We, the Golden Decaders, came of age in the rollicking 60s & 70s. Some of us crossed the “Seven Seas” from East to West, for the Universities and the cosmopolitan cities in the New World – excited and anxious to take on challenges, fulfill family dreams and honor self-made promises. Others crossed from West to East, to the Mountains and Plains of the Old World – idealistic and eager to serve and discover, like my husband Bob! Some made the transition from student life to corporate America, some from student life to parenthood as did I.

The India from which I had embarked on this journey was thriving with new beginnings, hopes and developments- Madame Indira Gandhi had been elected the first woman Prime Minister of India, my alma mater, the Institute of Science, Bombay, had its first female director, Dr. Kamala Sohoni, and increasing numbers of women were entering higher education institutions, including in the sciences, medical and engineering disciplines.

Bob, Peace Corps, Nepal           Bob with Students and their Families in his village

The US that Bob left to volunteer with the Peace Corps in Nepal was in the midst of a dramatic cultural, educational, political and societal change – the streets of cities, the college campuses across the US, and the dinner tables of families were active centers of discourse, discussion and disagreements. There were antiwar protestors, civil rights & women’s rights activists and flower children in the streets, avenues and parks from New York to San Francisco, and Niagara Falls to New Orleans!

The decades of the 60s & 70s were filled with optimism and hope as we met and faced life’s joys, challenges and celebrations. As an undergraduate student at the Institute of Science, Bombay, India, I experienced a life-altering event and a miracle! An organic chemistry lab experiment I was doing exploded and severely injured my face and both eyes. The leading eye surgeon of the time, Dr. Homi Banaji, told my parents he was hopeful about being able to save my right eye with at least 50% vision but that there was no hope of vision in my left eye. After several weeks of intensive treatment, pain, and uncertainty, came the miracle -I had perfect vision in my right eye and partial vision in my left eye! In the past 5 decades since then I have had several problems with my eyes including retina tear, PVD from the retina, fractures of the eye cavity & cataract surgeries, but the miracle continues– I have vision in both eyes! After two months of being away from college, I walked back into my classes, my labs, successfully earned my BSc in Chemistry and Physics, went on to graduate school and earned my MS in Organic Chemistry, ranking first in the University. Then came the next stage of life’s journey – marriage and a new life in the US, which brought my greatest joys- my flowers in the garden – Lina and Vikram.

On the other side of the world, in a small village in the plains of Nepal, Bob was discovering his newly unfolding adult self, as he taught science and math in Nepali, in the village high school for four years. Bob lived, taught, learned, discovered, and embraced a life, a culture and a people with whom his heart, mind and intellect would resonate for the rest of his life. In his village, where he lived in one room of the home of a family, he became one of the family and still is to this day. There was no electricity, no running water, no tiled floors, but there was grace, generosity, integrity and respect. As his original two-year commitment with the Peace Corps was coming to a close, Bob signed up for two more years, teaching science and math to high schoolers, planning and funding the digging of an artesian well, and  teaching adults in the village to read and write Nepali, using a book that he himself wrote and printed .

Student Ram Kumar, son of host family, Bob, & parents Hazel & Ted Loser on 1973 visit

Four Decades later Bob & Reva at Bob’s Village High School Ceremony honoring Bob Ji with former students, fellow teachers, and headmasters in attendance 

As a Zoology undergraduate Bob had never considered teaching as his profession, and as an Organic Chemist interested in research I had never considered teaching as my profession. Thankfully, the Wise Universe had other plans for both of us – while we did not have the wisdom to choose teaching, we are both delighted and thankful that Teaching Chose us! We both found our calling in teaching, guiding, mentoring and facilitating learning in young adults, returning learners, career changers and life long learners! On his return to the US after four years with the Peace Corps in Nepal Bob went to graduate school at Florida State University focusing on Adult Education and specifically in Instructional Design.

Bob spent 7 years at the US Senate Computing Center and then three decades at Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) planning and designing innovative online courses, pioneering NOVA’s journey into web-based learning, developing and customizing instructional technology, and inspiring and guiding hundreds of teaching faculty across multiple disciplines in incorporating and practicing the science of learning in their courses. He retired at the end of 2015, and was recognized by being named Professor Emeritus by the NOVA Board.

My early years in the US were spent happily raising my two children, volunteering in various areas in their schools, teaching Chemistry at NOVA as adjunct faculty, and also earning a Masters Degree in Computer Science from Virginia Tech. In 1989 I joined NOVA as a full time faculty with a dual appointment in Chemistry and Computer Science

For more than three decades I taught tens of thousands of students Chemistry and Computer Science. I believe that teaching is not about “covering material” – It is about helping to uncover, so that students can truly discover! My students told me that because I held them to a high standard, expected them to work hard, to succeed, to take risks without fear of “making errors”, encouraged them to find passion and joy in learning, listened to them, because they trusted that I believed and cared about them, they started expecting much of themselves. I was a member of US-wide faculty team that designed the first Chemistry DVD “Discover Chemistry” and I developed the first Distance Learning Chemistry Course for Science Majors in the US. I developed two more online Chemistry courses, and taught both online and face-to face courses until I retired in 2017 and was recognized by being named Professor Emerita by the NOVA Board.

Bob and I are in our 4th Quarter, our Golden Quarter, slowing down yes, but still Dancing. The game has changed, the field has changed, the rules have changed, and we have gratefully, gracefully, and gloriously changed too. We have been volunteering within our community, with the Fairfax Library Foundation, with Fairfax County ESOL classes, Virtual Peace Corps projects, NOVA Food Banks, and happily “putting one drop at a time into the ocean” as we can. Our newest initiative is establishing an endowment at NOVA for the Loser-Savkar PaTHS Award. It is $2000 award for an outstanding student who exemplifies academic excellence, passion and vision for learning and discovering, dedication to service and social justice and equity. We have named it PaTHS in honor of our four parents Prabha, Ted, Hazel and Shrikrishna and their commitment to education and social justice.

Hazel & Ted Loser                                  Prabha & Shrikrishna Gokhale

Meelod Waheed, first recipient of the Loser-Savkar PaTHS Award

My parents Prabha & Shrikrishna Gokhale and our Yamaha Organ

Please click to hear my father playing our Yamaha Organ

The Perfect Harmony of the Life-Long Love story of my parents Prabha and Shrikrishna Gokhale,  the 111 Year-Old Japanese Yamaha Organ owned by my Gokhale family and our link with the Historic Music Tradition started by the legendary Bal Gandharva, hailed as “Nat-Samrat” – the King of Thespians, actor, singer and producer. Bal Gandharva was the first stage producer in India to introduce the organ in place of the harmonium on the Indian musical stage. As I describe below, it was our Gokhale family Yamaha Organ that inspired the great Bal Gandharva to bring the organ to the music stage!

