The other day, someone spoke about offline friends and online friends—how she connects more deeply with offline ones. Yesterday, I made a brand new online friend. We spoke for the very first time, for more than
“Baby name?” “Krishnan Srinivasan.” “You’re the mother, Ma’am?” “Yes.” “Your name?” “Gayatri Vathsan.” Pause. Whether the pause was because my surname is different from my son’s, or just unfamiliar, I don’t know. “Vasanthan,” wrote the nurse
March has begun in all its dry, baking heat in Bangalore, the kind that settles early in the day and lingers, pressing gently but persistently against skin and stone alike. Dry leaves drift down in no
Today marks the sun’s northward movement after the winter solstice. Makara Sankranti, celebrated all over India—a time that marks fresh harvests, new beginnings, and a quiet turning inward towards spiritual awakening. At home, it is the
For 20 years, I believed H hated me. I had never met her. Had never spoken to her. And yet, because of circumstances, I believed this completely. And then, in the last week of 2024, I
“Is Manjamma’s work good?” my new neighbour asked me. This lovely young family had just relocated to India, and the lady was rediscovering the luxury of having domestic help. “Manjamma’s work is excellent,” I answered honestly.