India
I contribute to various publications on travel, culture, health and wellness, social trends and issues, corporate culture and personal narratives. My words have appeared in Al Jazeera, Atlas Obscura, The National News UAE, Shondaland, The South China Morning Post, Mint Lounge, Vogue India, National Geographic Traveller India and more.
Featured
I chronicled what I learned about my mind and body dancing 365 days in a row
India's 'perfume capital' has a long history of scent-making, but few have heard of it. Eighth-generation maker Pranav Kapoor has started a perfume tour in Kannauj, his hometown.
Theyie Keditsu's social media endeavours to revive interest in the indigenous textile and support the community of artisans and small labels
Planning end-of-life care and even living funeral services can help reduce anxiety and fear of dying, something shown in the upcoming documentary The Last Ecstatic Days.
Three experts explain how somatic sexology focuses attention on one's body, helping people have more pleasurable sex lives and better self-love, and overcome sexual difficulties.
They are frequently misunderstood as timid or unassertive. But they can make for successful leaders, great listeners and creative workers Sana Shawkath Khan does not like talking about or making a big deal of her work or professional achievements. Work should speak for itself, Khan, 30, believes.
Illustrator Alyssa Pachuau is bringing to life forgotten aspects of the region's folklore There is a riot of colour, whimsy and magic in this Instagram grid. It features Enid Blyton-esque images of plump red and white toadstools; a tree stump cottage nestled among moss and ferns; and a red-faced Fall Spirit who grants wishes to passers-by with a magical teapot tied to his waist.
When they were children, shortly before every Christmas, Ruth Phillips and her five sisters would sit around the table brandishing new combs. They would gently flatten tiny dough balls on the combs' teeth to imprint a ribbed design, before rolling them into shell-like curls and filling the table with hundreds of these dough balls.
The first hour of our morning safari in Madhya Pradesh's Pench National Park featured a fleeing civet cat, solemn langurs, grazing deer and a patient eagle. Everyone was hoping to sight the famed tigers and leopards, with our fellow hotel guests boasting of having seen the entire feline brigade and their progeny on every safari.
Ashley Victoria Owen likes to get her hands dirty, playing with soil in her garden or in the forests around her home in Redding, California. "I've spent most of my life in Northern California and am deeply inspired by the different biomes and ecosystems here," says the freelance writer and embroidery artist.
Faridabad-based home chef Ruth Phillips had an idyllic childhood growing up in the Rajasthani town of Abu Road - known to most for housing the last railway station en route to Mount Abu - where she was part of the Anglo-Indian community that was approximately 25-family strong in the '80s.
Sex toys made of wood, fair-trade rubber condoms, vegan lubricants free of glycerine, petroleum or parabens - here's how to have more eco-friendly sex, and the people practising it.
Tangerine, hot pink and lemony yellow walls; mismatched cushions heaped on a plump sofa; framed pictures, knitted ornaments, wall art and painted plates; leafy tendrils cascading from bright hanging planters; hand-painted tables, trays and even a dishwasher; and vibrant mugs and pans strung and piled higgledy-piggledy around the kitchen.
A growing community of home chefs, caring neighbours and good Samaritans helping to feed the sick and their attendants. New Delhi, India - Concerned by a spike in COVID-19 infections in her gated community in Noida, a city bordering New Delhi, Plaksha Aggarwal wanted to help and started cooking for the patients and their families.
A number of people in the world are choosing to live like hobbits - that is, without wearing shoes wherever they go. They say it is good for their health and is more sustainable.
It was 15 years ago when they first started talking about dirty words. Tamanna Mishra and Neha Thakur often discussed how uneasy popular Indian expletives made them. Mishra, a communications consultant in Bengaluru, and Thakur, an Airbnb host in Mumbai, noticed increasingly casual use of these profanities in mainstream entertainment.
Single-screen cinemas have been a feature of the Indian entertainment landscape for more than 100 years. One photographer set out to capture them before they are gone for good. Looking back, it was fortunate that Hemant Chaturvedi cut his visit short to the Kumbh Mela, a major Hindu festival and pilgrimage, in the north Indian city of Prayagraj (earlier known as Allahabad) in January 2019.