In 1910 Mr. V.J. Gokhale, my father’s uncle, went to Japan to earn a BS degree in Mining Engineering. On completing his studies in 1912, he bought this Organ made by Yamaha in 1910, and brought it back to Pune, India, as a gift for his brother, my grandfather,  Professor R. J. Gokhale, who had a passion for music. For 96 years, this Yamaha Organ was in my Gokhale family home, joyfully played everyday, first by my grandfather, then by my father’s older sisters Tarabai Bapat (nee Gokhale) and Maniktai Ghate (nee Gokhale), then starting in 1923 by my father, Shrikrishna Gokhale, sitting on his sister’s lap, learning to make music with Ebony & Ivory in Perfect Harmony! My father never had a single professional musical lesson, he said the music came with his sister’s guidance and from within.

Please click for a short video of my father playing the organ and signing

It was considered to be the first organ in India, other than the western Church Organs and smaller western organs in private homes in cities such as Bombay and Calcutta.  The renowned author Mr. N C Kelkar, a close friend of my grandfather, brought the legendary Bal Gandharva, the “Nat-Samrat”, to listen to the extraordinarily beautiful musical sounds as my grandfather played the Yamaha Organ. In India, until then, the hand manipulated harmonium or the foot pedaled harmonium was the music instrument used for all stage performances. So fascinated by its unique sweet tone was Bal Gandharva, that he ordered three similar organs from an European Company, which soon became the primary accompaniment, instead of the harmonium, in all his musical dramas there after.

This organ has been the cornerstone of many an evening in the Gokhale family home, across India, over the years, appreciated by many generations of music greats including Sudhir Phadke, Suhasini Mulgaonkar, literary and performing arts greats such as Padma Shri Anant Kanekar, Keshavrao Date, Rohini Bhate, Cricketeer Vijay Merchant and many other Gokhale family members & friends.

In 1942 this Yamaha Organ left the Gokhale home in Pune to travel around India for almost 34 years as my father’s service as an officer in the Indian Railways took him and his new bride, Prabha, to 20 different homes around the country! In 1976 the organ returned to its Pune home with my parents when my father retired from the Indian Railways. On my visits to India over the past fifty years, to their various homes all over India, and finally back to the Gokhale family home in Pune when they retired, the highlight of each day for me was listening as my parents played and sang. They always coaxed me to join in, which I did with a full happy heart that rejoiced in loving and being loved, in belonging and sharing,  and being cherished and cherishing their love story that played each moment of their life together. Surrounded by various family pets, extended family members and friends who would often drop in, there was joy, love and harmony as the sweet sounds of our Yamaha Organ resonated throughout the home.

Please click to hear my mother sing as my father accompanies her on the organ

Throughout our childhood, for my sister Shobha, brother Avinash and me, it was how we knew “All was Right with the World” – each evening, while we played games, created arts and crafts, did homework and read, my parents would have their time together. My father playing, sometimes singing, sometimes accompanying my mother singing, often improvising, some classical India music, some “Natya-Sangeet” songs by Bal Gandharva (music from Indian musical plays), some songs by legends like Pankaj Malik, Talat Mehmood, and sometimes Western music such as “Three Coins in the Fountain “, “At the Balalaika” or “Irene Good Night Irene”. We would join in, albeit sometimes reluctantly as children are apt to do, and sing with them – the songs of days gone by, of current musical plays, and classical music.

My father cared-for, tuned, repaired and restored the organ by himself, as needed, never once calling in a professional organ care technician. He played the organ every single day until the morning he suffered a massive stroke a few weeks after his 80th birthday. He passed away in 2002 and at first none of us could imagine home without our organ, but we soon arrived at the best home for it – In 2008 we happily donated the organ to the historic Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum, Pune, India.

My mother, Prabha Gokhale, saying Namaskar, Farewell & “Thanks for the Memories Forever”, Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum, Pune, India.

I, Reva, my sister Shobha and brother Avinash – The Golden Three

All four of my beloved birth Gokhale family – Daddy, Mummy, Shobha and Avi are no more, but the rhythms, heartbeats & sounds of our songs, organ and love play in my heart forever!

I, Reva Savkar, with the Organ, Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum, Pune, India

Special Foods to Enjoy with Beautiful Music, Hot Chai and Friends & Family!

Sunday Treats: Idli, Sambar, Chatni, Onion & Spinach Pakoras (Bhaji in Marathi) Serves 4-6 

Sambar (Lentil Curry)

Ingredients:

• 3 cups toor dal (dried split yellow lentils available in Indian Grocery Stores)
• 12 oz baby carrots
• 2 medium-sized 6 inch long zucchini (or 2 large green bell peppers but I omit as Bob is allergic to peppers)
• 3 medium-sized 6 inch long eggplant
• 1 medium – large onion finely chopped
• 1 bunch scallions chopped ½ inch pieces on the diagonal
• 12 – 15 small grape or cherry tomatoes sliced in half
• 1½ tablespoon roasted cumin powder
• 1½ tablespoon roasted coriander powder
• 1½ tablespoon roasted coriander powder
• 4 cloves garlic finely chopped
• ½ inch fresh ginger, peeled and grated
• ¼ cup shredded coconut flakes
• 2 teaspoons “sambar masala” my mother’s recipe (or Indian grocery store)
• 1 ½  teaspoons canola or olive oil
• 1 ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
• 1 teaspoon Indian jaggery (or dark brown sugar)
• 2 tablespoons tamarind paste (Indian grocery store)
• ¾ teaspoon black mustard seeds
• ¾ teaspoon cumin seeds
• ¾ teaspoon fenugreek seeds
• ¾ teaspoon asafoetida
• ¾ teaspoon turmeric
• 8-10 curry leaves, washed, dried and cut on the slant into 1/4 inch wide slivers
• 1/3 – 1/2 cup fresh cilantro finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper (I omit as Bob is allergic to pepper)
• 2- 3 teaspoons salt to taste (I use Himalayan salt for special flavor)
• Olive oil spray

Procedure:

1. Wash the dry lentils with cool water three times to remove any surface starch or grit. Please in a large heavy bottomed pot, add water until there is about 2 inches water completely covering the lentils. Bring to a boil and stir, lower heat to medium and cook for about 20 minutes. Slice the zucchini lengthwise and then into 1 inch pieces, slice the carrots on the diagonal into 3/4 inch pieces and add to the cooking lentils. Stir well, add the tamarind paste and water as needed, and cook for 20 minutes until the lentils and vegetables are cooked but firm and not mashed.
2. Spray a heavy bottomed pan with olive oil, add the Canola oil and heat on medium high heat. Add the mustard seeds and let them gently pop. Then add in order the cumin seeds, asafoetida, turmeric, fenugreek seeds, coconut, and curry leaves, stirring continuously to gently sautee on medium heat for 2 minutes. Make sure they do not burn. Add the onion, garlic and ginger in order, stirring and sauteeing until they are light golden brown. Add the scallions and half the cilantro.
3. Carefully add this sauteed spice & onion mixture to the pot of lentils and vegetables, stirring well. Add salt to taste and add water as needed for a consistency of thick soup, stir well.
4. Cook on low-medium heat, stirring gently until the seasonings, sauteed spice & onion mixture, vegetables and  lentils are cooked.
5. Sprinkle the rest of the chopped cilantro on the sambar

Serve Sambar hot with Idlis (steamed rice& lentil dumplings), Green Coconut Chatni and Onion Spinach Pakoras. Sambar is also delicious with hot brown Basmati rice. Enjoy!

