THE ART OF TIME MANAGEMENT

THE ART OF TIME MANAGEMENT

THE JAR OF LIFE

A Mulla Nasrudin Story

By

VIKRAM KARVE

Mulla Nasruddin was asked to give a talk on time management and how to fit spiritual practice into a busy life schedule. 

“Dear Friends, instead of giving a sermon I will demonstrate the art of time management, so let us conduct an experiment,” Mulla Nasrudin said.

Nasrudin began by reaching under the table and pulling out a one-gallon, wide-mouthed glass jar. 

He placed the jar on a table in front of him.

Then Mulla Nasrudin produced about a dozen big fist-sized stones and carefully placed them, one at a time, into the jar.

As usual, people began to whisper and wonder why the Mulla was doing something strange, as they had come to expect of him, instead of giving a talk like normal spiritual gurus and teachers did.

When the jar was filled to the top and no more stones would fit inside, Mulla Nasrudin asked the audience, “Tell me, is this jar full...?”

The crowd in unison said, “Yes, the jar is full.”

“Really...?” snarled Nasrudin. 

He reached under the table and pulled out a bucket of gravel, small pebbles. 

Then he poured some gravel in and shook the jar, causing pieces of gravel to work themselves down into the spaces between the big rocks, and kept filling the jar with gravel till it reached the brim.

Mulla Nasrudin then asked the audience once more, “Tell me, is the jar full now...?”

By this time the class was wizening up to him, suspicious of his intentions, so one person from the audience cautiously answered, “Probably not.”

“Good...! Now you are begining to learn...” replied Mulla Nasrudin.  

Now Mulla Nasrudin reached under the table and brought out a bucket of sand.

He started carefully pouring the sand into the jar till the sand filled up the spaces between the stones and the gravel.

Once more he asked the question, “Is the jar full now...?”

“No...!” the crowd shouted in unison.

“Excellent...!” Mulla Nasrudin said, full of praise for the intelligent audience.

Then he grabbed a pitcher of water and began to pour it into the jar of stones, gravel and sand until the jar was filled to the brim, absolutely full.

Then he looked up at the audience and asked, “Now tell me, what is the point of this illustration, what have you deduced from this experiment...?"

One eager beaver raised his hand and said, “The point is that all things, even though they seem full, are inherently empty of self.”

“No...!” snarled Nasruddin. “This is a Mulla Nasrudin story, not a Zen story...! Anyone else want to try...?”

Another eager beaver raised her hand and suggested, “I presume that the inference is that no matter how busy your schedule is, if you try really hard, use your intelligence, you can always fit some more tasks into your schedule and make maximum use of your time.”

“No...” Mulla Nasrudin replied, “That's not the point either. The great truth this experiment teaches us is that if we don't get our values straight and attend to the biggest things of value in life first, we will never be able to fit them in at all.”

In other words, the essence of time management, or even life management, is PRIORITIZATION – Prioritization in accordance with your Values.

So, Dear Reader, in a nutshell here is the art of time management:

1. First make room for what is most important to you, things that you value the most. Those are your stones. 

2. Other things, in descending order of value or importance, like the gravel, sand and water, can then be fitted around the stones.

Think, reflect, introspect…what are the “Large Stones” in your Life…?

What are your Cardinal Values … things most important to you … things that really matter ...? 

Once you identify them, be sure to put them first in your “Jar of Life”. 

So set your priorities and take care of your “large stones”. 

Remember, everything else is like the small pebbles, gravel, sand and water. If you put all these into the jar first, there will be no room left for the large stones.

The same goes for your life. 

If you spend all your energy and time on the small stuff, you will never have room for things that are truly most important.

You must pay attention to the things that are critical in your life. 

Sometimes the less important things in life can distract us, filling up our time and keeping us away from what really matters ... such trivial things waste our time and sap our spirit and dissipate our energy.

Dear Reader, please close your eyes and think about your “jar of life”…  

Tell me, Dear Reader ... Is your jar of life full of sand and gravel or is it filled with “large stones”...?

