East and West Series October 2017 Issue by East and West Series

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Mahatma Gandhi* SADHU VASWANI

“You cannot build a welfare state, until you cultivate the Soul!” Like the Buddha of the long ago, Mahatma Gandhi was a prophet of compassion, an apostle of lokasangraha, a servant of the poor. He was, also, a bhakta of Sri Rama and Sri Krishna. The message of his life, I believe, is an urgent need of India and the nations, today. For, today, the human race is facing a crisis — perhaps, the greatest crisis in history. Mahatma Gandhi was a man of truth and compassion, of silence and daring — at

once a hero and a saint! He led India: he bled for India. In him was revealed, in a richer measure than in any other man of his generation, the spirit of India. He blundered, alas! into submitting to the ‘partition’ of India. We, alas! do not salute Bharata, today, as the soil of the Sapta Sindhu. Alien forces stand ready to smother Bharata. O, the destiny of the nations! I love to call Mahatma Gandhi as “Brother Gandhi”. A brother is a burden-bearer. And Brother Gandhi bore the burden

*October 2 is the sacred Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

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of millions. In one of his books, he says: “I would rather be torn to pieces than disown my brothers and sisters in suffering and pain!” Moniya — so they called him when he was a boy. One day, he was beaten by some boys in the compound of a temple near his house. He complained to his mother. She said to him: “Why didn’t you hit back?” He said: “Mother! how can you ask me to hit back? Am I not their brother?” Years before he became a teacher and a healer of men in India, he taught in South Africa that to live was to give — and share with the poor. Not in vanity and self-love, but in sympathy and fellowship did Gandhi serve and suffer for the forsaken and forlorn. In the days of his youth, he read Thoreau and Emerson, Mazzini and Ruskin, the Ramayana and the Upanishads: and he began to realise the meaning of education. “Education,” Gandhi wrote, “does not mean a knowledge of letters; education means character-building.” The secret of character-building, he saw, was in the three qualities of (1) duty; (2) service; and (3) love of truth. And he who truly loved truth, he said, was humble. This thought grew upon him when, in later years, he began to study the Gita. He realised that there were many roads to Truth, many ways of approach to the Mystery, and he grew in

love and reverence for Rama and Krishna, Buddha and Jesus, Mahavira and, Muhammad, Nanak and Kabir, St. Francis and Tolstoy. And he learnt to regard Humanity as one Family. A few of us were with Gandhi as he walked, one day, along the bridge which leads from Rohri to Sukkur, in Sind. In answer to the question: “What is the easiest way to God?” Gandhi said: “To me seva — service of the poor, opens the easiest way to God.” When, in 1932, Gandhi went to London, he preferred to live in the East End of London — a quarter of the poor folk. They had free access to him and children became his friends in his morning walks. He left behind, where he stayed, a spinning wheel and one of his sandals. A poor Londoner, seeing these two simple things of Gandhi, said: “O, we all liked Gandhi. He got along famous with us people here: Some folks couldn’t understand what he meant when he talked about praying and giving up things to the poor. We could understand him, and we loved him!” Religion, to Gandhi, was not creed but right life — a life of sympathy and love, of fellowship with the poor. His leadership: was deeply rooted in his life. He bore witness to the spiritual values of India’s ancient heritage. His life reflected reverence for God and for all prophets and saints, and love for all creatures — men and birds

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and beasts. His life reflected the spiritual outlook which, indeed, was ever a mark of India’s rishis and saints. The difference between his outlook and that of communism was significant. Gandhi could sacrifice all but not his spiritual outlook: the communist would sacrifice all but not his power. As the years have passed, I have felt, more and more, that life’s true joy is not in earthly honours and ‘greatness’, but in pursuit of the ‘little way’. To seek ‘greatness’ is to run after the shadow-shapes which come and go. “In the evening of my life, today, I know, perhaps, the world a little better. Pessimism is not the creed of age. India and the world, I begin to see, are slipping into chaos: but I, also, see that a new order, a new cosmos, begins to arise. The word “power” has, today, a fascinating sound. A great man. we are told, is a man of “power”, Not so have I been taught. Would you serve India? Then must you first understand the soul of India. The soul of India is not power but dharma. To do dharma is to do what is right. Today, alas! so many of those to whom it is given to govern, to rule, think they are not “free”, unless they can use their, power against a party, people, a country, a community. Today, India’s intuition of the One Brotherhood of Life is trampled upon by “rulers”

