The Colours of December

Walk along with me into my garden of colours
Let me show off Nature's pride
So colourful, so vibrant
Makes me yearn to own them

Then again, I remind myself
To forsake the mindset of worldly possessions
Cos I know deep inside
This bounty is indeed mine
To have my fill, ensure its nurturing
To one day soon
Allow another, the same joy
The same magical awe

Till then, I shall safegaurd this treasure zealously
Have my fill and more
Watch the birds play hide and seek
Enjoy my private conversations
With the Universe

For my heart is full of
Song and cheer
Nature does know, just like a Mother
To heal and give unconditionally

Come, walk with me
In my garden of colours.

I need a holiday!

We all work hard. Weekends are more like workends. We sleep with our smartphones. And we think vacations are for wimps. So we don’t take them. Or if we do take a break its because folks nag nag nag, so, we take work along with us.

But my own learnings have impressed on me that a break, a holiday, a vacation not only makes me feel healthier and happier, equally makes folks - family feel the same. So why are we busting our backsides without a well deserved break? 

Here I feel the need to add a qualifier- a break by definition means- time out. Time to unwind, pace down, go slow, relax. It aint about the same frenzied life like at work- now on a vacation too!  

Allow those mellow, good vibes, to envelope you, let that deep breath inhale all the worthy oxygen to help create a happiness pandemic. This collective restoration in itself is healing and rejuvenating. 

Most cold countries, see a sharp decline in anti-depressant prescriptions during their summers. Telling isnt it? Vacation time must mean leave work completely aside. Do the things you like and enjoy. Get outside, meet friends, spend time with loved ones, discover places and new people, spend time with aging parents, have that aromatic brew you so love with a friend you haven't met in eons, chase away the blues, just be.

Resting, gathering lost energies back, enhances emotional mood and productivity once back in the hum drum of daily life. Patience levels are higher, tolerance quotient deeper. Wonder why corporates don't encourage this - given how positively it impacts work. They say Europeans, with their 20 and 30 days of paid vacation every year, live longer and spend less on health care than Americans. 

Get awed by the gigantic elephants in the wild, the sleeping lions in the shade, the dew drop on a leaf, the singing and dancing around the campfire, the friendly jostle over a drink, the beautiful sunrise in a kayak...without the niggle of the blinking light on the BlackBerry, or the dread of work pile up once you are back

This cannot be too much to expect for ourselves surely? Especially if you do understand the weight of *health is wealth* - so go on, take frequent breaks, get transported, and sort of awed by nature or whatever it is that you love to do over and over again.

Raksha Bandhan - the bond of love

Raksha Bandhan is a celebration of the love and trust between brother and sister. When the sister ties rakhi on the right wrist of her brother she prays for her brothers safety and prosperity at all times and in return the brother vows to protect his sister at all times.

I was told two stories by two ppl today (on Raksha Bandhan day). Both - felt right


‎Story 1

Draupadi once tore a strip of silk from her sari and tied it to Lord Krishna's bleeding wrist, he was touched by her gesture and declared Draupadi as his sister.

Years later Lord Krishna helped Draupadi in protecting her honour. Thus, a small strip of silk became that raakhi which Hindus started following as Raksha Bandhan.

Its a brothers vow *to respect & protect his sister/s*


Story 2

The essence and spirit of Rakshabandhan - or the secret if you will, is that when a sister ties the thread on her brother’s wrist, it is a gesture of her saying to him “I will protect you at all times”. So it is the sisters who pray and wish for the protection and well-being of their brothers. This is what Rakshabandhan truly means. 

A woman is often considered as weak and fragile, how can she hence, protect a man and give him moral strength and support?

Women possess a very unique power within themselves – the Sankalpa-Shakti (the power of will and determination) - it is this will power and inner strength that helped Savitri get her husband Satyavan back from Lord of Death.

Inner strength implies -the power of intellect and also the strength of will and emotions. A woman possesses the unique and beautiful combination of both these. Hence some say, that on the day of Raksha Bandhan, it is the ladies who take a vow to protect the men (by tying a sacred thread on the wrist of the brother).

