From & To Sathish #5 - Page 30

https://youtu.be/axOASB2EZcE

https://youtu.be/5xGSnomn0z4

https://youtu.be/sbe2sDThG6Y

How a Single Mom & 7 Daughters Made Jodhpur Man’s Spice Legacy ‘World Famous’

Mohanlal and Bhagwanti Vermohal founded MV Spices in Jodhpur in the 70s. What started as a handful of handmade spices being sold on a bedsheet outside Mehrangarh Fort is today a world-famous spice business with four stores that offer over 120 products, being helmed by eight gritty women

If you go to Jodhpur, Rajasthan and happen to visit MV Spices as part of your tour, you will find the store, located in the Clock Tower area, brimming with curious foreigners and tourists. Step inside and you will find a few young girls selling a variety of spices, which especially cater to the tastes of visitors from outside India.

But it’s not the spices alone that make the store stand out. There’s a special story behind what makes MV Spices truly unique.

As Bhagwanti, wife of late Mohanlal Verhomal, co-founder of the business, tells The Better India, “My daughters and I are the only women in the spice business in Jodhpur.”

Bhagwanti and Mohanlal started the spice business in the late 1970s, with Mohanlal’s ambition being to sell products to foreigners and tourists.

“I married Mohanlal at the age of 22. He owned a grocery shop back then, but it suffered heavy losses as many relatives and acquaintances sourced groceries from the shop on credit and never paid for it,” she recalls.

Soon after marriage, Bhagwanti gave birth to three daughters in a row. The couple soon began to feel a financial burden as their family grew. “I convinced my husband that such losses cannot continue as we had daughters to raise and that our living expenses would only increase over the years,” she says.

After months of convincing, Mohanlal agreed to shut shop and look for an alternative business.

“I suggested we make traditional spices at home and sell them to tourists in Jodhpur. Around the time my fourth daughter was born, I began making 50- gram packets of spices at home and handed them to my husband to sell in the market,” Bhagwanti says.

The 63-year-old adds that the business started with no significant capital in hand. “Mohanlal started selling the spices at the entrance of the famous Mehrangarh Fort. He would spread a bed sheet along the street and display the spices on it,” she says.

Bhagwanti says, “One day, a guard at the fort asked Mohanlal to meet Maharaja Gaj Singh. The king decided to dedicate a space within the fort where Mohanlal could set up shop in return for a monthly rent.”

Thanks to this, the shop saw increased visibility and business picked up. In 1980, the couple had enough finances to buy a shop near the Clock Tower at the vegetable market and named it MV Spices.

“Tourists and foreigners appreciated the spices for their quality and taste. Our products were handmade and had no adulteration, and the raw materials were of high quality. The practice of selecting quality spices continues to date,” she says.

Bhagwanti says the mix of the spices is tweaked every now and then, considering the taste of the foreigners. “For example, the proportion of black pepper in garam masala is comparatively less than used for Indian taste buds. Such small changes helped foreigners accept the products,” she adds.

Overcoming grief

In 2004, tragedy struck when Mohanlal passed away suddenly due to a heart attack, making Bhagwanti the sole proprietor of the business.

“We had seven daughters by then and no son. Everyone, including my in-laws, believed the shop would shut as men traditionally owned and operated the businesses. They advised me to close operations as it would become difficult to manage my children and a business. Some relatives suggested I hand over the affairs in return for monthly rent,” Bhagwanti says.

But she refused all such offers and decided to continue the business by herself. “Mohanlal and I would toil from 6 am until 9 pm to establish the business. It was my husband’s dream, and I needed to earn money to raise my daughters. There was no way I was going to give up on it,” she says.

But as bias reared its ugly head, Bhagwanti found that standing up for her beliefs at home was much easier than what was waiting for her outside in society.

“I was the only woman in the business, and competitors started spreading rumours and misinformation about me. They threatened us and even misguided tourists. Many of them named their shops starting with the letter ‘M’ to confuse customers. They tried to tear us down just because I was a woman,” she recalls.

However, not one to bag down, she asked her four elder daughters to manage the shop near the Clock Tower, and she took charge of the business at the fort.