Onion-Spinach Pakoras (Bhaji in Marathi):

Traditionally they are deep fried in oil. I make them in my special “Appam Pan” that requires no oil and no frying and has all the delicious flavor and taste!  (Note: Appam pan is available on Amazon)

Ingredients:

• 12-16 oz chopped frozen spinach or fresh spinach
• 1 large onion finely chopped
• 1 bunch scallions chopped ½ inch pieces on the diagonal
• 1 cup chickpea flour (besan in Marathi)
• 1½ tablespoon roasted cumin powder
• ½ teaspoon turmeric
• 1 teaspoon salt (to your taste)

Procedure:

1. Defrost the spinach, squeeze all the liquid out, add the chopped onion and scallions, place in a microwave-safe bowl and cook for 5-6  minutes.
2. Add the remaining ingredients, mix well, and shape into 1 inch flat balls
3. Place 12 at a time into the Appam Pan, cover and cook on medium high heat for 6 minutes until light brown on bottom side. Remove lid, turn pakoras over, cover and cook for 4-5 minutes.

Serve Bhajis with Green Coconut Chatni, Tomato Chutney or Mango Chutney. Enjoy!

Summer Symphony – Ratatouille, Avocado, Quinoa & Egg

Serves 4 

(Clockwise from top center Ratatouille, avocado, quinoa, egg)

Ingredients:

• 2 medium-sized 6 inch long zucchini
• 2 medium-sized 6 inch long yellow squash
• 3 medium-sized 4 inch long eggplant
• 4 eggs
• 1 packet silken tofu (400 g) drained well
• 1 medium sweet onion
• 1 bunch scallions
• 12 – 15 small grape or cherry tomatoes
• 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
• 1 tablespoons caraway seeds
• 1 tablespoon olive oil  (I use olive spray)
• 1½ – 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme (or use dried herbs to taste)
• 1½ teaspoons garlic powder
• 1½ teaspoons Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper (I omit as Bob is allergic to pepper)
• 1½ -2 teaspoons salt to taste (I use Himalayan salt for special flavor)
• Olive oil spray

Procedure:

1. Vegetables: Cut the zucchini, yellow squash and eggplant into 1 inch pieces. Peel and cut the sweet onion into ½ inch pieces. Slice the scallions on the diagonal into ½ inch pieces. Slice the tomatoes into halves and Shredded Potato Crust: Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Silken Tofu: Drain the tofu, wrap in folded layers of kitchen towel, press gently to remove the moisture and tofu is dry. Slice tofu into 1 inch pieces and then gently crumble.
3. Ratatouille: Use olive oil spray to coat the inside of a heavy bottomed pan, place on medium heat and sautee the crumbled tofu with ½ teaspoon garlic powder, stirring continuously until light golden brown. Remove tofu, spray the pan with more olive with olive oil, add the sliced onions, caraway seeds and half the scallions. Stir often to allow onions to brown lightly, add tomatoes, all the cut vegetables, remaining garlic, Italian seasoning and sautee on medium heat for 4-5 minutes. Add 3-4 tablespoons of water and continue to sautee, making sure they do not burn. Add the thyme, salt, and vinegar stirring well, add more water if needed, cover, reduce heat to low medium, cook for 15- 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. until the vegetables are cooked and soft but not mashed. Add tofu crumbles, remaining scallions, basil, mix well, stirring gently and cook for another 5 minutes.
4. Egg: lightly spray a large non stick pan with olive oil, bring to medium heat and break 4 eggs, one at a time, into the pan, arranging them evenly around the pan. Sprinkle lightly with salt, gently break the yolks, cook until eggs are set (about 2-3 minutes)

Serve Ratatouille hot with Fried Egg, Tricolor Quinoa garnished with Scallions, sliced Avocado with Lime juice and Himalayan salt: Enjoy!

Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, Crow Agency, Montana

“Our Land” is not defined or categorized by geography or power, education or color, gender or age, wealth or health”. As I reflect on the events of recent weeks, and the traditions and rituals of our quadrennial celebration of the people’s elected choice of President and Vice President to lead “Our Land”, one thought and emotion is stronger and clearer than all others –  “Our Land” is one defined by our ongoing commitment to Justice, Fairness, Integrity, Humanity, Decency and Democracy!

El Capitan, Yosemite National Park, California

The rivers and the valleys, the mountains and the islands, the woods and the waters, the canyons and the springs, are in our trust, but they are not ours to deplete and destroy, to exploit and stress, to assault and lay waste.                                                       

Grand Prismatic Hot Spring, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

We are fortunate that the natural resources are here to support, nourish, shelter, grow, and guide us as we journey on “The Hill We Climb” in the inspiring words of Amanda Gorman, our amazing National Youth Poet Laureate – to strengthen, broaden, deepen and empower the Ideas, the Principles and the Dreams of “Our Land”.

Antelope Canyon, Navajo Nation, Arizona

Through this devastating pandemic, racial injustice and unrest, economic and social upheaval we have seen the conscientious dedication, the total commitment, the steadfast strength and courage of millions of first responders, frontline and food service workers, educators and healthcare providers in the face of devastating tragedy, unrelenting pain, suffering and personal sacrifices – they are “Our Land”. We have seen selfless volunteers of all ages, color, gender, language, and ethnicity feed the hungry, transport the needy, comfort the grieving, clothe and shelter all who need it – they are “Our Land”. We have seen young children raise funds for others, one dollar at a time, with lemonade stands and cookies, teens join hands to build desks, distribute hand sanitizers, sew and distribute masks, and children, youths and seniors organize visits, and meals for isolated, ill, elderly, frightened and lonely neighbors and strangers – they are “Our Land”.

Through many decades “Our Land” is the network of compassion, caring, thoughtfulness, integrity, generosity of spirit and strength. It is the forces that arise from and are fed by our desire, dedication and commitment to a present and a future that celebrates, embraces, protects and rejoices in our differences. “Our Land” is the network of volunteers who travel to disaster-stricken areas around the world in times of earthquakes, avalanches, tsunamis, drought, epidemics and numerous tragic man-made crises such as war, rebellion and famine. The volunteers bring their expertise, experience, compassion, and they carry medical supplies, food, clothing, shelter and emergency rescue equipment donated and collected by thousands of other volunteers.  “Our Land” has faced numerous challenges, and will continue to do so,  but the solutions, the progress, the healing, the support and the understanding has come and will continue to come from within our own commitment to democracy, justice, and humanity. “Our Land” aches and suffers as instruments and forces of hate, destruction, divisiveness, racism, sexism and misogyny try to destroy, but “Our Land” survives and strengthens as forces of good, love, decency and truth succeed in nurturing and building.