and “politicians”: they cling to “power”. In the great days: of India’s history, the people saluted with reverence those as their “heroes” who set them free from tyranny — inspired by the ideals of justice, righteousness and compassion. India is not yet free. Today, we find that men are tyrants over men and birds and beasts. Today, our cities are filled with slaughter-houses and engines of destruction. In Gandhi’s heart burned a flame. How many sleepless hours did he not spend thinking of the deep tragedy of India! The tragedy of the nation, once mighty, now in poverty, entered as an iron in his soul. There was sadness in his beautiful smile. I think of Gandhi as “the man with a lantern,” in the story. With a lantern in his hand, the story tells us, this man went from house to house, from cottage to cottage, saying: “Where art thou, brother? Still asleep?” There was magic in his words. And when he said, “Where art thou, my brother?” the man, half asleep, woke up and answered: “I am here! I am here!” And, one by one, they rose and followed the light of this man — this simple man with a lantern in his hand. One by one, men awoke: one by one, men and women arose, saying: “We follow thee!” So it happened in the case of Mahatma Gandhi. When Gandhi appeared on the Indian scene, so many of us were living a life

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of ease and indifference. He came — he, in whom the spirit of India revealed itself — Gandhi came: he went from village to village, from cottage to cottage: and in answer to his affectionate call, the people woke from slumber and said: “We are here, Master! to follow thee!” Gandhi awakened millions — in a quiet way. Everything truly great is a quiet thing. Institutions may rise and fall. Kingdoms make noise, crush and crash in noise. But the quiet power of this singular man — a hero of the silent way — continues challenging attention, and moves on from strength to strength. In this tumultuous age, Gandhi’s faith in the One Divine Spirit was wonderful. Many deny Him, but Gandhi raised his voice to rebuke the sceptic and the scoffer. Gandhi re-proclaimed the ancient message: “His Name, who can name? He is A-nama, the Unnamable.” Yet I believe in Him! My brother! you dare not silence the Heart!” The Earth and the great stars proclaim Him as the Immortal! Look within your heart and see the Eternal Secret within you! Among the pictures drawn from the lives of the truly great ones of humanity, there be three on which my thoughts have rested from time to time, in the chaos and conflict of these days. One is the picture of Krishna wiping the tears of an outcast woman, saying to her: “Weep not, my child! I am with thee.”

The second is the picture of Jesus on the Cross, crying: “Eloi! Eloi!” “My God! My God!” The third is the picture of Gandhi struck by the bullets of an Indian brother and, while falling backward, mortally hurt, quietly praying the mystic word of the ancient rishi: “Hey Rama! Hey Rama!” “O Rama! O Rama!” When, on that fateful thirtieth day of January, 1948, the news travelled to me in Sind that the great-souled Gandhi, the Beloved of Bharata and the Beloved of many of my friends in Pakistan, had passed on, I said to myself: “Be still, my heart! Be still and listen!” I listened. The very space had become vocal. It said to me: “There is no death to him who dedicates his life to the Life Divine!” Death doth not touch Gandhi, for he gave his heart to God. Gandhi served India and clung in faith and reverence to the Lord of Love. It seems to me that Mahatma Gandhi is a voice of God to the modern world. To India and other nations of the East, to India and all the wandering peoples of the West — wandering from violence to violence — Beloved Gandhi gave the message which is Ancient India’s message to the modern world. The message was a call to New Freedom! And the Call came from the depths of a dedicated heart: “O children of God! You cannot build a welfare state, until you cultivate the soul!”

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The First Deepavali Day* J. P. VASWANI

There are Songs which bring tears to the eyes. There are Pictures which touch the heart with silence and fill you with wonder. One such Picture is that of “Bharat Milap”. Many things happened on the First Deepavali Day in Ayodhya in the long ago. But none so moving as the meeting of the Two Brothers — Sri Rama and Bharat. The fourteen years of Sri Rama’s exile are drawing to a close. Bharat sits in a hut on the outskirts of the city, with eyes of shining expectation. He has sat there all these years — counting days, counting months, counting years. With deep longing of the heart he has looked for the coming of this Day when Sri Rama would return to Ayodhya after completing his period of exile. The day has dawned: but there is no sign of Sri Rama’s return. In the heart of Bharat *October 19 is the sacred Deepavali Day.

is sad wailing as of the wind blowing over the wintry sea. In deep agony Bharat cries: Where art thou, Beloved of this lonely heart? As the dawn in beauty broke, I looked for thy coming: There still is no trace of thee! Years have I spent Waiting for thy return To thine own! Hast thou forgotten me? Wretched am I and worthless: I lack the fidelity of Lakshman And the devotion of Sita Yet within me throbs the ache Of love and longing for thee! My heart is athirst For a glimpse of thy lotus-face. Each day have I pined for thee, When, O when wilt thou return, Beloved? For fourteen long years hath Bharat pined for Sri Rama.

