Kahani ghar ghar ki
Rena is looking disturbed. Nishant walks into the room. “Anything wrong?” He asks. “No.” Replies Rena. “Then?” Asks Nishant. “Gaurangi’s husband is working at the grass-root level. He is associated with various organizations and is contributing to society, during such times. It is pure, selfless social work. While the majority of people are safeguarding themselves, he is one of those rare people involved in social work. I feel his actions are highly commendable.” Reveals Rena.
“God bless him. That is fantastic. A real hero.” Adds Nishant. “Definitely. But, there is something which Gaurangi mentioned and has disturbed me. He works tirelessly and there is no routine. He also travels a lot. He leaves early in the morning and has lunch after he comes home, which is anytime – early evening, late evening. He doesn’t eat or drink anything for hours. It might take a toll on his health. Isn’t it important to maintain good health in this pandemic? I wish I could do something about this. I wish to support him and do my bit for the Society.” Thinks Rena aloud. And suddenly. “Of course!” “What?” Asks Nishant. “I will send her some packs from Dhanashree Gruha Udyog. He can carry the packets with him. And he will be able to have healthy and tasty food on the go. Their travel packs are handy.”
After a few days, Gaurangi calls Rena. “Rena, I am grateful to you. I am proud of Nirav and his work. But, I keep worrying about his health. Thanks to you, now I not worried about his food. From where should I order the packets in the future?” “No need to thank me, dear. We all are proud of Nirav. And yes, we too are worried about his health. Hence, I thought of sending Dhanashree’s products. They are tasty and healthy. And you can order from Amazon or their website http://www.dhanashreefoods.com. Do tell Nirav that we look at him as our real hero.” Smiles Rena. Yet again, she is thankful to her friend Dhanashree Gruha Udyog for being there. Like always.
- Shruti Joshi
“Aajoba, I think this lockdown is inspiring me. My creative mind is brimming with ideas. I want to paint a wall. We have so many colours in the storeroom. I will follow a DIY idea and paint a wall in our living room.” Nisha shares enthusiastically with aajoba. “No. It is not a project to be taken up as and when you feel.” Reprimands aajoba.
“But aajoba, you know I have excellent drawing and colouring skills.” Pleads Nisha. “No. I don’t like the idea.” says aajoba. “But at least tell me why?” Asks Nisha. Aajoba leaves the room without answering. Nisha goes to her room. Nishant follows.
“Dear, are you feeling sad?” Asks Nishant gently. “Yes. I feel wall painting is an excellent idea. But…” trails away Nisha. “But, aajoba is not permitting it.” Finishes Nishant. “I will share my experiences. When I was young, I too used to have many crazy ideas. But aajoba used to dismiss them. Even I used to feel very sad. Later on, I started working independently to implement my ideas. I tried various ideas and loved them. Hence, I decided to work in the social media industry. Likewise, I want you to keep trying. When a child comes up with ideas, elders should encourage children. They should work with children. Irrespective of the result both would feel satisfied. I was discouraged in my childhood, but I don’t want the same to happen to you. Nonetheless, you also need to understand that even though aajoba has refused the idea, it doesn’t mean he doesn’t love you or he is angry with you.” “I feel aajoba is angry with me,” says Nisha. “Let us find out! I am sure he is not angry.” Says Nishant. “Beta, I have heard everything. I am sorry I did not encourage you or Nisha. I will mend my ways henceforth. Please forgive me.” All of them smile and hug each other. “Tadaaa.. on this emotional note, let us enjoy our favourite sabudana khichadi.” Says Rena entering the room. “But how did you cook khichadi in so less time? Oh yes! Your friend Dhanashree Foods has helped you again!” Says aaji joining in.
Rena thanks God and her friend Dhanashree Gruha Udyog for always being there.
- Shruti Joshi
Rena is in deep sleep. Well, not necessarily deep! “Please please please.. Let it not be 6 o clock!
Please please!” She pleads but alas! Off goes the alarm! Tint tint tint… “Oh my! Not another day so soon!” She looks at her husband who is peacefully asleep! With a grudge, she comes out of her bed! Rena is a smart, beautiful and dutiful woman! She brushes aside her thoughts and checks the clock! It is almost six-thirty and her in-laws would soon be up and about. Swiftly, she turns on her “work mode” and quickly goes to the kitchen. She loves to take care of her family!
