Authentic Bengali Thali @ Aheli, Kolkata

Handloom Poochampally Bed Cover

Today is Sunday – a day spent in leisure. But not for me. 

After finishing my daily household chores, changed the bed linen and draped a new strikingly attractive handloom Poochampally bedcover on our bed. 

After freshening up, we set out for some well-needed retail therapy.

We first stopped by at Home Town, Rajarhat. I couldn’t resist picking up the serene Buddha water fountain. Placing a water fountain in the house has a calming and relaxing effect and serves as a natural humidifier.

Buddha Water Fountain

Then there was this delightful pink tea light holder which would lend a charming ambience to our dinner table.

Tea Light Holder

It was getting close to 3pm by the time we reached Axis Mall. We headed straight to Aheli on the 5^th Floor. We were in the mood for some authentic Bengali cuisine. We settled for their Aheli Bhoj Non-Veg Thali priced @ Rs.895.

Aheli, Kolkata

Aheli Menu

Bengali Thali@Aheli

The menu included mishti pulao, luchi, alu dum, white rice, begun bhaja, bhetki fry, masoor dal, shukto, fish kalia, chicken curry, aam shoto and  kejur diye  chutney, papad, rasgulla, mishti doi (sweet yoghurt) and paan.

We waded valiantly through the sumptuous course, coming up for breath between each course.

When we finally left the restaurant, our pockets were much lighter but our bellies definitely heavier.

We then headed home, looking forward to our Sunday afternoon siesta.

Pronam – A Helpline For The Elderly

Pronam - A helpline for the elderly

Pronam - a 24-hour Helpline for Senior Citizens in Kolkata who stay alone.

I was just going through today’s papers and I came across this article about a 24/7 helpline for the elderly.

It caught my attention and I started reading it. I learnt that hundreds of senior citizens in Kolkata have registered with it. It did not surprise me.

Just the other day, my neighbour, a single lady aged 65 years, wanted to register with an old age home. I was aghast! How could she even think of such an idea?

But she had her reasons. Her only son lives abroad and he’s more Americanized than his American wife. He has no plans of ever returning to India. 

A fiercely independent and feisty lady, she dislikes having to rely on others for assistance. She believes that moving in to an old age home when her physical strength and mental faculties decline is the perfect solution. She will receive round-the clock care, timely meals, companionship, security and peace of mind.

So true. All around me are apartments with just a couple of residents. The other flat owners, mostly from the IT field, have moved abroad. Their parents shuffle between Kolkata and US until age or health issues ground them. Their kids occasionally visit them or not at all. Their careers, families, friends, vacations take precedence. The parents lead a lonely existence, fending for themselves, lonely and helpless until the Grim Reaper comes calling.

So, I think that Pronam is a brilliant initiative. Set up jointly by an NGO The Bengal and Kolkata Police, Pronam has steadily grown from 300 members in June 2009 to over 8758 users in 2013, primarily due to loneliness, insecurity and depression that the elderly experience.

Senior citizens aged 60 and above can register with Pronam. Pronam provides medical services - such as ambulance, discount on medicines and medical tests - legal help, safety and security.

The Pronam helpline number is 24190740.

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Welcome to Well-Seasoned Reflections - a blog detailing random musings about my everyday life, my thoughts, interests, personal experiences and general observations.

So read on for some Well-Seasoned Reflections, subtly tempered!