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Wondrous was the love of Bharat for his elder brother. In the absence of Sri Rama, they have crowned him king. The king of Ayodhya does not live in the luxury of the palace but in a small cottage on the outskirts of the city: does not his beloved live in a hut in the Forest? Bharat wears no kingly robes, for his beloved hath put on the garments of a forest-dweller. Bharat eats the coarsest food, for his beloved lives on wild berries and fruits of forest trees and herbs of the earth. Such love of one brother for another the world hath rarely known. Love responds to love. If Bharat has given all the love of his heart to his exiled brother, Sri Rama, too, holds him dear — holds him within his heart as a gem is held within the earth. Sri Rama, too, has waited for the day when he may be re-united with his dear and near ones. When will India see such brothers again? Bharat sits — waiting, watching, scanning the skies for a sign of Sri Rama’s flying chariot. This king of Ayodhya, this monarch of a big kingdom, sits on a mat of grass with a crown of knotted hair: his body is weak, wasted with sorrow but his face is radiant and out of his eyes rain tears as he utters again and again the name of his beloved: Rama! O Rama! Jewel of the House of Raghus! Deliverer of the Gods and Sages! I am athirst For thy Eternal Love! No longer can I bear To be away from thee!

Come, beloved, Come And make me one with thee! Bharat sits and sings. Bharat weeps and wails. His right eye and arm throb repeatedly. They are said to be good omens. The day has not far progressed when Sri Rama comes to Ayodhya. There is great rejoicing in the city. Men, women and children come out of their homes, singing songs of welcome and carrying in their hands golden bowls laden with curds and fruit and flowers and springs of the sacred tulsi plant. The city of Ayodhya has put on a festive appearance. And Nature herself, we read, joins in the festivities. Grateful breezes blow — cool and mild and fragrant — and the waters of the river Sarayu became crystal clear. Sri Rama dismounts from his chariot. Bharat is there in front of him. His eyes raining tears, Bharat falls to the ground and clasps the lotus-feet of Sri Rama. Sri Rama lifts him up in his strong, loving arms and hugs him to his breast. Bharat’s eyes rain tears as his body quivered with emotion in the tender, loving embrace of Sri Rama. Rare hath a brother such love for another. Today, brother fights brother and runs to the lawcourt for a little piece of land or a few handfuls of dust which we, deluded creatures, hold precious as silver and gold. May this Picture enter our hearts and constantly remind us of what one brother should mean to another. Blessed be the names of Sri Rama and Bharat! When will India see such brothers again?

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St. Francis Of Assisi* SADHU VASWANI “I am Poverty!”

wedded

Lady

Out of the City of God he came to this Earth which abounds in ignorance and misunderstanding. In his eyes was a wonder: he mingled with men: but his was a spirit unique, simple and profound. Like another Buddha, he travelled, from place to place, looking on all with eyes of compassion and speaking to every one the message which is the gift alike of Krishna, Buddha and Christ to every one: “Brother! peace be unto you!” Simple was he and pure in heart, this Christ-intoxicated lover of life: he saw Eternity in the leper and lowly; and in every plant and every stone he saw a Presence that thrilled him with a sense of divine joy. In him the current of life flowed fresh and strong. He bore witness to the Religion that is to

come — the Religion of Freedom and Love. St. Francis discovered the depths of happiness. As he travelled, from place to place, he asked those he met: “Are you happy?” He discovered happiness in simplicity, humility and love of Jesus. Not another has walked the Earth who so resembled Christ. Born in the year 1182, St. Francis passed on in 1226 (October 3), blessing all his brethern, saying to them: “Farewell, my children! abide in the fear of the Lord and ever persevere therein!” He was in the forty-fifth year of his life. He breathed his last, singing the following words from the Psalm: “Bring my soul out of prison that I may praise Thy Name!” He had asked to be buried on a hill on which it was customary to execute criminals: but this desire of the Saint could not

*October 3 is the Death Anniversary of St. Francis of Assisi. **October 4 is celebrated as World Animal Day.

