TADKA DAAL

Tadka Daal (Bengali Style) Recipe

Learn how to make Tadka Daal (Bengali Style) recipe using our easy to make homemade Tadka Daal (Bengali Style) recipes. Try this homemade Tadka Daal (Bengali Style) cooking recipe at your home.

Recipe Ingredients:

1 cup (180 g) chane ki daal (Bengal Gram)

5 cups water

1 tbsp salt

1 tsp haldi (turmeric)

2 tsp chopped ginger

1 tsp sugar or to taste

1 heaped tbsp fried nariyal pieces

2 tbsp (30 gm) sarson ka tel

1 tsp sarson (mustard seeds)

2-3 sabut lal mirch

coriander leaves for garnish

Recipe Procedure:

1. Pick, clean and wash the daal and cook with the water, salt, haldi and ginger, till soft.
2. Add the sugar and fried nariyal. Heat oil and add the sarson and lal mirch.
3. Add the daal and bring to a boil, and then simmer for a minute. Serve hot garnished with the coriander leaves.

5 friends everyone should have

5 types of people to have in your social circle

They say that friends are the family we choose for ourselves, and choosing the right friends can significantly improve your life in many ways. In terms of friendship, quality is more important than quantity, and it is important to surround yourself with the right people to boost your happiness. Here are the five types of friends everyone should have.

The agony aunt or uncle
The agony aunt or uncle is the perfect person to have onboard when you are facing a crisis - no matter how big or small. If you need some advice, or just a listening ear, this is your guy or girl! Not only is this friend happy to sit and listen to all your problems without passing judgement, but they know exactly when to butt in with advice, and the advice they do give is usually peppered with love.

Furthermore, you can call this friend any time day or night with your problems, safe in the knowledge you're reaching a sympathetic and willing ear. With this friend by your side, you can sail effortlessly through all of life's crises, without ever having to paddle alone in the murky depths of despair. Just don't forget to offer up your ear and repay the favour from time to time!
The laugh-a-minute mate
The party pal, the group comedian, the life and soul of the party... We all know one of these people - or if you don't, you should. The laugh-a-minute-mate is that person who never fails to cheer you up and get you laughing, no matter what you're going through. Whether you're on a night out, travelling the globe or just sat watching TV, this friend will make sure you always have a great time.

While this friend is spontaneous and fun, it's best to bear in mind that they may not the best person to go crying to with your problems, as they will most likely make a joke about your breakup and may be far too busy partying to answer that 3am call. However, a little distraction is often what you need, so if you need to take a break from life's stresses, try giving this friend a call.

The painfully honest pal
Although complete, uncensored honesty is not always welcome, sometimes it is necessary if it will only save you further pain along the road. This truthful pal may not always tell you what you want to hear, but they will usually tell you what you need to know. The key thing with this friend is that there is no malice behind their truthfulness; they are genuinely trying to help.

If you want an honest opinion on whether that person you've had your eye on really fancies you, whether you should dump your latest fling, or how you should deal with a tricky situation, this is the friend to go to. This is a great person to have around when you are facing a big decision, and equally good for advice on your fashion decisions - so long as your ego can take it.


The finishes-your -sentences friend
Sometimes in life you come across a person so completely on your wavelength you could have been separated at birth. This is that friend. The finishes-your-sentences friend does exactly what they say on the tin; they know you inside out, you share the same random interests, and they always know exactly what you're talking about - even when you don't.

Maybe you've known this person for years, or maybe you just clicked instantly. Regardless, this is a true friend; the person you feel most comfortable with and can really be yourself around. You know you can relax with this friend and that they're never going to judge what you say - in fact, they were probably just thinking the same thing.

The inspirational motivator
Otherwise known as Little Miss or Mr Perfect, the inspirational motivator makes you feel inspired and infuriated in pretty equal measures. The likelihood is this friend is thriving in some area in which you are lacking. Perhaps they have a better job than you or they earn more money; maybe they have a better social life; or perhaps you feel they have better values than you.


Yes, this friend can definitely be annoying at times, but they can also encourage you to reach higher, do better, and live a fuller life if - instead of feeling jealous - you use their success to inspire and motivate your own. The key thing about the motivator is that they should never make you feel bad about your own life, but kindly encourage you to make the most of it, all for your own good.

Soon, mobile phones to be turned into credit cards

Under a payment system unveiled any mobile phone can be turned into a 'tap and go' credit card. 

Advocates of the technology argue it could mean the end of small cash payments within five to 10 years. 

The system, which can be used to make purchases up to 15 pounds, involves sticking asmart card or PayTag - about a third of the size of a normal credit card - to the back of ahandset. 

To make a payment, the phone is tapped on a specially adapted till. The tag, which contains a microchip, communicates with the till terminal via an antenna to confirm the credit card account of the customer and authorise a payment without the need to enter a PIN. 

