wounded by a Palestinian gunman who infiltrated a Jewish seminary in West Jerusalem, Israeli officials say.
Witnesses said the gunman went into a crowded hall during dinner at the Mercaz Harav seminary in the city's Kiryat Moshe quarter and opened fire.
The assailant, who Israeli police said was a resident of East Jerusalem, was shot dead by an Israeli army officer.
The attack is the worst of its kind in Israel for a number of years.
The White House has led international condemnation but the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas called the attack "heroic" while not claiming responsibility.
A previously unknown group called the "Jalil Freedom Battalions - the Martyrs of Imad Mughniyeh and Gaza" claims to have carried it out, according to Lebanese Hezbollah media.
The fact that the school is at the heart of the settler movement in the occupied West Bank may have been the reason why it was targeted, BBC Middle East editor Jeremy Bowen reports.
Many of its students are on special courses that combine religious study with service in combat units in the Israeli army, he notes.
There will be an Israeli response to this attack, our Middle East editor adds - the question is how severe it will be.
'Horrific'
The gunman entered the library at the Mercaz Harav seminary on Thursday evening, where about 80 students were gathered, and fired an AK-47 rifle for several minutes, witnesses say.
One of the students, Yitzhak Dadon, reportedly shot the gunman twice before he was finally killed by an off-duty Israeli army officer, who had gone to the school after hearing gunfire.
"I shot him twice in the head," he told the Reuters news agency.
"He started to sway and then someone else with a rifle fired at him, and he died."
Another man told the BBC that there had been "terrible scenes" inside the building afterwards.
"When we got in... we saw young, 15-, 16-year-old guys lying on the floor with their Bibles in their hands - all dead..." he said.
Jerusalem police commander Aharon Franco confirmed there had been only one gunman and said he had hidden his weapon in a cardboard box.
Imad Mughniyeh, a senior Hezbollah leader and military commander, was killed in a car bomb in Damascus on 12 February.
'Aimed at the heart'
An Israeli foreign ministry spokesman said that "terrorists [were] trying to destroy the chances of peace" but peace talks with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas would continue.
Mr Abbas condemned the attack in a statement saying he "condemns all attacks that target civilians, whether they are Palestinian or Israeli".
US President George W Bush condemned the attack "in the strongest possible terms" and UK Foreign Secretary David Miliband said news of the killings was "shocking".
"They are an arrow aimed at the heart of the peace process so recently revived," Mr Miliband added.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon also criticised the "deliberate killing and injuring of civilians" in what he called a "savage attack".
Hamas praise
In the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip, gunmen fired into the air after news broke about the attack.
This heroic attack in Jerusalem is a normal response to the crimes of the occupier and its murder of civilians
Sami Abu ZuhriHamas spokesman
A loudspeaker in Gaza City reportedly broadcast the message: "This is God's vengeance"
Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said the group "blesses the heroic operation in Jerusalem" calling it as a "natural reaction" to Israeli attacks.
Last week, Israeli forces launched a raid into northern Gaza in which more than 120 Palestinians - including many civilians - were killed.
Shortly after the Jerusalem shooting, the Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad said four of its fighters had been killed in an Israeli air strike in the southern Gaza town of Khan Younis.
Israel says the recent military offensive has been designed to stamp out frequent rocket fire by Palestinian militants.
Rocket attacks have hit deeper into southern Israel, reaching Ashkelon, the closest large city to the Gaza Strip.
Are you in the area? Have you been affected by this incident or have you seen or heard anything? Send your comments or pictures by clicking on "Comments".
Witnesses said the gunman went into a crowded hall during dinner at the Mercaz Harav seminary in the city's Kiryat Moshe quarter and opened fire.
The assailant, who Israeli police said was a resident of East Jerusalem, was shot dead by an Israeli army officer.
The attack is the worst of its kind in Israel for a number of years.
The White House has led international condemnation but the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas called the attack "heroic" while not claiming responsibility.
A previously unknown group called the "Jalil Freedom Battalions - the Martyrs of Imad Mughniyeh and Gaza" claims to have carried it out, according to Lebanese Hezbollah media.
The fact that the school is at the heart of the settler movement in the occupied West Bank may have been the reason why it was targeted, BBC Middle East editor Jeremy Bowen reports.
Many of its students are on special courses that combine religious study with service in combat units in the Israeli army, he notes.
There will be an Israeli response to this attack, our Middle East editor adds - the question is how severe it will be.
