Bedtime conversation

 'J' is going to her new school for a week now. She is getting up every morning without complaints and coming back every afternoon with a smile on her face. She likes the bus journey also. What else can her mum want?

As she is little behind in her maths (she was learning time and money there but here they are teaching division before going to time, minor differences among different schools) and as she is learning Hindi from zero, so there are few pages of home works every day. We tackle with those together (mummy, daddy and 'J') in the evening. By the time 'J' goes to bed, she gets tired and the clock denies any time for bed time story (used to be our strict ritual previously). Anyway, we both agree to the fact that after few days, we will be able to start that once again (I doubt though, considering her school timing and time being eaten up in her daily commute to and from school, anyway lets see). But we still talk a bit before she dozes off. As I feel this is the most relaxed time for both of us and this is the time when she opens up completely. I generally let her talk and resist asking much questions, she opens up,  I just listen her chattering. This is the time when I get to see her real self.

Yesterday, I asked her whether she has a story time in their class? She yawned, but she wanted to talk too. She said "No Mama, here there is no story time or golden time (where a child can choose what they want to do between reading storybook, art, computer and play), no project or drama. Everyday it is the same as is written in the Almanac (what we used to call school diary). Maths, Hindi, English and EVS (Environmental Sciences)." I asked "What about the computer class (before her admission we were shown a computer room in the school with many computers), that must be fun?" She replied "Oh! today computer teacher said computers are not working so we learned computer in our book."I asked "'J' did you have art and craft today?" As I know this is her strong interest, she said that she liked and made a greeting card using her own art things (this is new to her as previously the art and craft material were provided be her school and so there were ample varieties of types of coloring medium, papers and brushes or pencils).

I know her time table, it is given in her Almanac (what we used to call school diary). And there are music, library, drawing, computer, games  and yoga classes one at each day of the weak along with Maths, Hindi, English and EVS (Environmental Sciences). But still I asked her as story time, golden time project and drama were in her previous school curriculum in UK besides art and craft, sports, music, English and Mathematics. Children were very fond of story time and golden time as their imagination was harnessed in these times. We all know that they love to imagine, pretend and dream. The class rooms there were divided into special corners where they can make models with Lego blocks, do jigsaw puzzle or make models using cardboard  or other materials, no not only in lower primary but in higher classes too. Kids were more mobile (always in organized manner though) and they did not need to sit at one place all the time. The tables and chairs were arranged so that 4-6 children sit with each other face to face and do their work as a team and not always as an individual. Here 'J' is little sad as they are supposed to sit in their class all the time except for morning prayer and games/yoga/mass PT time. Art and craft, lunch, music everything is done on her desk.  Also the tables are arranged in rows so she always need to look at the board, turning back or leaning forward is not a good manner, she knows that. Also she seemed to be little bored as everyday it is same thing going on, teachers coming in class, opening the text books, reading something, writing something, copying the home work from blackboard. I guess she is lacking the surprise element which her class teacher used to create in Scotland, a little introductory story before starting a topic, involving the kids by asking them what would they do if they were born in Roman period and so on. Kids were encouraged to bring materials /books from home which can be helpful for the topics being discussed at school. Like if they are studying about water animals at school then kids can bring some plastic toys they have at home. They were encouraged to show that to the class with proper explanation hence opening them to public speaking. The focus was more on creating interest towards a topic and then letting kids free to figure out how much information they want to collect and how much they want to memorize. Here the focus is restricted to the few pages of the textbooks, spellings, learning the facts, writing them down in question answer, finishing the syllabus every year. While in Europe syllabus was a broad concept to be completed in five years of primary schooling. I am not dead against of the system in India as I myself had same kind of education and the repetitiveness of reading, writing and Mathematics is essential for grasping education in a languages which are not our mother tongue (English or Hindi is not mother tongue of most Indians)  and also in India the books the materials were not in plenty even few years ago, but I was just wondering if kids can explore little more and let their curiosity expand, will that not be even better? 

These were all the thoughts going through my mind as I was listening to 'J' speaking. But then the clock was ticking, so I told her" 'J' now you should sleep, otherwise  you will miss the school bus tomorrow." She said "Yes, Mama." I kissed and hugged tightly my newly obedient child  and put off the lights.