Badlands National Park, South Dakota

More than three decades ago, I had the privilege to participate in the formal Oath ceremony to become a naturalized American citizen. For several years I had already held “the Green Card” as it was then called – the permanent immigant visa for living, working, owning property, paying taxes, and traveling freely in and out of the US. Then in the late eighties we made the decision to apply for US citizenship, started the process, the preparation for the mandatory citizenship test, and the in-person interview and test. Interestingly, several of my American born friends were very surprised at the extensive detailed information that was required to be learned in preparation for the test, and they expressed great relief that they were not required to answer any such questions, as they stated quite strongly that they would surely “fail” the test!

I had many complex emotions, poignant thoughts and moving moments throughout the Oath ceremony at the Federal District Court, Alexandria. There was joy and gratitude, highs and lows, sorrow and heart-tugging pangs, as I solemnly took the Oath of Allegiance to the United States of America, which I had made my home, where my children were born, lived, and were being raised,  but it also required me to renounce allegiance to and citizenship of India – the land where I was born and raised, where my mother, my father, my extended family lived, where my foremothers and forefathers had lived, successfully struggled for Independence, and died! I vividly recall that it was then that I consciously and gratefully embraced the good fortune of having two homelands, two cultures, and two sets of traditions of commitment to democracy – the world’s largest democracy, India, and the world’s second largest democracy, USA.  I cherish and value the belief in, and commitment, with those who embrace the Ideas, the Principles, the Dreams and Dedication to Democracy, this is “My Land”

Two great deserts, the Mojave Desert and the Colorado Desert come together at Joshua Tree National Park, California

Several decades ago, our family moved for three years, from the US to West Germany, officially called the Federal Republic of Germany. My husband was with IBM in the US, and in Germany he worked at the IBM Research & Development Lab, in Boblingen, near Stuttgart. We rented a house in the village of Maichingen, about 20 kilometers from Stuttgart, the capital of the state of Baden-Wurtemberg. We particularly chose Maichingen rather than the cosmopolitan twin cities of Sindelfingen and Boblingen, because we wanted to experience German life, food, cooking, customs, and culture, immersed in a German community, with our children Lina, 11, and Vikram, 5 years old.

Reva’s version of traditional German Zwiebel Kuchen (Onion Pie): Bob-Friendly Vegan (Recipe included at the bottom of the post)

In the US we had taught Lina and Vikram to speak Marathi, so they were fluent in both Marathi and English, and Lina was also learning French. Our German neighbors, IBM colleagues, and friends, and the few Americans we met there, were rather impressed when all of us also learned to speak German in a very short time.

Lina & Vikram: First Volks March, 10 K                     D-Day Landing Beaches, Normandy

We traveled a lot during our three years there, with our children, to see and experience all the European countries, including Britain, a 2 week trip to Egypt, many ski trips to Switzerland, Austria, and Italy, and quintessential German experiences like VolksMarches, Fasching Festivals, European Football matches, and October Fests.

First Ski Trip, Dolomites, Italian Alps                       Lina & Vikram,Tower of London,

I would like to share an interesting experience from Fall 1979: our visit to West Berlin and East Berlin. My husband and I had kept our Indian citizenship, with Indian passports, and US Green cards, as at that time, there was no requirement or reason for us to get US Citizenship, and Lina and Vikram, who were born in the US, had US passports. We wanted to see East Berlin, and meet with East Berliners, and knowing about our proposed trip, Hans, one of our close German friends, arranged for us to meet his cousin, Johannes, in East Berlin. As we were aware and respectful of the ongoing political situation between West and East Germany, we communicated with the Indian Consulate, and the US Consulate, regarding our proposed trip, received assurances from each that it was safe, and so we felt confident about traveling to East Berlin. Hans had given us details about how we were to make contact with Johannes in East Berlin, in a way that would not put Johannes under suspicion, and also not require us to try and find a taxi in East Berlin to get to Johannes’ home.

On our flight from Stuttgart to West Berlin, as expected, we flew over the heavily armed border separating West Germany from East Germany, the German Democratic Republic. But one of the most surprising visual experiences for us was seeing the Berlin Wall, and realizing that it not only divided Berlin, but actually completely encircled West Berlin, and separated it from the surrounding East Germany territory! For three days we enjoyed visiting the many beautiful historic sites in the city. Several times during our sightseeing we were quite close to the Berlin Wall, the permanent armed divider – a very intimidating sight, with tall watch towers, heavily armed soldiers with weapons pointed directly at West Berlin, and several feet of barbed wires topping the wall on the East Berlin side.

Lina, Vikram & Reva, Check Point Charlie

We took a day trip to East Berlin,  crossing from West Berlin into East Berlin at the iconic best- known Berlin Wall crossing “Check Point Charlie”. We entered the building from the West Berlin entrance, had our passports checked, and then were ushered into a small waiting room that was “No Man’s Land” as the door to West Berlin side was closed. A door opened on the East Berlin side, several uniformed officials approached us, and asked to see our passports. That is when the tragic-comic sequence of events unfolded as we showed them our Indian passports, and Lina and Vikram’s US passports and also our West German resident visas and ID cards. Their reaction was startling and discomfiting as they announced in German “This is impossible, this is not allowed, this is not legal! There cannot be a family where the parents are Indian citizens, the children are American citizens, and they say they are living in West Germany”. As we spoke fluent German, we understood everything they were saying, and we attempted to explain that we were indeed a family, that the children were indeed our own children, and that it was all legal. This continued for quite a while with no discernible progress, and this impasse resulted in a higher official being called to continue the interrogation. Finally, he approved, and it resulted in each of us being given the required one-day visa to enter East Berlin, so we paid the mandatory 25 West German Marks/person to be converted into 25 East German Marks/per person. We were pretty relieved at this point, and thought that it would be smooth sailing from then on! Well we did not know what lay ahead – the officials insisted that the children had to be separated from us, as they had to be processed through the US citizens entrance, while we had to be processed through the Indian citizens entrance. At that point I took a stand saying that I would not let my minor children be separated from me – either they let my children come with me, or that they let me go with my children, but that we were NOT going to be separated!

Well this led to another higher level of official to be called, everything was again presented to him in German by the officials, and again by me in German, and when he politely and courteously explained the rules to me in both German and English, I explained to him in both German and English, that I understood the rules, and understood him, but that I would like him to understand me – a mother, yes with an Indian passport, who would NOT be separated from her young children, albeit with US passports. At that point “an immovable object”, the might of the East Berlin officialdom, met an “unstoppable force” a Mother! Suddenly “the clouds parted”, and he said something about “Raj Kapoor” and Indian Movie Films, and “did we know Raj Kapoor, and the 1950s blockbuster Bollywood film “Awara”, and my husband very quickly said “Yes, yes, we are big fans, and we understand that Raj Kapoor is very popular in East Germany, Eastern Europe, and in the Soviet Union”. Well at that point our East Berlin visas were quickly stamped, I was processed through the Indian citizen entrance, and then allowed to go with Lina and Vikram through the US citizen’s entrance, while my husband was processed through the Indian citizen’s entrance, and all four of us met on the East Berlin side of Checkpoint Charlie! It was indeed quite an intimidating sight, with watch towers, gun toting armed soldiers, and several feet of barbed wires topping the wall.