Sometime around September, the internet broke into a smile with the video of a young woman hula hooping in a saree and sneakers. Carefree in her short tumble of curls and unfettered by her attire, flow artist Eshna Kutty turned into a viral sensation as she skillfully whirled the hoop off and on her body to the sound of "Genda Phool", making the ring seem like a joyful and seamless extension of herself.
Rohan Chakravarty, the award-winning creator of Green Humour, a series of eco-focused comics and illustrations, looks back on a decade of being one of the most engaging voices within the sphere of environmental conservation and stresses on the need to participate in the conversation
In what was a confusing and fearful time, trying out recipes brought memories and good times into my home
50 kilometres from Vienna, an elite range of horses pull in crowds from across the world, when they take centre stage at the annual Lipizzaner Gala. Read more on Nat Geo Traveller India.
Latest
The workplace can be a difficult place to navigate for menopausal women. More employers need to start conversations around their health
Fans of the 36-hour monk fast include British prime minister Rishi Sunak. People who follow it say it improves digestion, mental clarity and sleep quality, and helps with weight loss and food cravings.
People have found a unique way to get around return to office mandates: socialise, mark attendance, leave
Mini breaks and creative hobbies are the antidote to overwork, which can take a toll on your personal as well as professional life
A look at some customised personal work spaces and why many people still prefer working from home or a community space
Studies have found mental health benefits in viewing horror movies - they can help release stress, manage real-life fears and anxiety, and build resilience. But they're not for everyone.
Travel
The pandemic has spurred an increased interest not only in domestic travel but also in experiential tourism comprising exploratory and purposeful trips.
A steel rod cartoon sculpture on a wall catches my eye, an animated piece showing two men talking, a bus and a bullock cart in the background. My mouth is agape, partly from the samosa but mostly in delight at the artwork.
I walk by some beautiful sketches of Beatrix Potter's mischievous Peter Rabbit; a collection of Archie comics, Beatles memorabilia and a vintage set of rocking horses hitched to a wagon. A poster of that honey-loving wise bear, Winnie the Pooh, draws my attention with a quote, "It is more fun to talk with someone who doesn't use long, difficult words but rather short, easy words like "What about lunch?"
You may not realize how crooked your perspective is until you try your hand at block printing. Steady hands and precision are challenging when holding a wooden block dipped in vibrant dye, over a pristine white stretch of fabric.
Two gloriously restored mansions in Georgetown, Penang, encompass the exciting multiculturalism of the region
Explore the world's longest cave systems. Scuba dive in pristine rivers. Waft through the clouds in a hot air balloon over lush terrain. Glamp in a plush tented colony within the forest. A peek into the lifestyle of the indigenous communities, an example in sustainable living.
Each page of the journey through this East Asian island, throws a whimsical twist
Crowded around a polished wooden table, we peer closely at a teapot and tiny cups clustered by it. The young man opposite us deftly fills each cup with a pale gold brew, passing it around. It has a delicate taste, fragrant and light.
We disembark from our coach in sun-drenched Haddington. A cluster of beaming faces welcomes our choir group - The Capital City Minstrels. After the initial enquiries about our flight, a slightly awkward pause ensues. As if on cue, a bagpiper emerges, welcoming us with a lusty tune.
Virginia is home to several 18th and 19th-Century plantations, many of which are open to visitors to give them a glimpse into the life of Southern plantations, slavery and aristocratic landowners. One of the most famous estates, just 30 minutes from Washington DC, is Mount Vernon - George Washington's plantation house.
A guide to a girls vacay in Sitla, Uttarakhand
Murals and graffiti, bustling weekend markets and raucous pubs, home to the most famous television show in the world and the most famous ship that was, Belfast is fierce and fascinating
WORDS BY REEM KHOKHAR Neo-classical architecture, historic landmarks, quirky neighbourhoods, malls, museums, cultural cauldrons, and culinary hotspots... the capital of the United States of America is all things to all people. Conscious of its history and confident in its modernity, the city's identity as seat of political power is understated but omnipresent.
The beautiful and a touch of the bizarre in San Gimignano
A siren slices the evening air, stopping us in our tracks. Our host, Amish Sud, explains, "It signals the end of the work day in Shimla. 5 o'clock."