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be fulfilled. His holy body was laid to rest in the Church of St. George. A few years later, his remains were translated to their new resting-place. A moving, little legend tells us that he was born in a stable, transformed now into a chapel — the “Chapel of the Little Saint Francis”. In a village, named Assisi, stands this chapel: Assisi is, today, place of pilgrimage. Brought up as a prince, he flings away riches. He is, he says, betrothed to Lady Poverty: he rejoices in the betrothal. At night, he sleeps on the ground and has under him nothing but a little straw. He has discarded all pillows. Francis moves out, from place to place: he has no money in his pocket. Money is a burden! He goes out to preach with light steps, with joy in his heart. He sweeps out the churches with a broom, his anxiety being to keep the churches clean. He washes dishes in other people’s kitchens. He begs bread from door to door. But he is cheerful, happy: there is a song on his lips. He believes in the sanctity of manual labour and he sets an example to others by toiling with his hands. “Idleness,” he says again and again, “is the enemy of the soul. The servants of God must always be either at prayer or employed in doing some good work.” In the Cross is his perfect joy. Therefore, he kisses the lepers and is happy to be a servant of the poor. “Rejoice,” he says, “when you converse with persons who are mean and

despised by the world.” His is no hunger-born socialism: his is a socialism of the Spirit. It is sung in rapturous songs and lived, even today, by some of the dervishes and fakirs of the East. Francis meets, one day, a poor man laden with a heavy burden: Francis lifts the load on his own shoulders and carries it for him. One other day Francis, meeting a poor man, puts off his own mantle and gives it to him, saying: “This mantle was with me but as a loan until such time as I should find one poorer than myself.” Francis washes the feet of the lepers and cleanses their wounds. One day, a leper meets him: he empties his purse in the leper’s hand. Francis would not send away even the robbers. He would be like the sun that giveth its light to the just and the unjust. Some robbers break into one of his ‘retreats’, and are driven away by the guardian of the place. Francis learns of it and immediately sends them the bread prepared for his own meals and a gentle message of love: and they come and fall down at his feet! In a period, smitten with scramble for money and power, Francis shows the Way of a New Life. It is the way of simplicity. “Pure and holy simplicity,” he says, “confounds the wisdom of this world, and the wisdom of the flesh.” He does not forget that the rich, too, must be treated as brothers. “Do not judge,” he says, “nor despise the rich, who live at ease and who wear fine clothes, for God is their Saviour

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as well as ours. We ought to honour them as our brothers, for we all have the same Creator.” Not class-conflict, not hate, not violence, but peace is his watchword. “Go, preach peace to men!” he says. In love and utter simplicity, Francis mingles with the poor. He admits no one to his Order who will not strip himself of all things, retaining nothing for himself. Francis believes profoundly in the teaching of his Master, “Go and sell all thou hast and give to the poor!” A peasant meets Francis, saying to him: “O saint of God! I long to serve God. Blessed am I to have met you! Accept me in your Brotherhood, and tell me what I should do to please you.” Francis says to him: “Brother! if you will, indeed, be of my company and my interior life, go part with all your goods and give them to the poor.” Francis understands what a blessing it is to belong to the brotherhood of the poor. “It were a quicker journey to God from a hut,” he says, “than from a palace.” And poorer and purer than the ‘poor’ are birds and animals. How much Francis loves them! A youth has caught a number of turtle-doves and is taking them to market. He meets Francis on the way. “I pray thee, give me these gentle birds,” says the saint. The good youth gives them all. And Francis receives them into his bosom, talks to them tenderly, and builds nests for them all. A fisherman brings to Francis a waterfowl. Francis accepts the

bird, then opens his hands to let it fly away. Another fisherman brings to him a great fish alive. Francis puts it back into the water of the lake. He speaks to swallows: he preaches to birds. St. Francis was a brother of all animals, a brother of life, a brother of all creatures. In his heart he communed with the Brotherhood of Life. An influence moved out of him, a strange, psychic influence: it enveloped others with the tenderness and love of his heart which felt for all creatures, human and subhuman. He met, one day, a woodcutter, chopping down a tree. To him, Francis spake: “Brother! do not chop off the whole tree, but give it a chance to grow up again.” And Francis offered him his food for the day. Francis, like the Buddha, embraced all creatures in love. Buddha carried on his shoulders a goat, which was being led to the sacrificial altar, and, meeting the king of that place, said: “Sire! I offer myself as a sacrifice in the place of this poor, helpless, bleating goat.” And the king was so moved that he released the goat. Francis became the great awakener of his age. A new awakening is the world’s piteous need, today. New sons and daughters of Krishna and Buddha, of Mahavira and Francis, are needed, today, to reveal anew the beauty of reverence for life — sons and daughters, who would, renouncing eminence and honours, greed and greatness, be among the servants of animals and humanity.

