A Few Words from Sandhya Ekbote

It was January 2006. I had been to Delhi and met respected Sindhu Mavshi. Just same looks of my mother, her Lilatai. I lost my mother just four years after my marriage but my mother-in-law was a blessing for me to learn cooking from. Many things I learnt from her only which was Khandeshi style and I love it. Still the tastes of childhood are everlasting and I requested mavshi to give me recipes for typical Nagpur side and which were her speciality. She very gladly told me whichever I asked her not only at that moment but when ever I asked her on phone also. She says that she drafted the proportions etc. to tell daughters how to prepare. I tried and prepared and all dishes turned out very well. From that time onwards I was always thinking that this should be handed over to the next generation may be in the form of a book. Thanks to WhatsApp, which gave us a very good platform for all to come together. Dear Ratna and Sharada came forward to form a team to preserve the heritage and the book took shape of this blog.

I appreciate both my team members for their very hard work. We are in three different parts of the world with different time zone and different routine but regular contacts through WhatsApp, email and meeting every week made the dream turn into a reality. When the first blog was posted my heart was jumping with joy and the response from young generation made the path smoother.

The whole effort is for the family and by the family. Dear Mangal, Suvarna, Manjiri, Gauri, Kartiki, Sonali, Revati and Renuka came forward to prepare the dishes and give feed back. Special mention of Kanchan, who in addition to cooking coordinated for tips from her mother Sindu mavshi and Mangal who helped in Marathi typing. Every woman specially aai does research to prepare best food for her kids. Our generation had our own things while adopting tradition. Ujjwala bakes Kachories on tava before frying. This reduces oil as well as keeping preparation for fast serving. Your generation too has your methods like using microwave to improve upon time and quality like Kanchan adviced to melt Khajur in microwave to get crispy outcome. 

Sindhu mavshi is now the most experienced one amongst the four sisters and Shakun mavshi the youngest one whose food was also appreciated every time. Lilatai, Sushila, Sindhu and Shakun are four pillars who have created a pavallion of love for all of us. Now this is permanently available. I request all of you to spread it to your extended families, friends and all beloved ones. Let the lap of love spread though out the world.

My whole hearted thanks to all dear members who worked and helped directly and indirectly to make this project successful.

Sandhya Ekbote (1957-present)

Bhopal, M.P., India

June.8.2021