Hans, our West German friend, had arranged for his cousin, Johannes to meet us with his car at a particular time, on a particular East Berlin street, that was two blocks away from the official crossing at Check Point Charlie. Because of the obstacles we had encountered at the crossing, it was well past the time we were supposed to rendezvous with Johannes and we did not see anybody on that particular street. The fall-back plan, in the event of a delay, was for us to rendezvous with Johannes at a different street in the opposite direction, as it was not advisable for Johannes to be seen lingering near the Berlin Wall. As we approached this alternate street, he was to be parked, peering into the open hood of his car and looking sideways for us, as he had been given a description of us- an Indian couple with two children, although we would not see him. We were to walk by without slowing down, then look at a map, talk to each other about some museum we wanted to see, and then walk back. He was to then close the hood, try and start the car, and then get out, and raise the hood. That was the signal for us to quickly get into the car, and we did, and he drove off with us.

At his apartment there were 5 people including his wife, brother and wife, and a close friend. We chatted very casually in German about the weather, the recent ski trip we had taken, the delicious cakes and cookies they had set out, while he wrote several notes to us saying “there are cameras and microphones everywhere in our home, I am on the black list because, while I am engineer, I also do investigative journalism”. We had a very intense and informative discussion,communicating via written notes, shielded from the cameras, while verbally chatting away in German about innocuous topics such as Indian Bollywood movies, sports, food, etc. Each note was immediately burned by Johannes, cupping his hand lighting cigarettes from time to time.

It was soon time for us to leave, and we asked Johannes to drive us to a particular museum, so he would not be observed driving in the vicinity of the Wall. We spent several hours in the museum, bought post cards, knick-knacks, souvenirs, cookies, candies, ate lunch in the café, trying to use up our 100 East German Marks. We strolled on the famous, elegant and beautiful centuries-old “Unter Den Linden Boulevard” and saw several iconic buildings and palaces, many in ruins, and then made our way to the Check Point Charlie crossing point. This return crossing was quite uneventful, we deposited our remaining East German Marks into a “bank box” for which we were given a “receipt” to be used on a future visit within one year. For our re-entry into West Berlin, all four of us we were officially processed together, through the same control gate, and we emerged into the free and welcoming atmosphere of West Berlin, deeply moved and affected by our experiences.

Vegan and Gluten Free Zwiebel Kuchen (Onion Tart) Serves 4 – 6

(Traditional Zwiebel Kuchen has bacon, bacon fat, cream, and wheat flour pastry crust with lard. Instead of these ingredients I use cashews, tofu, almond milk, nutritional yeast, garlic powder, liquid smoke, and shredded potatoes for the crust)

Ingredients:

• 5 -6 large sweet onions thinly sliced
• 3 cups shredded potatoes
• 1 packet silken tofu (400 g) drained well
• 1 – 1½ cups plain unsweetened almond milk
• ½ cup raw cashews
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 1½ tablespoons caraway seeds
• 1½ tablespoons olive oil
• 1½ – 2 tablespoons liquid smoke (a hearty robust flavor)
• 3 teaspoons nutritional yeast
• 1½ teaspoons garlic powder
• 1½ teaspoons cumin seeds
• 1 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper (I omit as Bob is allergic to pepper)
• 1½ -2 teaspoons salt to taste
• Olive oil spray

Procedure:

1. Shredded Potato Crust: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9-10 inch round pyrex baking pan with olive oil spray. Season the shredded potatoes with salt, and press with fingers into the prepared pan. Press the potatoes into the sides and bottom to make a smooth crust. Spray lightly with olive oil spray. Bake for 25 – 30 minutes until the crust is light brown/golden. Remove the baking dish from oven.
2. Onion Filling: Heat the olive oil in a large heavy bottomed pan to high heat, and add the sliced onions, caraway seeds and cumin seeds. Stir often to allow the onions to brown, and then to caramelize. Reduce heat to low medium, stir often to prevent burning, but let the onions caramelize for 10-15 minutes. Add salt to taste.
3. Vegan Cream Sauce: Soak cashews in warm water for about 45 minutes, drain well and grind in a food processor.
4. Drain tofu, and add tofu, milk, garlic, nutritional yeast, vinegar, black pepper, salt to the cashews in the food processor.
5. Grind until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Use spatula to make sure all ingredients are well mixed and creamy.
6. Fill the baked crust with the onion filling.
7. Pour the cream sauce over the onions, use spatula to spread the sauce all around covering the onion filling to the edges of the crust.
8. Bake in 350 degree oven for 35-45 minutes until the topping is light brown/golden. (Bake 5-10 minutes longer if the topping is still white)
9. Remove from oven and set on a cooling rack for 5-10 minutes
10. Slice into 8 pieces and serve hot

Serve with roasted Brussel Sprouts, fresh Grape Tomatoes, and Banana Oat Bars!

White washed balconies, Santorini

One hears “Souvlaki”,  and visions, aromas, sights and sounds of Greece waft through one’s mind, playing gently with memories of bright blue skies, puffy white clouds, deep emerald green seas, flowering bougainvilleas, whitewashed houses perched on rocky cliffs and an egret or two gliding across the harbor!

Sunbathed Courtyard, Mikonos      Corinth Canal, connecting Aegean and Ionian Seas

That’s what it evokes in me, and perhaps in you too – tender Lamb, Beef, Chicken, even Pork Souvlaki, hot off the grill, served with cool Tzatziki, marinated Kalamata and Green Olives, Sliced Red Onions, and warm Pita Bread.

Here is my Bob-Friendly, Plant-Based, Dairy-Free Souvlaki, Basil Pesto, cool Vegan Cucumber Salad (Tzatziki), Kalamata Olives and Pita Bread. (Bob is vegetarian, cannot eat any dairy products, and is allergic to pepper, including bell peppers, chillies, and paprika)

Souvlaki (Marinated Grilled Tofu) Serves 8 -10

Ingredients:

• 2  14 oz packets Extra Firm Tofu
• 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 3 tablespoons lime juice
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 2½ tablespoons oregano
• 3 teaspoons garlic powder
• 3 teaspoons thyme
• 2 teaspoons dried dill weed
• 1½ teaspoons sea salt or Himalayan pink salt to taste
• 1½  teaspoons onion powder (I don’t use raw onion as Bob cannot eat it, you may choose to add ¼ cup finely chopped onion)
• 1½  teaspoons cinnamon

Procedure:

1. Drain the tofu well, place between two folded kitchen towels and press gently to remove moisture, repeat until tofu is firm and dry.
2. Slice each tofu block in half horizontally, then make four cuts length wise, and three cuts width wise, to get a total of 24 rectangular pieces from each tofu block (total 48 pieces).
3. Marinade: Add all the ingredients other than tofu to a large bowl and mix well. Pour half the marinade into another bowl. Gently add tofu pieces, 6 at a time to the marinade in each bowl, turning them to make sure each piece is well coated. Continue adding a total of 24 pieces to each bowl, coating well.
4. Cover the bowls and refrigerate 2-4 hours or even overnight.
5. Preheat the broiler
6. Use long metal skewers to thread 6 marinated pieces onto each skewer, place skewers on a large metal baking sheet. Add remaining marinade from the bowls to each piece on the skewers
7. Place skewers and baking sheets in the oven on the top most rack under the broiler
8. Broil for 15-20 minutes on one side.
9. Gently rotate skewers and broil 7-10 minutes until golden brown.
10. Remove from broiler, gently remove from the skewers and serve hot or warm.