A ladies night out

Recently I was invited for a "ladies night out" organized by  'J''s friend's mum  and in oppose to other times, I accepted the opportunity, one because 'J's best friend's dad offered that he will be happy to babysit 'J' too, along with his daughter. As 'J' friend's mum (and she has become my best friend in my last two years of living here) was also invited in the party and two, because this might be the final occasion for me to meet all the fantastic women who happened to be also the mums of kids going to the same class or to the same school as 'J'. Here are the few points I observed that evening and would like to share with my readers.

They are a bunch of wonderful and happy women, working full time, working part time, work at home mums (WAHMs), stay at home mums (SAHMs) having one two or three kids.

It was a fantastic evening,  I met with many of them for the first time and it took no time to gel, the common grounds for discussion were of course kids, health, work,  travel, politics, UK, India and so on. Topics very diverse and very much fun.

It was a group of around 20 mums, all of whom came to the party looking very pretty and chic. All are very hardworking women, and as an Indian I respect them a lot as they take care of there houses, kids, work, extended families, gardens, extensive hobby and also find time to get involved in some volunteering activities.

This completely Do It Yourself  (DIY) concept is still unknown in India. Having some sort of domestic help is a common norm in India. May be Indian women will say that life is easy in out here with all the modern facilities. But I having seen both sides of the world,  still think it is very very hard to do everything on our own albeit having all those modern equipments. And this DIY brings a special kind of satisfaction and happiness, also keeps those vital bones fit. A 75 year old lady, coming to do her weekly shopping in a supermarket, or a gang of them having a chat with afternoon coffee in a corner cafeteria is a common scene in Europe. No it is not all about money, it is about the art of living, enjoying and appreciating the life that we have got.

As I will be leaving for India soon, they asked me about my plans, whether I am going to start on something, and I told them that nothing is clear yet, but I am fine with that, as I will be happy to get  few days/months of freedom form a 9-5 compulsive job. Last two years I had very busy schedule and there are many things I feel like that I need to catch up.

They absolutely agreed on it and I found almost all of them have gone or are going through this phase, and they absolutely don't aim for 24/7/whole adult years of work life. They are all qualified professionally but they have carved or are carving out a special path for their life where they can take care of their career/child/family in their own terms. Also, they are the second generation of working women in Europe, they have started taking it easy now. Europe also has many options for women with small kids of going part time or taking sabbaticals.

Any professional man can think that they are crazy, some of the ladies echoed that they do get guilt pangs occasionally but they all agreed that they think their lives are very enriched. Their motto in life is not to reach the top, but to live a full circle.

I was watching them, talking with them and appreciating them in my heart.

So ladies cheers, next time when you all will meet, I might not be there sitting with you, but your laughter and cheerfulness will remain as a treasure in my heart forever.

Saturday Ritual

Saturday morning, I and 'J' go for 'J's swimming lessons. At 9.30 a.m.

It is little difficult for both of us as  Friday evening for us is no rule day, meaning 'J' will watch, watch and watch what ever screen is available for her. Then at one point I start giving her warnings that if she does not wrap up soon then next day morning we might miss the swimming class. This normally works. But after she goes to sleep. I sit down in front of the computer and surf, surf and surf. Then I need to shout on myself (internally) that if I don't go to sleep now, then my poor little girl might miss her swimming classes.

So on Saturday morning we tear ourselves out from the bed and then after a very short breakfast and tea we go out, both very silent. But as soon as we reach the Sports center, we are charged up.  She goes to her team, I sit with other parents/grandparents in the view aisle. Time to time I see her looking at me after finishing a round, and I need to send her signals of encouragement (excellent, good, fair)  by showing thumbs up, straight or down.

So then, 'J' finishes a warm shower and dressing up,  and we are out on our next venture. Grabbing some real English Scottish breakfast from some nice (cheap) place. We both eat like hungry dolphins. 'J's hunger is reasonable, I don't find any reason for mine but never mind I enjoy my every bite and every sip. We don't talk again. We are too busy enjoying our bits. We desperately look at other people's table and compare and then we look at each other and smile ensuring each other that our breakfast is the best.

After finishing the elaborate breakfast our next destination is the city library. First we return the borrowed books and DVDs, then 'J' directly goes to the children section. She scans different books, stops at the fairy ones. Lie down on the carpet and looks at them. I stay in the same room but look at my kind of books or search some art and craft, other interesting books or cassettes for 'J'.