'Horrific'
The gunman entered the library at the Mercaz Harav seminary on Thursday evening, where about 80 students were gathered, and fired an AK-47 rifle for several minutes, witnesses say.
One of the students, Yitzhak Dadon, reportedly shot the gunman twice before he was finally killed by an off-duty Israeli army officer, who had gone to the school after hearing gunfire.
"I shot him twice in the head," he told the Reuters news agency.
"He started to sway and then someone else with a rifle fired at him, and he died."
Another man told the BBC that there had been "terrible scenes" inside the building afterwards.
"When we got in... we saw young, 15-, 16-year-old guys lying on the floor with their Bibles in their hands - all dead..." he said.
Jerusalem police commander Aharon Franco confirmed there had been only one gunman and said he had hidden his weapon in a cardboard box.
Imad Mughniyeh, a senior Hezbollah leader and military commander, was killed in a car bomb in Damascus on 12 February.
'Aimed at the heart'
An Israeli foreign ministry spokesman said that "terrorists [were] trying to destroy the chances of peace" but peace talks with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas would continue.
Mr Abbas condemned the attack in a statement saying he "condemns all attacks that target civilians, whether they are Palestinian or Israeli".
US President George W Bush condemned the attack "in the strongest possible terms" and UK Foreign Secretary David Miliband said news of the killings was "shocking".
"They are an arrow aimed at the heart of the peace process so recently revived," Mr Miliband added.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon also criticised the "deliberate killing and injuring of civilians" in what he called a "savage attack".
Hamas praise
In the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip, gunmen fired into the air after news broke about the attack.
This heroic attack in Jerusalem is a normal response to the crimes of the occupier and its murder of civilians
Sami Abu ZuhriHamas spokesman
A loudspeaker in Gaza City reportedly broadcast the message: "This is God's vengeance"
Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said the group "blesses the heroic operation in Jerusalem" calling it as a "natural reaction" to Israeli attacks.
Last week, Israeli forces launched a raid into northern Gaza in which more than 120 Palestinians - including many civilians - were killed.
Shortly after the Jerusalem shooting, the Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad said four of its fighters had been killed in an Israeli air strike in the southern Gaza town of Khan Younis.
Israel says the recent military offensive has been designed to stamp out frequent rocket fire by Palestinian militants.
Rocket attacks have hit deeper into southern Israel, reaching Ashkelon, the closest large city to the Gaza Strip.
Are you in the area? Have you been affected by this incident or have you seen or heard anything? Send your comments or pictures by clicking on "Comments".
Monday 3 March 2008
801, Victor Center
Hii....
If you enjoyed my 3rd novel, 801, Victor Center, please post your comments or reviews about the book here.
I am in the process of editing this fast-paced story, and would do with some support from you.
Thank you !
समीर.
If you enjoyed my 3rd novel, 801, Victor Center, please post your comments or reviews about the book here.
I am in the process of editing this fast-paced story, and would do with some support from you.
Thank you !
समीर.
Wednesday 27 February 2008
Hayden charged for Harbhajan slur
Matthew Hayden has been charged with a breach of Cricket Australia's code of conduct after describing Harbhajan Singh as an "obnoxious little weed".
The Australian opener clashed with the India spinner in the two sides' bitter series down under, and admitted he has had "a bit of a long battle" with him.
But Hayden has been charged for "the public denigration of other players" after the interview on Brisbane radio.
Hayden appeared before a hearing in Melbourne on Wednesday morning.
Hayden and Harbhajan's running feud escalated during the second Test in Sydney last month, when the spinner was accused of making racist remarks to Australia all-rounder Andrew Symonds, the hosts' only mixed race player.
Hayden was a witness in the first hearing against Harbhajan which resulted in a four test ban, though that suspension was later overturned on appeal - after reports India would boycott the rest of the tour if it was upheld - and Harbhajan was fined a portion of his match fee instead for abusive language.
The two players reportedly clashed again on Sunday, when the Indian team accused 94-test veteran Hayden of calling the offspinner "mad boy".
That claim was denied by Hayden, who said: "I called him a bad boy. He took offence to that and I thought that was quite funny. I said, 'Mate you should be flattered, it's a clothing range'."
During a tempestuous tour, 19-year-old bowler Ishant Sharma has also been found guilty of breaching the player's code of conduct after an ugly exchange with Symonds un Sydney on Sunday.
However, India maintain they have been provoked by their hosts.
And Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Niranjan Shah has confirmed India have written a letter to match referee Jeff Crowe complaining about the behaviour of the Australians.
