What's happening to books? Earlier, during long journeys, in airports or stations, you would find people reading books or at least magazines while waiting for their flights or trains. On long train journeys most people would be reading books, a popular novel maybe or a … Continue reading What’s happening to books?
Blooming Hibiscus
And finally, she blooms, my red hibiscus. Struggling with heat and then endless struggles with woolly aphids, nursing my hibiscus plants back to health and making them bloom. I bought three hibiscus plants at the beginning of summer – red, pink and orangish yellow, from … Continue reading Blooming Hibiscus
Load shedding
I never thought I would miss those days. The world plunged into darkness due to sudden power failure. Sitting under a lamp or candle on the study table and struggling to finish homework. Wiping off sweat and trying in vain to kill the buzzing and … Continue reading Load shedding
September comes
September sky Here comes September. A weird month it is, neither here nor there. Summer has officially departed yet her humid heat lingers on. The cool breeze in the mornings and evenings signals the ushering of autumn, well almost. It’s festive yet not festive enough. … Continue reading September comes
Through the looking glass
No, it’s not about Lewis Carroll’s acclaimed novel that I am talking about, I am pondering upon life in general. Though, if you read carefully, Alice losing herself in the wonderland is more than a fantastical children’s story. Through Alice, Carroll holds a mirror or … Continue reading Through the looking glass
A new corner in my old home
Dida's almirah, probably over a century old The house by the lake in Agartala is my home. It had a Bakul tree by the gate once, tall betel nut trees grew by the boundary wall, and there were so many mango trees, jackfruit trees and … Continue reading A new corner in my old home
Striving for poise
‘Poise’, the word enamoured me once. A person described as ‘poised’ was greatly admired by me. ‘She carried herself with poise and elegance,’ or ‘She was incredibly poised for a girl her age,’ and I would immediately admire and envy that imagined person. For, poise … Continue reading Striving for poise
Windfall, magic, miracles…
In Agartala, when I was a little girl, there was a famous, ‘Saath lakhi bari’ or ‘the house of seven lakh.’ No, it was not the house that was worth seven lakh, the owner of that house, an old gentleman then, had once won a … Continue reading Windfall, magic, miracles…
And finally, it rained
Rains! Finally!! Summer seemed unending this year. Set in early by the end of March, stealing the pleasant spring days. We are used to hot summers in North India, but this season she has been relentless, unbearable, scorching us with all her energy. She has … Continue reading And finally, it rained