Sift the gram flour and add the water to make a smooth paste out of it with a hand held whisk making sure there are no lumps.The consistency has to be thinner than the pakoda batter.
Add the baking soda to it and whisk for 3-4 minutes and keep aside for 10 minutes .
Heat the oil and position a perforated spoon over the oil and pour a ladleful of batter into the perforated spoon and spread it out.The boondis will fall drop by drop into the oil.
Fry the Boondis on medium flame and take them out when they are still a little soft and not hard.Drain and keep aside.
Now boil the water and sugar together with the cardamom pods for sugar syrup till the sugar melts and till the syrup thickens to one string consistency, it will take about 4 minutes.
Once the syrup is done pour it on the Boondi, mix and let it soak for 1-2 minutes, then mash some amount of Boondi with the back of a ladle,so that the oil from the boondi seeps out and helps in binding the laddoos.
Add 1 tsp of hot melted ghee , the dry fruits ( if you are adding )and the sev to the Boondi and mix well.
Take small portions in the palm of your hand and form a tight ball.Repeat for the rest of the ladoo mix .