VIKRAM KARVE
Copyright © Vikram Karve 2010
Vikram Karve has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work.

VIKRAM KARVE educated at IIT Delhi, ITBHU and The Lawrence School Lovedale, is an Electronics and Communications Engineer by profession, a Human Resource Manager and Trainer by occupation, a Teacher by vocation, a Creative Writer by inclination and a Foodie by passion. An avid blogger, he has written a number of fiction short stories and creative non-fiction articles in magazines and journals for many years before the advent of blogging. His delicious foodie blogs have been compiled in a book "Appetite for a Stroll". Vikram lives in Pune with his family and pet Doberman girl Sherry, with whom he takes long walks thinking creative thoughts.

Vikram Karve Creative Writing Blog - http://vikramkarve.sulekha.com/
Academic Journal Vikram Karve – http://karvediat.blogspot.com/
Professional Profile of Vikram Karve - http://www.linkedin.com/in/karve
Email: vikramkarve@sify.com
Foodie Book: Appetite for a Stroll http://books.sulekha.com/book/appetite-for-a-stroll/default.htm

© vikram karve., all rights reserved. 

TEDDY BEAR and SUGAR

TEDDY BEAR and SUGAR
Fiction Short Story
By 

VIKRAM KARVE  
 

From my Creative Writing Archives: Short Fiction - A Story about changing relationships

 

“Your relationship has become so demoralized by distrust that you two better break up rather than try to patch up.”

 

“What?”

 

“Yes. It’s better you split instead of living in perpetual suspicion like this. Why live a lie?”

 

“How can you say this? You are a marriage counsellor; you’re supposed to save marriages, not break them.”

 

“But then what can I do if you don’t change your attitude?” I said in desperation, “you have to learn to trust your wife; just stop being jealous, suspicious, possessive. Mutual trust is important in a marriage, especially a long distance marriage like yours.”

 

I looked at the man sitting in front of me.

He was incredibly handsome; mid thirties, maybe forty, well groomed, sharp features accentuated by a smart neatly trimmed beard, clean brown eyes, he looked strong and confident, and his outward appearance betrayed no sign of what was going on inside him.

He looked at me longingly, in a lingering sort of way that women secretly want men to look at them.

 

I blushed, felt good, but quickly composed myself.

In such vulnerable situations anything could happen and I had to be careful, so I said to him in a firm dispassionate tone, “I think you better go now. It’s time for your flight.”

 

“It’s delayed.”

 

“You’re sure?”

 

“Of course. I’m the pilot – the commander of the aircraft. I’ve to report after an hour.”

 

“I’ll leave? It’s almost check-in time.”

 

“No! No! Please stay. There’s still two hours for your flight to London . I’ll get you checked-in. There’s something I want to tell you,” he pleaded, “I’ll order some more coffee.”

 

The airport restaurant was deserted at this late hour and wore a dark, eerie look, with just a few people huddled in muted whispers.

 

“I want to thank you for giving me this special appointment – agreeing to meet me here at such short notice,” he said.

 

“It’s okay. It was quite convenient for both of us, enroute catching our flights. A nice quiet discreet place, this airport restaurant.”

 

He paused for a moment, then spoke guiltily, “I did something terrible today.”

 

“What?”

 

“I stole my wife’s cell-phone.”

 

"Stole?"

"Yes."

"You stole your wife’s mobile?"

 

“Yes. Just before I left. I took it from her purse. She was fast asleep.”

 

“This is too much! Stealing your wife’s mobile. That was the most despicable thing to do. I don’t think we should talk any more. You need some serious help,” I said, gulped down my coffee and started to get up.

 

“No! No! Please listen. It’s those tell-tale SMS messages!”

 

“SMS messages?”

 

“From ‘Teddy Bear’.”

 

“Teddy Bear?”

 

“Someone she knows. 'Teddy Bear'. She’s saved his number. She keeps getting these SMSs, which she erases immediately.

"This 'Teddy Bear' SMSs your wife?"