She knows their preferences and what is best for them! So, she starts making sugarless tea for her mother in law and sugarless coffee for her father in law!
The day progresses the usual way. “Mom! May I have some fried eggs for breakfast?” cries Arav, her son. “Rena beta, will you please make that special ghavan? I don’t feel like having my usual chapati today” says her father in law! “Oh please. Please give her a break. The poor soul just stays in the kitchen working long! She also needs to attend her office meetings in time.”
Rena feels a rush of gratitude towards her mother in law. She is always on Rena’s side. “Thank you Ma. I know you love me. But, even you know that I love you all. I feel happy cooking for my loved ones.” “Yes beta. I know that. And I also know your secret friend who helps with all this.” She
winks and walks away.
Rena checks the time. “I can surely make their favorites and still be in time for my meeting.
Argh! How I wish the COVID pandemic had not happened! I miss the golden days.” And she starts cooking breakfast as per the demands from all the members.
“Do you have any idea when the kamwali maushi is going to start working?”asks Nishant, her husband lovingly. “I wish I could tell! But thank you dear hubby for buying the dishwasher. I now wonder what would have happened if you wouldn’t have forced that decision.” Nishant smiles and
walks away.
“Beta, I know you love cooking but did you check the time? You better rush now.
Thank you for teaching me to operate machines. Thanks to COVID, I learnt so many things. I will clean the kitchen and run the cycle of dishwasher and washing machine too. But, please go now.”
Rena thanks God because she feels lucky to have such understanding in laws.
Rena rushes and attends the office meeting and rushes back into the kitchen, her favorite place in the house and starts cooking. After serving piping hot and delicious food to the eagerly waiting family members, she yawns. But, she has another important meeting lined up. She silently thanks God again! She was glad that her children weren’t very young, so she could work at length. Secondly, she held a senior position in the office and hence could easily move in and out of the office, virtually at least.
After having spent an unexpectedly harrowing meeting, she longs for some “me time”. “Ooh. I so miss all the shopping trips, all the fun times at the cafes. I so miss being with my friends.”
Feeling sad she looks out of the window. Suddenly, she gets a brain wave. “Oooh why didn’t I think about it earlier?” Saying so, she rushes into the kitchen. She opens her secret locker and unlocks all the goodies from Dhanashree Foods. Quickly she pours hot water in the ready to eat upma cup, stirs and voila! Her companion is ready.
She takes the instant yummy hot upama, selects a nice book and settles in a comfortable recliner near the window.
The setting sun, the cool breeze and yummy hot upama!! Ahaaaa.. nothing could beat the combination.
She silently thanks Dhanashree for their lovely and tasty collection of ready to eat
food products. She is able to manage food demands of her beloved family because of wide range of Dhanashree products, and of course at any time and that too instantly.
Shruti Joshi
“Aaji, what is Mumma so happy about?” enquires a bewildered Arav. Rena, his mother is usually a cheerful person. But she was looking exceptionally happy today, since the COVID pandemic. “Yes. She is very happy. I am glad to see her happy and cheerful. Her moods are contagious.” Smiles aaji. Nishant enters the room. “Baba, why is aai so happy today?” Enquires Arav. “Ooh. She is happy because her office colleagues have planned a party tomorrow.” “What!! Baba, you very well know such ideas are unwelcome nowadays. How come you did not raise any objections?” “Dear son! Do you think we are careless? We have planned an online party. A zoom party. Oh my God. I am so excited!” Replies Rena, who just walked in the dining room.
“That is cool!”. Exclaims Arav, sheepish.
The next day. “What are you going to cook today Mumma for your zoom party?” asks Nisha. She is equally excited about the party because she knows a party means good food. “That’s a surprise, my dear.” “Ooh. Bhindi again. I thought you were having a party today.” Says Arav, visibly sad. “Dear, I have to cook a sweet dish for my party. So, the main course has regular items. And the sweet dish is exotic!” Gently replies Rena. “It is a surprise for you all! So, please let me finish cooking. I promise you are going to love it!” Promises Rena and pushes Arav and Nisha out of the kitchen.
