Special Expo by Special Children

Veda Ramaswamy, Belapur,
April 29, 2010 - DNA Navi Mumbai

Articles displayed were made of recycled paper and other waste matter

The Education and Training Centre for Children with Different Abilities (ETC) Institute based in Airoli had organised a two-day art exhibition on April 27 and 28 at NMMC Headquarters in Belapur. The exhibition drew a lot of attention from visitors as students put their best foot forward to bring out beautiful artefacts.

The exhibition was inaugurated by Municipal Commissioner Vijay Nahata in the presence of Varsha Bhagat, the director of the institute on Tuesday. A wide range of attractive and useful items like showpieces, paper and pen holders, Ganesh idols, envelopes, torans, flower vases, wall hangings, paper roses, bouquets made of artificial flowers, beaded curtains, ornaments, glass and Warli paintings were on display during the exhibition. These items were made by the students themselves.

The ETC Institute has been working diligently towards the welfare of special children and has won the trust of parents and children in a short span of time. The exhibition based on the theme of ‘best out of waste’ comprised articles made of recycled paper and many other waste articles. The main objective of the exhibition was to showcase the ability of special children, who are otherwise sidelined by the society. Bhagat said, “Through this exhibition, we wish to show the world that these children are no less talented. This initiative will help make them independent and develop their social mind set.” The children are taught art, craft and painting by the creative team of ETC comprising eight teachers. Vaishali Patil, one of the teachers said, “Teaching special children is a challenge, which we love to face. We are doing our best to brighten up their future.” The items on display were reasonably priced. No wonder, the exhibition received a positive response from visitors. The exhibition is held every six months.

How to make ice-cream at home in a matter of minutes?

Veda Ramaswamy, Belapur,

May 6, 2010 - DNA Navi Mumbai

Resident of Belapur, Namrata Saney (35) is a doting mother of two. She took up cooking only after marriage and loves trying newer recipes. Her forte remains preparing ice-creams of different flavours and teaches the same in her locality. By doing so, she has succeeded in unifying her interest in cooking with her zeal for teaching. She refers to books and magazines to draw ideas for newer recipes to please her family. She shares a cool recipe with the readers of DNA Navi Mumbai.

Ice-cream Ingredients: 

Whole milk 1/2 litre, 

GMS powder 1/2 teaspoon, 

Corn flour 1/2 teaspoon, 

Sugar 8 tsp, 

Cream 2 tbsp, 

A pinch of SMS powder, 

Essence/ Pulp (flavour as per preference)

Method: 

Boil the milk. Add sugar to it. Take little quantity of milk in a bowl and mix it well with corn flour, GMS powder and a pinch of SMS powder. Add this mixture to the boiled milk and stir it for five minutes. Switch off the gas and let the mixture cool. Put the mixture in a vessel and close it with a lid. Keep it in the freezer for 8-10 hours. The ice-cream base is ready. Now beat the cream for five minutes. Cut small pieces of the base and add it with the whipped cream in a juicer and mix until a white batter is formed. Add the preferred essence (for example, vanilla, strawberry etc.) or fresh fruit pulp like mango, chikku to the batter and mix. Keep the mixture in the freezer for four hours. Your ice-cream is ready.