sangli bhadang

its impossible to make a trip to sangli, in western maharashtra without being asked to get back some bhadang - a snack made from humble puffed rice and spiced up with peanuts, dry coconut shavings and sometimes some garlic and curry leaves. our family favourite is this one - gadkari bhadang - its sweet, hot and all kinds of tasty. can be had just as is or with chopped onions and coriander.

slow food...

just because you are a driver is no reason to eat on the go...remove chappals, open dicky, unpack tiffin, fold legs, eat, drink, pack, close, wear chappals. may all our meals be slow, enjoyable and mindful.

learnings

and for the bigger interruptions in the path of of life, you just have to wait and let them pass.

the giver

and like the tree

she lived.
giving comfort,

shade, clean air,

fruit, a home.

she gave to all,
to rich, to poor -

she gave,

to good, to bad

unreservedly,

wholeheartedly.

she lived,

happily, giving quietly,

she died.

giving quietly.

good enough!

aaji, i once asked my granny,
do you think this dress is too good (expensive)?

"what is more valuable than ourselves?
nothing material is too good."

words of wisdom from my grandmom.
how i wish i could talk to her today.

instead of hiding my real self like
a thief stealing from life,
i'd walk proud and strong,
not being ashamed to be me.

i'd always be good enough.

ajanta caves

crafted with love and care and patience. the stone pillow too has been softened with faith to form a soft cushion for the buddha's sleeping head. the ajanta caves were a joy to behold. to think they were forgotten for centuries together before being discovered...the caves are surprisingly well maintained, with eco-friendly buses leading upto them from the car park below.

usha uthup - an original

had usha uthup, one of india's leading singers asked for advice from a pr person before launching on her singing career, no doubt she'd have been advised to dress the part. slim down, wear western clothes...here she is 40 years later. herself. in sarees, flowers in her hair, bangles on her wrists, rocking it like no one else.

truly an inspiring original!