"Yes. I think they are having a good time right behind my back the moment I take off on a flight. This 'Teddy Bear' and my wife. This evening when she was bathing while I was getting ready to leave for the airport, her cell-phone was lying on the bed, an SMS came from ‘Teddy Bear’ : “I am yearning for you. SPST.”

 

“SPST? What’s that?” I asked.

 

“I don’t know. I called the number. A male voice said: ‘Hi Sugar!’ Just imagine, he calls her ‘Sugar’. I hung up in disgust immediately. Then during dinner she kept getting calls and SMSs – must be the same chap: ‘Teddy Bear’.”

 

“Your wife spoke to him?”

 

“No. She looked at the number and cut it off. Four or five times. Then she switched her mobile to silent and put in her purse.”

 

“You asked her who it was?”

 

“No.”

 

“You should have. It may have been a colleague, a friend. That’s your problem – you keep imagining things and have stopped communicating with her. Ask her next time and I’m sure everything will clear up.”

 

“No! No! I am sure she is having an affair with this ‘Teddy Bear’ chap. Had it not been for the last minute delay in my flight, I wouldn’t have been home at that time.” he said. And then suddenly he broke down, tears pouring down his cheeks, his voice uncontrollable, “The moment I take off, she starts cheating on me.”

 

It was a bizarre sight. A tough looking man totally shattered, weeping inconsolably.

 

“Please,” I said, “control yourself. And you better not fly in this state.”

 

“I think you’re right,” he said recovering his composure, “I’m in no mood to fly.”

He took out a cell-phone from his shirt pocket, dialled the standby pilot and a few other numbers and told them he was unwell and was going off the roster.

 

He kept the mobile phone on the table.

 

“Your wife’s cell-phone?” I asked pointing to the sleek mobile phone he had kept on the table.

 

“Yes.”

 

“She’ll be missing it.”

 

“No. She’ll be fast asleep. I’ll go back and put it in her purse.”

We sat for some time in silence. It appeared he was in a trance, a vacuous look in his eyes. Years of counselling had taught me that in such moments it was best to say nothing. So I just picked up my cup and sipped what remained of my coffee.

Suddenly he got up and said, “I think I'll go home,” and he quickly turned and walked away.

It was only after he had gone, as I kept my coffee cup back on the table, that I noticed that he had forgotten the cell-phone on the table, his unfaithful wife's cell-phone.

An idea struck me.

At first I was a bit hesitant; then curiosity took charge of me and I picked it the mobile phone.

Hurriedly I clicked on ‘names’, pressed ‘T’, quickly found ‘Teddy Bear’ and pressed the call button.

A few rings and I instantly recognized my husband’s baritone voice at the other end, “Hey Sugar, where are you? Why aren’t you answering? Did you get my SMS  -  ‘SPST’  -  ‘Same Place Same Time’. Why did you give me a blank call?.....” 

 

I couldn’t believe this. My dear own husband – ‘Teddy Bear’. Right under my nose. It was unimaginable, incredulous.

I felt shattered. My very own world came tumbling down like a pack of cards.

 

I cannot begin to describe the emotions that overwhelmed me at that moment, but I’ll tell you what I did.

 

I put the cell-phone in my purse, walked briskly to the check-in counter without looking back, quickly checked in, and boarded the flight; and, Dear Reader, as you read this, at this very moment, I am on my way to London to present my research paper on ‘The efficacy of marriage counselling in the alleviation of marital discord’ at the International Conference of Counsellors.

 

And till I return, let everyone here stew in suspense.

TEDDY BEAR and SUGAR
Fiction Short Story
By 

VIKRAM KARVE 

VIKRAM KARVE
Copyright © Vikram Karve 2010
Vikram Karve has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work.

VIKRAM KARVE educated at IIT Delhi, ITBHU and The Lawrence School Lovedale, is an Electronics and Communications Engineer by profession, a Human Resource Manager and Trainer by occupation, a Teacher by vocation, a Creative Writer by inclination and a Foodie by passion. An avid blogger, he has written a number of fiction short stories and creative non-fiction articles in magazines and journals for many years before the advent of blogging. His delicious foodie blogs have been compiled in a book "Appetite for a Stroll". Vikram lives in Pune with his family and pet Doberman girl Sherry, with whom he takes long walks thinking creative thoughts.