At lunchtime, when the dishes are laid and the food is served, Nisha is eagerly waiting for the sweet dish. A sweet aroma fills the room. “Wow. This is exotic!” Thinks Arav happily. And Rena enters the room with a tray of bowls filled with “Moong Sheera” Cries Nisha. “We cook it only during the festival times. This is so good. Wow, Mumma. Thank you.” “Your office party has turned into a delightful party for us as well.” Says Nishant genially.
Rena smiles radiantly at all of them, takes her plate and goes for the zoom party. While her friends discuss the dishes prepared, Rena shows her dish to them. They all cry out aloud. “Your speciality halwa. Ooh my! I wish this was a real party. I want to relish the Sheera” Says one friend. “Promise us that you would get it for us post the lockdown.” Says another. All of the friends have a lot of fun enjoying food together, virtually. After the party gets over, Rena thanks God because she has such good friends and best of them being Dhanashree Foods. Like always, her Moong Dal Sheera was a hit and her saviour!
- Shruti Joshi
“Corona, corona kab jayega tu.?” . Rena is feeling so tired. The everyday chores, office were taking its toll. More mentally, than physically. She is longing for a nice break.
Arav looks at his beautiful Mumma. She is sitting beside the window and seems to lost in thoughts. Looking at his otherwise happy Mumma, he gets a brain wave!! He rushes to his baba. “Baba!! Do you love Mumma?” “Of course! What a silly question to ask!” Says Nishant. “Why did you ask?”
“Baba, I just got an idea. Mumma is working tirelessly for so long now. I think we should help her. And by help, I think we should give her a day off.” “That sounds like a great idea! What exactly do you have in mind?” And they happily plan the Sunday.
Rena is used to getting up a little late on Sundays. She likes to lie down. On turning, she is surprised to notice Nishant isn’t there. After spending a few more minutes, she gets out of the bed and heads towards the kitchen.
And voila! On the dining table is a buffet breakfast, arranged in English style!! All ready to be devoured!! She was so happy!! Amboli, sabudana vada, upama, thalipith.. all piping hot!! And her entire family is looking proud and is standing around it and smiling benignly.
“We appreciate your efforts. Please accept our way of expressing love and respect!!”
After a hearty and happy breakfast, she quietly asks Nishant how he was able to cook such delicious food.
He smiles sheepishly. While showing the wrappers of Dhanashree GruhUdyog products, he says “Your friend here is going to help us, make you happy. Today is your rest day. Free day. We will cook and also do all the chores.”
- Rena winks at everybody and whispers, “How I wish my boy shared a little load every day”. Rena silently thanks God and Dhanashree Gruha Udyog for being with her always!!
- Shruti Joshi
Rena is busy in preparing ppt for next day’s meeting arranged with client. Nishant is busy in a conference call … It’s 9pm & suddenly she realises that she has to prepare dinner for all. She is very tensed about what to do and how to give dinner in time to her in-laws…
She entered in kitchen and smells a known aroma…Yes that is kadhi-khichadi… Prepared by MIL, she just smiled at her..With Dhanashree Foods for our help, it’s easy!!😃
Everyone enjoyed kadhi–khichadi happily together. ✌🏼😍
Sunita Vaidya
*आला श्रावण*
मनभावन श्रावण,व्रतवैकल्याचा,सणावारांची रेलचेल असलेला.नवविवाहितेला शिवामुढ,मंगळागौरीची ओढ लावणारा.
आज एकविसाव्या शतकातही,कितीही पार्ट्या केल्या रोजचं काही ना काही सेलिब्रेट केलं तरी स्रीचं मन श्रावणात हळवं होतंच.
अशीच मराठ्यांच्या घरात नुकतीच लग्न होऊन सासरी आलेली,ठाणेकर झालेली रिया.साॅफ्टवेअर इंजिनीयर आहे,मोठ्या मल्टिनॅशनल कंपनीत अधिकार पदावर आहे.लाॅक डाऊन मुळे सध्या वर्क फ्राॅम होम ती आणि तिचा बेटर हाफ कुणाल घरुनच काम करतायत.
रियाच्या सासूबाई काॅलेज मधे अध्यापक आहेत तर सासरे वकिल.आणि आजीही आहेत.एकत्रच रहातात.
कामाच्या गडबडीत,लाॅक डाऊनच्या विचित्र परिस्थितीत सणवारांच अमंळ विस्मरणच झालं होतं.