WORDS BY REEM KHOKHAR Two abandoned brick mansions rise up in a mustard field of green and gold. The light filters through the broken panes, dancing across the silent, empty hall, walls heavy with conversations long concluded. As the sun sets, it looks like a film location.
Losing your way in the bylanes of Florence is perhaps one of the most romantic things that could happen to you.
The Beatles are iconic. Any site associated with them is bound to draw fans and visitors. Rishikesh is where the band spent a few weeks in 1968 and 2018 marks 50 years of their visit. Rishikesh and Liverpool, their hometown, celebrate this significant period in the lives of The Beatles.
It's not everyday that one gets to be taken around Vienna by a Vienna choir boy! Rishan Bhatnagar is the 1st Indian in the renowned over-500-years-old choir and was our cheeky guide over a few days in the Austrian capital.
A first timer's overview of the International Yoga Festival, an annual week long event held in Rishikesh, India.
WORDS BY REEM KHOKHAR Shimla used to be firmly off my "places to visit" list - I'd heard of a concrete jungle spilling over the hillside, "tattu tourism" with grown men stuffed on ponies waddling around hairpin bends, and a riot of multi-cuisine restaurants serving Mughlai-Chinese.
"If you see a leopard, just keep doing what you're doing. If you're singing, keep singing. If talking, keep talking...". Solid advice from long-time Sitla resident and owner of Sitla Estate, Vikram Maira, who patiently responds to my rather silly question on the sensible thing to do if one were to bump into the big cat.
Shekhawati is a cultural treasure trove with its frescoed havelis, because of which the area has been dubbed the "largest open air art gallery in the world"
A quaint mix of old and new, and filled with art and architecture, Liverpool makes for a great weekend break if you are in London.
A trip to Wales - utterly surprising and highly recommended.
Home of Mozart , the Sound of Music, grand architecture and a scenic landscape make for a charming visit to Salzburg
Childhood memories came rushing back on a trip to Ranikhet
Holi, one of India's vibrant festivals, features in this great guide to some of the world's biggest festivals and celebrations
Social trends and issues
Trusted friends or professionals can help in your journey to healthier relationship choices rooted in self-love rather than hurt or fear While dancing vigorously recently to Meghan Trainor's No Good For You, I pondered the lyrics describing a familiar attraction to someone whose "kisses are so sweet, and they swept you off your feet" but "they're no good for you" its themes of infidelity and neglect set to catchy Soca beats.
Residents' welfare associations in urban areas provide critical medical aid as country's healthcare system buckles. New Delhi, India - When Shonalika Ghosh's father tested positive for COVID-19 in India's capital New Delhi, she had to monitor his symptoms and coordinate remotely from Dubai, where she lives.
For many middle- and upper-class Indians, help with household chores is deemed a necessity. When the country closed down to stem the spread of Covid-19, they were forced to reckon with the realities of cooking, cleaning and caring for their families.
Basit Manham was in his mid-teens when he first felt attracted to multiple partners. "Dating was not an option [then]," said Manham, "but I...had an emotional intimacy with several people." At 19, when he did begin to date, the thought of this simultaneous attraction lingered.
"Am I an antinatalist?" I thought out loud, after coming across the term in an article. My husband responded, "Antinationalist? Aren't we all supposedly antinationalist nowadays?" I corrected him-it is a philosophy that believes it's cruel to bring humans into this overburdened world-while continuing to think about the idea.
"Am I an antinatalist?" I thought out loud, after coming across the term in an article. My husband responded, "Antinationalist? Aren't we all supposedly antinationalist nowadays?" I corrected him - it is a philosophy that believes it's cruel to bring humans into this overburdened world - while continuing to think about the idea.
For Alakananda Bhattacharya, a 37-year-old freelance writer in Delhi, ageing is not a "favourite subject to think about." She avoids it fervidly, but when her thoughts do turn to the inevitable, they centre on "moving away from the city's pollution and crowds to somewhere with more nature and less concrete."
Aakash Malhotra has spent the better part of July and August travelling solo in Indonesia. His experiences were varied, from sighting Komodo dragons to scuba diving across some of the most challenging sites in Indonesia. He swam with manta rays and trekked up an active volcano, Mount Batur, to catch the spectacular sunrise from the peak.