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If Only We Realised J. P. VASWANI

He who kills another kills himself. He who feeds on death himself becomes food for death. He who inflicts suffering upon another brings suffering to himself. If only we realised the harm we did to ourselves by taking flesh-diet, many of us, I know, would abstain from it. The Rishis— the wise teachers of ancient India — urged upon their pupils to take only sattvic food and always to abstain from rajasic food. Sattvic food refines the mind and helps the heart to grow in purity. Rajasic food drags a man down into the pit of passion and impurity. Sattvic food helps a man to live a calm, serene, tranquil, peaceful life, rajasic food makes him restless and tense. Meat-diet is rajasic food. It was in the first half of the eighteenth century that the great French writer, Francis Mani

Auroet — commonly known as Voltaire — after an intensive observation of the effects of meat diet on human temperament, said that the flesh of animals excites the blood and provokes ferocity, irritability and hardheartedness. The Italian, Antonio Coochi, in the same century, said that flesh diet makes a man passionate. Eustace Miles, who was, perhaps, the first to start a vegetarian restaurant in London, and who is the author of about a dozen books on food reform, bears personal testimony in the following words: “When I first gave up flesh food about seventeen years ago,” he writes in one of his books entitled, Prevention and Cure, “I gave them up all in one day. My frequent depression and bad memory almost disappeared from the day I gave up flesh foods. On several occasions,

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during the next few years, I took flesh foods or meat extracts by mistake not knowing that I was taking them (kind friends gave them to me in soup etc.) and the first result was a return of the old depression, a return of the old desire for a stimulant and the return, by the way, of the old cramp in the muscles...” James Henry Cook, writing in the American medical journal, Heal Thyself, says: “Flesh meat like alcohol is a stimulant. It stirs up both in man and animals, all that is pugnacious, selfish and cruel when they partake of it.” On the other hand, pointing to the beneficial effects of a fleshless diet on the mind, the French writer, M. Gautier, says: “It tends to soften the disposition, to make us more calm, to make us less agitated, to make us less aggressive and less violent......” In our own days, one of my esteemed friends, Mr. Woodland Kahler, Marquis de st. Innocent, is a living witness to the wonderful change that a vegetarian diet can bring one man’s body and mind. He was a meat-eater. He was fond of hunting and fishing. He lived in luxury and comfort. He got an attack of paralysis. The best of doctors were in attendance on him: but they could not help him. The disease crept over his body. Until, one day, the thought came to him that if he changed his way of life and food habits, he would be cured. Immediately, he switched

over to-a strict vegetarian diet. He breathed out peace and love to; all living creatures. He prayed for all sentient beings. A miracle occurred. He was cured of paralysis. He is about eighty years of age but continues to enjoy the benefits of a healthy body. He was born, he said to me once, in the 19th century. He is living in the 20th century and he hopes to enter the 21st century. He is a strong advocate of the vegetarian diet. Apart from other considerations, I feel that man has no right to kill birds and animals, fish and fowl. Creation, as the Prophet of Islam, said is “one family”. And all creatures, though they may be at different stages of progression in the process we call evolution — are bound together by ties of spiritual kinship. We cannot separate ourselves from those whom we call the “lower” animals. They are lower in the scale of evolution, but they, like, us, are members of the One Family. We have our duties towards them: and they have their rights which must not be trampled upon. And the very first right of every creature is the right to live. Therefore, we must not take away the life of any creature. Indeed, we must never take away that which we cannot give. And as we cannot restore a dead creature to life, we have no right to take away its life. When man grows into this realisation, he will regard meateating as murder. He will, then,