Today, the family owns four shops that offer over 120 plus products such as vegetable masala, curry masala, tea masala, herbal masala, chicken masala and others. The handmade spices have made a mark across the globe — 95 per cent of MV Spices’ products are sold to foreigners or are exported.

The shops are managed by seven daughters – Usha, Poonam, Neelam, Nikki, Kavita, Rutu and Priya.

Neelam, manager of the business, says the aggressive gender bias has not reduced over time. “The men in the area did not want us in the market then, and the situation has not changed much since. Our world turned upside down overnight after our father’s death. We were in shock at his sudden demise. But my mother dealt with the loss and remained strong-headed to continue the business. Her vision and belief in herself make us all proud,” she says.

Neelam says that before their father passed away, the daughters had never been involved in the business. “We did not know about spices and how to run a business. But we started taking responsibilities to help our mother and worked as instructed,” she says.

A relation of trust

She adds that taking charge of the business made her know more about her father. “Our father was always busy, and we were engrossed in academics and personal lives. We didn’t have much time to bond. But managing the shop helped me understand my father better,” she says, adding that old customers often visit the shop to meet Mohanlal, and miss his presence when they find out that he is no more.

Recalling an incident, Neelam says, “Once, a lady from the United Kingdom visited the shop and narrated an experience about her previous visit. My father was about to have lunch when she arrived. He offered her and other tourists his lunch box and shared food. The lady admitted that she was hungry and was moved by his gesture. On another occasion, Mohanlal rode her to a local food joint to give her an experience of authentic street food.”

She adds, “Such stories of my father’s kindness and his strong bond with customers show how dedicated, committed and passionate he was towards his business.”

A UK-based customer, Claire, says, “One of our guides took us to the spice shop as a part of the city tour. The shop seemed average at first, but the experience was amazing. The girls explained to us how spices are used in cooking. They even guided us with recipes and cooking instructions via email.”

Meanwhile, Neelam says that their store offers something different to foreign visitors. “They appreciate that we take the time out to interact with them, tell them about the spices in detail and that we speak in English. They’re also more comfortable with us because we’re women.”

“We always send the courier of spices on credit to foreign countries and ask for payment only after delivery. If the products fail to reach, we do not charge. It is what my father practised, and we continue the same,” she explains, adding, “Such trust and belief has helped us retain customers for years.”

She says their business continues to use word of mouth to promote itself, and the family has not resorted to digital media marketing or other advertising means. “Our business has thrived solely by traditional means. Even when we travel abroad or to other parts of India, we carry packets of spices and try to promote them,” she says.

Meanwhile, Bhagwanti is confident that her daughters will take the business to new heights. “They know the hard work that has been put in for years and know the business dynamics. I am sure the shops are in safe hands,” she adds.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4W1iB7dT3c

Avan, Aval, Adhu 90

Fire and Ice By Robert Frost

Some say the world will end in fire,

Some say in ice.

From what I’ve tasted of desire

I hold with those who favor fire.

But if it had to perish twice,

I think I know enough of hate

To say that for destruction ice

Is also great

And would suffice.

' No' Gayatri said in a grim and scary voice and Rasaathi Ammal looked at her as if she had suddenly gone mad and had lost all her bearings.

' No, No. I will not walk away without trying. I cannot, mother' Gayatri said with determination fueled and filled with desperation.

'I will not walk away and I will not let go. Not until I am done telling Ravi how I feel about him and how much he means to me.'

Even though she was not aware of it, her soul sensing something, turned her face towards the west and towards the distant blue mountains of Kodaikanal and she whispered, ' A person does not walk away from an oasis that is brimming with sweet life-giving water and not after having walked through a dangerous desert in search of it.'

Turning to Rasaathi Ammal, ' Amma, Ravi is my oasis and my life is the desert and will remain a desert. I don't mind if I lose but I want to give it one try. All I can do is hope and all I can do is try.'

' Gayatri, Ravi has spent more than half his life sharing his heart and soul with another woman. Do you know what that means? It means she must be a part of him now and will remain a part of him until he is no more. How do you expect to win in this no-win situation for I know for sure that you will get hurt and then you will have to spend the rest of your life with more pain than before?'

