JLT

A majority of people I run into these days, probe me with a very sweet question, “Nazia, why have you stopped blogging?” Although I feel flattered, it makes me feel guilty that my weekend blogs has been unintentionally transformed into monthly now.

Its not that I have stopped writing completely, just that I have delved into official writing these days. And it gives me as much delight if not more. But will definitely try to be more regular henceforth.

So winter has descended on BBSR like a warm embrace, and believe me it’s the best season to be here. Now that Inox has opened up, week nights have become livelier. With a steaming hot coffee cup nestled in my hands, watching a late-nite movie in the awe-inspiring Inox with a blood-red embellished decor, after a back-breaking hard day of work. That’s heaven for me. I just need one more thing in life. KFC at BBSR. And I would be all ready to settle down here! J

I had such a gala time in Mumbai during the Christmas eve. Apart from gorging on heavenly delights and my ultimate fav, McD & KFC, I shopped like a maniac. People are extremely fit and health conscious there. May be they work out in gym like crazy, ‘coz they don’t restrain themselves when it comes to food. Didn’t get to see a single obese person!

Books…

”The Troubled Man” by Henning Mankell is keeping me busy these days. After finishing all the books by Alex Rutherford, I needed to read something contemporary. Now that William Dalrymple is going to release his next book on the Afganistan War, I am sure, I would have plenty of good stuff to read. If you are a voracious reader, its good to have like-minded friends in your circle. And I am really blessed in this department. As most of my loved ones, are big time into books. We buy latest releases, share and discuss the storyline threadbare, argue and criticize each other’s favorite authors and finally laugh it out! Nothing more invigorating than that!

My fetish for watches continues…Recently I got a beautiful one with baby pink mother of pearl undulating dial and tiny sparkling Swarovski crystals all around it. Total yum!

Ok this much for now…

Cheers!

Nazia

2012...Looking back!

14^th Dec will be etched in my memory forever. That was the day, I felt Nazia Tanwir has truly arrived!

Received the National HRD Network, Zenith Extramiler Award on Friday. On Cloud 10!!!

Zenith Extra-Miler Award from National HRD Network for Nazia Tanwir

One might receive scores of Internal awards, but external recognition is always special and very hard to come by. Because, there is no dearth of excellent HR professionals in today’s corporate scenario. And meeting some of my peers from different companies in the recently conducted NHRDN event at BBSR, really made me stand up in amazement. Each one of them, so talented and a professional in true sense of the word.

2012 turned out to be happening for me. Role change, 2 individual awards, 2 team awards, and so much more! Looking forward to 2013, with all enthusiasm!

Akira steals the show

My verdict is crystal clear! I loved JTHJ thoroughly!

Not because, I am crazy about King Khan, but ‘coz of scores of other non-mushy reasons.

The first and foremost being the way the movie has been handled, the entire treatment of it, so delicate and mesmerizingly beautiful. Not just the stars, but the locales, attires, meaningful dialogues, soulful music, and yes of course the aura of Indian Army. The movie symbolizes the crescendo in Shahrukh’s career, who has once again proved his mettle as the uncontested king of romance. An actor who not only defies age but also defies death in crucial junctures in the movie. Looks as young and charming as he looked in serial Fauji & Circus.

Coming to Katrina. Undoubtedly, the most beautiful actress, hindi cinema has ever seen. With a skin of peaches & cream, she looks like a dream in the first part of the movie, thanks to the chiffons and the smart business casuals. Her dance number in the pub, was truly class apart. One of her finest performances till date. But the lady, who stole the show, was none other than the Spunky Akira! The powerful punch lines, carefree expressions, live-wire like character, brought alive the character of Akira, and each one of us empathized with her lost love. (I was too busy praying in the second half that Anand falls in love with the delightful Akira, after he regains his memory ;) )  

I was greatly impressed with the dress designer of the movie. Can’t seem to remember who that was though. Be it Akira’s blue watch, the grey boots, the black clunky bag, Katrina’s green coat, red jacket, or the cargo pants, each piece of the attire was chosen with great care and it gelled perfectly with the story line.

Some scenes in the movie left a lasting impression on my mind. Major Anand striding down in a desert like area with a drop dead gorgeous and intense look, with bombs exploding in the background and the one where Akira gives the closure speech. Most heart-touching moments in the movie.