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learn to touch every unit of life with reverence and love. Life, itself, is an outpouring of God’s Love. Creation, it is said, is an overflowing of God’s Love. God desired to love something outside of Himself. “I am one?” He thought; “so let me be many!” And creation came into being. So it is that in the heart of every creature is the desire to love. Human beings desire to love and to be loved. In the measure in which we love, in that measure do we become Godlike. The power of loving is not restricted to human beings. Deep is the love which the dog. the cat, the horse have shown to man through the ages. And how quickly they — and even wild animals — respond to love! God is present in every creature. For where love is, God is! Love is the light of life. Out of love cometh joy and every other, blessing. He who has not experienced love has not known what it is to live. Killing is a denial of love. To kill or to eat what another has killed is to rejoice in cruelty. And cruelty hardens our hearts and blinds our vision, and we are unable to see that they whom we kill are our fellow-brothers and sisters in the One Family of Creation. The history of humanity is stained by the cruel treatment which was once meted out to slaves, to women and children. Humanity continues to be impeached at the bar of eternal justice by the merciless killing of

animals by the million for human consumption. It is believed by many that flesh-diet gives strength and vigour to the human body. When will we realise that he who kills another kills himself? He who feeds on death himself becomes food for death. He who inflicts suffering upon another brings suffering to himself. For this is an inviolable law of life: “Whatsoever a man soweth that shall he, also, reap!” But it may be questioned: “What of those who eat corn and vegetables and fruits? There is life in them, too!” Yes, nothing is without life. The One Life is in all, in sand and stone, in stream and star, in sun and moon, in fruit and flower, in man and mineral, in bird and animal. In some, however, life is asleep: in others life is dreaming: in yet others life has begun to stir. In a few, only few, life is fully awake. In minerals and in plants, in vegetables and in fruits, life is slumbering. Different is the case with birds and animals. So it is that they feel the joy of living and the agony of dying. The bird singing on yon tree, the faithful dog following his master, the horse drawing the carriage have reached the stage of “duality”. They are sensitive to pleasure and pain. Like us, they, too, are moving on to their goal: the goal is “unity”. Their way is long and laborious. And we must help them in their onward march. He who helps others receives help. He who hinders others only raises obstacles in his own path.

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Simple Rules Of Health 10 Natural Alternatives To Toothpaste

Keeping your teeth and gums healthy requires time, commitment and the right tools. Brushing your teeth twice daily, flossing and limiting your sugar intake are all important aspects of oral hygiene. But some oral hygiene products like toothpaste contain many harmful ingredients, such as titanium dioxide, sodium lauryl sulfate and artificial sweeteners, which can be bad for your oral health. This is why many people are looking for natural alternatives to toothpaste. In fact, there are some simple and inexpensive natural products that you can use in place of toothpaste to brush your teeth and keep them white and shiny for years. Here are the top 4 natural alternatives to toothpaste.

1. Indian Lilac Indian lilac, also known as neem or margosa, is one of the best toothpaste alternatives that you can use. Its antibacterial and antiseptic properties help kill the bacteria that cause cavities, plaque, gingivitis and other gum diseases. A 2008 study published in the Journal of Medicinal Plants Research reports that neem has almost miraculous properties when it comes to treating gingivitis. It also provides long-lasting fresh breath. Extract the juice of neem leaves and rub it on your teeth. Leave it on for a few minutes, then use a soft toothbrush to brush your teeth. Rinse it off with warm water. You can also use soft neem sticks to brush your

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teeth. Simply chew on a broken end until it becomes soft enough to brush your teeth with. Twigs of eucalyptus, orange or lime tree can also be used as chew sticks to clean your teeth. 2. Turmeric Turmeric promotes overall oral health and you can use this yellow spice powder to brush your teeth occasionally. Its antiplaque, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties help keep dental problems, such as toothaches and gingivitis, at bay. A 2012 study published in the Journal of Indian Society of Periodontology reports that turmeric mouthwash is effective in controlling plaque and preventing gingivitis. Mix Âź teaspoon of turmeric powder with a little mustard oil. Put this paste on your toothbrush and use it to brush your teeth. Make sure to rinse your mouth thoroughly afterwards. You can also add 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder to a glass of lukewarm water and use it as a mouthwash. Swish it around in your mouth for 30 seconds before spitting it out. 3. Extra-Virgin Coconut Oil Extra-virgin coconut oil is another great natural toothpaste alternative, due to its antifungal and antibacterial properties that come in handy for mouth cleaning. This oil can help reduce the plaque on your teeth and prevent problems like toothaches, bad breath and gum disease.

