Petals!

A week ago, I watched an English movie called 'Shine' which is supposedly a real life account of one of the world's most famous pianists. The story begins with an oppressive childhood. A father who oppresses his family because of his obsession with music and forces his son to cultivate the same love for music. Out of fear more than interest, the little boy begins to learn and is so brilliant that he reaches great milestones at every phase. The only person who stays unimpressed is his father who wants him to reach higher and higher. Some very touching moments in this movie left me shaken. These are: Religion is Nonsense The father tells the boy, "Religion is nonsense. It's also a goldmine if you know where to tap it." I'm a Lucky Boy The father constantly shouts and finds fault with the little boy and makes him repeat, "I'm a lucky boy." He doesnt notice that his son has tears in his eyes whenever he says it because he doesnt believe...

Adi's play school, Roots2Wings had closed for Christmas vacations and finally reopened today. I didnt send him to school because of the severe Cold Wave in Delhi. Every one tells me that kids enjoy playing in this weather. However, waking up Adi when it is so freezing cold and then getting him ready is like a one and a half hour roller coaster ride for me, particularly as water is freezing cold and we have to boil lots of it before it can be warm enough to give him a proper bath and all that. Geysers don't work on generator back ups and till about 10 am, we don't have electricity. The back up is a life saver but all these thoughts made me decide that its so much easier for Adi and I if he stays at home during the Cold Wave phase. Then, I got a call from Roots2Wings, Vaishali. It was his Ma'am. She called to ask if all's fine with Jyotiraditya and said that please send him because "we are missing him. He has such a beautiful smile and nice manners that it is...

The Internet was buzzing with news about the demise of a 100 year old Jewish woman. Miep Gies is an ordinary woman with extraordinary courage and compassion. She was the last surviving member of the group that helped Anne Frank's family between those painful years spanning 1942 to 1944. Those of you who have read Diary of Anne Frank would know that it was a tragic first person account of the Holocaust. I've cried while reading the book. Those of you are not familiar with the book, please read it because it's worth the pain and tears. The book is a masterpiece though at some places, it will horrify you because it is true. To the courage and spirit of great men and women like Miep Gies, I bow my head with humility and gratitude for the lives they saved, the hope they gave and the lessons they never preached but showed us for real that nothing's impossible if you really have the passion and will to make it happen for the greater good of people at large. Can we take ...

Some books don't spark any expectations in you. When I picked up this book written by Arpit Dugar, I had no idea what to expect and to be honest, no expectations at all. With its cheeky title and red blurb that caught my eye because a couple seemed to be close to smooching, I thought, "Why not give the young author a chance?" I liked the protagonist - Avinash - and could understand right at the beginning that he didnt want to get married but didnt want to hurt his parents so he goes ahead with the bride seeing routine. He tells the girl - Neha - that he doesnt want to marry her and she asks why. Forced to share his story with Neha, memories unwind right from the time he was born to proud, affluent parents. In his narrative, I liked the way he connected to 'places.' He speaks so warmly about Jaipur that you really feel persuaded to visit the pink city. He talks about his brief stay in Ranikhet where he lived in a hostel. Do you know Ranikhet got its name becaus...

This chocolate sundae at Cafe Turtle (Khan Market) is so sinfully enticing and delicious that I can't talk enough about it. The flavors just melt on your tongue and whether you are a grown up or a kid, you won't say 'No' to tasting it at least once!