Hayden said his dispute with Harbhajan had been running for years but believes the reason India were complaining so much on this tour was because "they are losing every game they are playing".
"It's been a bit of a long battle with Harbhajan. The first time I ever met him he was the same little obnoxious weed that he is now," stated Hayden.
"His record speaks for itself in cricket. There is a certain line that you can kind of go to and then you know where you push it and he just pushes it all the time."
Hayden also had some advice for teenage fast bowler Sharma, who was fined 15% of his match fee after clashing with Symonds, which prompted India's letter of protest.
"He is just young. I have said to him many times, 'You are 19, take it easy'," added Hayden.
"He is 19, why doesn't he just worry about his bowling for a while? I like the idea of actually getting into the ring (with him). I like that, bring it on."
The BCCI were less than impressed with Hayden's remarks and immediately protested to Cricket Australia.
"We condemn such comments by the Australian players," said chief administrative officer Ratnakar Shetty.
"Our secretary has already communicated our feelings to Cricket Australia. We've advised our players to show restraint but, despite that, if such comments are being made it is really unfair."
The Australian opener clashed with the India spinner in the two sides' bitter series down under, and admitted he has had "a bit of a long battle" with him.
But Hayden has been charged for "the public denigration of other players" after the interview on Brisbane radio.
Hayden appeared before a hearing in Melbourne on Wednesday morning.
Hayden and Harbhajan's running feud escalated during the second Test in Sydney last month, when the spinner was accused of making racist remarks to Australia all-rounder Andrew Symonds, the hosts' only mixed race player.
Hayden was a witness in the first hearing against Harbhajan which resulted in a four test ban, though that suspension was later overturned on appeal - after reports India would boycott the rest of the tour if it was upheld - and Harbhajan was fined a portion of his match fee instead for abusive language.
The two players reportedly clashed again on Sunday, when the Indian team accused 94-test veteran Hayden of calling the offspinner "mad boy".
That claim was denied by Hayden, who said: "I called him a bad boy. He took offence to that and I thought that was quite funny. I said, 'Mate you should be flattered, it's a clothing range'."
During a tempestuous tour, 19-year-old bowler Ishant Sharma has also been found guilty of breaching the player's code of conduct after an ugly exchange with Symonds un Sydney on Sunday.
However, India maintain they have been provoked by their hosts.
And Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Niranjan Shah has confirmed India have written a letter to match referee Jeff Crowe complaining about the behaviour of the Australians.
Hayden said his dispute with Harbhajan had been running for years but believes the reason India were complaining so much on this tour was because "they are losing every game they are playing".
"It's been a bit of a long battle with Harbhajan. The first time I ever met him he was the same little obnoxious weed that he is now," stated Hayden.
"His record speaks for itself in cricket. There is a certain line that you can kind of go to and then you know where you push it and he just pushes it all the time."
Hayden also had some advice for teenage fast bowler Sharma, who was fined 15% of his match fee after clashing with Symonds, which prompted India's letter of protest.
"He is just young. I have said to him many times, 'You are 19, take it easy'," added Hayden.
"He is 19, why doesn't he just worry about his bowling for a while? I like the idea of actually getting into the ring (with him). I like that, bring it on."
The BCCI were less than impressed with Hayden's remarks and immediately protested to Cricket Australia.
"We condemn such comments by the Australian players," said chief administrative officer Ratnakar Shetty.
"Our secretary has already communicated our feelings to Cricket Australia. We've advised our players to show restraint but, despite that, if such comments are being made it is really unfair."
Wednesday 20 February 2008
Ex-MI6 boss denies killing Diana
MI6's former chief has denied that the intelligence service murdered Diana, Princess of Wales.
At the inquest into her death, Sir Richard Dearlove insisted he had not been aware of MI6 assassinating anyone in his 38-year career there.
He denied claims by Harrods boss Mohamed Al Fayed that Diana was killed by MI6 on the orders of Prince Philip.
Mr Al Fayed's son Dodi and driver Henri Paul were also killed in a car crash in Paris in August 1997. Sir Richard told the inquest that this was a "very personal allegation" given his role at the Secret Intelligence Service - otherwise known as MI6 - at the time.
He was MI6's director of operations from 1994 to 1999, and served as head of the agency from 1999 to 2004.
He denied that any assassinations took place under his authority.
'No authorisation'
Ian Burnett QC, for the coroner, asked him: "During the whole of your time in SIS, from 1966 to 2004, were you ever aware of the service assassinating anyone?"
Sir Richard replied: "No, I was not."