A 2014 study published in the Journal of the Indian Society of Periodontology reports that coconut oil can be used as a valuable preventive agent in maintaining and improving oral health. Another study published in the Nigerian Medical Journal in 2015 reports that oil pulling using coconut oil is effective at reducing plaque formation. Put 1 tablespoon of extravirgin coconut oil in your mouth. Swish it around in your mouth for about 15 minutes, until it turns foamy and milky white. Rinse your mouth thoroughly with plain water. Finally, use a damp toothbrush to give your pearly whites a nice scrub. Note: Do this first thing in the morning, on an empty stomach. 4. Activated Charcoal Another good toothpaste alternative is activated charcoal. Activated charcoal can reduce stains and plaque on your teeth. The microporous charcoal aids in adsorbing plaque and other substances that cause stains on your teeth. In addition, it improves the pH balance in your mouth, removes toxins, and helps fight bad breath. Wet your toothbrush and dip it into powdered activated charcoal. Brush your teeth as you normally do. Finally, rinse your mouth with water until all the blackness in your mouth is gone. Note: Activated charcoal should not be used by people who have caps on their teeth.

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Children’s Corner WHAT DOES IT MEAN? 1. When you say you have eaten QUITE WELL, do you mean you have eaten: a) Very well b) Hardly anything c) Enough but not to your full capacity 2. What’s the opposite? : A fabric made with the help of a machine is said to be machine-made. The opposite of machine made is an eight-letter word that begins with H and ends with N. What’s it? ***

WORD BUILDING Make words beginning with care with the help of the clues provided in the brackets. 1. Care _____________ (a person who looks after a house, etc.) 2. Care _____________ (a person who looks after another person) 3. Care _____________ (the opposite of careful) 4. Care _____________ (a person who is free from cares) 5. Care _____________ (to touch gently or lovingly) ***

GUESS THE WORDS Here are the meanings of a few words. Can you tell the words? 1. The colourful part of a green plant : _____________ 2. Come soon : _____________ 3. To stick out : _____________ 4. The winter food of a reindeer : _____________ 5. The projecting part of an animal’s head that contains the nose and the mouth : _____________

Answers : What does it mean?: 1. Very Well, 2. Homespun, Guess the words: 1. Flower, 2. Hurry, 3. Jut 4. Lichen, 5. Muzzle, Word Building: 1. Caretaker, 2. Caregiver, 3. Careless, 4. Carefree, 5. Caress, C-Word: Castle, Carrot, Cat, Car, Cow Picture Crossword: Across1. brush, 3. boat, 4. glass, 5. gorilla, Down- 2. umbrella.

DOWN ACROSS

PICTURE CROSSWORD

Find out four words starting with ‘C’ in the picture.

C- WORDS EAST AND WEST SERIES

OCTOBER 2017

EAST AND WEST SERIES

Laugh Your Way To Health A reporter from the London standard demanded of Sir Winston Churchill, “What do you say, Sir, to the prediction that in the year 2000, women will be ruling the entire world?” Sir Winston raised a quizzical eyebrow and murmured, “They still will, eh?” *** Teacher: How old is your father? Kid: He is 6 years. Teacher: What? How is this possible? Kid: He became father only when I was born. *** Teacher: Joseph, go to the map and find North America . Joseph: Here it is. Teacher: Correct. Now class, who discovered America ? Class: Joseph. *** Teacher: Prakash, name one important thing we have today that we didn’t have ten years ago. Prakash: Me! *** Teacher: Abraham, why do you always get so dirty? Abraham: Well, I’m a lot closer to the ground than you are. *** Teacher: George Washington not only chopped down his father’s cherry tree, but also admitted it. Now, Viru, do you

know why his father didn’t punish him? Viru: Because George still had the axe in his hand… *** Teacher: Ravi, your composition on ‘My Dog’ is exactly the same as your brother’s… Did you copy his? Ravi: No sir, It’s the same dog. *** Teacher: Raju, what do you call a person who keeps on talking when people are no longer interested? Raju: A teacher. *** Two well dressed lawyers went to an expensive restaurant. Ordered 2 coffees and then took out sandwiches from their briefcases to eat. Waitress: Sorry Sir! But you can’t eat your own food here. It’s against the rules. The lawyers quietly looked at each other and exchanged their sandwiches and continued their meals! *** Hari prays to God: Dear Lord, please make me win the lottery. The next day Hari begs the Lord again: Please make it so I win the lottery, Lord! The next day, Hari again prays: Please, please, Dear Lord, make me win the lottery! Suddenly he hears a voice from above: Hari, would you kindly go and buy a lottery ticket.