We look at each other from time to time. She shows me the piles of books she has chosen and looks at me for my permission to take them, I smile affirmatively. She then chooses one DVD. Sometimes she listens to other mother who might also be sitting at the carpet and reading a small story to her child. Almost after an hour and half we look at each other and agree to finish then. She takes her card and goes to the counter. I also sometimes borrow something for myself. As I don't get any help from my mother in reading books so normally it takes more time to finish my ones!

And then we go out and 'J' holds my finger, takes a deep breath,  smiles and asks "Mamma, which shop are we going first?"

And hence starts the summer vacation

Summer vacation, a golden time of the year in the lives of school/college goers. And for the primary school kids, summer vacation is even more golden as they still are toddler like in many ways, they still can spend hours in pretend role plays, they still can make imaginary boat, aeroplane or a car from a cardboard carton. As a social rule they go to school everyday, are getting trained for constructive daily routines inside the class-rooms but they do desire  for and also need the non-constructive free time where they can mess up with play dough or water-colours in the name of art and craft, run around in the gym area or play ground, or can search for lady bugs, grasshoppers and long lines made by ants in the garden!

In India summer vacation brings a great relief for children, their teachers and families from extreme heat, and the time is mainly spent inside the house or in somebody else's house  (grand parents for example!). Storybooks, ice creams, Television, drawing, painting and visits from guests or friends are typical rituals in this time. Summer vacation is almost a necessity here, it is the autumn and winter vacations when the holidays are welcomed through different events by school like fair and cultural programmes. Summer vacation starts after annual exams are over and results are out, children feel quite tired by then after heavy load of academic performance. It is mainly from April to June, approximately 6-8 weeks. With the beginning of Monsoon starts the new term in schools.

In Europe summer arrives little late so time for summer vacation is from July to August (also around 6-8 weeks). I remember reading about details of a summer day in the month of August in Enid Blyton books as a child and always wondered why the month of August is so hot? and now I know why. Here in Europe June, July and August are summer months and also this is the best time to  travel and see Europe.

Summer vacations is highly anticipated in European school calendars  and the mood sets off almost a month ago. The custom of annual examination is almost nil here. Academic performances are monitored through out the year and are documented in a format called personal learning plan (PLP). Therefore the last school term is full of events. Picnics, Penny fair, theatre, sports day, poem competition, disco, a visit  to a local botanical garden or a zoo, book fair, folk dance night, health and safety day are some of the many. In this last term of the school year children get active in arranging and participating in these events and regular routine of numeracy, literacy takes a back seat. But children love these events and learn a lot from them. They practice all the mathematics skills they have earned in their classes for buying and selling things in penny or book fair.  They learn new songs, poems and so several new words from the cultural activities. Social awareness like safe living and  environment consciousness are picked up by them more generously through these events than when they are taught about them through books, blackboards or in the written form of questions and answers.

Finally the last day arrives and although as a parent I always gave enormous importance to the first day of the school year, but here I learnt that the last day of the school is equally important. A proper good bye is as necessary as a hearty welcome.  In a small primary school in UK, I saw how the whole school gathered together on the last day of their school, cheered up the final year students and wished them luck for their next stage they are going to start in the secondary school. The head teacher in her charming speech encouraged them by saying "You joined the school as little children but now you are leaving the school as little adults and I don't know about the world but you all are just ready to face the world!" The whole school also thanked all the teachers and staff and said good bye to those who will not be joining them in next term. Then after a final speech from the head teacher the school dispersed with a happy holiday note. 

In the school closing ceremony when I asked some of the kids about what are they going to do in the summer vacation, most of them giggled and said they have no clue, but they are very happy that the vacation starts and they are sure that it will be only fun!  

Approaching Longest Day of the Year: 21st June

June 21 is the 172nd day of the year (173rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. There are 193 days remaining until the end of the year.

On non-leap years (until 2039), this day marks the summer solstice in the northern hemisphere and the winter solstice in the southern hemisphere, and this is the day of the year with the longest hours of daylight in the northern hemisphere and the shortest in the southern hemisphere. (Wikipedia)

As a child I remember reading about this date in Geography text book, may be in class V or VI. But I then never realized the true meaning of a longest day as in India days and nights are more or less of same length (near to the equator), in western India days do get longer in summer but that means sunlight stays maximum till 7.30 p.m. in the evening. For we kids it was more fun as in those days we were lucky to play hide and seek, skipping rope, Badminton or whatever on the open street, we need not make any confirmed play dates and could hop door to door from around 4 p.m. to collect our friends before discussing, planning and starting to play for that evening until the street lights were on. And more daylight means more time to play.

