2 - Minute Noodles: Me and our Maggi

I am alone today as my brother went out with his friends. Nevertheless I have my own ways to beat loneliness- by getting creative.

I started my day with delicious Maggi and boiled eggs for breakfast. As I was preparing Maggi I asked myself, "Is Maggi really a 2 minute noodles?" Common question, isn't it? And the common answer to it is that Maggi never gets ready in 2 minutes. So regardless of what happens with the food safety parameters, I think it should be charged for telling a lie. The lie which is incorporated in the brand itself - "2-Minute noodles". Because we all believe Maggi takes more time to be prepared.

But if a company is sued for taking more time than it actually claims none will escape. It is not only with products but also or more so with individuals, especially we Indians. We all take more time than we say, almost everyone. So why only complain about Maggi! "One second" (ek second) and "ek minute" (ek minute) are common idioms we use everyday. But these 'one minute's doesn't mean a minute exactly. We rarely get ready on time. Even when we have to attend any event we arrive late. Hence, this means we are not punctual.

Some people have the habit of getting late no matter what. Actually most people I would say. Everyday I get to see examples. So you do I assume. People often give excuses that important persons arrive late. Some even say that arriving late grabs more attention. However everyone knows that it is nothing but an excuse. Being late is rude. It shows no respect for time of your host. Being late is pathetic. It doesn't do any good.

Honestly answer yourself - Are you one of those who are always late? If yes, do you wish to change? Believe me it is possible. And if you are one among the few who are punctual, pat your back! If you really want to change your habit I will give you tips from my own experience - how I changed my habit from being always late to being punctual. And if you don't bother to change your habit, well, I wish I never have to deal with you. I hate when someone makes me wait. I guess nor you like it.

But right now I will leave you here. For my tips or my personal experience to change the habit of being always late I will write a new post altogether. But before I go let me make a statement on behalf of Maggi, where we exactly started.

We believe that Maggi is not ready in 2 minutes anyway. But if you turn to the back of the packet you will find directions on how to cook. It says -

• Break the noodle cake into two parts.
• Add Noodles and TASTEMAKER to 1 small tea cup (130ml) of boiling water.
• Cook for 2 minutes in an open pan. Stir occassionally. Do not drain remaining water. Hold for 1 min after cooking. Serve hot.

(As written in the packet of 35g Chotu Maggi)

See! Practically it takes more than 2 minutes. But the directions say that add the noodles in boiling water and cook for only 2 minutes.

Hence, Nestle cannot be called a liar.

30 Days Book Writing Challenge

Yesterday I attended a book writing workshop. Dr. Vineet Gera was here. He spoke many things about book writing. He spoke about what a book can do for the author. He gave some reasons for one to write and also explained about what to write about, where to start. Everyone has something to say, their experiences, skills or even life changing events. So, one can start writing whatever he/she has to say, whatever he/she thinks. And that’s exactly how I started. Dr. Vineet Gera also had the same thing to say.

Dr. Gera also talked about the framework to write a non-fiction. Along with these he stressed on setting up a worthy MRP for a work. Most importantly he introduced me to a new technology, voice typing on Google Docs. I tried it today. It is awesome.

One doesn’t need to be an expert to write a book, unlike we all, or most of us think. At least I thought so before I started to write. As I already said that I have written two stories, I came to know that it is not so hard to write a book. All you have to do is getting started. Once you start you will find a way to complete it. That’s exactly what Dr. Gera told. We make lots of excuses. But if we make excuses we will end up doing nothing. Once you write a book you will be considered an expert rather than expecting yourself to be an expert before writing something. Nothing happens if you do a mistake or even many. You will learn eventually. So I have completed two, and looking forward to writing many more.

Yesterday, after much consideration, I decided to publish my first book with Gurucool Publishing. Gurucool Publishing is started by Dr. Vineet Gera himself. I have done a lot of homework on traditional publishing and self publishing. I found none to match what he offered. So I registered myself with Gurucool Publishing. Ooh! I forgot to mention! I got a book as a present in return from Dr. Vineet Gera – Art of Event Management.

Candle March for our Martyred Soldiers

Lighting candles at Albert Ekka Chowk

Candle March with the poster of Martyr Vijay Soreng

People across the country are saddened by the Pulwama attack. Nevertheless they show respect for the martyred soldiers. People are raising their voices to take action against the ugly act. From common man to celebrities, all are condemning the cowardly attack. The incident has united the citizens to show their patriotism. So it the same in the capital of Jharkhand.


Jharkhand also lost one of the brave sons Vijay Soreng. He was among the Jawans who lost their lives in the Pulwama Attack. His corpse landed into the soil of Jharkhand with utmost respect and pride yesterday. Funeral ceremonies were held today. And in the capital Ranchi people marched down the lanes to show their anger, distress, love and respect.

I was also present in a candle march from Mission Chowk to Albert Ekka Chowk. We marched to honour to Martyr Vijay Soreng and other soldiers. In the end everyone lit candles in front of his photo at Albert Ekka Chowk. Slogans roared in the air - "Vijay Soreng amar rahe!"

Amidst all these I was little sad to witness comparatively lesser people involved in the march as I expected. There is so much of protest in social media platforms. So I thought people might be present in large numbers, and not only good numbers. But it seems people are more expressive in social media platforms. Changing their DP, sharing inspirational videos, reacting to patriotic posts and so on have become the medium to show support. Everyone did not get the information. It is acceptable. But there were some who were so impatient to cross the street paving through the marching people.

But proud of those who participated and also those who showed respect standing at the sidelines.