India

Megha Majumdar’s debut novel A Burning is literally setting the world ablaze with its rave reviews. The praise is so universal that I hesitated a bit before opening its pages. What if it did not live up to the hype, or worse, what if it mishandled the geopolitics that dominate today’s India? I need not have worried. Through the stories of Jivan, Lovely, and PT Sir, Majumdar weaves an intricate human drama that touches on a myriad …

Note I wrote this in my journal ages ago on our first trip back to India in 2012 after having lived in the US for 3 years. Posting it here because I feel it’s still relevant. Things have changed over the last decade or so in India. There has been development although a little skewed. The situation for people like me has gotten better. Unfortunately, people like me make a very small part of this …

If there is one defining image of India that is recognizable worldwide then it would be that of The Taj Mahal. Identified by epitaphs such as “The Monument of Love”, “7th New Wonder of the world’ and so on, this marble marvel is often the #1 item on the bucket list of Indian tourism. An estimated 7 to 8 million (!) people visit Agra every year to see the Taj Mahal. And while the mausoleum …

Once you get over the shock of crowds, the humidity and the tangy sea breeze mixed with the smell of dead fish and sewage that permeates this megapolis, it is easier to open your mind to what Mumbai offers. To make sense of this vast throbbing mass of life you have to get to know it from the ground up and like all great cities of the world, the best way to discover Mumbai’s neighborhoods …

In 2011, my mother traveled half way across the world to spend some quality time with us. This was her first time ever in the US and I thought it was interesting to see what she thinks of this place. So I present, her take on the ways of America after spending a few weeks here. Her guest post below: ——————————————————————– After much resistance to the invitation from my children to visit USA, I was …

Rolling hills, coffee plantations, waterfalls and vivid green landscape–the district of Coorg is the perfect little tropical paradise that offers a welcome break from the craziness that is now Bangalore. The best way to get here is by a car/taxi or multiple bus services on offer by travel operators and the state transport services from Bangalore. Here is our list of 7 things to do when you get there : 1. Lodging at a homestay Being …

Journeying through the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan offers an incredible window into a culture preserved in time. From the bustling streets of Thimphu to the serene mountain vistas of Dochula Pass, every frame tells a story

When modern commercial sprawl meets British colonial history, what’s left of a classic hill station? A look back at a weekend trip to Shimla explores whether its historic architecture, scenic walking trails, and mountain views can still outweigh the crowded tourist spo