81. Martyrs' Day

Found this in the Archives at the Newseum here in DC and find it quite apt for this day - 

77. Republic Day

Hope that 'we the people of India' protect our Republic and make it a genuine event to celebrate.

62. Matter of Spices

It is made of stainless steel, is round and you can find it in almost every Indian kitchen. This spice container aka masala dabba is a ubiquitous tradition passed on from one generation to the next and can be considered as your true companion when cooking Indian meals. Notice how it is always within reach in each kitchen. While several replacements have been introduced, I do not think this one can ever be substituted. It is not only about the convenience with which you can store these spices but has the link to an age-old tradition that makes it even more special.

29. Mexican Delight

Indians in (and outside) the subcontinent have a special love affair with Mexican food - guess it has to do with the similarity in spices (compared to any other cuisine that can come across as quite bland) or the fact that there are a variety of snacky items that are considered as a cultural attribute for the Indian social circle. Here I share some of my favorites:

Crispy Chips with tomato salsa - refreshing starters/snacks that can instantly gratify

Queso Dip - cheddar cheese melted with a mix of salsa

Tortilla - also the Bread of Mexico

Guacamole - an avocado based dip with spices, onions, lemon and tomatoes

Crispy Enchiladas - rolled tortillas with flavored veggies

No meal can ever be complete without this universally popular Chocolate Brownie dessert

26. Being Desi

Being Desi in the US means you do tend to pay a visit to the Indian Store once in a while. These are unique stores that sell almost anything and everything Indian - from grains, pulses, food packets to vegetables, movie DVDs, idols for daily rituals and all sorts of traditional accessories.