Wordsmith at work

  The one thing that I miss dreadfully about Christmas is the good old Christmas card.  While the seamstress and confectioner gear up to take on the onslaught of the festive season and every Christian household works overtime to put out their best on that special day, one charming aspect of the festival is slowly fading away... Where have all the paper Christmas cards gone? There are generations who have grown up minus the internet or the cell phone, played Catching Cook and not Candy Crush, and enjoyed the ritual of writing and posting Christmas greetings.  I pride myself on belonging to one of those generations. This part of the Christmas preparations was delegated to me when I was a teen.  I sat down and made a list of whom the cards would go out to, trying not to forget anyone. First came the immediate family circle—grandparents, uncles, aunts, and cousins, then distant relatives and friends.  Once I had made the list, with constant additions and subtra...

 Travel memories: Kerala   Random Musings:   It was in 2014 that my family and I visited Kerala. Ten years have passed, but the memories of that marvellous holiday have stayed with me. Summer may not be the best time to visit Kerala but some last-minute plans led us to holiday in this awesome land. God’s own country, Kerala leaves you spellbound. This beautiful, tiny state in the southwest of India is lodged between the Arabian Sea on the west and the Western Ghats on the east. Kerala has been named after ‘ Kera ’ or the coconut palm, which is inherent in its landscape and economy. The land has been blessed with a long coastline and numerous beaches and is a vacation hotspot. Kerala is a kaleidoscope of colour and design. Historic monuments, some magnificent fauna and flora, glorious sunshine, miles of endless sea and stretches of yellow sand are what make Kerala a perfect holiday destination. From the moment we stepped down from the plane, we soaked i...

  For most of us, childhood memories are precious treasures revisited occasionally. My childhood memories are generally happy memories, and I’d love to share some of them with you   Family Mom and Dad were a hard-working, God-fearing couple who inculcated values and principles in my brother and me that have held us in good stead today. There was playtime and study time, and my parents were extremely strict about keeping boundaries between the two. Playtime was always after homework.  Mom supervised homework, while dad had the pleasure of signing the good report cards. My brother and I  had our fair share of sibling quarrels, but I remember how excited I was when he came into the world. Family also included, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins who lived in far-off places and with whom we regularly kept in touch through letters, cards and postcards. We visited them during vacations and I cherish those memories.   School I attended a Convent schoo...

  Parenting: Learning by Degrees   My parents were an ordinary, hardworking, God - fearing couple who taught us well. They inculcated in my brother and me values and morals that I hold in good stead  and strive to do the same with my offspring.  Dad was a big, burly good natured man with a penchant for song and the stricter of the two. Mum taught in the local convent school finding a balance between work and home. Disagreements notwithstanding, they created a haven of love, laughter, happy days and good times.  You know naught about parenting when you receive the gift of parenthood and parenting is a humongous responsibility. No book will teach you how to be a parent. Amid trials, errors and a lot of well meaning advice from folk around, you strive to raise your child to be a well balanced individual. Parenting is a rollercoaster ride. There are happy and sad moments. You experience days of intense joy and pride and days when you just want to slink away in...

  “ Breakfast is everything, the beginning, the first thing, the mouthful that is the commitment to a new day.” A.A. Gill.   Breakfast is the first meal of the day. When you eat breakfast, you break a fast. Your last meal was the previous night. Some prefer a light breakfast while others prefer going by the age-old adage “breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a pauper”. What would you find on my breakfast plate?  I must have breakfast or my day is just not done.   ·        Idli or dosa – Idli is quite a favourite of mine. Scrumptious idlis dunked in a hot steaming bowl of sambhar, or liberally smeared with podi and ghee is what appeals to my palate. A wet chutney goes equally well.Some days see me devouring crispy dosas with some lip –smacking chutney.   ·        Overnight oats – That’s my sweet start to the day. Steel cut oats, soaked overnight and then blended...

  Festivals   It’s that time of the year When festive chimes ring loud and clear There’s magic in the air Laughter and love are everywhere.   Cherished traditions adhered to Clothes, brand new and of every hue Decorations so pretty, lights so bright Oh! What a wondrous sight Folk send out wishes For peace and prosperity.   Sweets and other culinary delights To tickle your palate You take more than just one bite Forgetting about inches, weight and height.   Festivals are fun There’s also song and dance To cheer everyone.   So tap your feet Partake of every treat Let joy and unity  Be your beat Talk to the One above Thank him for his generosity and love.  Image credi t:  Pixabay          

    It was in college as freshers that Deepa and Anjali first met.Anjali was being teased by some seniors and Deepa came to her rescue asking that Anjali be left alone.  Then they found themselves sitting next to each other in a crowded classroom. Deepa, the bolder of the two, smiled and asked, “Hi, what’s your name?”. There was no turning back. From long chats in the canteen, and even longer chats on the phone to sleepovers, shopping expeditions, and discussing movies, books and clothes Deepa and Anjali became inseparable. The years flew by. Deepa began working for a bank in another city, while Anjali secured employment in a bank in the same city.   “I’m getting married”, Deepa yelled into the phone, one day.  “That’s great,” Anjali yelled back. “Congratulations! When is the big day?” Deepa had confided in Anjali about her blossoming romance with Ashok. “It’s in two months. Mark the date on your calendar.” “I will, I will,” said Anjali excitedly. ...

  The RK Laxman Museum and Art Gallery. I was so happy to have had the opportunity to visit this wonderful museum in Pune, in February this year which is a must-see for all RK Laxman fans.    The single artist, one-of-a-kind RK Laxman Museum and Art Gallery in Balewadi Pune is dedicated to the works and life of the renowned cartoonist RK Laxman. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Museum, which is a collaboration between the Government of Maharashtra and the Pune Municipal Corporation in March 2022. The museum features an 8-foot bronze statue of the common man, atop the museum roof welcoming visitors.   Inside visitors are taken on a well-curated tour of several galleries showcasing Laxman’s career from illustrating books written by his brother, Rk Narayan to his caricatures of famous personalities, sketches of Lord Ganesha, cartoons of children and his favourite bird the crow. Additionally, some of Laxman’s work that couldn’t be accommodated indoors ...

  Habits to start your day with   How you begin your day sets the tone for the rest of the day. Incorporating a few good and effective habits helps you have a more positive and productive day. Here are a few habits that help you with the same. One size doesn’t fit all, so find what works for you and incorporate them into your lifestyle.   ·        Connect with nature - Open the blinds and look outside on waking up. Connect with the peaceful morning hours, letting in the fresh air and natural light, weather permitting. Resist the urge to grab your phone. ·        Prayer – Whisper a prayer of gratitude. Be thankful for the big and small blessings in your life. Repeat positive affirmations to motivate and boost your confidence for the day. ·        Make your bed – Making your bed sets your tone for the day. It is the first task of the day that you have accomplished which i...