रियाला तर मानवर करायची फुरसद नव्हती,ऐरवीचं आॅफिस परवडलं पण हे घरुन काम नको रे बाबा!!!तिच्या सासूबाईंचे पण आॅनलाईन वेबिनार,लेक्चर्स,झूम मिटिग सुरुच होतं.आजींची तशी पंचईतच व्हायची.सगळे घरात असूनही नसल्यासारखे.सदा खोक्याला(आजींचा काॅंप्युटरसाठी खास शब्द)चिकटलेले आणि कानात टोचके(हेडफोन) घातलेले.भजनी मंडळही बंद झालय,खालीही पाय मोकळे करायला जाता येत नाही.टि.व्ही.वरही रोजच्या सिरीयल नाहीत.सगळ्यात वैतागल्यात त्या आजी.त्या मात्र आतुरतेने श्रावणाची आतुरतेने वाट पहात होत्या.
एक दिवस त्यांनी फर्मान सोडलं,”रिया,आता श्रावण सुरु होतोय,आपल्याकडे शनिवार आणि सोमवार सगळ्यांचे उपास असतात,या वर्षी पहिला उपास शनिवारचा आहे!तू सकाळी खिचडी करायचीस.तशी तर शनिवारी सुट्टीच असते ना तुला?
रिया हो,हो, म्हणाली!पण साबुदाणा भिजवणे,तो व्यवस्थित भिजला नाही,तर खिचडीची काय अवस्था होते हे तिने अनुभवलं होतं.जाऊ दे सासूबाईंना विचारु.असं म्हणून ती तिच्या कामात गढून गेली.
शुक्रवारी काम संपवून थोडावेळ ती w app,Fb वर डोकावत असतांना,उद्याचा week end आपण कसा मीस करणार आहोत यावर गृपमधे चर्चा रंगली होती.ती खडबडून जागी झाली!!!”बाप रे!उद्या शनिवार,श्रावणातला.खिचडी करायची आहे मला!!भिजवायचा तर दूरच साबुदाणाच संपलाय,अत्ता एवढ्या रात्री कोण online तरी delivary देणार?दाण्याचं कूट?? आहे की नाही कोण जाणे,सासूबाईही विसरल्या वाटतं.
शेवटी तिने आईला मेसेज केला,ती online दिसत होती.
“आई,साबुदाणा संपलाय,माझ्यावर उद्या खिचडी करायची जबाबदारी आहे,काय करु?
“अत्ता झोप,सकाळी सोल्यूशन देते,गुड नाईट”असं म्हणून आई अाॅफ लाईन झाली.
टेंशन मधेच रिया झोपली.सकाळीच आईचा फोन आला'”रिया काळजी करु नको,”धनश्री गृह उद्योगाची“,इंसटंन्ट साबुदाणा खिचडी,उपासाची भाजणी,साबुदाणा वडे सगळं काही उपलब्ध आहे.
“अगं आई,पण या लाॅक डाऊन मधे कसं मिळणार मला?आणि इंसटंन्ट म्हणजे रासायनिक संरक्षकं वापरली असतील,आजींच्या वयाकडे पहाता रिस्की वाटतं ते”रिया म्हणाली.
“अगं माझ्या कडे आहेत पाकिटं, उद्या कुणालला पाठव, देईन मी. आणि त्यांच्या पदार्थांमधे कोणतंही रासायनिक संरक्षक वापरलेलं नसतं,आजींसाठी अगदी सेफ.काही काळजी करु नकोस.”आई म्हणाली.
रिया म्हणाली,”बरं बरं,ठेवते फोन आणि लग्गेच कुणालला पाठवते.आणि सांगते तुला कशी झाली खिचडी ते.”
रिया ने फोन ठेवला आणि ती कुणालला बोलवायला गेली.
– नीलिमा जोशी.
