Fireless cooking workshop delights special children and their mothers

THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK

Ranchi, May 30: A delightful cooking workshop organised by city-based social organisation Pankhuri brought smiles to the faces of 50 physically challenged children and their mothers at the Guru Nanak Home for the Disabled in Bariatu today.

A Lesson in Healthy Cooking

The two-hour session, led by Pankhuri’s Deputy Secretary Sangeeta Chitlangia, focused on fireless cooking using everyday ingredients. Participants were taught how to prepare nutritious hung curd sandwiches with fresh vegetables like carrots, capsicum, cucumber, and lettuce.

“Finely chop the vegetables and mix them with hung curd, tomato ketchup, and a dash of chilli sauce. Ensure the curd is well-drained, and season with salt and pepper,” Chitlangia instructed. She demonstrated how to spread the mixture evenly on bread slices, creating ten sandwiches in total. Mothers were encouraged to replicate the recipe at home to promote healthy eating habits.

Sweet Treats and Sweet Smiles

Following the sandwich-making session, participants learned how to prepare chocolate ladoos using cocoa powder, condensed milk, and desiccated coconut. Chitlangia also suggested alternatives such as using milk and sugar, and even turning the mixture into simple cakes.

Every child received a chocolate ladoo, sparking joy and laughter across the room. One mother, Poonam Kumari, whose five-year-old child is physically challenged, shared her appreciation: “We’ve never seen a workshop like this before. Fireless cooking with simple ingredients is truly helpful for us.”

Community Support

The event was attended by Pankhuri Chairperson Arti Sahuliyar, Treasurer Hazel Davis, and other members. It was made possible with the support of Guru Nanak Home Manager Pritam Singh Saluja and a team of dedicated physiotherapists, including Dr Madhukar Anand, Dr Shabana Hasan, Laxmi Kumari, and Sarita Toppo.