Words of Wisdom

Dominion over all things doesn't come with age, spirituality, or even gratitude. In fact, it doesn't come at all. You were born with it, and you use it every moment of every day, whenever you say, "I will... I am... I have..."

And for that matter, whenever you say, "It's hard... I'm lost... I don't know..."

Careful where you point that thing!

Life's not about learning to find your power, it's about learning to use it.

Courtesy: TUT... Notes from the Universe

Indianism

Indianism is a term exclusive to Indian English. I could list few terms that we usually use though we should not be using as per Standard English.

Do the needful

Do the needful is very old-fashioned English, It went out of style decades ago, about the time the British left. This term is outdated all over the world except in India.

Examples:

I have done the needful. – Incorrect
I have done what is necessary or needed. – Correct

Please do the needful. - Incorrect
Please do what is necessary or needed. - Correct

Please do the needful to attend the mentioned training. – Incorrect
Please do what is necessary to attend the meeting. - Correct

My computer's broken. Please do the needful. - Incorrect
My computer is broken. Please look into this. - Correct

I have sent you an email. Read it and do the needful. – Incorrect
I have sent you an email. Read the email and do what is necessary. – Correct

I am very hungry. Please do the needful. - Incorrect
I am very hungry. Please make me a sandwich. – Correct

Kindly revert

In Standard English, Revert means to return to a former state.

Examples:

Kindly revert back to me. - Incorrect
Please reply to me. – Correct

Kindly revert back for any clarification. - Incorrect
Please contact us should you need assistance to proceed from here. – Correct
Please feel free to call us for clarifications. – Correct

Please revert at the earliest. - Incorrect
Please reply at the earliest. – Correct

Reply back

The use of reply back is wrong because it contains a redundancy. The word reply means to say something back. The meaning of the word back is already contained in reply, so there is no need to use them together.

Examples:

Please reply back as soon as possible. - Incorrect
Please reply as soon as possible. – Correct

I’ll reply back to the email. - Incorrect
I will reply to the email. – Correct

Prepone

Prepone is one of a few words that we Indians have created for our own convenience. Apparently, this phrase has become so popular that it’s even been added to a few dictionaries!

Examples:

I have preponed the meeting. - Incorrect
I have rescheduled the meeting to . – Correct

Please do XYZ without fail

Here, Please is a request and without fail is an order.

Examples:

Kindly attend the meeting without fail. – Incorrect
Kindly attend the meeting. Please do not fail me in this. – Correct

Please intimate me

To intimate is a rare verb meaning to inform someone privately.

Examples:

Please intimate me. - Incorrect
Please inform me. – Correct

Do one thing

Do one thing is the direct translation of Ek kaam karo and this usage is incorrect. One thing can be ten things, but it is still one thing.

Examples:

Scenario: My computer keeps getting hung.

Indian Usage: Do one thing. Clear your history. Delete your cookies. Defrag your hard drive. Run a virus check. Restart your computer.

Correct Usage: Do the following:
Clear your history.
Delete your cookies.
Defrag your hard drive.
Run a virus check.
Restart your computer.

Do one thing. Take a left turn there. - Incorrect
You can take a left turn there. – Correct

Let’s do one thing, let’s order both veg and non-veg. - Incorrect
Let’s order Vegetarian and Non Vegetarian. – Correct

Do one thing, set the headline in Times New Roman. - Incorrect
You can set the headline in Times New Roman. – Correct

You have carpal tunnel? Do one thing, adjust your chair higher, put something underneath your feet, and put the keyboard on your lap. - Incorrect
You have carpal tunnel? Adjust your chair higher, put something underneath your feet, and put the keyboard on your lap. – Correct

Note: Carpal tunnel means cramp.

Out of Station

Out of Station is widely used in India which is incorrect.

Examples:

If you lose your card or it stops working and you happen to be out of station, then you cannot apply for a new card. - Incorrect
If you lose your card or it stops working and you happen to be out of town, then you cannot apply for a new card. – Correct

He is out of station. - Incorrect
He is out of town. – Correct

Discuss about

The word discuss means to talk about. There is no need to insert the word about after discuss.

Examples:

What shall we discuss about today? - Incorrect
What shall we discuss today? – Correct

Let’s discuss about the issues. - Incorrect
Let’s discuss the issues. – Correct

Order for

When you order something, you order it, you do not order for it.

Examples:

Ordering for Pizza. - Incorrect
Ordering Pizza. – Correct

I’ll order for Pizza. - Incorrect
I’ll order Pizza. – Correct

How to order for Pizza? - Incorrect
How to order Pizza. – Correct

Can be able to

Both can and able to hold the same meaning.

Examples:

I can be able to do it. - Incorrect
I will be able to do it. – Correct
I can do it. – Correct

You can be able to understand. - Incorrect
You will be able to understand. – Correct
You can understand. – Correct

I can be able to communicate in English with people all over the world. - Incorrect
I am able to communicate in English with people all over the world. – Correct
I will be able to communicate in English with people all over the world. – Correct

Pohe

Rice flakes are used for quick breakfast in every household in India. Every region has a different cuisine and Pohe is the Maharashtrian specialty. I’m not a great cook and I keep hunting simple breakfast recipes and every time I land up preparing Pohe. It’s very easy to prepare and is time saving.

  

Ingredients
2 cups thick Beaten rice/Avalakki/Pohe
1 medium sized onion - Chopped
2 finely chopped Green chilies
10-12 curry leaves
2 tbsp Peanuts (Optional)
1 tsp Mustard seeds
1 tsp Cumin seeds
1/2 tsp Turmeric powder
1/2 cup finely chopped Coriander Leaves
1 Lemon
Salt to taste

Method:

1. Wash and soak the rice flakes in water. Drain all the water, splash some salt over it and keep it aside for 15-20 minutes. Make sure to select the thick rice flakes. Do not use the thin/paper soft rice flakes as it’ll dissolve while you wash the rice flakes.  
2. Heat oil in a kadai, add peanuts and fry them until brown. Remove the peanuts and keep aside.
3. In the same oil, add the mustard seeds. 
4. Wait until the seeds sputter, then add curry leaves, Cumin seeds, Green chilies and Turmeric powder. 
5. Add finely chopped Onion and sauté for some time.
6. Now, add soaked rice flakes and stir gently. 
7. Add salt for taste.
8. Garnish the cooked Pohe with finely chopped Coriander leaves, fried Peanuts, and Lemon.

Snippet on Imagery – just a try!

Watching out through the window on a rainy day…
Oh… the monsoon rains!

As I watch the muddy water flowing through the stream,
The smell of the mud that quivers my senses.
Array of paper boats that flows through the gushing water,
Smiles and Giggles, watching them flow and doom.

The cool breeze of the trees from the woods; wet and dark,
Soft and lush green foliage of this grass, all bowed down.
The vivid hues of wild flowers dancing in the rain,
And the chirping  birds overflow with music.

Oh… the monsoon rains make me feel euphoric and at peace,
My dwelling, this is the place where I belong, where I’m myself.