CGPA Teaching

Teach for India is looking for applications. They want people to contribute and commit to socially equipping India's illiterate population. Sounds impressive...

So i merrily plod along and visit their website to see if I could contribute weekends. I check out the application form and guess what - there are pages (multiple of em) asking for your school and college CGPA. Now i've never been a scorer in school n college but i'm thinking to myself - I've just been made to realize that without good scores I cannot contribute (its a story we're all too familiar with - and with 3 Idiots on the screens - you've definitely been touched by it)

Though the venture is spectacular - they fail at exactly the same place where many examiners have failed - testing the caliber and exploiting it. CGPA is soooooo wrong a way of measuring potential.

Sure India is a big country and selection by elimination comes naturally - but even so, there is no excuse for building a social impact without all spokes of the wheel. You could end up with 30 teachers who are all high scorers in school but none of them can teach children the devastating effects of alcohol abuse.

Part me thinks Teach for India wants academic geeks cause they don't want to 'risk' it. Betting on an academician is safer than betting on a non-academician. You should read the way people are discussing it on Facebook - its like they're all preparing for a job interview ! I mean we've missed the social aspect of completely or what !

Teach for India - if you are reading this - there's a reason you're missing out on the AWESOME applications. Good teachers are high on experience (life or otherwise) not high on academic scores. Start looking at the most unusual places - you'll find a wealth of willing minds who would like to contribute to this social cause. (Unless of course you're planning to start a school - just a regular school ! :) )

The BucketList

I'm a big fan of gentle, intelligent, and sophisticated humor. It's got nothing to do with any attitude - its just that I'm not very game for slapstick stuff.

(i've just realized my blog has turned into a movie review center !!)

What can two dying men say to each other on a hospital bed that will have you in splits !!

I'm not going to say anything on this one - a full 5 star movie.

Half Blood Prince

I'm not exactly a 'freak fan' of Mr. Potter - but i am a big fan of the sheer marketing that's gone into the making of perhaps one of the biggest phenomenons on the big screen in recent times. Let's not get into how they did that - it's beyond the scope of a blog post !

However, this is just a quick review of the latest - HBP a.k.a - Half Blood Prince. My personal opinion on the movie - trash ! I think that's cause the book isn't that mysterious. Except a major incident towards the end of the movie - there isn't anything else that keeps you gripped. And that's most unlike Mr. Potter. Perhaps i was expecting too much.

Other flicks to watch out for -

Transformers 2. Only if you're a fan of fiction to an extent that robots can 'transform' into your cigarette lighter. I am very skeptical of cars these days - god knows when one of em might just transform into a 100 ft. tall monster and start firing rockets at me !

Whatever happened to good 'ol cinema ! Or is it me whos getting older!

Chinese Secrets

A large section of people i know enjoy the 'Chinese' cuisine. They really relish the menu - right from spicy wantonese soups to those soft garlic noodles !

I've been experimenting with Chinese cuisine for over 2 years now. I cannot say i've perfected it but i have definitely picked up critical 'tricks' that should help the novice to medium cook who wants to stir up some 'slick' chinese menu.

TRICK #1
Always ... i mean ALWAYS use chicken stock. Sorry veggie peoples - but Chinese aren't exactly vegetarian ! use it for noodles also !

TRICK #2
Never hoard your wok. What this means is that always make servings of upto 2 people at the most. Your wok should be about 35-40% full when all the ingredients go in. ensure the wok isn't overflowing.

TRICK #3
Chop your veggies REAL FINE. And i mean - as fine as you can. Use a sharp knife. Especially hard to cook veggies like cabbage, onions, and carrots. (or leafy veggies)

TRICK #4
Use a WOK - yes. For my Indian readers - a 'kadhai' will not substitute. The wok is made out of a thinner sheet of aluminum - so it heats real fast and retains the heat longer. Unless you are making stew - chinese cuisine demands less time on stove.

TRICK #5
Don't throw in the Garlic when the oil is hot - it just burns the garlic. Especially in a wok. Ideally throw in something like Onions first. Burnt garlic takes the kick away from super noodles.

TRICK #6
Tips for boiling noodles:
- Put the noodles in the water ONLY when it starts boiling
- Keep the noodles just slightly undercooked - take em out and wash them with cold water
- If you can - boil the noodles in Chicken stock with some spices (like cloves, garlic, bay leaf, and salt)
- Post washing, dab the Noodles with little bit of olive oil and shake it well. The Noodles will retain their moisture.
- Timing is critical. The noodles should be ready just when they need to go into the Wok. Basically - they shouldn't be sitting on the kitchen slab !

I've been picking up some very interesting recipes from Sanjeev Kapoor's book. I generally make his recipie and then improvise every time. Sometimes i've hit rock bottom - but the trick with Chinese is to keep it simple and fast.

All the best and bon appétit !

Blame Twitter !

I never realized that its been over 2 months since i've posted ! Twitter is a really bad influence i must say. I guess 140 characters makes a deeper dent that 'freedom to write'.

Follow me on Twitter