I recently applied for a Permanent Account Number (PAN) card. A mere six days later, my PAN had been issued and was ready to go. Fast by any standards. Issued by the Indian government, the PAN’s main purpose is to identify each tax payer uniquely. The card is also accepted…
In my erstwhile home for a short sojourn, I enjoyed getting together with old friends. Recently, one mentioned to another how the previous time they had met was the last time I had visited. It set me thinking. The temporariness of a short visit often helps to make and concentrate…
DISCLAIMER: I am no critic and, most definitely, not an expert. Having dabbled in Carnatic music years ago, learning from good teachers, and having listened to copious concert recordings of stalwarts right from childhood- and a number of live concerts to date, has provided enough fodder to ruminate on the complexities…
The number has increased but do all sabhas offer quality experience? It is human nature to evaluate things, often experiences too. Chennai is gearing for yet another Season of Music and Dance. There is no dearth of variety with programmes happening at venues across the city. Now the quality of…
Recently, I spent good, quality time with friends of old whom I have been in touch with constantly, though we have not physically met in a while, geographically separated as we are. As usually happens on such occasions, we reminisced – how we were then, barely into adulthood, and how…
I was recently on a panel titled ‘Raise your Game’ that addressed the current batch of 12th Std students of PSBB KK Nagar and Nungambakkam schools on the importance, and the process, of preparing for the 12th Std board exams. My co-panelists were Captain Raghavan, currently in charge of Business…
I was first addressed as mami by an elderly waiter at a restaurant in Mahabalipuram, two days after my marriage. I remember looking behind and around myself then, to find who the addressee was! Until I realised it was I. 🙂 I was tickled pink at my new promotion! It made my…
“The waning days of our lives are given over to treatments that addle our brains and sap our bodies for a sliver’s chance of benefit” – Atul Gawande. How true. It is sad that most are not able to accept that leaving things as they are, sometimes, is the best…
Live in the present is one oft-heard adage while prepare for a rainy day is yet another. Living in the past, however, is never recommended – in fact, it is mostly dissuaded. Events leading up from last month to today, however, have reinforced in me the fact that many of…
‘Housewife’ is a dirty word. God forbid you utter it to the inevitable “What do you do?” and one either gets a bemused look or an embarrassed shrug of the shoulders accompanied by a turning away to greener, more employed pastures. This happens all the time. A few years ago,…