With less frequent trips to the market, the dishes needed to be cooked creatively (I mean without any special ingredient). So better half took upon this challenge. After all, he also wanted to do some creative work. He got tired of picking with me finally. For dinner, he cooked a very easy one- pot dish (Italian Rissoto with some Indian twist-he said). I must say the whiff and sight of it was very impressive. Losing my territory seemed to be inevitable. But to my relief it resembled nothing but a good, old KHICHDI. (We tried variations of it. But all of them were KHICHDI). I also tried to make some comfort food (quickly realizing that they too are very elaborate to prepare). I also looked out for recipes which can be made from the items easily available at home. No special ingredient whatsoever. But found them very intimidating to cook since their taste entirely depends on the perfect balance and proportion of these ingredients. One ingredient here and it is a recipe for disaster. How I wish I cook some traditional recipes which are at least edible.( I mean which can be swallowed with least amount of water) There are so many traditional recipes of Thalipeeth, Masalebath, Ghavan that we have grown up eating. But to cook it entirely from scratch is considered very complicated and time consuming. My aai has been posting pictures of thalipeeth, Masale bath and my dad posted videos of devouring these items. It made me nostalgic and jealous at the same time. Ultimately, these were MY comfort foods and I craved for them during the lockdown. However, none of them had any faith that I will be able to cook them since they consider me firang for being biased towards thin-crust pizzas and choupsueys.
And one day I discovered these traditional foods are offered by Dhanshree foods in ready to cook format. Incorporating these traditionally eaten recipes in the new age ready to cook format has made cooking these absolutely easy peasy. They are measured to the T without any chemicals added for an extended shelf- life was a relief. With healthy ingredients and simple instructions, Dhanashree foods not only offer ready to cook power- pack meals that are completely local but also yummy. At least one meal of a day is cooked hassle-free. And our multi- cultural household got a taste of some traditional, Maharashtra fare which was lost. And then, I too started posting pictures of my creations and got some long due appreciation. Dhanshree foods- a Blast from the Past.
-Shruti Dahodwala
In this pandemic , everyone is thinking that it is a distant bad dream and it is not going to be at our doorstep , even I had the same feeling . But , alas , it was not true . I was hospitalized due to covid-19 and when I was discharged first thing that came to my mind was , how am I going to manage my kitchen as I was suffering from too much of weakness . And suddenly one thing that I was sure will come to my rescue was धनश्री. I immediately contacted them and asked for packets of ‘मसाला आंबोळी, मसाले भात , उकड , कांदे पोहे, साबुदाणा वडा आणि खिचडी ‘ . As their products are without preservatives , chemicals and colours , one can definitely get the same taste as your own home cooked food ,with the preparation time of only 5–10 minutes . ‘ धनश्री ‘ — या अशा परिस्थितीत माझ्या सारख्या पन्नाशी पार केलेल्या गृहिणीला उत्तम साथ दिल्या बद्दल मनापासून धन्यवाद .
मेधा गोपाळ परांजपे .
It was the toughest day for Sargam. She and her husband had tested positive for COVID. Her husband opted for self isolation and locked himself in one room, leaving Sargam in the house with their 3 year old twins. Sargam racked her brains which was filled with all sorts of situations and priorities – what all had needed to be done, how to manage kids, household work, etc. It also involved time management and multi tasking at various levels, apart from having highest levels of patience. She decided that her priorities were sanitization and maintaining good health.
Thoughts made her sad and worried. Overwhelmed by all this she called her mother. She started crying while narrating her situation – she had to clean the house and cook food. Now the food compulsorily had to be nutritious and healthy. But, she also needed rest and her 3 year olds were definitely a handful. She couldn’t figure out how she would be able to manage all this. Her mother got worried and consulted Sargam’s father. They both felt at loss as they could not go to Sargam’s house, thanks to lockdown. “Eureka!” Said her father. He had came up with the idea of sharing their best friend and the only reliable help these days, with their daughter. He called his daughter and said “Beta, don’t worry. I am sending our best friend to your house. Please wait only for ONE day “. Sargam didn’t understand what was her father talking, as no one was allowed to come to their house.
However, the next day, her door bell rang. Bewildered Sargam opened the door to see few parcels. She opened them and saw Dhanashree’s ready to eat food packets. She now understood what her father had meant by their best friend. She immediately called him and said ” Abbu thank you for sending the parcels. They will be my best friends as well now. Now, even I can cook healthy, nutritious without preservatives food for my family “.
Her kid’s loved the moongdal khichadi and Kadhi. Their empty bowls made her smile. Even her husband who had lost taste sensation ate the whole meal.
After a few days, Sargam called her parents. She shared the good news of being tested negative in their second test. She thanked them again for sending the best help when she needed it the most. Indeed, the friend in need is the friend indeed!! Amen!
–Aushma Sharma