Place three pieces in warm Pita Bread half, garnish well with Basil Pesto, top with cucumber salad and olives.

(The Souvlaki may be frozen for up to 2 months)

Basil Pesto (Fresh Basil, Dill, Nuts, Lime) Serves 8 -10

Ingredients:

• 2 – 3  cups fresh basil leaves
• ½ cup fresh dill or cilantro or parsley or a mix of all three
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• ½ cup cashews or pistachios or nutritional yeast, which is vegan, non active, and adds protein, and a wonderful flavor of parmesan cheese without adding any cheese)
• 1 teaspoon sea salt or Himalayan pink salt or Kala Namak (found in Indian grocery stores or online on Amazon)

Procedure:

1. Wash the basil, dill, cilantro, parsley, dry well.
2. Place in food processor, add remaining ingredients and pulse and process until the mixture is coarsely ground.
3.  Add more lime juice and salt to taste as needed.

Serve at room temperature with Souvlaki in warm Pita Bread halves

Vegan Tzatziki (Dairy free Cucumber Sauce) Serves 6-8

Ingredients:

• 1 large English Cucumber
• ½ cup fresh finely chopped dill
• 1 – 1 ½ cups plain unsweetened almond milk
• 1 ½ tablespoons lime juice
• ½ cup cashews
• 1 teaspoon nutritional yeast
• 1 teaspoon sea salt or Himalayan pink salt or Kala Namak (found in Indian grocery stores or online on Amazon)
• ½ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper to taste (I omit this as Bob is allergic to all peppers)

Procedure:

1. Wash and dry cucumber, and chop into small even pieces.
2. Soak cashews in hot water for 30 minutes.
3. Drain cashews, place in food processor, add 1 cup almond milk, lime juice, nutritional yeast, salt and black pepper.
4. Pulse a few times and process until the sauce is smooth, creamy and the consistency of yogurt, adding more milk if needed. You may add more lime juice to taste
5. Pour sauce into a large bowl, fold in chopped cucumber and dill.

Serve cool or at room temperature with hot Souvlaki in warm Pita Bread halves, Basil Pesto, and Olives

Island of Santorini, Aegean Sea

Library at Efesus, Ancient Greece; Modern Turkey

I am so grateful, that, although in my student and early years, I did not have the Wisdom to choose Teaching as my Career, in my Real Life, Teaching Chose Me!

Musings on my Decades of Teaching 1974 – 2017

From Chalk Boards to Smart Boards
Slide Rules to E-Security Rules
Ditto Machines to I-Phones                                                                                          Snail Mail to Tweets                                                                                                       The Delightful Constant in all my Decades at NOVA
The Joy and Love of Teaching My Students Near & Far!

Then

Deans were Chairs, Webs were spun by Spiders
Worms were Outdoors, not in our Computers
Pods were on Trees and not Cast & not Streamed
Amazon was in South America, Java in Indonesia, & Blog was What?
Students in Bell-Bottoms, Peace Symbols, No Worries
Faculty in Leisure Suits & Reva Savkar wore Sarees

Now

A New Century, A New Millennium, Social Media and 3-D Glasses
Blogs, Hybrids, Face-2-Face & Flipped Classes
Same Urgent Student Queries using all possible Media:
“Help, Is this Important, Is it on the Exam, Please May I See You, I am a Mess!”
Reva Savkar said: “Call Me, Come See Me, Any time, Any place, Yes, Yes, & Yes!”

Follow the Yellow Brick Road                                                                          Wandering and Curving as it Goes
Through Clouds and Data Streams On and On
How Lucky am I, whom Teaching Chose!

In 1974, armed with the confidence and optimism of youth, and my MSc. Degree in Organic Chemistry, with no prior teaching experience, I met with Dr. Merriam Jones, Assistant Division Chair, Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA), who said he could offer me a full time or part time teaching position.  I happily accepted the part-time teaching position, as I wanted to be active in Chemistry, and also wanted flexibility and time to raise my two children, Lina and Vikram. On a humorous note, 43 years later, at my retirement party in 2017, one of my longtime Chemistry colleagues shared that Dr. Jones had told them in 1974 “I just hired Miss India”.

As I started teaching I quickly discovered that I felt honored, privileged, and excited at being part of my students’ journeys! Over the next 15 years as NOVA Adjunct Faculty, with a three year absence when we moved to Germany,  for 12 years I taught a wide range of Chemistry courses. I loved teaching, guiding, and helping students discover the beauty of Chemistry and the Laws of Nature, believing it to be a wonderful, albeit, a temporary path, as I raised my children.

During those 12 years as Adjunct Faculty, at two different times, when a full time Chemistry Faculty position opened up, my administration asked me to apply,  I made the decision to not apply, as my children were my priority. In 1988 I earned a MS in Computer Science from VA Tech, specializing in Compilers and Simulation, planning a career in the rapidly expanding and exciting Computer Science field. I received some rather interesting career opportunities in CS, and although I was considering them, my passion for teaching had been ignited, and suddenly, it all became completely clear to me – I did NOT want to leave Teaching.

Very fortuitously, at that time, a full time Chemistry Faculty position opened up at NOVA, I applied, and fortunately was selected! Thus began my 28 year full time teaching career, from 1989 through 2017, when I retired.

For a total of forty years (12 adjunct  and 28 full time faculty) I taught and guided tens of thousands of students in a wide range of Chemistry and Computer Science courses –  more than 5,000 lectures, 5,000 labs sessions, 8,000 office hours, 10,000 cyber communications, countless moments of informal interactions with students in my office, in the hallways, on the campus grounds, and a lifetime of Joy, Guiding and “Aha Moments”! I was their teacher, counselor, challenger, confidant, and facilitator, helped them to “uncover” so that they could “discover”, and I was never an enabler, adversary or bystander. And I was always grateful and happy that “Teaching Chose Me”.

My memories include  August 23, 2011 when an earthquake struck in the early afternoon, on the first day of lab – we quickly evacuated the building, and I held lab safety & orientation outdoors until the all clear when we resumed class in the lab.

And October, 2012, when an armed intruder ran into my office and collapsed in my visitor chair, as I asked him what I always asked each person who entered my office “Hello, may I help you, are you OK?” Followed in a few minutes by two armed NOVA Police Officers, their weapons drawn, who silently but urgently signaled me to quickly exit my office, which I did. About 20 minutes later, when I saw them escorting the intruder out of my office, I entered my office, gathered my teaching materials, lab coat and goggles, and went off to teach my scheduled three hour lab session.