Behind the gleaming buildings of Gurugram's Cyber City is a maze of roads flanked by commercial and residential structures, all in a jumbled sprawl. Three-storeyed builder floors jostle for space with neighbourhood grocery stores, and a couple of small hotels are squeezed in along with cafes and a local market.
Culture and lifestyle
Some brands are now turning facilitators, promoting the artisan's business and treating them as partners
Naga sarongs, Toda embroidery and Kunbi saris are all being made available to a younger generation
From Jordan sneakers to Gucci bags, there's a growing army of platforms that are ready to fix your damaged belongings Rachna Luthra had a 20-year-old Louis Vuitton handbag, unusable in its jaded condition.
When she was growing up, Natascha Shah filled her art diary with imagined scenes from her future life. A few years later, she realised she was living many of those scenarios, including going to Australia for a postgraduate degree. At the time, in 2004, she was unaware of manifestation, a self-help technique that requires focusing one's thoughts on a desired outcome.
Meher Malik's striking nazar battu, a shimmery blue and luminescent white Turkish evil eye pendant fringed with zircons, is a conversation starter. "When I tell them it is made of my first batch of breast milk, people are amazed," says Malik, a movement mentor and founder of Studio Banjara, a bellydance school in Delhi.
A strikingly detailed piece is of the Dzukou Valley in Nagaland, brimming with wildflowers, rolling green hills and a flowing river in the distance. Looking out over the scene is the back of a tribal chief, Baruah threading him in the iconic red Naga shawl, a white hornbill feather and a hand spear.
The most universal ambient noises are arguably the trills, pings, whooshes, plops and solemn vibrations from mobile phones. While we manage much of our lives on our phones, it is ironic that making or receiving phone calls is not the primary use of this device for everyone.
There is a satisfaction in using home-grown invented words, a personal lexicon distinct to families, friends and communities
Naveen Madan disliked khichdi as a child, associating the rice and lentil porridge with upset tummies and illness. But he changed his mind a few years ago after a week-long cleanse recommended by an Ayurvedic doctor. "I had some health and digestive issues. After eating khichdi for a week, I felt great.
Around the country, Easter, marking the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and the period of Lent leading up to it, is filled with individual, religious or cultural traditions and food, a blend of local and international influences. Easter can be a test of artistic abilities.
It began in 2015 while she was listening to her grandmother recount stories from her life. Govardhan Bali was brought up around the jungles of Chamba, far from the madding crowd, because of her father's role as the Chief Conservator of Forests in the '40s.
It was an unplanned detour that started the whole thing. On a lazy winter afternoon in January 2019, photographer Hemant Chaturvedi walked over to Allahabad University, an architectural landmark from the 1800s in the northern Indian city, to take a few images. En route, he remembered that there was an old, single-screen movie theater in the area.
The social constraints of the pandemic appear to have drawn more children to pen and paper (or keyboard and screen for that matter). For them, the act of writing can provide an escape, an attempt to control the narrative amid instability, as well as serve to document this dark, historic period.
Voices ring through a cold winter evening, singing a mellow song. A thread of 'oohs' interweave before a section of male voices begin to utter the lyrics. A few seconds later, an additional layer of voices chime in, amplifying the richness of sound. I am at rehearsal with a choir I have performed with for nine years.
"We are the world. We are the children. We are the ones who make a brighter day." Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie's iconic song from the 80s rang through a packed Kamani Auditorium in Delhi on Monday evening.
"One of the greatest charms of test-flying is that you can fly any aircraft!" says Group Captain Ajit Agtey (Retired), the pleasure behind his words palpable over the phone. He and my father were friends from the decades they spent in the Indian Air Force - both were fighter pilots - but also part of a smaller group of elite aviators.
Fifty years ago, in February 1968, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi's ashram in Rishikesh received its most famous visitors-The Beatles. They came looking for peace and quiet, and answers. But if it was not for one of the women in their lives, the Fab Four may never have visited India.
Rishan Bhatnagar is the first child from India to be in the over 500 year old Vienna Boys' Choir. After spending four years with the group, he is set to graduate in a few months and looks back at his extraordinary journey. "This last year has been different from the first few.
Turmeric wafts through the audience, hanging in an amber cloud around the woman on stage. In a purple sari, hair in a fierce swirl around her shoulders, she breathes heavily, eyes wide with defiance. A rousing applause begins. Actor Smita Tambe has just performed, through narration and dance, a tale called Jogwa, about a young girl who dreams of becoming a dancer.
