ZARIYA.. THE WAY TO HAPPINESS

A lot is happening in and around the globe and many a times one doesn't care about the surrounding. It takes a lot of pride and courage to do anything for some one who is not your loved on or some one who you know. Elite Delhi schools have a general perception of creating wrecks who dwell in mal-influence. However, that is not always the case - Rajiv Mishra, Hanssa Jain and Sharanya Khemka, students of Step by Step School, founded 'Zariya' in 2016 in collaboration with the NGO 'Samarpan', to fight child abuse and neglect that takes place in New Delhi. 

After months of toil and labour, Zariya hosted its first major fest - a charitable event in conjunction with FoodCloud, who were also the official food partners, to raise both awareness and funds towards their endeavours.  Hosted at Select City Walk, New Delhi, this one-day event featured over a dozen chefs by FoodCloud.in along with performances by the children of Samarpan NGO, concerts, stalls and mini fashion show.

FoodCloud believes that happiness is homemade and indeed it is. Among many home made cooks or chefs, each has their own specialty and doing justice to there passion. 

RICK RAD'S -  The lady behind Rick rad's is genius and we love genius cooking. Low fat and oil free dishes is her take on Chicken Chaat grilled sandwich, Chicken Wrap, Potato Wedges, Pita Platter and Pasta Salad. 

Moving on, we tried some delicious Lemongrass Chicken Balls. Oh ! The strong flavour of lemongrass was so authentic that it took the dish to a whole new level. Served with sweet chili sauce this dish was a winner.

Later on we tasted Veg. Spring Rolls from "Thai Crate" Crispy and flaky on the outside and perfectly cooked on the inside these thai spring rolls were delicious. Every bite was a burst of flavours and yes, some flaky scrapes.

Lastly, we ate desserts by Yamini Khemka. The desserts are a Michelin Star quality. Her chocolate macaroons can beat every high-end pastry palour and the chocoltae bomb was in itself an explosion of layers of chocolate.

Food brings people and communities together and one shall never say no to humanity and food :)

A SPECIAL VALENTINE'S WITH FOODCLOUD.IN

Love is not just a feeling. Love is a connection, affection, emotion and most importantly, Love should not have barriers. Every year on the 14th of February, Valentine's Day or Saint Valentine's Day is celebrated to embrace love, affection or friendship. 

Valentine's Day is celebrated in many ways worldwide. Some people take their loved ones for a romantic while some may decide or propose or get married. Greeting card, flowers, jewelry, chocolates are given. But aren't these these proposal ideas too mainstream ? We believe in everything sweet - sweet life, sweethearts and sweet dishes *wink*

One of the nicest way to show someone that you truly care and have have affection for them and how special they are is by presenting them with beautiful homemade gifts. But in this busy lifestyle is it too much load to take a day off and prepare things from scratch ? We guessed so. 

 ON VALENTINE'S DAY, HAPPINESS IS HOMEMADE.

The way to a man's heart is through his stomach.. In fact, the way to most people's hearts are through their stomach. And this Valentine's Day, FoodCloud.in promises to tease your appetite with a twist. So do up your home in candles, add those fragrant flowers and that special table mat, chill the champagne and let FoodCloud give you a magical dinner at home. 

We received a beautiful package by FoodCloud.in for making our Valentine' Week special with 2 chocolate cupcake with peanut butter buttercream, vanilla fondant and lots of love. 

Cupcakes are a sweet way to please anyone. These cupcakes were very moist, fresh and flavourful. It had an elegant artwork. 

The web portal which connects home chefs to customers has two special Valentine's day offering - a "Valentine's Special" page on foodcloud.in where 11 chefs have curated 16 special 2-course and 3-course meals; and the best 5 dessert chefs have curated fascinating desserts from chocolate bars that are a proposal (by Chocazure) bouquets of edible delights to smooch mini brownies (G's Patisserie), 

Take a bit, and make your V-day celebration so much sweeter !

Je suis desja d'amour tanné

Ma tres doulce Valentinée...

— Charles d'Orléans

BECOMING ASSIYA #BECOMINGBRAVE

Claiming to be a feminist is not only brave but gallant for an ideal feminist who share a common goal ; to define, establish and achieve personal and social rights for women. Simrann Keshwani, a Final Year literature student at the Lady Shri Ram College for Women, University of Delhi and the Founder of Born Of a Million Thoughts has it all to be an influential and brave female philanthropist. At such a young age of 20, Simrann fears no barriers and plans on changing the world, one word at a time. 

Unlike many, she has attained her dream to write a book on the most sensitive topic of the decade - War And Syria, and we have managed to interview her just before the launch of her first book " BECOMING ASSIYA ". Now we leave you to decide whether she deserves an applaud or maybe an award. 

Ques. What are we going to find in  "Becoming Assiya" ?

It's been 5 years that the Syrian internecine began. The world shed tears while town and cities bled to death. Now, what remains is mud and mortar while the world sleeps. I've been one of the lucky few to be able to firsthand understand the struggles of the people trapped inside War Torn areas, as their fights towards peace continues.

Becoming Assiya is a small attempt to capture Syria's moment of crumble and a look into the dystopian future we signed up for, where bullets replace lives.

Ques. Which incidence or I may say circumstances, made you sure to start writing on such issue ?

As a child. I remember visiting my maternal home in the UAE, holding my mother's hand and often asking her why people dressed differently than us to which she replied "The world has forgotten that it doesn't matter. They are human too." 

Ques. Was it a childhood dream to write or yoy had to take a step forward to enlighten the current world scenario through your bold worlds ?

It was always a dream. Inshallah, soon a reality.

Ques. Do you recall someone as your inspiration ?

Yes, the people stuck in war. They deserve empathy. I think they are the real heroes and as many words as we use are less to wash off their agonizing trauma.

Ques. Who is your favourite author ? 

Nadine Gordimer... After her trailblazing work "My Son's Story", my mind was a slab of wet concrete with sermons and stones carved in. The word was I all knew - it was my weapon ever 

since.

Ques. We know you are the founder of BOMT. How did it start ?  Enlighten your journey.

Born Of a Million Thoughts (BOMT) is my firstborn. All we need ti do is look around to realise the dire need for on ground activism. There is suffering in the air and our tragedy is more than ever. There is a fear of OTHER, fear of an UNKNOWN. It is these barriers, I and my team have always tried to erase and Becoming Assiya is a step in that direction too.

Ques. If you were given a power, what power would it be and how would you as a writer use it ?

I think all of us are immensely blessed with the power to change or to destroy, to create or to reduce to rumbles, with the dangerous power of the word.

EXCERPTS

Simrann has given a considerable amount of time and energy for causes.

She has used every opportunity available to make the world a grand place

Simrann is inpirational, dedicated 

and has a beautiful soul. 

Connect with her at  https://www.facebook.com/becomingassiya