The word is Dee!

Conversations brewing and I hear someone quoting a word I had coined in the literary world, terming our locality as Kammanahatton. True to its glocal title, this area seems to be burgeoning every day and sometimes totally unrecognizable. From the days of pot hole ridden roads, bare development, this area has seen exponential growth with the mushrooming of new joints for food, drinks, entertainment and social conversations. It’s almost synonymous with Bangalore, the pub culture is raging and here is one more that is making some noise. While I review selectively, this one is special, as I have grown to be a patron of this place that has seen changing hands, yet has retained its culinary perfection and charm. The owners thrive on warmth, personal service while they keep their research updated to ensure they have the best on offer. This is Firehouse Bar & Kitchen, where conversations peak while your plate of soulful food is served with some...

I stood there looking at him. He wasn’t aware I was there. The sounds of the ICU, the sight of a ventilator made my heart sink as memories came back. In a sorry moment I knew how he felt. The doctors were struggling to keep that monitor ticking. They tried but without much hope. He was calm but tired. He had blessed us with his presence for 80 plus years and now it was time to go to a better place. The family had gathered.. everyone assuring each other with theories of peaceful death and no suffering. As I paced, my eyes glanced my 2 nephews and 1 niece who waited there. They were waiting to say goodbye to their grandfather – their loving thathu. One was old enough to understand and reason, other was too young to comprehend. But the 7 year old gripped my heart as I saw him stand by the window in silence. His mother stood by him, perhaps not sure what were the right words. I was told he was in silence through the day. He is our bundle of sweet energy who has been my best guest too...

One nation. One vision. One identity. No nation is perfect. It needs to be made perfect. - MK Gandhi Its one day for independence and other to mark a document. Well, the way I see this, it’s all year round marking India’s democracy and what we must actually stand for – integrity, respect, safety, progress, value system, culture, thought leaders and more. Generations have seen different variations of India shining and with every passing year we hope for a better tomorrow. While progress has been remarkable, mindsets are yet to be impacted. The never ending debate over safety continues, but still the pride with which we stand for the national anthem gleaming at the tri colors of our national flag is remarkable. There is simplicity yet there is advancement. There is modern yet there is tradition. There are western influences yet there is culture. There are complaints, yet there is pride. There is interest, yet there is initiative. We are made for India, so let’s make more i...