The system is being launched by Barclaycard, which says it comes with 100 per cent fraud protection, but is likely to be adopted by other major banks. 

Previously, only a few hi-tech handsets could be used for tap and go payments, but the new tag means any phone could be. 

An increasing number of retailers offer or are introducing tap and go tills, including Waitrose,McDonald's, Boots and Tesco. By the end of this year, London buses will also accept these so-called contactless payments. 

"More than half of us say that the item we're most lost without is our mobile phone, so we're giving people the option of using them to make easy, convenient, everyday payments," the Daily Mail quoted David Chan, chief executive of Barclaycard Consumer Europe as saying.

Mobile recharge coupons to become expensive

Telecom regulator Trai approvedhike in processing fee for all mobile recharge coupons ( top-up vouchers) priced above Rs 20 but has left it unchanged for the vouchers below that. 

Trai cleared the increase of 50 per cent in the charge through an amendment made to the Telecom Traiff Order (TTO) after about two-and-half years. 

"Authority has decided to increase the ceiling on Processing Fee on Top up vouchers to Rs 3 from Rs 2 in respect of Top up vouchers having maximum retail price (MRP) of Rs 20 and above and to continue with the existing ceiling of Rs 2 in respect of top up vouchers having MRP of less than Rs 20," Trai said in TTO. 

This order will effect more than 90 per cent pre-paid users in the country. The processing fee is included within the MRP of recharge coupon purchased. 

Trai noticed that top up vouchers priced below Rs 20 are not available with some service providers and directed all telecom service providers to provide consumers with at least one top up voucher priced at Rs 10. 

"With a view to protect the interests of users, the Authority mandates that every service provider shall offer and make available to the consumer at least one top up voucher, of denomination of Rs 10," Trai said. 

The order comes after telecom industry body COAI and AUSPI made written submission to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India arguing that there have been inflationary pressures over the last three years, since the ceiling of Rs 2 was prescribed by Trai. 

COAI has also cited the rising cost of providing services by way of hike in salaries and wages, increased transportation and diesel cost and so in support of raising the fee. 

Apple to create 500 jobs in Ireland

US technology giant Apple intends to create 500 support jobs in Cork, southern Ireland, the government said on Friday. 

The move by the multi-national, which has generated huge sales of its iPads and iPhones rocket worldwide, will bring total employmentat Apple's Cork operation to about 3,300. 

Enterprise and Innovation Minister Richard Bruton described the development as a "huge boost for the country" which is looking to recover from an international bailout. 

"It is a great testament to the company's workforce, a great vote of confidence in the future of our economy, and it shows what is possible for Ireland at the heart of a stable Europe," Bruton said in a statement. 

Cork government lawmaker Dara Murphy said most of the jobs at the Apple operation in the city -- which caters for business in Europe, the Middle East, India and Africa --- comprise tech support and online sales positions. 

The Apple news follows an announcement on Wednesday that the Pittsburgh-based Mylan pharmaceutical manufacturer also plans to expand its Irish operations by creating 500 new jobs by 2016. 

The Irish government, led by Prime Minister Enda Kenny, is looking to create 100,000 jobs by 2016. 

"This is just the first step in an annual plan to help rebuild our economy," Kenny said on Friday. 

Kenny's government is battling to reduce Ireland's unemployment rate of 14.3 per cent, which has led to more than 434,000 people being without work. 

Ireland has been battered by the international financial crisis, but the economy is slowly recovering after it was forced to seek an 85-billion-euro ($112 billion) EU-IMF rescue package in November 2010

Govt renames Department of IT to Department of Electronics and Information Technology

The department of information technology ( DIT) was Thursday formally named Department of Electronics and Information Technology by Minister of Communications and Information Technology Minister Kapil Sibal to give importance to the electronics sector. 

"India's electronics sector aims to achieve a turnover of about $400 billion, involving investment of about $100 billion and employment to around 28 million, by 2020," said Sibal at the ceremony to officially rerame the department. 

Recently, the cabinet secretariat amended the Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules 1961 for change in the department's name. 

Sibal said that the introduction of the word 'electronics' in the department's name was a signal of embarking on the development of electronics in the country. 

It is essential to give this recognition to the sector if the country had to realise its dual objective of accelerating the growth momentum and enabling inclusive growth and development, said Sibal. 

The minister said that a new national policy on electronics was being finalised through the process of widespread consultations. Its draft was released last October.

One paisa per second plan mandatory says TRAI

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has asked all service providers to ensure that they offer their customers a tariff plan of one paisa per second along with other offerings.

The regulator in a tariff amendment order said it had become "mandatory" for service providers to offer in each service area at least one tariff plan each for both postpaid and prepaid subscriber with a uniform pulse rate of 'one second'.