My entry to Europe was in Autumn. Europe mesmerized me with its yellow, red and brown leaves, pumpkins (real, and artificial) filled shops and sharp chilly wind (well for me then), these scenes and feelings were very new to me,  I had  seen ever green trees only and of course I had seen pumpkins but they grow in summer in India and I never saw so many shops selling things with pumpkins as their background theme, it was only later I found out that it is related with a festival called Halloween, started in Ireland but then went to USA along with  Irish settlers and then came back to Europe again as a companion of globalization.  In those first days of mine in Europe when I was gobbling every thing around me just like looking into a big colorful book, I was also very careful about turning each of its pages as it was a kind of new living for me, but as every expat heart keep searching some similarity of the host land with their own land, I also kept doing that and then found one. That was the sky on a clear, crispy and sunny Autumn day, with clouds floating like  small cotton wools (this kind of cloud is also very typical in India in Autumn and as a Bengali (Hindu) this sky reminds us of our main festival of the year), that sky which was rare; as autumn in Europe is mostly rainy, gave me the assurance that if I try I can settle down here for a while.

Then came the winter and which I will skip today as the European winter, dusky days and dark nights, the snow, the cold, Christmas feasts, special gluhwein (a typical hot wein specially prepared during Christmas time in Germany) and Weihnachten markts  (German for Christmas Markets) do call for at least  one independent blog of its own, if not many.

Spring came next, which again was very new to me as in India also, we celebrate a lot with colors in spring but the welcoming for spring is not so genuine from heart. As we never spend any leafless dark winter there. Here blooming of first  Osterglocken (German for Daffodils), tulips, Gänseblümchen (German for daisies) and edelweiss after long, cold and mostly dark winter gave me enormous happiness. These flowers also begin a parade of blooming of cherry blossoms, hycinths, pansies, marigolds, many flowers who are unknown to me and finally roses of various colors and varieties. And after 'J' has started talking this is the time when she wishes to go to a strawberry field.

And while walking through the roads, looking at the flowers in others gardens (I never got time to maintain my own one) and changing from winter jacket to summer jackets, without giving any proper notice, the summer arrived (so unlike as was in India, where summer is like the king, arrives with a great pomp, show and  Mangoes!). Here Summer brings cherries. Summer is a time of absorbing sun, relaxation, holidays, picnics, Barbeques, short trips or in other words it is the time to make fun in Europe. Just like it is in winter in India. And if you are living in  European countries very close to the north pole, then you will feel that few bright sunny days available in summer are treated very specially by people here.  On my long distance phone calls when my mother complained of  extreme heat I told her with a relief "It is quite nice and warm here Ma!" On approaching 21st June the days get bright almost till 11 p.m. at night and sun rises again around 4 a.m. The birds and children are though quite well mannered here and are not awake that long.

But I always wonder during these  mid summer nights and think may be therefore Shakespeare  called one of his play as "Midsummer's night dream". 

An Indian and world cup football

One more world cup football started and in Europe this is a season of festivity, the celebrations starts from daycare centers and schools. 

I remember in Germany; in 2006 football world cup; the kindergarten where 'J' was going was decorated with flags, also it was more special as Germany was the hosting the tournament. They did world cup football picnics, sports and tattoos on every kids cheek! In our office we had bets for which country will win? Also beamers which is normally used for powerpoint presentations of scientific results were used to watch football matches which were 'very' important but were held during office time.

Well, please never think that I am a die hard football fan, my knowledge about football limits to a goal and few famous players names, but that does not mean I don't have any alliance with it.

Today when 'J' while coming from school (she is now in UK and the scenario in her primary school is not much different from that of Germany) asked me "Mum why India is not in world cup? I would have loved to cheer for India." I replied "Yes, 'J' it is sad, India is not very good in football, but India is good in Cricket, Hockey and Chess, and nevertheless you can always cheer for Germany, it is your birthplace." She replied "But India is my country." I felt amazed that amidst of all the confusing relocations in different countries and her total stay in India for 6 weeks only, in her six years of lifespan, has not prevented her in developing a sense of national identity.

