Navratri’s Light and Ravana’s Shadow
When I lived in an independent house in a small city like Shimla in the 70s, festivals often passed quietly. Navratri, for example, slipped…
The Mosaic of My Inheritance
Every year, Shraddh invites us to pause—not only to honour our ancestors, but to reflect on the lives that shaped us. For me, these…
The Great Weight Divide: Life Beyond the Scale
In my mom’s time, being slightly plump and curvaceous wasn’t just acceptable—it was attractive. Remember the old Bollywood heroines proudly filling the screen in…
Saas, Bahu & a Pinch of Drama
Indian TV at 8 pm is less “prime time” and more “crime time.” The biggest drama isn’t murder — it’s how the bahu (DIL)…
Shaadi Mein Zaroor Aana — But What Kind?
Have you received three wedding invites already this year, plus two save-the-dates for early 2026?? I don’t envy you one bit. As a North…
Retired, Not Rooted (Yet)
We thought we had it all figured out. We retired in Bengaluru — the Garden City, the IT capital, cosmopolitan and comfortable. Our friends…
The Compatibility Myth (And Why Opposites Still Work)
The other day, I asked my daughter what she’s looking for in a partner. Her baseline was clear — somewhat wealthy, easy on the…
Smart on Paper, Lost in Life
It is the semester exam season, and the other day my friend’s son Parth was in full meltdown mode over this monster 20-page Business…
From School Bags to Chai Pe Charcha: My Evolution of Friendship
Friendship is one of those beautifully chaotic things that never really stays the same but somehow, magically, gets better with time. Like a good…