Vikram Karve Creative Writing Blog - http://vikramkarve.sulekha.com/
Academic Journal Vikram Karve – http://karvediat.blogspot.com/
Professional Profile of Vikram Karve - http://www.linkedin.com/in/karve
Email: vikramkarve@sify.com
Foodie Book: Appetite for a Stroll http://books.sulekha.com/book/appetite-for-a-stroll/default.htm

© vikram karve., all rights reserved. 

TECHNOLOGY - a philosophical view

PHILOSOPHY OF TECHNOLOGY
A Reflection
By
VIKRAM KARVE

In our everyday lives most of us use a number of words which we assume have a universal, agreed-upon, and accepted meaning for all people in all contexts.

Often, the more frequently the word is used more we take for granted that our usage is the only possible usage of the term.


One word which belongs in this category is “technology.”


The vast majority of technology as machines, computers and other forms of modern hardware – the province of the scientist, engineer or specialist professional.


We have to transcend this narrow view of technology since every technology starts from a human purpose, from the intention to satisfy some human need or behaviour.


Indeed, technology is the manipulation of nature for human purpose.


Now man is also a part of nature and by manipulating nature man is manipulating himself.

Thus, technology manipulates man and influences, even governs, human behaviour, and in turn societal behaviour.


It is therefore imperative to reconceptualise the concept of technology by viewing it though the philosophical lens in order to understand the “soft” social, cultural, individual, psychological, behavioural and intellectual dimensions of technology in contrast to the “hard” technical dimension.


Language is a “soft” technology, an invented system of communication. Alvin Tofler specifically discussed “political technologies” in his description of “Third Wave” changes in our world environment. Indeed, “soft” technologies take many forms. They include the invention of social institutions – methods of organizing people for the achievement of particular ends.


Arthur Harkins defines “culture” as the metasystem or system of systems of human-invented and hereditarily transmitted technologies, and further emphasizes that human have codified technologies into what anthropologists call culture.


Even more fundamentally, or expansively, technologies are philosophies, ideologies. Ways of thinking, or world-views (Weltanschauungen). The key realization is that technologies are way of structuring and ordering the world.


This philosophical reconceptualisation of technology entails a broader image wherein technologies are viewed not merely as physical or technical apparatuses but as inseparably interconnected with the fabric of social policy, values and desires and are in fact complex constellations of devices, processes, beliefs and mechanisms which are perceived as a system of interrelated innovations comprising a coherent nexus pertaining to the systematic manipulation of nature.

Technologies reconceptualised from the philosophical viewpoint are mutually supportive and harmonically attuned process and philosophies for synergistically aiding the individual or society to reach specific, hopefully preferred, future states; they are instruments for attaining and integrating the proposal future with the perceived present.


Since technology is essentially invented rather than discovered, such a reconceptualisation would help to introduce a premium for creativity and divergent thought into the academic world alongside the traditional emphasis on scholarly research and the quest for truth and would encourage cross-fertilization across disciplinary boundaries.


It may be apt to conclude with a comment by RM Pirsig, who states that: “The way to solve the conflict between human values and technological needs is not to run away from technology. That’s impossible. The way to resolve the conflict is to break down the barriers of dualistic thought that prevent a real understanding of what technology is… not an exploitation of nature, but a fusion of nature and the human spirit into a new kind of creation that transcends both”.


VIKRAM KARVE
Copyright © Vikram Karve 2010
Vikram Karve has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work.

VIKRAM KARVE educated at IIT Delhi, ITBHU and The Lawrence School Lovedale, is an Electronics and Communications Engineer by profession, a Human Resource Manager and Trainer by occupation, a Teacher by vocation, a Creative Writer by inclination and a Foodie by passion. An avid blogger, he has written a number of fiction short stories and creative non-fiction articles in magazines and journals for many years before the advent of blogging. His delicious foodie blogs have been compiled in a book "Appetite for a Stroll". Vikram lives in Pune with his family and pet Doberman girl Sherry, with whom he takes long walks thinking creative thoughts.