I wanted to tell 'J' about how enthusiastic people of India participate in their own way in the world cup without even having its own team. And on the way back walking slowly towards home I started spinning yarns of the world cup foot ball I have as an Indian. 

My earliest association with world cup dates to that year when Maradona was storming the world and also our army quarter when I woke up suddenly in the middle of the one night hearing a roaring goal sound from my father, watching T.V. all alone in the living room. I got up and slowly went to him, to see his eyes excited with childish joy and he showed me how Maradona made a goal!

Next, I remember a scene in my ancestral house in a small village in India where about 12 boys (aged 8 to 80 years) were sitting on a double bed and watching very silently a world cup semi-final in the late afternoon on a black and white portable T.V.  The T.V room was on the first floor. The  kitchen downstair was also equally populated and not at all silent, where my mother, aunties and grand mother were preparing supply of tea for adults,  sherbet  (home made lemonade) for younger ones  and hot tele bhaja (meaning deep fried snacks made up of different thin sliced veggies and chick pea flour) for all of us. After all watching a game like football also needs lot of strength.

I also remember that on the same season of football world cup, on one such summer afternoon, in the middle of a very exciting game, that double bed broke just after making a creeping sound and all the boys from 8-80 fall down on the floor, making an extraordinary noise which we from the downstairs first thought was yet another goal!

The girls hostel of my university would get divided into two camps of the world cup finalists and we were quite regular in reading sports news on the newspaper for those few days.

The scene in boys hostels were wilder of course.

After coming out of India this is my third world cup football, last two times I was in Germany and it was fun. Specially 2006 world cup showed a new Germany to us. Flags, T-Shirts, key chains were sold in large number in those days and for the first time we saw people putting flags on their balconies or windows. Unlike Denmark or Sweden, Germans don't use their flag for personal occasions (owing to their history perhaps), but hosting the world cup dissolved their inhibitions and enlightened their feelings for a proud nation. Also flags from Turkey, France, Italy were seen along with German flags in many houses telling us that those houses are from expats of these countries.

After talking a lot, I looked at 'J', she was laughing madly listening to those funny stories and as I opened the door to home I silently but convincingly told her that may be we need to wait few years and then India will manage to enter into world cup football tournament. She clapped her hands with joy, the same one as I saw in my father's eyes  many years ago.

So India cannot we try to make a child's dream come true?

A visit to a local craft fair

Being an Indian, hand made crafts have always been part of my life, whether it is my mother wearing a cotton saree made in hand mills, those cane baskets I used to keep my toys, batik tops I wore when I wanted to be chic or small wall hanging show pieces brought from annual fairs of the small towns I have lived in. Indian crafts has always excelled in gaining niches just like Indian spices wherever they went. There are several pockets of India which boasts of its rare silks, pearls, embroideries, wooden furnitures and can compete superbly in world markets.

May be owing to these, handicrafts from various other parts of the world attracts me a lot. If the unique skylines, historical monuments, zoos and supermarkets describe the nature of big cities then I would say that hand made, local and yet delicate things in the form of crafts and other delicacies give character to an anonymous small town.

While living in Germany, I always noticed that the villages, towns and cities were so much intertwined by the chain of supermarkets and other retailers that it was very difficult to find those small shops, which were still run by shopkeepers and their families. Hand made German specialities like grand father clocks, cuckoo clocks, other wooden crafts and ceramics were mostly found in Black forest areas (Schwarz Wald) and Bayern (Bavaria) regions. They were also the tourist studded areas of Germany, so the artisans were impersonal and professional in their approach. Well, wine, beer, breads, chocolates and cheese were some other crafts or delicacies which were of course in abundance in all regions and  were versatile according to the region, soil and culture.

Here in Scotland the very first thing I noticed was the dominance of local taste, in the forms of tartans, bagpipes, ceramic vessels, shortbreads and not to forget scotch whisky! Scotland boasts for gaelic and celtic designs and little shops still exists in small towns as well as in big cities (may be a bit hidden behind the shadows of multi stored supermarkets) selling these local items.

Today I and 'J' got an opportunity to visit a local craft fair, it was a wonderful experience to talk with local artisans about their crafts,  patience and courage they need to keep going and keep maintaining their skills, which have been developed and produced in this region for generations but are facing a huge competition from global produces. A potpourri box made up of wood, a silver earring inspired by Mackintosh designs, a pendent made from colourful blown glass, felt covered personal diaries, T-shirts with celtic prints, hand dyed silk scarves, oil paints of local areas; choices were many and each of them were showing the care which has been taken to give them those tempting forms. But on looking at the price tags, I could feel the temptations withering away, and in spite of knowing the unfairness hidden in it, I could not stop myself from comparing the prices with other shops where things are sold in cheaper prices as they bring them from far east.