I really want to watch it again, as I missed the first 15 mins thanks to rush-hour traffic L, on a crazy Monday.

Cheers to Yash, Shahrukh & Akira! J

How to prepare the “World’s Best Shaahi Chicken Keema” in just 15 mins. (Nazia’s Patented Recipe)

300 gms Chicken Keema

3 medium sized Onions

1 large Tomato

2 green chillies

1 bunch of Fresh coriander leaves

1 teaspoon Cumin Powder

1 teaspoon Coriander Powder

2 Tablespoon Ginger-garlic paste

1 teaspoon red chilly powder

Salt to taste

2 table spoon Sunflower refined Oil

1.       Chop the onions, tomato and green chillies finely. Keep it aside.

2.       Take 2 tablespoon of oil in a flat bottomed Sauce pan, and heat it. Then add the Onions. Keep on stirring it till its golden brown. Then add the chillies and tomato. After 2 mins, add 2 tablespoon Ginger and garlic paste. Continue the stirring till the oil leaves the pan and a lovely aroma emanates out of the pan.

3.       Add the Chicken Keema (Minced Meat). Then the dry cumin and coriander powder. Stir it for around 5 minutes, add half a cup of water cover the lid. Let it cook for 10-12 minutes.

4.       Then add the fresh coriander leaves and garnish it with fine onion rings and arrange it in a concentric fashion delicately.

5.       Don’t forget to take a pic of the dish and upload on FB, lets see, if you can beat my Chicken keema (Looks wise atleast! :P )

Chicken Shahi Keema----Prepared by Nazia Tanwir

Enjoy the dish, with your loved ones! Great way to spend the weekend! :)

Cheers!

Nazia

Derailment of Democracy

So this is the second “Bandh” in this month. This time, it is for diesel price hike. Sometimes, I wonder, do such “Bandhs” really serve their purpose? What about the inconvenience caused to “Aam Aadmi”? Does anybody actually care for them? From “anybody”, I mean the political parties (both ruling and opposition). Such events make the environment conducive for all kinds of anti-social elements, who are always on the lookout for such devilish opportunities to make a career in hooliganism. Who can forget the heart wrenching pic of a lady police getting bashed up by villians during the last bandh in BBSR. I was shell shocked to see the pics on the front pages of all the local dailies. The most disgusting aspect was that, photographers from media were too busy clicking pics of the event, rather than making an effort to save the lady! That was humanity at its nadir! Really sickening!

I usually avoid writing about political events, but couldn’t help writing the above para, ‘coz of my restless soul. I have very high regard for media people, but sometimes, they tend to get too heartless. What is the difference between the hooligans and them? One was involved in the criminal act, and the other was glorifying it, instead of preventing it. Despicable,  indeed.

I just hope and pray, nothing untoward happens tomorrow. (Fingers crossed)

This blog is getting too serious, lets delve into some lighter stuff now…

Many of my friends have complained, as I couldn’t blog since last few weeks. Reason was that, I was finally bitten by the Viral fever bug, which kept me out of action for about a week. Also was too busy reading various stuff, fiction and non-fiction. Out of the 4 Alex Rutherford’s books, only one is left now. Too mesmerized by her talent of research and writing. Want to visit all the forts in Agra and Delhi once again, to re-live the experience of the Mughals. If Allah grants me one wish, I would like to be re-born in the Mughal era J

Playing tennis. That was another of my childhood dreams, which I am trying to fulfill now. 3 days down, and I am yet to hit a clean shot. Very few of my shots reach the other side of the court, don’t really know why. (Much to the dismay of my friends on the other side of the net) Actually, you need to have very strong arms and wrists to master this game. Which I am not blessed with, may be that is the reason. Anyways, perseverance is the key. If I could learn swimming (Had hydrophobia), I can learn anything. J

What next…may be Squash. Lets see. ;)

Saw a good movie, after a really long time. Yes, you guessed it right! Barfi! J

Ranbir was class apart. Illeana was good. Priyanka…hmmm ….was Ok. Rani would have been a better choice. Songs were mellifluous. Now I want to visit Darjeeling! J

This much for now…cya next weekend!

Cheers!

(Psst : My blog dashboard reveals that I have readers from far-off countries like Ukraine, UAE, Australia, France, China, etc. That’s really heartening to know! Thanks a bunch, guys! Keep reading!)