Vikram Karve Creative Writing Blog - http://vikramkarve.sulekha.com/
Academic Journal Vikram Karve – http://karvediat.blogspot.com/
Professional Profile of Vikram Karve - http://www.linkedin.com/in/karve
Email: vikramkarve@sify.com
Foodie Book: Appetite for a Stroll http://books.sulekha.com/book/appetite-for-a-stroll/default.htm

© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

HOW TO REMAIN YOUNG FOREVER - a Delightful Anti Ageing Formula

ELIXIR OF LIFE

HOW TO REMAIN YOUNG FOREVER

A delightful Anti-Ageing Formula
Zest for Living and Passion for Learning 
By
VIKRAM KARVE


There are a number of retired senior citizens in the colony where I live in Pune. 

Yes, there are still large numbers of pensioners living all over Pune though Pune is no longer a pensioners’ paradise.

I have noticed one intriguing thing. 

Though most are of these persons are of the same chronological age, some are “young” and some are “old”...

Further observation reveals the anti ageing formula for remaining young: Zest for Living and Passion for Learning is the best anti-ageing recipe that keeps you young forever. It is the elixir of life.

Look around you and you will see what I mean. 

There are many oldie-goldies who are living life to the fullest and are always eager to learn new things and there are also others who have no “juice” left in them as they have lost the spirit to enjoy learning with enthusiasm and relish the pleasures of life to their utmost.

I know a “young” senior citizen who, after retirement, started learning classical music from the scratch, enjoyed studying for 10 years till he completed his sangeet alankar, living life to the fullest in true epicurean style – good food, music, concerts, plays, movies, travel, picnics, swimming, trekking, playing with his dogs, social work, you name it – he did it ... and with the advent of internet he is enjoying moments exploring the mysteries of the web, learning new things and latest technologies, actively blogging with passionate fervour, and with gusto doing all sorts of learning activites, creative writing, surfing, social networking, making virtual friends, teaching music – for him variety is the spice of life. He lives a delightfully active life, loves the company of youngsters and has the enthusiasm and energy of a child – and though in his late seventies he is “younger” than even those chronologically many years his junior and it is his zest for life and passion for knowledge that keeps him healthy, happy and youthful.

Remember you are as old as you feel, not as old as you look, nor as "old" as your chronologically age says you are. 

It is in your hands to forever remain a "young" senior citizen.

I will end this piece with a quote from Mahatma Gandhi:

Live as if you are going to die tomorrow
Learn as if you are going to live forever.

It is breathtakingly simple to remain young forever, Dear Reader. 

It is all in the mind. Forget your chronological age.  

Spend time in the company of young happy people who are enjoying life in the present rather than make yourself miserable in the company of pessimistic, gloomy, cynical old fogies living in the past and carping and complaining about the present. 

Get a pet dog and enjoy playing with your dog.Your pet dog's antics will keep you happily occupied, cheerful and healthy.

Rediscover your childlike enthusiasm.  

Stop reminiscing about the "good old days" and start living it up every day doing whatever you like with zest and passion to learn new things like blogging, social networking, making real friends and virtual friends with common interests and passions, exploring the mysteries internet and enjoying the benefits of information technology. Yes, keeping oneself uptodate and abreast of the latest technologies keeps one mentally stimulated. 

Re-discover your romantic mischievous side, have fun and discover the beauty and romance of life. Try to have a positive attitude and optimistic temperament and keep learning new things and nurture your creative interests, hobbies, exercise, play, travel, eat out, see movies, have a ball... All you’ve got to do is to have a zest for living and passion for learning.

First thing in the morning, the moment you get up, recite your new art of living motto: “Live as if you are going to die tomorrow, learn as if you are going to live forever!”

VIKRAM KARVE 

Copyright © Vikram Karve 2010

Vikram Karve has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work.  