Udaipur Tales is an international storytelling festival that brings together storytellers and performers from all over the world
An ancient text. One of the great masters of Western classical music. An Indian choir. A celebrated Kathak dancer. An orchestra from Austria. What do they have in common? This is a unique artistic alliance that will culminate in a staging of Franz Schubert's opera, Shakuntala, in Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata this October.
Rishan Bhatnagar is the first child from India to be a part of the 500 year old Vienna Boys Choir. The ensemble is a renowned group of young male choristers who are an Austrian institution, performing in Vienna and across the world.
Music has always been an integral part of my life. I was an abysmally poor clarinet player, a reasonably good dancer, and a singer with a choir. I was a chorister for five years in school and another five with the Capital City Minstrels (CCM) in Delhi and have been performing in India and abroad for 22 years, with members from across the world.
Health and wellness
You've heard of triggers, but how about 'glimmers'? These moments in daily life that feel 'like a hug' are trending on Instagram and helping people manage stress. Advocates, including a psychologist, describe how.
Using terms like 'trauma', 'gas lighting' and 'narcissism' out of context or without comprehending them can hurt the intended receiver
Understanding childhood experiences through an adult lens can help you identify where an issue originated and how you can resolve it
Used for medicinal purposes for thousands of years, edible flowers contain essential vitamins and minerals that bestow health benefits from reducing acne to overcoming constipation.
An increasing number of Indians are prioritising holidays that cater to their health. Mint tracks the growing popularity of wellness getaways Travelling from bitterly cold Delhi in December to an even-colder mountain getaway may seem bizarre, but I made this trip to Sitla Estate, near Mukhteshwar, for the fourth time because I wanted to pause before I embark on a new year.
I have a small, slightly upturned nose. My parents' more shapely and defined noses skipped a generation. To combat this injustice, my grandmother instructed me to gently pull my nose while showering; this motion and the swirling steam would gradually elongate my stubby snout into an elegant point. It was futile.
Using a neti pot to pour salt water through your nose has a surprising number of benefits. People around the world describe what the traditional Indian medicine practice does for them.
Floris Estourgie's legs hurt for several years, a problem that doctors were unable to cure. After some research, he tried a 21-day water fast in 2017. "I felt like a different person after the fast, with better sleep and digestion, a calmer state of mind, less irritability and more confidence.
'Chlorophyll water' and other forms of supplements claiming to have chlorophyll as the primary ingredient are becoming increasingly popular, with health, skincare and wellness enthusiasts using them for potential benefits like improved digestion, more energy, weight loss support, clearer skin and fresher breath and body odour.
It's possible to build fulfilling relationships with other players, while the tasks and challenges can help with anxiety and adaptability in different situations
Music has been a mood-lifter, and provided comfort and connection in these bleak times
While the pandemic rages on and anxious thoughts pervade our days, there are quiet moments of joy as well. Why, then, do we feel guilty about expressing positive emotions?
Corporate culture/Business features
Slow appraisal processes and lack of ample support can drive people away
Some offices in India that have adopted pet-friendly policies have seen how it has helped employee growth and happiness
It's important to build a life away from the office, and make sure your identity is not inextricably linked to your profession
This trending work-life phrase is all about prioritising well-being, setting boundaries and being mindful of how you spend your time
We spoke with some professionals who took a long break from work to focus on health and pursue creative interests. This is what they learnt
Today's young workers want more from work than just recognition and money. They want work-life balance, flexibility, and more meaning
Some organizations in the country are trying to become more eco-friendly with the help of technology, design, and their employees
Job titles define the role of an employee, but an overblown descriptor on the business card can be confusing, even misleading
With increased emphasis on diversity, equity and inclusion, companies are finding new ways to build a more supportive workplace culture
Breaks from routine that can also double up as ways to make contacts, gain mentors and new communities are finding many takers Pratibha Batchu was intrigued by a Facebook ad for a 'brain vacation', the stress and isolation of the pandemic prompting her to sign up.
Slow productivity may seem impractical, but we cannot overlook its benefits in an age of workplace-induced stress and burnout Natasha Sharma (42) left her job at a multinational technology company in 2015. "My daughter was three-years-old at the time and things were stressful. Most Indian managers are not conducive to working women."