He added that the service was legally required to seek authorisation from the Foreign Secretary to carry out any operation which involved breaking the law.
He insisted that the service did not seek any such authorisation regarding the princess in 1997, and any such operation would have been "outside the functions of SIS".
Mr Burnett read sections of the Intelligence Services Commissioner's report from that year which listed all authorisations given to MI6. None related to Princess Diana.
Mr Burnett said: "Are you able to confirm from your own knowledge it follows from what you have said, that no authorisation was sought in respect of any activities concerning Princess Diana?"
Sir Richard replied: "I can absolutely confirm that."
He said that he sat on the SIS board from 1993, giving him access to sensitive material.
This would have meant that he would have been aware of any assassination plot.
'Utterly ridiculous'
Sir Richard added: "I think I can say with confidence from when I became a member of the board of SIS, and from the time when I was deputy head of personnel (from 1984 to 1987), I had a very extensive knowledge of the service."
Asked whether members of the Royal Family had links to MI6, Sir Richard said it was "utterly ridiculous" that Prince Charles and Prince Philip were active members of MI6.
Mr Burnett said: "It is suggested that Prince Philip and the intelligence agencies really run this country and that we are not a Parliamentary democracy."
Sir Richard replied: "I do not want to be flippant, I'm tempted to say I'm flattered, but this is such an absurd allegation that it is difficult to deal with.
"It's completely off the map. I cannot think of any other way of saying it."
He told the hearing he was on holiday in the US when Diana and Dodi were killed.
He added that it was a "mischievous and fanciful allegation" that MI6 could be responsible for a conspiracy in France involving the police, forensic and emergency services.
At the inquest into her death, Sir Richard Dearlove insisted he had not been aware of MI6 assassinating anyone in his 38-year career there.
He denied claims by Harrods boss Mohamed Al Fayed that Diana was killed by MI6 on the orders of Prince Philip.
Mr Al Fayed's son Dodi and driver Henri Paul were also killed in a car crash in Paris in August 1997. Sir Richard told the inquest that this was a "very personal allegation" given his role at the Secret Intelligence Service - otherwise known as MI6 - at the time.
He was MI6's director of operations from 1994 to 1999, and served as head of the agency from 1999 to 2004.
He denied that any assassinations took place under his authority.
'No authorisation'
Ian Burnett QC, for the coroner, asked him: "During the whole of your time in SIS, from 1966 to 2004, were you ever aware of the service assassinating anyone?"
Sir Richard replied: "No, I was not."
He added that the service was legally required to seek authorisation from the Foreign Secretary to carry out any operation which involved breaking the law.
He insisted that the service did not seek any such authorisation regarding the princess in 1997, and any such operation would have been "outside the functions of SIS".
Mr Burnett read sections of the Intelligence Services Commissioner's report from that year which listed all authorisations given to MI6. None related to Princess Diana.
Mr Burnett said: "Are you able to confirm from your own knowledge it follows from what you have said, that no authorisation was sought in respect of any activities concerning Princess Diana?"
Sir Richard replied: "I can absolutely confirm that."
He said that he sat on the SIS board from 1993, giving him access to sensitive material.
This would have meant that he would have been aware of any assassination plot.
'Utterly ridiculous'
Sir Richard added: "I think I can say with confidence from when I became a member of the board of SIS, and from the time when I was deputy head of personnel (from 1984 to 1987), I had a very extensive knowledge of the service."
Asked whether members of the Royal Family had links to MI6, Sir Richard said it was "utterly ridiculous" that Prince Charles and Prince Philip were active members of MI6.
Mr Burnett said: "It is suggested that Prince Philip and the intelligence agencies really run this country and that we are not a Parliamentary democracy."
Sir Richard replied: "I do not want to be flippant, I'm tempted to say I'm flattered, but this is such an absurd allegation that it is difficult to deal with.
"It's completely off the map. I cannot think of any other way of saying it."
He told the hearing he was on holiday in the US when Diana and Dodi were killed.
He added that it was a "mischievous and fanciful allegation" that MI6 could be responsible for a conspiracy in France involving the police, forensic and emergency services.
Sunday 17 February 2008
Hi....
Hiii people....
I'm currently reading The Stone Monkey by Jeffery Deaver. Will post the review soon after finishing it.
Keep posting comments....
I'm currently reading The Stone Monkey by Jeffery Deaver. Will post the review soon after finishing it.
Keep posting comments....