She smiled, ' I don't mind that, Amma. At least I will know and move on and somehow continue to exist with the consolation that I gave it my best shot and lost not because of my love or the lack of effort but because of life, time and destiny.'

Grabbing Rasaathi's hands, ' But, I will keep coming back whenever it is possible to see you and Ravi and spend time with you. For, even if I fail to win his love, I will at least have his friendship and his company.'

Rasaathi Ammal hugged Gayatri and said, I hope and pray you succeed, my child. Not because this old mother wants her son to be happy but because this old mother wants you to be happy too.'

Letting go, Rasaathi Ammal turned and stared fiercely at the creeper vine that was Ravi's personal plant and property and began to speak in a soft and sad voice as her heart poured out all the pain from old memories.

' Ravi was always good in studies and sports and both me and my husband knew that he had a good future ahead of him and would go on to get a good job and settle into a quiet and happy life. But then all that changed' Rasaathi recollected and then suddenly she slapped her head with her right palm and said, ' But of course, how did I miss that?'

' Amma, what did you miss?'

Rasaathi Ammal looked at her, ' Gayatri, Ravi who had been a good student suddenly became the best student and began to excel in every subject and that sudden change began in the 8th standard.'

' 8th std? You mean to say Ravi met this woman in his 8th std?' Gayatri asked in a wondrous voice and Rasaathi Ammal nodded, Yes. I am sure of it for until then, Ravi always stood 5th or 6th in his class and just about managed the same places in his sports activities. But come the first week of 8th std, Ravi began to excel in everything. It was as if he had been magically transformed into another person.'

Rasaathi Ammal shook her head in anger and grief and looked at Gayatri, ' Ravi was never a talkative person but from the time he joined his new class in 8th, he began to speak, sing, write and became hyperactive and became a human super boy. He always appeared to be filled with strange light and energy and the best part was he was always smiling happily.'

Gayatri did not know whether to cry, laugh or die hearing about Ravi from his mother's memories and said, ' Surely, that must have been the time he met this girl. In his 8th std.'

Rasaathi Ammal nodded in agreement and slowly turned and gently caressed the plant that is called Rangoon creeper and far away in the hills of the blue mountains, Kodai, Ravi who had stopped his bike, got off it and walked to the plant and gently kissed its flowers and whispered, ' Madhu. My beautiful Madhu. I love you so much and I will love you until I am no more and even then the energy of my soul and its chanting of your name will roam around in this air and maybe one day, you will breathe me into you and I will be home finally.'

Far, far away in Mumbai, Madhu pressed the button on the remote and stood gazing at the yellow sunflower and whispered, ' Ravi, Ami tomake bhalobasi.'

Ami tomake bhalobasi means I love you.

Ravi means sun in Sanskrit.

The term Nilgiris is the English equivalent of Tamil for Blue Mountains. The strikingly blue colour of the hills is attributed to the clustered bloom of the mass-flowering species `Strobilanthes kunthiana', called `Neela kurinji' in Tamil on the hill-slopes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOx7rg2-Psk

https://youtu.be/sCPHO8KOoko

Vaanathai Pola 392

R&AW Chief V.K.Singh and Raman were in a small cabin in front of the Television watching Defence Minister Rajnath Singh as he addressed the sea of people in front of the Airport. They were not paying particular attention to the press meeting since the speech and every detail had been prepared by them.

There had been a major hiccup when the subject of who had actually saved all the passengers and had disarmed the terrorists and how it had been done had risen. But V.K.Singh had put his foot down and had told in no uncertain terms that Raman's name should not be in the headlines and should not be given any publicity.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh who had found the situation rather funny and yet at the same time highly frustrating had tried to plead with V.K.Singh.

' V.K.sir, Just imagine the amount of positive press and feedback we will get from all over the world because of this Hijacking. The world wants a hero. Our India wants a hero for people crave, feeds and thrives on heroism and are least bothered if he is real or reel and unreal. All they want is a symbol, a figure that can take on evil and perform unbelievable miracles. In my opinion, Raman fits the bill perfectly. Let us make him our poster boy for this will assure our party's in any upcoming elections.'