Employees are using the power of time management to engage in side hustles without affecting the quality of their life She works with a Delhi-based events company, travelling frequently for work. But the travel is not restricted to her primary job.
Experts believe the new year will see more firms investing in hybrid models, better tech, and empathetic leaders 2022 has been a year of people finally stepping out of their homes in full force. While many returned to the physical office, some continued working remotely. The year started with companies going on a hiring spree.
Richa Vatsala consciously began doing nothing for a few minutes during covid-related lockdowns about two years ago. Managing her marketing and communications consultancy in Gurugram, while helping her son with online classes and finishing housework, at a time when a virus was wreaking havoc outside, was leaving her stressed and exhausted.
We've heard it most of our lives. Chase your dreams, follow your passion, do what you love to achieve a life of purpose. In fact, the pandemic prompted many to re-engage with their passions, as hobbies or even professionally. Of course, all of this was, and is, only possible if you are in a comfortable position financially.
Gaurang Menon (41) started a new job in March 2022-but the word new may be slightly inaccurate. Menon rejoined BC Web Wise, a Mumbai-based digital marketing agency, as chief creative officer after previously working with them between 2005 and 2008.
Close friendships are often formed when we are in school and college. The opportunity for meaningful and long-lasting connections becomes rarer as we enter the professional space. Schedules get fuller, and our time is reserved for family and the close friends we already have.
After almost two years of working remotely, many people have returned to the office, adapting to the workplace routine, structure and being around colleagues again. There is a new appreciation of this environment, free from pressure-cooker whistles, incessant doorbells, pets traipsing through Zoom meetings and jostling for space with family members.
Nikhil Shedge does not let work consume his life. He puts in the required number of office hours, working on the required assignments, and then switches off-no responding to work emails or checking Slack conversations. After 7 pm, it's his time.
Addressing people correctly is not about courtesy but also a mark of respect, empathy and inclusiveness
New year resolutions aren't made to be broken and these entrepreneurs who have stayed the course and set more intentions share their tips
Seventeen years ago, Deepa Bansal made a resolution from which she has never wavered. "No matter how much my husband and I earned, we decided to donate a minimum of 10% of our salaries towards philanthropic causes," says Bansal, 43, an independent marketing and consumer insights professional based in Gurugram.
Estimates say that Indian women do 10 times more unpaid work - mostly housework and childcare - than men. This saw a 30% increase during the pandemic
Email was never the primary communication mode at Samrata Salwan-Diwan's publishing company, Family Fables. Specialising in personal and institutional histories, the team's work involves extensive research and interviews. While pre-pandemic travel was frequent for in-person interviews, March 2020 caused the shift to remote working.
Covid-19 has forced people into an altered work environment and prompted new habits to work effectively
From limiting the use of streaming and social media apps to including work they truly enjoy in the daily list, people are trying to declutter their professional and personal lives and find a better way of living after the experience of the pandemic
"I struggled to sustain a conversation. Before lockdown, this wouldn't have happened. Small talk came naturally and these chats often led to bigger ideas at work. Now I couldn't think of things to say," says Noida-based Kumar. Her experience is not uncommon.
Whether it is keeping the hardest tasks for early morning or late at night when the children are asleep, using a standing desk or going for a walk while taking calls, or doing yoga midday, professionals from across India share productivity and self-care hacks they learnt this year
As 2020 winds down, we ask professionals to reflect on what made their bosses effective and empathetic, or incompetent and stress-inducing, and how they affected their mental health in this unusual year
For women particularly, lockdown has challenged professional productivity, with the paucity of space, mental and physical stress and, in many cases, inadequate family support. Let's talk about sharing Traditionally, women in India have always done more unpaid work-an average of six hours daily compared to less than an hour a day by men, shows a report by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development.
On social media timelines, pictures and videos abound of home-cooked meals, indoor fitness routines, virtual soirees of friends in a video chat screenshot, and parents doing art and craft projects with their children. Working from home is a new experience for many Indians, carrying on their professional work within their personal space at this time of mandated social distancing.