Saturday 16 February 2008
Prasad Nashta Centre
If you are near Bapat Baal school in Sangli and a pleasant aroma of Udupi cuisine hits you, don't start looking here and there....head straight to Prasad Nashta Centre.... undoubtedly the best eating joint I have ever come across....
Now, sitting miles away from Sangli, when I think of the same aroma, it takes me back to my school days, and to all the golden moments of my childhood attached to this Nashta Centre located in the busiest part of the Sangli city.
I don't need to mention the directions to this place... if you are in Gaonbhaag, anybody will be glad to tell you where it is.
It's a very small South Indian eatery, which is extremely crowded in the morning time, and you often need to adjust your plates as the crowd keeps increasing.
And this place has no air about itself.....no chair-table system here....no place for sitting down to eat.... you have to stand and eat... maybe that's why girls don't go there... I hope I'm making no bones about how the place looks like...
Still this place attracts hundreads of Sanglikars everyday.... only because of the unique taste it offers.... which you will hardly find in any other Udupi place...
Starting off with Pohe and Uppit.... they are served in small plates with shev on the top of them. The eatery owner, Swami, will be more than happy to add some sambaar on Pohe if asked. And people who don't like the dryness of pohe prefer to eat it like this. You can ask for some chutney to eat with uppit, and it depends upon Swami's mood whether there is an extra charge for it for you.
And now my most favourite..... Idli sambaar.... !
Prasad serves different sambaars for idli and batata vada.... and both are wonderful !
You can find every vegatable possible in the sambaar made for idli. It's a very mildly spiced thick preparation,flavoured with jaggery and tamarind, and can be called a speciality of this place. The appropriate method of eating idli sambar is taking two idlis in a plate, pouring the sambaar on them, mixing it with spoons, and eating them with chutney.
Previously they used to serve two types of chutneys, ghatta {thick} chutney, and the normal one. I used to love the ghatta chutney, which they have stopped making now. I hope Swami reads this blog and starts making it again !
Vada sambaar is something Prasad Nashta Centre is actually famous for.
Vada is batata vada, and the sambaar for this is extremely spicy, which doesn't have many vegetables in it, and is not half the thick as the sambaar made for idlis. This sambaar is covered with a thick layer of red coloured spicy kat {tadka} which is liked by spicy food lovers like me. The vada is crushed flat in a plate, then sambar and the kat are poured on it. Mixed with the spoons and eaten with chutney and pav, this breakfast is enjoyed more than any misal pav by the Sanglikars.
* I prefer to eat Idlis mixed with both the sambaars. The taste is heavenly which can never be expressed in words.
You get sheera and puri bhaji as well, but they are not that famous.
Despite of the consistent best quality and the taste,surprisingly, the rates at Prasad are cheaper than most of the other breakfast joints.
Shev Pohe - Rs.5/-
Shev Uppit- Rs.5/-
Sheera - Rs.6/-
Idli Sambar - Rs.8/-
Vada Sambar Pav {Single} - 7/-
{Double} - 14/-
Puri bhaaji -Rs. 10/-{not sure}
I've been eating at Prasad since last ten years now.... and the taste is still the same. Rates for Idli and Vada have increased by only Rs.1 . The other rates haven't changed.
I've eaten at numerous South Indian restaurants across Pune and Mumbai.... but not a single one offers the taste like Prasad.
I don't get to go to Sangli that frequently now, but whenever I go there, I don't miss the chance to eat at this great place.
Wanna ask me a question? Shoot a mail at : sameerkulkarni87@gmail.com
Happy eating.... !
Now, sitting miles away from Sangli, when I think of the same aroma, it takes me back to my school days, and to all the golden moments of my childhood attached to this Nashta Centre located in the busiest part of the Sangli city.
I don't need to mention the directions to this place... if you are in Gaonbhaag, anybody will be glad to tell you where it is.
It's a very small South Indian eatery, which is extremely crowded in the morning time, and you often need to adjust your plates as the crowd keeps increasing.
And this place has no air about itself.....no chair-table system here....no place for sitting down to eat.... you have to stand and eat... maybe that's why girls don't go there... I hope I'm making no bones about how the place looks like...
Still this place attracts hundreads of Sanglikars everyday.... only because of the unique taste it offers.... which you will hardly find in any other Udupi place...
Starting off with Pohe and Uppit.... they are served in small plates with shev on the top of them. The eatery owner, Swami, will be more than happy to add some sambaar on Pohe if asked. And people who don't like the dryness of pohe prefer to eat it like this. You can ask for some chutney to eat with uppit, and it depends upon Swami's mood whether there is an extra charge for it for you.
