Confessions of a Writing Freak

Legends, lakes and long weekend….. Push that takes you to Pushkar….. All trains were choked, every seat taken, not a single ticket in sight. Who says our economy is dead—tourism seemed to be at an all-time high! With back-to-back festivities fueling the long weekend, wanderlust pulled me stronger than ever. When the railways shut the door, I took the plunge into my first-ever night bus ride—and my very first solo trip—to Pushkar. The adventure began with the ride itself: a surprisingly comfortable journey under a clear sky, with a half-moon and twinkling stars for company. Time slipped by so quietly that the trip was over before I could even realize it, as if the road had carried me along in a dream. Pushkar turned out to be larger, livelier, and more vibrant than I had imagined. The moment I set foot in the town, the unmistakable Rajasthani spirit embraced me. Its streets were flooded with visitors—many of them foreigners, probably arriving early for the forthcoming Pushkar Mela. Thei...

For many women, the very word menopause stirs a quiet unease as the mid-forties approach. Hopes of a smooth transition often clash with hormonal upheavals that feel anything but gentle. Life doesn’t end here—but it can feel like a pause. Not just from the menstrual cycle, but from the sense of well-being women once took for granted. The way estrogen bids farewell differs from woman to woman—sometimes irksome, sometimes downright nasty, often uncomfortable—but its absence always leaves an indelible mark. Perimenopause is the transitional phase leading up to menopause, when a woman’s body begins to gradually produce less estrogen and reproductive hormone levels fluctuate.It usually starts in the mid-to-late 40s (though it can begin earlier for some) and lasts several years, ending one year after the final menstrual period—that’s when menopause is declared . Along with it comes a whirlwind of symptoms. Mood swings bewilder families, as joy tumbles into worry, exuberance melts into melanch...

If you ever want to test the limits of your patience, just venture onto any random road in an Indian city. No amount of soothing music or mindful podcasts can steady your nerves once you’re swept into that chaotic river of traffic. It’s truly wheeling into the maddening crowd. If Thomas Hardy were alive today, he might be tempted to rewrite his classic as “Far from the Maddening Crowd—Delhi Edition.” Bumper to bumper, car to car, the city’s tangled web of roads can drain the cheer out of anyone’s soul. On my daily commute, I manage to finish an entire bottle of water, polish off the fruits and salad meant for lunch, listen to Osho, hum a few Jagjit Singh ghazals, scroll through sizzling political updates—and after all that, I’ve barely crawled five weary kilometres. Perhaps those driving automatics have a slight edge—their left foot and hand rest easy—but for those behind the wheel of older cars, every joint protests by the end of the ride. Locked knees, twisted ankles, stiff backs, ac...

Fasting during Navratri is a ritual I have followed since my college days. Back then, it wasn’t much about spirituality – it was about relishing the festive delicacies my mother prepared: a simple yet indulgent platter of nostalgia, deeply rooted in tradition. pasty aloo jeera, crunchy sabudana vadas, singhada fritters, and the occasional crunchy makhana or peanut. The flavors, even today, evoke little nuggets of nostalgia. As years went by, Navratri became more than just a culinary delight. The fasting brought detoxification and a spiritual cleanse of both mind and body. The devotional aspect crept in naturally – reciting verses from the Durga Saptashati while savoring the fasting treats. Yet, each year, the temptation of festival delicacies seems to grow stronger, teasing the palate and tantalizing the taste buds. And with age comes the sneaky arrival of extra adipose tissue. Now, fasting aimed at serves a dual purpose: devotion and dieting. I kick off every Navratri with lofty resol...

The Bittersweet Story of Sugar…. From nectar to nemesis…….🍪🍩🍧🍫🍦 Wishing you a Sweeter Diwali—With Less Sugar and More Heart❤️🪔 The journey of sugar is as fascinating as it is flavourful. Sugarcane—known in India as ganna or ikshu—was discovered on our soil thousands of years ago. From here, it travelled westward through Arab traders, reaching Central Asia and then North Africa, where it was cultivated along the Nile. There, people stumbled upon an intriguing discovery: when a supersaturated sugar solution was left in a clay pot with a thread inside, the evaporating water would leave behind glittering crystals clinging to the thread. This crystalline sugar eventually made its way back to India from Egypt, earning the name misri—or naabad, as it is fondly called in Kashmir—offered at weddings and auspicious ceremonies. Meanwhile, the Chinese too had mastered the art of crystallizing sugar. When their technique reached India, the product came to be known as cheeni. All derivatives o...