The idea of deep work, or working smarter rather than longer, is slowly catching on among corporates and startups, as employers and employees realize that they’re capable only of a few hours of really focused work
Sameer Guha keeps his social media accounts free from work connections. But after ignoring friend requests from few colleagues, he realized some of them had taken offence at his dismissal. "I sent out messages explaining my preference after a senior colleague got upset and was passively hostile," says Guha, who works as general counsel (India and the Indian subcontinent) for Mars, a global FMCG company.
Tired of questions that followed whenever she introduced herself-"Neha what? No last name?"- a five-year-old replied, "Only Neha", when the local butcher asked her name. He found her response very amusing, and three decades later Neha's family in Bengaluru still jokes about calling from "Only Neha's house" when they order from the butcher.
Those who are committed to a passion will make time for it despite a hectic work schedule.Having something in your life which is just for you, which isn't geared towards paying the bills or getting a promotion, brings you joy
Jonathan Marques' Instagram page is filled with photographs of his recent holiday to South Africa, an annual break, which he plans along with a few shorter getaways through the year. Marques, 32, is a business and research analyst with a global accounting firm, and like many in corporate India, has a demanding work schedule.
For Alakananda Bhattacharya, a 37-year-old freelance writer in Delhi, ageing is not a "favourite subject to think about". She avoids it fervidly, but when her thoughts do turn to the inevitable, they centre on "moving away from the city's pollution and crowds to somewhere with more nature and less concrete".
Column
"Why are those two dogs standing at our doorway?" asked Reem. Sid shrugged his shoulders, as the two pooches brushed past his legs, walking away from their apartment. Letting themselves in, they found me sitting on the sofa, my front paws soaking in a tub. "Oh you're home, hello!
"What's going on here?" asked Reem, walking in through the front door. "Where are the dogs? I'm used to almost breaking my neck each time I come in because of the whirl of fur at my ankles." "I heard some sounds from the bedroom. I'd rather not know."
"What are you two doing?" chirped Reem, bouncing into the room. I winced at the high decibel level, the egg nog from the night before still glugging in my bloodstream. Everything seemed much too bright and loud this morning. "We are making the naughty and nice lists so that we can plan our Christmas shopping lists accordingly."
"What is this brown sludge?" I growled, pushing away the bowl placed in front of me. "Don't fuss, Mia!" scolded Reem, shoving the bowl back towards me, "It's a wholesome nutritious bowl of ragi porridge with lashings of dahi and just a drizzle of honey. It's delicious, now don't be fussy."
"Where have you two been?" shrieked Reem, opening the front door for us. We trooped in with our backpacks and suitcases, allowing ourselves to be petted and kissed and hugged and squeezed. "We thought you went missing! Sid and I have been looking all over for you.
"Look at that street dog lapping water out of a slimy puddle," I said, my snout wrinkled in disdain, whiskers grazing the window pane. Taking a long sip of chilled cucumber water, I sprinkled a few drops on the head of the white and brown dog sprawled next to me in a cool air-conditioned reverie.
Personal Narratives and Blog
A diagnosis of diabetes can be life-altering, but it needn't cause panic. A writer tells you how she managed the disease by doing something fun and enjoyable "274." I will always remember that number. In January 2022, my husband and I decided to get a random health checkup, not having had one in ages.
I teamed up with friends and family for the 'Lockdown Boogie' project, and sometimes I danced solo. Dancing provided comfort and sanity during a tough time
Is it now Unlock 2.0 or Lockdown Number I've-lost-count? Life outside may have resumed in some form, but with the virus raging on resiliently, those of us who have the privilege, continue to stay in. Routines are on a loop and the days have all blurred.
In this confusing and anxious time, cooking brings comfort, stability and connection.
Reem Khokhar Updated: May 13, 2020 13:10:42 IST Every evening, around 7:30 p.m., my phone screen lights up with the same message. "Do you want to dance?" It isn't code, or a bored prankster looking for inroads to "make friendship" with me. I respond by quickly tapping on the buttons to make a video call.
My dad's handwriting reminds me of a more personal, connected, and handcrafted time.
My blog, which is a humorous (mostly) take on relationships, life and celebrating the ordinary in the extraordinary. Mostly featuring my husband, Siddharth, and my dogs, as muses, the posts also include some travel pieces, interviews, and tribute pieces to my wonderful father who I miss every day.