And now my most favourite..... Idli sambaar.... !
Prasad serves different sambaars for idli and batata vada.... and both are wonderful !
You can find every vegatable possible in the sambaar made for idli. It's a very mildly spiced thick preparation,flavoured with jaggery and tamarind, and can be called a speciality of this place. The appropriate method of eating idli sambar is taking two idlis in a plate, pouring the sambaar on them, mixing it with spoons, and eating them with chutney.
Previously they used to serve two types of chutneys, ghatta {thick} chutney, and the normal one. I used to love the ghatta chutney, which they have stopped making now. I hope Swami reads this blog and starts making it again !
Vada sambaar is something Prasad Nashta Centre is actually famous for.
Vada is batata vada, and the sambaar for this is extremely spicy, which doesn't have many vegetables in it, and is not half the thick as the sambaar made for idlis. This sambaar is covered with a thick layer of red coloured spicy kat {tadka} which is liked by spicy food lovers like me. The vada is crushed flat in a plate, then sambar and the kat are poured on it. Mixed with the spoons and eaten with chutney and pav, this breakfast is enjoyed more than any misal pav by the Sanglikars.
* I prefer to eat Idlis mixed with both the sambaars. The taste is heavenly which can never be expressed in words.
You get sheera and puri bhaji as well, but they are not that famous.
Despite of the consistent best quality and the taste,surprisingly, the rates at Prasad are cheaper than most of the other breakfast joints.
Shev Pohe - Rs.5/-
Shev Uppit- Rs.5/-
Sheera - Rs.6/-
Idli Sambar - Rs.8/-
Vada Sambar Pav {Single} - 7/-
{Double} - 14/-
Puri bhaaji -Rs. 10/-{not sure}
I've been eating at Prasad since last ten years now.... and the taste is still the same. Rates for Idli and Vada have increased by only Rs.1 . The other rates haven't changed.
I've eaten at numerous South Indian restaurants across Pune and Mumbai.... but not a single one offers the taste like Prasad.
I don't get to go to Sangli that frequently now, but whenever I go there, I don't miss the chance to eat at this great place.
Wanna ask me a question? Shoot a mail at : sameerkulkarni87@gmail.com
Happy eating.... !
Friday 15 February 2008
About John Grisham....
John Grisham was born in Arkansas in 1955 and received his law degree from Ole Miss in 1981. He specialized in criminal defense in his law practice. John began writing in 1984 and published his first novel "A Time to Kill" in 1988. It was released as a major motion picture in the summer of 1996. All of Grisham's novels have been bestsellers and many will be made into motion pictures.
My favorite book is "The Firm".
His major novels are:
The Last Juror - 2004
Bleachers - 2003
The King of Torts - 2003
The Summons - 2002
Skipping Christmas - 2001
A Painted House - 2001
The Brethren - 2000
The Testament - 1999
The Street Lawyer - 1998
The Partner - 1997
The Runaway Jury - 1996
The Rainmaker - 1995
The Chamber - 1994
The Client - 1993
The Pelican Brief - 1992
The Firm - 1991
A Time to Kill - 1988
My favorite book is "The Firm".
His major novels are:
The Last Juror - 2004
Bleachers - 2003
The King of Torts - 2003
The Summons - 2002
Skipping Christmas - 2001
A Painted House - 2001
The Brethren - 2000
The Testament - 1999
The Street Lawyer - 1998
The Partner - 1997
The Runaway Jury - 1996
The Rainmaker - 1995
The Chamber - 1994
The Client - 1993
The Pelican Brief - 1992
The Firm - 1991
A Time to Kill - 1988
Wednesday 16 January 2008
Goan Chicken with Herbs
Goan Chicken with Herbs
Griddled chicken pieces coated in a lime-infused mint and coriander paste that will brings you the true tastes of Goa
Servings: 4
Level of difficulty: Easy
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 minutes
Ingredients
1 x 1kg chicken
1 tsp Turmeric
2 large bunches Coriander, roughly chopped
2 large bunches Mint, roughly chopped
12 garlic cloves, roughly chopped
2.5 cm piece Ginger, roughly chopped
1 tbsp Black peppercorns
6 Cloves
1 tsp Sugar
3 limes, juice only
5 green chillies, seeds removed and roughly chopped
2 tbsp vegetable oil
Method
1. Cut the chicken into four pieces across the backbone and across its width. Using a sharp knife, make a 2-3 slits over each piece, sprinkle over a little salt and the turmeric and set aside.