My holiday trip to India recently also put the same question in front of me. I noticed how the chains of big retailers are grasping the local markets and their products. A large crowds of computer savvy urban young Indians feel very comfortable to buy things from these big malls. A kind of uniformity is resulting from this, which is on one hand comfortable in terms of style, price and quality but is also very predictable,  as sometimes it used to feel in Germany.

We enjoyed our time in the craft fair a lot and I and 'J' ended up buying two lovely handmade necklaces today but while coming out  of the fair many questions kept hovering in my mind.

Is it necessary to have so many material flooded competitive priced supermarkets all over the world?  Is it not unfair to flatten our diverse surrounding? Cannot we do something extra to patronise the local essence of our lives?

Chicken Korma (British Style)

"Chicken korma" is among the most popular Indian recipe you can find in UK, undoubtedly because of its mild but rich flavour. Recently I invited some of my colleagues and tried this recipe. This is a mixed blend of ideas taken from different websites and my own. It came out well specially with Pea pulao, Naan breads and Raita.

Ingredients:

Chicken breast or mini breast fillets 1 kg
Bay leaves 1-2
Ginger 2 Table spoon, finely grated
Garlic 3-4 cloves, crushed
Thick (plain) yogurt 150g
dried red/green chili (optional) 1-2 (sliced)
onions 2, finely chopped
Sunflower Oil 4-6 Tablespoon
Coriander powder 1/2 Table spoon
Black pepper pinch (ground)
Turmeric 1 Table spoon
Garam masala 1/2 Table spoon
Water 1 Cup
Creamed coconut 7-10 Table spoons
Salt according to your taste
Almonds 2 table spoons (ground)
Coriander Leaves (to garnish /optional) Half Bunch (finely chopped)
Lemon juice 2 Table spoon

1. Cut the chicken breasts into Small cubes, wash and drain water .
2. Mix the chicken with the ginger, garlic and yogurt and little salt. Cover and marinade for 4-8 hours or in the fridge overnight.
3. Make a paste of the 1 and ½ chopped onion and red/green chilies, add a little water if you need to, blend till smooth.
4. Heat the oil in a pan.
5. When the oil is warm add bay leaves and the sliced onions. After the onions are transparent add the onion and/or chili paste and stir fry for few minutes.
6. Add the ground coriander, ground black pepper, turmeric and garam masala and stir fry for few minute over a low heat.
7. Add the chicken and the marinade and continue to stir fry for till the chicken gets slight brown and oil starts coming out.
8. Add the creamed coconut and enough water to cover the chicken and bring to the boil, stirring until the coconut is dissolved. Stir in the ground almonds.
9. Reduce heat to low, cover the pan and simmer until the chicken is tender (30-40 minutes).
10. Remove from heat, add lemon juice and salt to taste. Mix well.
Garnish with Coriander if you want

This dish goes very well with Pea pulao, Naan bread or steamed rice.

Indo-British cuisine

In Scotland, Indian (more generally South Asian) cuisine has taken an independent identity. Tandoori, Korma, Balti, Jalfrezi, Rogenjosh, Vindaloo, Tikka and Bhuna are famous non vegetarian flavours, available as curry pastes in bottled forms (Pataks, Sherwood are more common brands among many others) in almost all the supermarkets. Vegetarian dishes includes ingredients for Saag Aloo, Chole or Lentil soup. Sometimes fuly prepared tinned version of these food items are also available. I have noticed local people buying Naan bread, a curry mix bottle, Poppadoms and basmati rice for their weekly shopping. Different kinds of pakoras more famously known as "bhajjis" and samosas are available everywhere. Pickles from Mango or mixed vegetable and chutneys from tomato or tamarind are well known and well eaten. Indian restaurants are in plenty here. After travelling a bit towards north of Scotland and also south of England I must say that the scenario is same all over UK. I being an Indian myself find it quite overwhelming seeing so much effect of South Asian cuisine on the people here who are living in a completely different climate and geography. A strong impact of then colonism and now globalisation though.