"The service providers will be at liberty to offer alternative tariff plans with any pulse rate within the overall ceiling of 25 tariff plans," TRAI said in a statement.

The rates for premium rate services currently levied by service providers are substantially higher as compared to the normal tariff applicable for a two-way communication due to the fact that the charges levied also include the price for content.

Keeping in view the fact that calls and SMS made for participating in competition and voting hardly contain any content, TRAI's Telecommunication Tariff (Fifty First Amendment) Order 2012 also mandated that tariff for such calls and SMS shall not exceed four times of the applicable local call or SMS charges.

The amendment also provides flexibility to service providers to apply revision in international long distance tariff uniformly for new as well as existing subscribers.

TRAI had issued a consultation paper in October last year on "Certain issues relating to Telecom Tariff" seeking views of stakeholders.

Most of the operators opposed when asked if one standard plan for all service providers particularly for a prepaid subscriber would be relevant in the present scenario of Indian telecom market.

The regulator has also retained the existing cap of 25 tariff plans that can be offered by access service providers including post-paid and pre-paid.

10 car innovations in widespread use today.

Our cars are faster, smarter and most importantly, safer, thanks to these 10 innovations.
ABS brakes1. Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)Found in almost all but the cheapest cars, ABS is a simple “anti-lock” system that gives drivers the capability to steer around danger under hard braking by preventing the wheels from locking up. The modern evolution of the ABS sees it being paired up with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), a system which can vary the amount of braking force applied to each wheel.

2. Electronic Stability Program (ESP)

Once reserved for the upper price bracket, ESP technology has been slowly trickling down to the mid-class segment. Fitted with sensors that monitor the car's behaviour, an ESP-equipped car is able to minimize the loss of control in slippery situations. ESP works in unison with several systems which include ABS and traction control.

3. Entertainment systems

There was once a time when the only entertainment on the road was a basic cassette player and/or a radio. Today's entertainment systems go beyond music, playing video and audio files from a plethora of sources such as USB drives and mobile phones. Some of the latest factory audio systems even include GPS navigation with real-time traffic updates. If you are fortunate to waft through life from the back seat, internet connectivity comes standard with the system.

Parking sensors4. Parking assists

Where would we be today without the ever faithful parking sensors in the back? When it was first introduced, these sensors were godsend to those who had a problem in judging distances and made parallel parking a breeze. The most sophisticated parking systems today don't just include a barrage of sensors – they come with cameras and radar detection. Some even will do the job of parking the car for you!

Daytime running lights

Keep or discard, When to toss out common household items

Unlike packaged foods that come with an expiry date printed on them so we know when to get rid of them, many common household items tend to get used way longer than they ought to. Using them longer than their shelf life may cause growth of harmful bacteria that can be detrimental to the health of you and your family.

Here’s a list of items found commonly around the house, with tips on how long you should use them and when it’s time to discard:

 1. Kitchen sponges: Kitchen sponges can be a breeding ground for bacteria, as they tend to be moist most of the time. Keep them clean by squeezing them thoroughly after using and storing them in a dry spot, not on top of the soap. You can also disinfect them by soaking them thoroughly with water and then microwaving them for a minute. Remember to make sure there are no traces of metal in the sponge before you do that. 
When to discard: As soon as you see the sponge fraying and peeling, it’s time to discard it and get a new one.

3. Toothbrushes: Due to constant exposure to moisture, toothbrushes are also a hotbed for bacterial growth. Also, old toothbrushes with damaged bristles will not do their job as effectively as they should.
When to discard: You must change your toothbrush every 3-4 months. If you noticed frayed bristles before that time, change it even earlier

4. Unused condoms: Actually, condoms do come with an expiry date printed on the box. But if you’ve been carrying one around for a long time in your wallet or purse, the constant heat and friction can damage it, leaving you open to pregnancy and STI risks.
When to discard: If the condom wrapper looks damaged, discard and use another one.

5. Lipsticks: How many of you still have that bright red lipstick you bought years ago but never got around to wearing? It’s time you dug into your make up kit and inspected it to see if it’s still worth holding on to.
When to discard: Lipsticks and lip glosses should typically be discarded between 12 to 24 months of purchase. Another clear sign you need get rid of it is when the lipstick starts smelling.

6. Unopened juice boxes: Juice boxes always have an expiration date on them that you must read before buying.
When to discard: Never drink from a juice box after it’s expiration date. Another sign to look out for is a puffy or swollen box which signals that its contents have gone bad.

6. Non-stick cookware: While non-stick cookware is a great solution for cooking with lesser oil, it comes with its share of controversy. For best use, it is advised that you use a wooden spoon of spatula while cooking and clean the pan or dish with soft, nylon dish scrubbers.
When to discard: Discard the cookware as soon as the non-stick coating starts coming off or it begins to look damaged in any way.