2. Put all the remaining ingredients, except the vegetable oil, in a food processor and blitz to a fine paste. Spread this over the chicken pieces, rubbing it into the gashes, cover and leave in the fridge to marinade for at least 4 hours.
3. Heat the oil on a hot plate or griddle, over a high heat. Cook the chicken for 2 minutes on all sides to brown, then lower the heat and cook for another 15 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through.
Griddled chicken pieces coated in a lime-infused mint and coriander paste that will brings you the true tastes of Goa
Servings: 4
Level of difficulty: Easy
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 minutes
Ingredients
1 x 1kg chicken
1 tsp Turmeric
2 large bunches Coriander, roughly chopped
2 large bunches Mint, roughly chopped
12 garlic cloves, roughly chopped
2.5 cm piece Ginger, roughly chopped
1 tbsp Black peppercorns
6 Cloves
1 tsp Sugar
3 limes, juice only
5 green chillies, seeds removed and roughly chopped
2 tbsp vegetable oil
Method
1. Cut the chicken into four pieces across the backbone and across its width. Using a sharp knife, make a 2-3 slits over each piece, sprinkle over a little salt and the turmeric and set aside.
2. Put all the remaining ingredients, except the vegetable oil, in a food processor and blitz to a fine paste. Spread this over the chicken pieces, rubbing it into the gashes, cover and leave in the fridge to marinade for at least 4 hours.
3. Heat the oil on a hot plate or griddle, over a high heat. Cook the chicken for 2 minutes on all sides to brown, then lower the heat and cook for another 15 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through.
Saturday 12 January 2008
KFC Recipe . . .
KENTUCKY FRIED CHICKEN RECIPE
USAPrep: 15 min; Cook: 30 min - Medium DifficultyServes 4
IF you are expert at frying, skip to the ingredients.
FOR this Kentucky fried chicken recipe, you can use lard, crisco (shortening), or one of the vegetable oils. You can also add butter, if you choose, skimming off any foam that rises to the top while heating the oil. You can toss in chunks of ham or bacon to add flavor. Crucial are the skillet or pan, and the temperature of the oil. On my first try the oil was too hot; the result was burned, undercooked chicken. Oil that is not hot enough will not deliver crisp chicken.IDEAL frying temperature is about 365 degrees F (185 C) - ascertained with a frying thermometer or by dropping a 2" square of bread in the hot oil - it should turn golden brown in about 60 seconds.WHEN you have the right temperature, add the pieces slowly, one by one, and do not crowd them. Be patient and do two or more batches, if you must.
INGREDIENTS:
1 good chicken (Kosher or 'natural' chickens are usually best), cut into serving pieces, or use 8 to 10 leg pieces (drumsticks and thighs), trimmed of excess fat. AND
1 tablespoon curry powder
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice ORfines herbes mix:
1 tsp chopped tarragon
1 tsp chopped chervil
1 tsp chopped chives
1 tsp chopped parsley
(or any combination of the above, plus whatever else you fancy) PLUS
1 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp cayenne pepper (more or less to taste)
1 egg
1 cup flour
Salt and pepper to taste
Enough oil or lard to fill skillet to a depth of about 1/2" - lard, lard and butter combined or vegetable: Crisco shortening, corn, canola, peanut. Canola or corn oil imparts the least flavor, lard the most. Crisco shortening seems to result in the 'crispest' chicken. Canola is considered the healthiest.
Large heavy skillet or casserole with cover; large mixing bowl; tongs or a big fork for handling chicken pieces, frying thermometer (ideally).
IN a bowl, mix chicken with salt, pepper, spices, garlic, chili, egg and 2 tablespoons water. When thoroughly combined, blend in flour, using your hands. Keep mixing until most of the flour is blended with other ingredients and chicken is coated (add more water or flour if mixture is too thin or too dry; it should be dry but not powdery and not too wet - it has to adhere to the chicken).
ADD enough fat (oil) to your skillet to come to a depth of about 1/2 inch and turn heat to medium. If you are using butter, skim any foam as it rises to the surface.
WHEN oil is hot (see introductory paragraphs) raise heat to high. Slowly add chicken pieces to skillet. Cover skillet, reduce heat to medium (more or less - oil should sizzle but not smoke) and cook for 7 minutes.
UNCOVER skillet, turn chicken and continue to cook, uncovered, for another 7 minutes.
TURN chicken again and cook for about 5 minutes more, turning as necessary to ensure that both sides are golden brown.