Each of them stories, resonates. Afterall it is about smiles, laughter, silliness, spats, arguments, jokes, pokes, tears, hugs... between a brother and a sister ...  *the* bond of love

Deepavali. Dispels darkness.

Derived from the Sanskrit word Deepavali  this translates to “row of lights,” that honours the triumph of good over evil, light over dark, and knowledge over ignorance. Lamps are lit on this day not just to decorate homes, but also to communicate a profound truth about life -- when the darkness within is dispelled through the light of wisdom; the good in us wins over the evil.

Deepavali, in essence, is celebrated to kindle the light of wisdom in every heart, the light of life in every home, and bring a smile on every face. Life has many facets and stages to it. It is important that we throw light on all of them, for if one aspect of our life is in darkness, we cannot express life in its totality. The rows of lamps lit on Diwali remind us that every aspect of life needs our attention i.e. “lighting good qualities”.


Some of us have forbearance, some have love, strength, generosity; others have the ability to unite people. When all these qualities are lit, awakened, that is Deepavali. That’s why it is said - don't be satisfied with lighting one lamp; light a thousand! If you have the value of service in you, don't be satisfied only with that. Light the lamp of wisdom in yourself and acquire knowledge. Awaken all the facets of your being.

Another profound symbolism of Deepavali is in lighting firecrackers symbolizes “Letting go”. In life, we often become like a firecracker, waiting to explode with our pent-up emotions, frustration and anger. When emotions are kept suppressed, cravings and aversions are bound to reach a point where they explode. Bursting crackers is a psychological exercise from ancient times to release bottled-up emotions. 

When you see an explosion outside, you feel similar sensations within as well. Along with the explosion, there is a lot of light as well. When you let go of these suppressed emotions, the light of knowledge absolutely dawns.

Deepavali also means “to be in the present” -- dropping the regrets of the past, the worries of the future, and living in the moment. The sweets and exchange of gifts symbolizes forgetting the bickering and negativities of the past, and renewal of friendship for the times to come. A true celebration means dissolving all differences. Happiness and wisdom have to spread in society, and that can happen when all come together and celebrate. Even if one member of the family is shrouded in darkness, you cannot be happy. You need to kindle wisdom in every member of your family. Extend it to every member of society, every person on the planet.

No Deepavali celebration is complete without the “spirit of service”. Whatever we own today, should be shared with others, for it is in giving that we receive. That is true celebration.

Deepavali must be about every moment and every day.

Light the lamp of love in your heart; the lamp of abundance in your home; the lamp of compassion to serve others; the lamp of Knowledge to dispel the darkness of ignorance and the lamp of gratitude for the abundance that we are blessed and bestowed with.

Save Trees. Trees Save. Bangalore.

I THINK that I shall never see

A poem lovely as a tree.

A tree whose hungry mouth is pressed

Against the sweet earth's flowing breast;

A tree that looks at God all day,

And lifts her leafy arms to pray;

A tree that may in summer wear

A nest of robins in her hair;

Upon whose bosom snow has lain;

Who intimately lives with rain.

Poems are made by fools like me,

But only God can make a tree. ~Joyce Kilmer. 1886–1918

Beneath the horse's hooves: Ferrari

When you view Germany or China or even Singapore, you do with respect? Perhaps tinged with a bit of fear and awe? These nations are not to be taken lightly. Yet when foreigners seek India, come to India- they walk all over us.

Does your blood not curdle? Are we nationalistic and proud enough as a nation? When someone insults India, why don't most Indians hurt and want to lash out? Any insult to our nation cannot be casual & natural no-more!

Being an ardent Formula 1 fan and at that an ardent Ferrari fan it pains me to see Sports making overtures so obvious, into Politics.