7. Unopened chocolate: For those who can resist chocolate for more than five minutes, it’s good to know how to store chocolate and when it may have gone bad. For a warm country like ours, its best to keep your chocolate in the fridge or any other cool, dry spot. Sometimes, white spots may occur on the chocolate. This does not mean the chocolate has gone bad, but is simply a consequence of exposure to heat or moisture.
When to discard: Most unopened chocolates have a shelf-life of 18 to 24 months. Dark chocolate keeps longer and can be consumed up to 5 years after manufacture. Milk chocolate should be thrown out if its older than 18 months.

The Nodiet Plan The Easiest Way to Lose Weight Without Feeling Deprived

Let's face it, dieting is not fun. Eating is fun and moreover, necessary. However, if you, like many of us, have padded out with a few extra pounds this winter, you might be considering a slim-down plan for summer. 

Here's a secret: losing five to ten pounds doesn't have to be torture. Unless your eating habits have truly gone off the rails (in which case you should speak with your doctor who may refer you to a registered dietician or nutritionist), you don't need to, and shouldn't, drastically alter your regular routine. 

Crash diets are unhealthy. They cause unpleasant side effects such as dehydration, kidney stones, bad breath, and dizziness. Dramatically cutting back on calories can also lead to weight cycling—when you gain back more than you initially lost. In fact, the majority of dieters regain all those hard lost pounds plus more within a couple of years. 

The no-diet plan 

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics says the safest and most realistic weight loss goal is about one pound a week. Losing one pound means cutting back on about 3,500 calories. By eliminating 500 calories a day you will shed a pound a week at a healthy rate without feeling deprived. 

Rather than thinking of this strategy as a diet, look at it as a budget. If you are broke, you make a tasty, cheap cup of coffee at home rather than ordering a grande at Starbucks (or at least you should). How can you make the daily swaps in your eating and activity patterns that will be the least painful? 

Here are ways to cut or burn 50, 100, and 200 calories. Mix and match what works for you as long as the items you choose add up to 500 calories a day. You will soon be on the way to a sleeker physique, just in time for beach weather. Another benefit of swapping, trimming, and adding doable exercise is that your smart new habits will help you keep the weight off over the long run. 

50 calories 

Eat one piece of toast in instead of two, or have an open-faced sandwich 
Mix juice with half water 
Swap one cup of skim milk for one cup of whole milk 
Eat one small handful of nuts rather than one large handful 
Leave the cheese off your sandwich 
Swap mustard for mayo 
Leave the butter or oil off your vegetable 
Swap a turkey burger for a beef burger 
Swap vinaigrette for creamy salad dressing 
Skip one cookie 
Stand or pace when you are on the telephone instead of sitting 
Push a baby in a stroller for 15 minutes 
Cook a simple meal instead of ordering take out 
Mow the lawn 
Take the stairs (ten minutes per day) 
Do a quick stretch and free weight routine while watching TV 
Give a 15-minute massage 


100 calories 

Eat one medium apple or orange instead of drinking a glass of juice 
Skip eight ounces of juice 
Eat a small sandwich instead of a regular sandwich
Eat one rather than two eggs 
Eat one tablespoon of peanut butter instead of two 
Eat plain cheese or vegetable pizza instead of pepperoni or sausage pizza 
Eat broth-based soup instead of cream-based soup 
Eat a half-cup less rice or pasta 
Eat a baked potato instead of French fries 
Eat baked chips instead of fried chips 
Choose a skinless portion of chicken 
Cut a six ounce steak in half and save the rest 
Swap one cup of frozen yogurt for one cup of ice cream 
Eat a half a piece of cake or pie instead of a full serving 
Eat a cup of fruit instead of candy 
Skip a glass of beer or wine 
Choose light beer or wine instead of a cocktail 
Downsize your plates, bowls, and glasses 
Play with kids at the park for 30 minutes 
Walk a dog for 30 minutes 
Take an easy 45-minute bike ride 
Go shopping for an hour 

200 calories 
Swap one cup of Kellogg's All Bran or Corn Flakes with a teaspoon of sugar for one cup of granola 
Eat an English muffin with fruit only jam instead of a bagel with cream cheese 
Eat carrots and hummus instead of chips and guacamole 
Skip the bread and butter when dining out 
Skip dessert 
Skip a cocktail 
Skip a can of soda 
Bring air popped or light microwave popcorn to the movies 
Drink an espresso instead of a latte with sugar 
Order a salad and an appetizer instead of a starter and main course 
Skip seconds 
Eat sorbet instead of ice cream 
Dance for 30 minutes 
Go bowling for an hour 
Clean your house or garden for an hour 
Rearrange your living room 
Jog for 30 minutes 
Go to a yoga class 
Hand wash your car 
Park ¾ of a mile away from work and walk the rest (both ways)