Empty Nest

BY DR PREETI TALWAR The mother and child relationship is paradoxical and in a sense tragic. It requires intense love on the mother’s side, yet this very love must help the child grow away from the mother and become fully independent. There are two times when parenting is the most difficult. When the baby first arrives at home and when the adult just leaves home. … Continue reading Empty Nest

Locked Down in India

BY RAMA KASHYAP The news of the deadly virus spreading its tentacles all over the globe started trickling in to Chandigarh from January last year, creating fear amongst the people in the country. The reality hit us really hard when the nationwide lockdown was imposed on March 24 bringing life to a standstill. It was an exceptionally tough period marked by panic and anxiety, not just in … Continue reading Locked Down in India

The MD Nalapat Interview

Madhav Das Nalapat (born 1950) aka M D Nalapat is India’s first Professor of Geopolitics and the UNESCO Peace Chair at Manipal University, where he is Vice-Chair of Manipal Advanced Research Group and Director of the Department of Geopolitics & International Relations. A journalist and a former Editor of The Times of India and of Mathrubhumi, he is currently the Editorial Director of ITV Network … Continue reading The MD Nalapat Interview

Love in Shakepeare

BY RUCHIRA GHOSH The modern aficionados of English literature can by no means overlook the Great Bard of Stratford-on-Avon, the globally renowned poet, actor, and playwright. Shakespeare is undoubtedly the cornerstone of the English language, devoid of which the entire edifice would crumble. On 23rd April 1616, precisely 401 years ago, Shakespeare walked into sunset; but the volume of rich, varied works which he left … Continue reading Love in Shakepeare

My English Country Pub

BY DR KAUSTAV BHATTACHARYYA In a recent book on Anglophiles, I came across the essay on English pubs by George Orwell, ‘Moon Under Water’ which was irresistible and charming. George Orwell is the quintessential British writer who covered all things British from the ‘Empire’ to the ‘Pubs’ with felicity and in plain, simple and comprehensible language. The essay is about an imaginary country pub named ‘Moon Under … Continue reading My English Country Pub

Stir Fried Pumpkin

BY RUCHIRA GHOSH Ingredients: Crescent of a medium sized pumpkin Nigella seeds ½ tsp Chopped onion 1 Cooking oil 3 to 4 tbsp Green chillies  2 to 3 Parsley /cilantro chopped I tbsp (0ptional) Method:  Parboil the pumpkin after removing the seeds. Heat oil in a wide pan. When hot, add nigella seeds and onion. Sauté till light brown.  Throw in the pumpkin and mash … Continue reading Stir Fried Pumpkin

Crab Curry

BY RUCHIRA GHOSH Ingredients: Crabs, ( 500 gm) cut into pieces 2 Potatoes, cut into halves  Onion paste 1 teaspoon Garlic  paste 1-1/2 teaspoon Ginger paste 1-1/2 teaspoon Turmeric powder  1 teaspoon Red chili powder 1 tsp Cumin powder  1-1/2 teaspoon Coriander powder Salt , as per taste  1/2 teaspoon Sugar 2 tbsps tomato puree 2 Green chilies 2 Cardamom pods 2 Cloves 1/2 inch Cinnamon stick 1/2 tsp Garam masala powder 3 tbsp Mustard oil Method: Clean the crabs with … Continue reading Crab Curry

Gatte Curry & Dumplings

BY RUCHIRA GHOSH Ingredients: For the dumplings 1 cup besan / gram flour ½ tsp coriander seeds, crushed ¼ tsp carom seeds/bishop’s weed ¼ tsp turmeric ¼ tsp red chilli powder A pinch of  asafoetida ¼ tsp salt 2 tbsp ghee / clarified butter 2 tbsp curd / yogurt Water For the gravy  2 tbsp oil 1 tsp cumin seeds 1 tsp dry fenugreek leaves 1 bay leaf ½ tsp fennel seeds A pinch of asafoetida 1 onion, finely chopped 1 tsp ginger garlic paste ¼ tsp turmeric 1 tsp   red chilli powder ½ tsp coriander powder ¼ tsp cumin powder … Continue reading Gatte Curry & Dumplings

India Loves Agatha

BY RUCHIRA GHOSH She may well have been an icon of colonialism, pertaining to a bygone era, but modern-day aficionados of English literature in my home country India simply cannot do without Agatha Christie. This prolific author whose novels were outsold only by The Bible and Shakespeare (an unbroken record yet) still enjoys global popularity (including erstwhile colonies of Great Britain) decades after she walked … Continue reading India Loves Agatha