VIKRAM KARVE educated at IIT Delhi, ITBHU and The Lawrence School Lovedale, is an Electronics and Communications Engineer by profession, a Human Resource Manager and Trainer by occupation, a Teacher by vocation, a Creative Writer by inclination and a Foodie by passion. An avid blogger, he has written a number of fiction short stories and creative non-fiction articles in magazines and journals for many years before the advent of blogging. His delicious foodie blogs have been compiled in a book "Appetite for a Stroll". Vikram lives in Pune with his family and pet Doberman girl Sherry, with whom he takes long walks thinking creative thoughts. 

Vikram Karve Creative Writing Blog - http://vikramkarve.sulekha.com

Academic Journal Vikram Karve – http://karvediat.blogspot.com

Professional Profile of Vikram Karve - http://www.linkedin.com/in/karve 

Email: vikramkarve@sify.com
Foodie Book:  Appetite for a Stroll  

http://books.sulekha.com/book/appetite-for-a-stroll/default.htm

Melt-in-the-mouth boneless mutton Baked Delight - DABBA GOSHT

DABBA GOSHT

Melt-in-the-mouth boneless mutton Baked Delight

By 

VIKRAM KARVE

From my Foodie Archives: One of my favourite dishes...   

 

I love Dabba Gosht.  

If you’ve tasted it you know it’s unmatched, unparalleled, unique, inimitable – the ultimate amongst mutton dishes in Indian Cuisine.

It’s a rare, exquisite, delicious, succulent, melt-in-the-mouth boneless mutton delicacy dish and only very few select eateries feature it on their menu.

My Dear Reader, Fellow Foodie, let me tell you how I make it and you will know how it tastes.

 

I take some good quality fresh boneless mutton, say half a kilo, cut into small pieces, wash it clean, rub it thoroughly with "ginger - garlic - green chilli - green papaya paste" and keep aside to marinate for a while.

I believe that cooking is a qualitative art, not a quantitative science, so I’ll leave the choice of exact proportions to you as per your experience and taste – I like to use a wee bit of green papaya paste as tenderizer for meat, but if you don’t, and your meat is tender, it doesn’t matter.

 

In a pan, with a tight fitting lid, I take enough water, say two cups, add whole spices [cloves, cardamom – both badi and choti elaichi, cinnamon, peppercorns, jeera, tejpatta], salt to taste, and add the marinated boneless mutton pieces, fit the lid tightly, put on a slow fire, till the mutton is cooked.

 

I love to sample and taste from time to time and assure myself everything is fine... and it helps me plus-minus the ingredients as required.

 

Now I separate the cooked boneless mutton pieces and keep aside. I don’t throw away the spicy stock – we’ll be using it to prepare the cashew-nut gravy.

 

Now I prepare a dahi-based thick kaju gravy starting off with a generous amount of pure ghee to nicely sauté the spices, herbs, masalas, liquidized onions, tomato-puree, using the spicy mutton stock, I prepare the rich cashew-nut gravy letting my imagination run riot – whisked curds, whipped cream, roasted onion paste, rich cashew-nut paste [fortified with almond-dry fruit pastes], grated cheese, even grated boiled egg.

Sometimes, if I don’t have all the ingredients to make the gravy thick enough, I may boil very small pieces of macaroni or spaghetti in the spicy mutton stock to smoothen and thicken the gravy.

 

Don't forget to taste the gravy.

The gravy should be so luxuriant and lip-smacking yummy that you should want to chew your fingers...!

 

I stir in the fragrantly spiced cooked boneless mutton pieces and thicken the gravy to baking consistency.

 

Now I thoroughly beat four eggs and delicately blend in half into the boneless mutton gravy till they merge well. 

Now I grease a baking tin with a liberal quantity of pure ghee and then I pour the mélange into the greased baking tin. 

Then I pour a generous dollop of ghee on top of the yummy thick ready to bake mixture and bake on medium heat for about 10-15 minutes till almost done.

Then, on top, I pour the remaining whisked egg mixture, add a dollop of pure ghee and complete the baking process till the dish is glazy and crusty. When ready, I garnish with fresh green coriander, thin ginger slices and juicy red tomato slices and the Dabba Gosht is ready to be devoured.

