The Literati Affair
BY VIBHA MITRA The Lit Fest has become an important winter activity in Kolkata. The schedules are perused. Shortlists are made according to author choices and venues. Packing a bag with food, water, books to read, and knitting it is a daily outing soaking in the sunshine and erudition. Dalrymple, Shashi Tharoor, Ruskin Bond, Devdutt Patnaik are festival regulars and must attend talks, but often … Continue reading The Literati Affair
A Story About Foreign Freedom Fighters
BY ZAINAB AHMED Since our country’s Independence, we have all heard innumerable stories about the brave Indian freedom fighters, who fought relentlessly against the foreign colonisers to secure our freedom. But what if I told you that among those freedom fighters were also remarkable foreigners from western countries who decided to take a stand for justice and become an integral part of the Indian Freedom … Continue reading A Story About Foreign Freedom Fighters
Chicken Makhni
Ingredients For the marinade: Chicken boneless cubes: ½ kg Yogurt: ½ cup Ginger garlic paste: 1 tsp Tandoori masala: 1 tsp Vinegar or lime juice: 1 tbsp Butter: 1tsp For the gravy: Butter: 3 tbsp Garlic pod: 3, chopped Cumin seeds: 1 tsp Tomato puree: 1 cup Green chilli: 2, chopped Chilli powder: 2 tsp Garam masala: ¼ tsp Cashew paste: ¼ cup Fresh cream: … Continue reading Chicken Makhni
Seeking Success
For those seeking success, chanting “Krishna Krishna MahaayoginBhaktaanaam BhayankaraGovinda PermaanandaSarvey Mey Vash Maanay” Is said to bring that success. The translation asks Krishna to give Supreme Bliss and to bring everything to your favour. Continue reading Seeking Success
The Fighter Pilot and the Politicians
BY STEWART SLATER The U.S Air Force has produced many fine pilots, but only one has regular conferences dedicated to analysing and publicising his thought: John Boyd. Although his combat experience was limited and he never scored a victory, his skills were such that he became known as “40-second Boyd” when an instructor at the Fighter Weapons School based on his standing bet that, starting … Continue reading The Fighter Pilot and the Politicians
The Pandemic Struck World
BY DRISHTI RAKHRA I made a new friend recently. We met through a mutual friend from Delhi and realised that we had much in common, with both of us being students of literature and big fans of poetry. We decided to meet for the first time in late December, in Bangalore’s latest popular watering hole, Bob’s Bar. We sat for hours and spoke to each … Continue reading The Pandemic Struck World
To The Readers
Dear CSM India Readers/Friends, Hope the first month of the year 2022 is treating you well and all staying safe and healthy. The New Year greetings for the past couple of years have assumed such an eerie haunted touch that most of us await with bated breath and crossed fingers praying for a break from the agonizingly routine surges in the Covid cases and tragic … Continue reading To The Readers
Bus Bas
BY VIBHA MITRA I was inching forward at the crossing of Lansdowne Road and Lansdowne Terrace, opposite Ramakrishna Mission Hospital, when boom a bus coming down at breakneck speed crashed into my left side and zoomed ahead regardless. The police on duty and bystanders rushed ahead and stopped the bus to reprimand him. Concerned that it could have been worse and I looked rattled. No … Continue reading Bus Bas
Ajwain Bread Crunch
Ingredients Bread: 5 slices Gram flour: 2 tbsp Cumin powder: half tsp Chilli powder: 1tsp Ajwain/ Carom seeds: half tsp Chopped coriander: 1 tbsp Baking soda: A pinch Salt to taste Method STEP 1 In a bowl, to a cup of warm water, add all the ingredients to prepare the batter of thick consistency. STEP 2 On a frying pan, roast the bread with ghee … Continue reading Ajwain Bread Crunch
Farewell Madame
BY DR KAUSTAV BHATTACHARYYA FAREWELL MADAME MARIA AURORA COUTO: PERSONAL TRIBUTE FROM A YOUNG ADMIRER … An article arrived in my smartphone newsfeed on Ms. Maria Aurora Couto and there was an instant excitement at the prospect of sharing it with her on WhatsApp, which I had done in the past until I read those devastating words ‘passed away’. At which point the excitement turned … Continue reading Farewell Madame
COUNTRY SQUIRE INDIA 