Things have come full circle for the humble idli. The savoury and nutritious rice cake is something of a staple at breakfast, lunch and dinner tables in South India. Nutritional content aside, it has served as a means of livelihood for decades leading up to the outbreak of Covid-19, as well as in the midst of the pandemic.
This is best evidenced in the wholesale Idli Market at Karungalpalayam in Erode district in Tamil Nadu, where hundreds of self-made women entrepreneurs work tirelessly through the day to produce thousands of idlis.
These are sold to hungry souls at almost throwaway prices – two plain idlis cost 3.50 Indian rupees (about 18 fils), while for the princely sum of Rs6.50, one gets delicious and filling accompaniments such as sambhar and tangy coconut chutney, onion-based kaara chutney and even spicy fish curry.
The market came into existence 40 years ago, when the women left the kitchens to help men who had lost their jobs owing to the closure of traditionally woven cotton cloth factories, as synthetic, machine-made clothes became all the rage.
It was then that the age-old art of making idlis came in handy.
How to make idli
The dish is made by steaming a lightly salted batter of fermented and de-husked black lentils and polished parboiled rice, which gives it a distinct taste best comparable to sourdough bread. The batter is worked into special perforated greased moulds in a tray and steamed for up to 10 minutes so it becomes light and fluffy.
Spices, such as fenugreek seeds, mustard seeds, chilli peppers, cumin, coriander and ginger, can be added to impart a subtle savoury flavour. Idli can also be made with semolina (for a variant called rava idli), while sweet versions of the stuff add in sugar. Idlis can also be deep-fried.
The presentation of an idli can be as impressive as its contents. Placed on a banana leaf or a large serving plate, the flattened white orb comes with a fragrant array of colourful chutneys curled around it.
Healthy idlis are all the rage
“I grew up watching my mother cook them for breakfast every day,” says Shriluxmi Thevar, a big name in the idli industry. “You don’t have to be a multimillionaire to start an idli-making business. I started with a small investment, and I am happy that other women in the family also followed suit.”
Women such as Thevar, Meena Iyer and countless others run idli businesses in Tamil Nadu – ranging from street carts and stalls to makeshift cafes – with the men in the family assisting them by getting the necessary groceries and looking after deliveries.
Pre-pandemic, the idlis were supplied in bulk for marriages and other family functions, while in the current climate, a number of hospitals rely on the produce of the Idli Market to feed their patients.
A soft puff of rice and light spice, idlis boast high nutritional value and contain no saturated fats or cholesterol, with only 39 calories per 30-gram piece and 40 kcal of energy per serving. Many doctors recommend the dish as it is easy on the stomach.
Hospitals aside, the women sell the subsidised cakes to non-profits and other organisations that buy idli packets to feed the needy and people with limited access due to movement restrictions in India.
“When we buy from these shops, we get idlis of very good quality, at reasonable rates and on time,” says one happy customer, who places bulk orders regularly.
Idli restaurants in the UAE
The UAE, too, has a number of restaurants that serve a mean idli. In Abu Dhabi, check out Sangeetha Vegetarian Restaurant, Indian by Nature and Aryaas Express, while in Dubai, Vasanta Bhavan Vegetarian Restaurant, MTR and Venus Restaurant come highly recommended.
What is blockchain?
Blockchain is a form of distributed ledger technology, a digital system in which data is recorded across multiple places at the same time. Unlike traditional databases, DLTs have no central administrator or centralised data storage. They are transparent because the data is visible and, because they are automatically replicated and impossible to be tampered with, they are secure.
The main difference between blockchain and other forms of DLT is the way data is stored as ‘blocks’ – new transactions are added to the existing ‘chain’ of past transactions, hence the name ‘blockchain’. It is impossible to delete or modify information on the chain due to the replication of blocks across various locations.
Blockchain is mostly associated with cryptocurrency Bitcoin. Due to the inability to tamper with transactions, advocates say this makes the currency more secure and safer than traditional systems. It is maintained by a network of people referred to as ‘miners’, who receive rewards for solving complex mathematical equations that enable transactions to go through.
However, one of the major problems that has come to light has been the presence of illicit material buried in the Bitcoin blockchain, linking it to the dark web.
Other blockchain platforms can offer things like smart contracts, which are automatically implemented when specific conditions from all interested parties are reached, cutting the time involved and the risk of mistakes. Another use could be storing medical records, as patients can be confident their information cannot be changed. The technology can also be used in supply chains, voting and has the potential to used for storing property records.
Brief scoreline:
Manchester United 2
Rashford 28', Martial 72'
Watford 1
Doucoure 90'
Full list of Emmy 2020 nominations
LEAD ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES
Anthony Anderson, Black-ish
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Christina Applegate, Dead to Me
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OUTSTANDING VARIETY/TALK SERIES
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Jeremy Irons, Watchmen
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Cate Blanchett, Mrs. America
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OUTSTANDING LIMITED SERIES
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Curb Your Enthusiasm
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Schitt’s Creek
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Succession
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
Profile
Company: Libra Project
Based: Masdar City, ADGM, London and Delaware
Launch year: 2017
Size: A team of 12 with six employed full-time
Sector: Renewable energy
Funding: $500,000 in Series A funding from family and friends in 2018. A Series B round looking to raise $1.5m is now live.
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
EPL's youngest
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Where to donate in the UAE
The Emirates Charity Portal
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
Al Noor Special Needs Centre
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
Dubai Cares
Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Emirates Airline Foundation
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
Emirates Red Crescent
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Noor Dubai Foundation
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
EA Sports FC 26
Publisher: EA Sports
Consoles: PC, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox Series X/S
Rating: 3/5
Groom and Two Brides
Director: Elie Semaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
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How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
Tamkeen's offering
- Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
- Option 2: 50% across three years
- Option 3: 30% across five years
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid
When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 1, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
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More from Neighbourhood Watch:
New UK refugee system
- A new “core protection” for refugees moving from permanent to a more basic, temporary protection
- Shortened leave to remain - refugees will receive 30 months instead of five years
- A longer path to settlement with no indefinite settled status until a refugee has spent 20 years in Britain
- To encourage refugees to integrate the government will encourage them to out of the core protection route wherever possible.
- Under core protection there will be no automatic right to family reunion
- Refugees will have a reduced right to public funds