Dabba Gosht tastes superb with freshly baked pav or soft piping hot roti.

 

Dear Reader, you must have your own culinary discovery, but let me tell you that I find Dabba Gosht a superb eating experience – generous boneless mutton pieces, soft, juicy, succulent, releasing scrumptious flavor as they melt in my mouth and the yummy, delectable luxuriously thick white gravy made rich, wholesome and nutritious by the sumptuous combination of ingredients like cashew (kaju) paste, fresh cream and eggs.

It is a rare and magnificent eating experience which makes my mouth water even as I write this.

Dabba Gosht is a supreme feast fit for the kings...!

Next time you eat out, scan the menu for Dabba Gosht. It is a Mumbai speciality and you’ll surely find it at a few select places in Mumbai like Noorani, Delhi Darbar et al.

I’ve once savored an excellent Dabba Gosht at Jaffer Bhai’s Delhi Darbar near Metro where I think they don’t bake it but “dum” cook it, leaving the gravy a bit less thick, so you can enjoy it with roti – it was delicious with kameeri roti.

I’ve also chanced upon a decent Dabba Gosht at Sadanand in Pune, located opposite Balewadi, at the junction of Baner Road and Katraj Bypass, and I found it excellent.

 

Wherever you are, search for Dabba Gosht, or cook the exquisite dish yourself. It is best to bake it as I have explained in the recipe, but if you prefer you may dum cook it. 

Remember to enrich it, play around with the ingredients, improvising, experimenting, improving the recipe, and then relish it to your heart’s content. 

And don’t forget to tell us all about your Dabba Gosht cooking and eating experience ... ! 

Dear Fellow Foodie...have you wondered why this dish is called DABBA Gosht. 

Dabba means ‘tin’ and Gosht means ‘meat’ – does this imply that Dabba Gosht is mutton cooked in a tin ...? 

Yes, we baked the dish in a baking tin, isn't it...?

Wait a minute. There is another explanation too. 

Dabba, pronounced differently, also means ‘press’.   

I’ve heard a theory, maybe apocryphal, that the dish is called Dabba Gosht because the boneless meat pieces are pressed against a special stone to enable the marinade and masalas to permeate thoroughly and make the boneless mutton pieces truly delicious, succulent and melt-in-the-mouth.

Well, whatever the version, the fact is that Dabba Gosht is mouthwateringly lip-smackingly delicious ... !!! 

 

If you want to relish more such delicious recipes and enjoy reading mouthwatering foodie adventures please do read my book Appetite for a Stroll – to know more just click the links below:

http://books.sulekha.com/book/appetite-for-a-stroll/default.htm

http://www.indiaplaza.in/finalpage.aspx?storename=books&sku=9788190690096&ct=2

http://www.flipkart.com/appetite-stroll-vikram-karve/8190690094-gw23f9mr2o

Happy Eating...! 

 

DABBA GOSHT

Melt-in-the-mouth boneless mutton Baked Delight

By 

VIKRAM KARVE

VIKRAM KARVE 

Copyright © Vikram Karve 2010

Vikram Karve has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work.  

VIKRAM KARVE educated at IIT Delhi, ITBHU and The Lawrence School Lovedale, is an Electronics and Communications Engineer by profession, a Human Resource Manager and Trainer by occupation, a Teacher by vocation, a Creative Writer by inclination and a Foodie by passion. An avid blogger, he has written a number of fiction short stories and creative non-fiction articles in magazines and journals for many years before the advent of blogging. His delicious foodie blogs have been compiled in a book "Appetite for a Stroll". Vikram lives in Pune with his family and pet Doberman girl Sherry, with whom he takes long walks thinking creative thoughts. 

Vikram Karve Creative Writing Blog - http://vikramkarve.sulekha.com

Academic Journal Vikram Karve – http://karvediat.blogspot.com

Professional Profile of Vikram Karve - http://www.linkedin.com/in/karve 

Email: vikramkarve@sify.com
Foodie Book:  Appetite for a Stroll  

http://books.sulekha.com/book/appetite-for-a-stroll/default.htm