And the never-to-be forgotten morning on September 11, 2001, in my classroom, when a knock on the door, brought the devastating, incomprehensible, tragic news about the attacks on the Twin Towers, NY, the Pentagon, and Flight 93 in PA.

In my decades of teaching, using my Chemistry and Computer Science degrees, I was fortunate to be a pioneer in computer-based learning, and was a member of the US faculty team that developed the first Chemistry CD-ROM.  In 1994 – 1995 I developed the first US online Chemistry course for science majors, and then developed two more online and hybrid Chemistry courses, with simulations and web-based learning modules. I taught these web-based courses, as well as face-to-face courses, until I retired, and I mentored many of my NOVA Chemistry colleagues in teaching online Chemistry courses. As Chair of the Science Seminar Committee for 21 years,  I invited leading researchers and practicing scientists, including two Nobel Laureates, to give presentations on scientific discoveries, advances and practices, and technology innovations, to our NOVA academic community.

Students, colleagues and administration have honored me with awards for Excellence in Teaching, Faculty of the Year, SGA Golden Apple Award, and the Chancellor’s Award for Teaching Excellence.

In 2015, during President Barack Obama’s Administration, I was invited to be the speaker at the White House National Teacher Day Celebration.

White House  Speech               With Secretary Arne Duncan

Most of all, I cherish the words of my students, who have said in visits, letters, emails, and phone calls, sometimes even decades after they graduated from NOVA, “Thank you Prof. Savkar,  you held me up to a high standard, you believed in me, you made me believe in myself, you taught me to think”.

I am so grateful that Teaching Chose Me!

Several years ago my daughter Lina, my sister-in-law Meenal, and I, took a trip to South India, including Kanya Kumari, the southernmost tip of mainland India. We flew from Pune to Bangalore to visit friends for a few days, before the next stage of our trip- a flight from Bangalore to Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of  Kerala State, which is closest to Kanya Kumari. That morning our friend brought us to  Bangalore Airport about an hour before our scheduled check in time, and as we approached the airline desk, we were rather surprised to see no other passengers waiting in the area or in line.  I went up to check  with the uniformed airline official at the desk and told him we were there to check in for their flight to Thiruvananthapuram. He promptly, courteously, and rather triumphantly announced:“Madam your flight has been preponed!”.

I was stunned, to say the least, but nevertheless questioned him about “preponed flight”, saying to him, that I had never heard of such a thing, while my daughter stage whispered “there is no such thing as preponing a flight”. After several minutes of rather futile and fruitless conversation, he announced “Madam, some “VIPs” needed to leave early,  so we put them on the flight and  “PREPONED” it! As astonishing as this seems, it got more interesting and convoluted. I requested him to put us on their next flight to our destination. He announced “Madam, there are no flights for two days”. Then I asked him if any other airline had flights to our destination, and he said that there was one other, and pointed rather vaguely in that direction. So I told him that since we had paid for our flight on his airline, and we had arrived well before the scheduled check-in time,  and that he had “preponed” our flight, he was responsible, and so he should go to that airline desk and get us three seats on their flight to Thiruvananthpuram.  He mustered up all his dignity and stated “Madam, I cannot leave my desk”. That’s when I said to him “Why not Sir, you have already said that you have NO more flights for two days, so you can safely leave your desk!”.

Unable to refute my argument he walked over to them, bought three tickets for us from Bangalore to Cochin, not to Thiruvananthapuram,  saying “Madam, they have no flights to Thiruvananthapuram, but they have a flight in three hours to Cochin, which is only about 125 miles from your destination”. Our friend, who was amazed at, and enjoying this unbelievable experience, said to me “Reva, don’t worry, I will call my relatives in Cochin, and arrange for a rental car and driver, to meet you at Cochin airport, and drive you to Thiruvananthapuram.” . I gratefully accepted his help, and I then realized that the fare from Bangalore to Cochin was significantly less than our original fare from Bangalore to Thiruvananthapuram. Lina then asked our friend, who was a highly respected senior Director of a large multi national corporation “Uncle, could you please help Mummy?”. And he replied “Lina, your Mummy is managing perfectly, much better than I ever could!”.  I said to the official  “Sir, actually, you need to give us a refund for the cost difference between the two fares, for all three passengers”.

At that point came his classic words “Madam, You Are Eating My Head!”.  I politely but firmly made him go back to the other airline desk, and much to all of our surprise, within 10 minutes,  he came back with the entire refund in Cash in Indian Rupees! NOW this was absolutely unheard of in India- at that time getting a refund, even after weeks of submitting requests, was in itself almost impossible, but getting a cash refund on the spot was IMPOSSIBLE.

I then courteously, respectfully, and profusely thanked the official, double checked our new tickets, collected our baggage, and we departed from his desk, leaving him in peace!

Kanya Kumari -Southernmost tip of mainland India

Fresh Coconut Juice – straight from the Green Coconut

Meenal, Lina and I at Kovalam Beach, Kerala

Recipes 

Khima (Curried ground lamb, beef, or plant-based protein granules): Serves 6-8
(Bob is vegetarian, cannot eat any dairy products, and is allergic to pepper, including bell peppers, chillies, and paprika. So I use plant-based protein granules, and omit all peppers)

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ lb lean ground lamb, ground beef, or plant-based protein granules
• 1 medium onion sliced fine
• ¼ inch fresh ginger or ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
• 3-4 cloves garlic finely chopped or ¼ tsp ground garlic
• ¼ tsp turmeric powder
• ¼ tsp ground black pepper
• ¼ tsp red chilli powder
• ¾ tsp ground cumin
• ¾ tsp ground coriander
• ¾ tsp ground black pepper
• 1 8 oz can tomato sauce or 3 large fresh tomatoes
• 1 ½ tablespoon Garam Masala (special blend of spices found in Indian grocery stores)
• 1 bag (16 oz) frozen green peas
• 4 medium red or yellow potatoes chopped into ½ inch pieces or 1 16 oz bag of “petite” whole potatoes (approximately ¾ inches long)
• 2 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 tablespoon canola or 1 tablespoon mixture of canola and olive oil
• 1 – 1 ½ teaspoon salt to taste

Procedure:

1. Heat a heavy bottomed pan to medium heat and add the ground meat (add the plant-based granules to pan in step 6).
2. Stir continuously to break up the meat until golden brown and is finely divided with no clumps, drain off and discard any fat. If using plant-based protein granules, first coat the empty pan with olive oil spray, heat pan to medium heat, then brown the granules.
3. Remove meat from pan, add oil to pan, heat on medium heat, add onions, ginger, garlic and stir until golden. Add turmeric, stir, do not allow to burn. Add ground cumin, ground black pepper, red chilli powder, ground coriander, garam masala stirring continuously for 2-3 minutes.
4. Lower heat to medium-low, add finely chopped fresh tomatoes or canned tomato sauce, sautee with the spices
5. Add the chopped potato pieces (or whole petite potatoes) and stir well to allow the sautéed spice and tomato mixture to coat the potatoes. Continue sauteeing for 5-6 minutes.
6. Add the browned ground meat or plant-based protein granules and saute for 5-6 minutes.
7. Increase the heat to medium, add the frozen green peas, salt, 1 ½ -2 cups of water, stir.
8. Increase heat to high and bring to a boil, stirring continuously.
9. Cover, lower heat to low medium, and cook for 15- 20 minutes.
10. Remove cover, stir well, sprinkle with the chopped cilantro and serve hot.

