Part I – The Punjabis To be born a Punjabi is a privilege, ask any Punjabi and he would tell you that. No matter where a Punjabi is born, he would feel connected not only to the present day Punjab of Prakash Singh Badal but the Punjab that was once the domain of Maharaja Ranjit … Continue reading To live and die in the Punjab – I
How to eat mango in Off Season?
Firstly, the title is misleading, you should never eat only one mango in off season, in fact you should never eat a solitary mango. You will always get a sour one. So you start with two mangoes. Secondly, you should not eat the mangoes one after another. The one that is less sweet, would always … Continue reading How to eat mango in Off Season?
what a sad, cruel male-dominated culture
Gori memsahib visits mahtarma on eid. She goes to Jama Masjid and looks at all these women covered from head to toe. Everything covered sans eyes. Memsahib exhales, “what a sad, cruel, male-dominated culture” Mahtarma visits gori memsahib, they go to beach and look at beach blondes wearing sun-glasses and bikini. Nothing covered but her eyes. Mahtarma exhales, “what a … Continue reading what a sad, cruel male-dominated culture
Modi this week – Week I
Modi word of the week: Modicum. No, no, no, take it easy bhakatjano. It is not what you think, it simply means a moderate or small amount: He hasn’t even a modicum of common sense. Well, at least I got that out of the way. Due to technical difficulties this series is running behind by a … Continue reading Modi this week – Week I
2014: The Year Ahead
Personal change : Zilch Unlike my brethren from India, I am hardly what you may call superstitious. My religious beliefs are agnostic at best though I still don a turban to honor my forefathers. And the fact that a cup of strong black coffee was a requirement for a satisfactory bowel movement, just like it … Continue reading 2014: The Year Ahead
The State of Punjab
State of Punjab stands where once stood the Indus Valley Civilization, the Harappa culture. The Punjabis pay homage to that once advanced civilization by chanting ‘Harippa’ when they sing and dance. King Porus, who had defeated Alexander the great, was from Punjab but so is Punjab King’s XI, and that kind of settles it. THE … Continue reading The State of Punjab
Welcome Mr. Chief Minister
The power of One You remember those inspirational quotes we used to read to inspire ourselves. Honestly, I do not even remember any of those anymore. Though they always had Gandhi, Einstein, Teresa and an American President either the inspiration or the source itself. They always go like this, “One man with a gun can control … Continue reading Welcome Mr. Chief Minister
Chandigarh Landings
Chandigarh Landings ‘No man makes Chandigarh his destination, he just ends up here.’ In lots of ways Chandigarh is like Los Angles. Sans the blondes, or brunettes for that matter and yes a beach, or two if you ask me and yeah utter lack of good seafood. Rest is probably the same. In simple words, … Continue reading Chandigarh Landings
The Champion of the World
Sneerers would sneer, scoffers would scoff, carpers would carp, but in the indisputable words of the dude, “Yeah, well, you know, that’s just like, their opinion man.” You are one of the greatest chess players of all times. No ifs or buts. We grew up watching reading about your games. In an environment devoid of TV and in … Continue reading The Champion of the World
Home, where the Heart ISN’T
The place I call home could be aptly described as a despicable part of a despicable town of a despicable state, well in a wonderful country called India. I wanted to use the word ‘shitty’ and if you replace it now, you will not only locate it better, you would get a sense of smell … Continue reading Home, where the Heart ISN’T