REMOVE chicken from skillet and drain on paper towels placed on newspaper (for additional absorption). Serve chicken
USAPrep: 15 min; Cook: 30 min - Medium DifficultyServes 4
IF you are expert at frying, skip to the ingredients.
FOR this Kentucky fried chicken recipe, you can use lard, crisco (shortening), or one of the vegetable oils. You can also add butter, if you choose, skimming off any foam that rises to the top while heating the oil. You can toss in chunks of ham or bacon to add flavor. Crucial are the skillet or pan, and the temperature of the oil. On my first try the oil was too hot; the result was burned, undercooked chicken. Oil that is not hot enough will not deliver crisp chicken.IDEAL frying temperature is about 365 degrees F (185 C) - ascertained with a frying thermometer or by dropping a 2" square of bread in the hot oil - it should turn golden brown in about 60 seconds.WHEN you have the right temperature, add the pieces slowly, one by one, and do not crowd them. Be patient and do two or more batches, if you must.
INGREDIENTS:
1 good chicken (Kosher or 'natural' chickens are usually best), cut into serving pieces, or use 8 to 10 leg pieces (drumsticks and thighs), trimmed of excess fat. AND
1 tablespoon curry powder
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice ORfines herbes mix:
1 tsp chopped tarragon
1 tsp chopped chervil
1 tsp chopped chives
1 tsp chopped parsley
(or any combination of the above, plus whatever else you fancy) PLUS
1 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp cayenne pepper (more or less to taste)
1 egg
1 cup flour
Salt and pepper to taste
Enough oil or lard to fill skillet to a depth of about 1/2" - lard, lard and butter combined or vegetable: Crisco shortening, corn, canola, peanut. Canola or corn oil imparts the least flavor, lard the most. Crisco shortening seems to result in the 'crispest' chicken. Canola is considered the healthiest.
Large heavy skillet or casserole with cover; large mixing bowl; tongs or a big fork for handling chicken pieces, frying thermometer (ideally).
IN a bowl, mix chicken with salt, pepper, spices, garlic, chili, egg and 2 tablespoons water. When thoroughly combined, blend in flour, using your hands. Keep mixing until most of the flour is blended with other ingredients and chicken is coated (add more water or flour if mixture is too thin or too dry; it should be dry but not powdery and not too wet - it has to adhere to the chicken).
ADD enough fat (oil) to your skillet to come to a depth of about 1/2 inch and turn heat to medium. If you are using butter, skim any foam as it rises to the surface.
WHEN oil is hot (see introductory paragraphs) raise heat to high. Slowly add chicken pieces to skillet. Cover skillet, reduce heat to medium (more or less - oil should sizzle but not smoke) and cook for 7 minutes.
UNCOVER skillet, turn chicken and continue to cook, uncovered, for another 7 minutes.
TURN chicken again and cook for about 5 minutes more, turning as necessary to ensure that both sides are golden brown.
REMOVE chicken from skillet and drain on paper towels placed on newspaper (for additional absorption). Serve chicken
Saturday 5 January 2008
About my hometown.....
Situated on the bank of river krishana, Sangli is the biggest trade market place for turmeric powder in the entire country, also the Asia's biggest sugar plant is situated here. The city name Sangli is devised after it's six lanes (City of Six-Gallies). Sangli is a well known place for its Lok kala , Cultural activities, Educational facilities and its very own Co-operative principles. Sangli's climate is a moderately hot and dry, with cool weather in the hilly region. It is a market place for Chillies, Jaggery,Ground nuts, Sugar, Grapes,...Sangli is endowed by many leading personalities like Lata Mangeshkar, Padmabushan Vasant Dada Patil "Son of Sangli" who got elected as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra for four times.
My all time favourite English books....
1. If Tomorrow Comes by Sidney Sheldon
2. The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown
3. The Bourne Identity by Robert Ludlum
4. The Rainmaker by John Grisham
5. Jack & Jill by James Patterson
6. The Godfather by Mario Puzo
7. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling
8. The Things Men Do by James Hadley Chase
9. The Graveyard Shift by Jack Higgins
10.One Night at the Call Center by Chetan Bhagat
2. The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown
3. The Bourne Identity by Robert Ludlum
4. The Rainmaker by John Grisham
5. Jack & Jill by James Patterson
6. The Godfather by Mario Puzo
7. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling
8. The Things Men Do by James Hadley Chase
9. The Graveyard Shift by Jack Higgins
10.One Night at the Call Center by Chetan Bhagat
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