Serve Khima with hot brown Basmati Rice Pulao, Beet-Gajar Koshimbir (salad) and warm Nan or pita bread

Beet – Gajar Koshimbir (Beet and Carrots Salad): Serves 6-8

Ingredients:

• 1 15 oz can Sliced Beets (2 cups peeled cooked beets)
• 2 cups carrots, sliced lengthwise and chopped into ¼ inch pieces
• 2 tablespoons coarsely ground peanuts
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 tablespoon fresh grated coconut or coconut flakes
• 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
• 1 teaspoon lime juice
• ½ – ¾ tsp salt to taste

Procedure:

1. Chop the sliced beets into ¼ inch pieces.
2. Cook the chopped carrots for 3-4 minutes in the microwave (I cook them as my husband cannot eat raw carrots, you may choose to use them raw)
3. Add the chopped beets, carrots, peanuts, sesame seeds, chopped cilantro, lime juice and salt, and mix gently.

Serve at room temperature with hot Khima, brown Basmati Rice Pulao, and warm Nan or pita bread

I  support Maiti Nepal,  a non-profit organization in Nepal dedicated to helping victims of sex trafficking. It is founded by Mrs. Anuradha Koirala, recipient of the 2010 CNN Hero of the Year Award. Maiti Nepal rescues, nurtures, rehabilitates, and educates girls who have been sex trafficked across country borders, and works at proactively preventing this inhumanity and cruelty.

In May 2012 traveled to Kathmandu, Nepal, to volunteer with Teresa Academy, the school established by Maiti Nepal for rescued survivors, their rescued children, and other at-risk children, within the secure compound of Maiti Nepal. I donated more than 600 enrichment books for students, ages 3-16, on various subjects, including science, history, environment, mathematics, and geography to name a few.

Entering cockpit of Mt. Everest Flight        Mt. Everest from the cockpit!

I was inspired, moved, and touched by the courage, strength, humanity and resilience that shone brightly in these children – they were indeed “Flowers in the Garden” – first surviving, then thriving, and then blossoming within the safe, nurturing and loving environment of food, shelter, clothing, education, and caring from their teachers and care givers. The children called me “American Aunty”, and as I spent time with them each day, a desire to bring them a special surprise grew in my mind – ice cream popsicles – the quintessential summer delight for all children!

My Two “Flowers” young Lina and Vikram enjoying ice cream cones

There were numerous  challenges and obstacles in my plan to buy, transport and deliver 450 ice cream popsicles for the children, and their teachers and care givers at Maiti Nepal. There were mass protests, riots and shutdowns all over the country, specially in Kathmandu, triggered by a coalition of several Marxist and other radical parties who were agitating to bring their agenda into consideration as the Constituent Assembly was finalizing the details of a new Constitution for Nepal. Electricity generation was affected, ice cream factories, and most other businesses were shutdown, and refrigerated vans were not available, as no vehicles were allowed to travel on city roads blockaded by mobs of violent protesters. I was determined to get the ice cream popsicles, so I called many different ice cream factories, distribution plants, restaurants suppliers, hotels, officials in the government, as well as contacts in the University, and the USEF.

After making numerous calls, I finally found one supplier who had the ice cream popsicles, but they had no delivery vehicle. I then found a refrigerated van owner, to whom I promised a bonus cash payment, who agreed to navigate through the streets, avoiding protest mobs, to pick up the ice cream, and deliver it to the gates of the secure compound of Maiti Nepal between 3:30 pm and 4:30 pm, the small interval between the end of classes for the Flowers, and the start of their therapy dance, music and art sessions. I then convinced my hotel to convert my cash US dollars into Nepali Rupees, (this had been temporarily discontinued for a few days due to the protests) and arranged for a private car to drive me over to Maiti Nepal, avoiding major roads and intersections to avoid mobs. We managed to arrive at the well guarded Maiti Nepal gate a few minutes before 3:30 pm, and the arrival of the refrigerated van. We unloaded the ice cream popsicles, I paid the driver for the transport, and also gave him an envelope of cash for payment to the ice cream factory.

Awaiting arrival of the “Ice Cream Popsicles” Delivery Van

The “Flowers in the Garden” were assembled in the inner courtyard with their teachers and care givers, and as they happily enjoyed heir ice cream popsicles, their smiles of delight, their gentle laughter, their graceful namastes deeply moved me, and filled me with joy.

The next day at Maiti Nepal, one of the little Flowers ran up to me, did namaste and said “Ice Cream Aunty”. An older child said “No, you must NOT ask the Aunty for more Ice Cream”. The little Flower said “No, I am not asking for more ice cream, she is Ice Cream Aunty”!

I was adjunct faculty at Northern Virginia Community College for 12 years, from 1974 to 1989, with a 3 year absence when we had moved to Germany. I taught a range of 5 Chemistry courses with labs, and served as Judge at Middle, High School and Regional Science Fairs. I also took computer courses at NOVA – FORTRAN, COBOL, PASCAL, Assembly Language and Linear Algebra. And then, while teaching Chemistry at NOVA, and raising my two children, Lina and Vikram, I earned my MS in Computer Science from VA Tech, specializing in Compilers and Simulation.

I would like to share a particular experience with you – in 1975 after teaching for 2 quarters, and receiving excellent evaluations from students, colleagues and administrators – one day I returned to the Chemistry office after class, and the Division Chair, Mr. Taylor and another gentleman greeted me at the door, and apologized profusely, saying “no harm or insult was intended to a fine instructor”!  I was rather mystified but took it calmly. The other gentleman was the faculty advisor to the NOVA Newspaper, The Parthian Shot. The latest edition of The Parthian Shot which had just been published and distributed to faculty, staff and students, had an article about me, and this is what they were apologizing for:

They told me that the title below is what the reporter had actually submitted.

But the Editor, fearing cultural stereotyping, had used his editorial pen to cross out “Adds Spice” and had added the comment “No Way”, intending for the reporter to revise the title.

Unfortunately, it did not go back to the reporter for a re-write of the title as intended by the Editor. Instead it went to the typesetter who replaced “Adds Spice” with “No Way” and the rest is history!

As a new teacher, it could have been devastating and a jolt to my self-confidence. Fortunately, I was able to ignore and overcome my slightly wounded ego, and focus on helping students learn, and I have had the privilege of teaching Computer Science and Chemistry to thousands of students for 40 years until I retired in September 2017!

2013 Chancellor’s Award for Teaching Excellence

2015 Speaker at the White House              With Secretary Arne Duncan

2017  with Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe, Governor’s Mansion

In the words of one of my heroes, Eleanor Roosevelt,
“No one can make you feel inferior without your consent”

And I never consent!