OCTOBER 2017

EAST AND WEST SERIES

Recipes For The Month BROCCOLI ALMOND SOUP

Cabbage (finely chopped)..........................2 tbsp Stalk spring onion (finely chopped).................. 1 Mint leaves (finely chopped) .....................2 tbsp Spinach (finely chopped)............................2 tbsp Coriander (finely chopped).........................2 tbsp Green chilli, optional (finely chopped).............¼ Water......................................................... 4 cups Butter............................................................1 tsp Few drops of lime juice Salt and pepper to taste

Ingredients: Broccoli (cut into florets).........................400 gms Onion (chopped)................................................ 1 Celery stalk (chopped)................................2 inch Cloves garlic (chopped)..................................... 4 Milk..............................................................1 cup Roasted almonds, cut into slivers................10-12 Salt and white pepper to taste Cream (optional for garnishing)................1 tbsp

Method: • Heat butter in a vessel and saute the carrot, beans, capsicum and cabbage till cooked. • Add water, salt, green chilies, mint, spring onion, spinach and coriander. • Bring to a boil, cover and simmer for about ten minutes. • Add pepper. • Serve hot with a few drops of lime.

Method: • Soak the broccoli florets in salt water for 1012 minutes. • Drain, wash and keep aside. • To 4 cups of water add onion, garlic and celery and bring to a boil. • Add the florets and cover. Cook for 5 minutes. • Cool this mixture and liquidize until smooth. • Add milk, salt and pepper and mix well. Bring to a boil again. • Stir in almond slivers. • Garnish with cream. • Serve hot.

CLEAR MACARONI SOUP

EIGHT JEWELS SOUP Ingredients: Small carrot (finely chopped)............................ 1 Tender beans (finely chopped).......................3-4 Capsicum (finely chopped)...............................¼

Ingredients: Cabbage, finely shredded...........................1 cup Carrot, coarsely grated.............................. ¼ cup Onion, thinly sliced.................................... ¼ cup Tomatoes, thinly sliced .............................. ¼ cup Macaroni, uncooked................................... ¼ cup Water......................................................... 4 cups Olive oil......................................................2 tbsp Oil (for boiling the macaroni).....................1 tsp

OCTOBER 2017

EAST AND WEST SERIES

Green peas boiled (optional).....................2 tbsp White pepper.............................................. ½ tsp Salt to taste Method: • Boil macaroni in salted water with oil. Drain and keep aside. • Heat the olive oil in a pan and add garlic. Saute till aroma arises. • Add onions and fry till pink. • Add cabbage, carrots , tomatoes, water, salt and white pepper. • Bring to a boil, then lower the flame and simmer for about 10-15 minutes, till vegetables are cooked. • To serve, place 1 ½ tbsp of boiled macaroni and a few peas in individual bowls and pour the hot soup over it. • Serve immediately.

water in a pressure cooker for 2 whistles. • Cool and liquidize into a smooth paste. • In a vessel heat butter and saute garlic and celery for a minute or two. • Add all vegetables and cook for 10 minutes. Do not over cook. • Add the onion and potato paste. • Add water to required consistency and boil. • Add salt and pepper to taste. • Serve hot. CHEESY CORN SOUP

SPRING SOUP

Ingredients: Large onions, cut into quarters.......................... 2 Large potatoes, cut into quarters....................... 2 Carrots (finely chopped).................................... 2 Beans (finely chopped)...................................6-8 Small capsicum (finely chopped)....................... 1 Mushrooms (finely chopped)..................100 gms Celery leaves (finely chopped)....................1 tbsp Baby corns, cut into thin rounds.....................3-5 Garlic paste..................................................1 tap Butter............................................................1 tsp Salt and pepper to taste Method: • Boil onion and potato together with 1 cup

Ingredients: American corn on the cob.................................. 1 Onion (finely chopped)...................................... 1 Carrot (finely chopped)...................................... 1 Beans (finely chopped)...................................4-5 Stalk spring onion (finely chopped).................. 1 Cheese, grated Salt and pepper to taste...25 gms Butter............................................................1 tsp Fresh cream, optional.................................1 tbsp Method: • Break corn into 2-3 pieces and pressure cook in 4 cups of water. • Remove corn from the water. Strain the water and keep aside. • Remove corn from the cob and blend with ½ cup of the water kept aside. Keep aside. • Melt butter in a vessel and saute onion, carrot and beans till vegetables are cooked. • Add in the ground corn, the remaining water, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil. Add the spring onion and grated cheese. • Mix well, boil for a minute or two. • Serve hot garnished with fresh cream.

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