Where or why did Ferrari antagonize its fans in India? A couple of months ago 2 Italian navy sailors killed 2 unarmed Indian fishermen in Indian waters (the Italians dispute the jurisdiction). India arrested and charged these 2 marines. The Italian government wants the Indian government to let the Marines free. Perhaps because they know the Italian connection that exists in the ruling party in the Indian govt? The arrogance and the racist undertones in Italy's stance are obvious to me and many others. The subtext rings loud and clear "Our marines killed 2 of your guys by mistake but what's the big deal. We'll pay a couple of crores, the poor fishermen don’t matter either way” seems to be the disregard for India

My question is, do you think, that if the fishermen were Italians, India would have got away with such a sub text? Or if it had been Americans killed off the coast of America, the Italians would dare be this brazenly arrogant? Does Ferrari foolishly believe that Indians will hear and believe Ferrari, more than their own common sense?

The Formula 1 Indian Grand Prix is this weekend. Ferrari has announced it will carry an Italian Navy flag specifically in support of their 2 marines. It's not like Ferrari has been carrying the flag throughout the season. They're doing this only in India. They're not even using the pretext of just supporting the Italian navy in general. Their statements specifically mention support for the murderers. This is akin to a British team carrying the flag of General Dyer's regiment only in India to express solidarity with his actions in Jalianwala Bagh! 

Beneath the horse's hooves, lies a Ferrari with misplaced intentions  Or maybe not. Ferrari is way out of line in supporting their marines who are murderers, whose crime, I repeat, is not even in doubt. Ferrari is espousing the wrong cause and has embroiled itself in unwanted controversy by declaring support to the accused Italian marines. 

As an Indian, I find Ferrari's stance stupid, misplaced and irresponsible. If Ferrari was genuinely concerned for the truth, it would know how insensitive its support for their Marines who were target practising on our unarmed fishermen, is! What a farce being played out this weekend

India needs nationalism more than any lip service today. This is not a regular incidence to be casual about.. I am a huge supporter and fan of Scuderia Ferrari, BUT, I am a bigger patriot of my country! No way should the marines flag be branded on the car. It’s very wrong. Ferrari’s jingoism is misplaced.

Sweet sweet tooth

A creamy dreamy crunchy sweet rainy afternoon with a Florentine and my fave brew coffee. Was so inspiring that I am writing about it! Sometimes I wish had a job of being a judge for chocolate…, what a dream job that would be. Sigh.

Florentines are a delicious mixture of toasted nuts and candied fruit that are coated with a sweet sticky mixture of honey and sugar and baked until golden brown and bubbly. The crowning touch is a layer of melted chocolate. These palm-sized rounds of brittle are covered in thinly sliced almonds.

When you hear the name 'Florentine', you instantly think it must be from Florence Italy. Unfortunately, I don’t have the vaguest clue where is its origin from. I know its very popular in Europe and comes in many forms.

My introduction to Florentine was by my brother who absolutely dotes on these, and I think he discovered this sweet delight in London.

One form of a Florentine consists of a layer of pre baked pastry, topped with the nut and candied fruit mixture, and finished with melted chocolate. Another form of Florentine is a cookie, thin caramelized disc of candied fruit and nuts also with a layer of chocolate on one side. And then there is the Florentine La Dolce Vita - a thick layer of caramelized fruit and nuts that is baked in a cake pan and finished with a layer of melted chocolate. Some people here call it “chikki” (??!!)….

Taste one if you haven’t, and then tell me, how awesome was it really…have it with a latte or a black coffee, the combine is delicious.

A heads up to all coffee lovers who read this post: Italians eat very well, and quite rightly take great pride in their cuisine. Possibly one of the most offensive ways of ending a meal is by asking for a cappuccino ( especially when with the Italiano’s). Coffee to them is really a snack –  a large cup of warm milk, and very filling. Ending your meal with a cappuccino (apart from constituting a violent assault on your digestive system!) implies that you have not eaten well or sufficiently. If you cannot manage an espresso then try learning this phrase: “Un caffè americano con tantissima acqua calda, e un po’ di latte freddo a parte.”  (An espresso coffee with lots of hot water, and some cold milk on the side)!!! Any Italian waiter worth his salt will call this “dishwater” once out of your hearing...or perhaps even well within your hearing!  But you will get something approaching an Anglo-Saxon watery coffee that you can drink, and that doesn’t (drastically) upset the cook or the hosts! J