V.k.Singh stared at him and said, ' You are thinking about your power and victory in future elections but have you stopped and thought about Raman's life and how you will be putting him in grave danger. Not only him but his entire family will now have to face grave risks every passing day.'

Minister Rajnath Singh waved his hand as if to say that V.K's fears were silly and said, ' We will put Raman under the same Z category security that is given to our Prime Minister Modiji and all problems solved.'

Leaning forward, Minister Rajnath Singh implored, ' V.K., arre bhai, just stop and think of India's image and what it will do to us in the global stage. We have never had much success in hijackings and the matter of Flight 814 which was hijacked in December 1999 just after our party came to power is still rankling in all our minds. Our beloved leader Shri Vajpayeeji is no more but we can use this hijacking to repay our debt to his leadership and the insult and suffering he felt during that hijacking when he was forced to release three deadly terrorists who were actually ISI agents from Pakistan.'

' I was there, Rajnathji while all that was happening. But that was then and this is now and we are talking about Raman's life and the lives of his family here.'

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's voice turned cold and stern. ' V.K.Singhji, you are talking so much and going on and on about Raman and his family's security and I concede that you have a point. But, have you given any thought to what you have done or did you even think for a second before you brought him into your agency. '

Slapping the table with his hand, ' You run R&AW and what is it you do. Spying and espionage and assassinations. Yet, you drafted him into serving you and your agency knowing very well that you are forcing him to face grave danger and that too for every day and every moment of his life and probably for the rest of his life.

Even after he retires to a quiet pensioned life, he will face constant threats of kidnapping for either ransom or for classified information.'

V.K.Singh sighed sadly and said in a timid voice, ' I erred badly. I thought of Raman as another worker, agent who will serve his country but.......'

' But, all that changed the moment you started looking at him your own son and began to mentor him to take up your position one day after you are gone.'

' "One day", I am sorry but I will be gone in the next few weeks or maybe sooner' V.K said and smiled sarcastically and getting up from his chair, nodded, ' Okay. I agree but there are conditions that have to be met and followed diligently.'

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh too stood up and nodded, ' Deal.'

*Via: Spiritual Cafe (Must read)* :- *Someone asked me “how to let go , when the same person hurts us again and again?*” Well here’s what I have learnt from life and people , this is my understanding and it has helped me in forgiving the people who hurt me and letting go of the pain . Sharing this with you all , hope it helps you too .

*First* of all you need to understand that in this world people can only give what they have , if they have joy and happiness they will give the same , if they have sadness , bitterness and unhappiness , well they will give that. Remember to check your expectations, if you are expecting a “green chilli to taste sweet “ it’s chilli and it’s innate nature is to burn your tongue , and it will burn your tongue . Same is the case with people , you have to develop an understanding that some people are bitter(because of painful past, unhappiness or whatever reason they have to be the way they are ) so how can they say and do sweet and good things to you . It’s plain n Simple fact that we can only give what we have .

*The second thing* about forgetting the past is that if you don’t forget the bitter and painful past it’s going to ruin your experience of life . No one is getting harmed if you hold on to the past , your mental , emotional and physical health goes for a toss . So ultimately what’s the gain in holding on to the past .

*Third* understanding is that the law of attraction works on energy frequency , which means the kind of energy you have (sadness or happiness) you are going to get results likewise . Now tell me do you think anybody , I mean anybody in this world is so important that you give away your peace of mind , you compromise with your health and you lower your energy to a level where you constantly attract Negativity. Think about it very deeply , who’s loss is it ? Their’s or yours ? Who’s suffering by holding on to past , you or them ? And above all can you expect empty kettles to serve hot and fresh tea ? They can only make noise . Some people are like empty kettles they are so empty that they cannot give you anything except for negativity.

Once you realise who’s bearing the loss of holding on to the negativity, you will LET GO.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ij0hgwn1SI8

https://youtu.be/U1yeC2wmtzw