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  March This month marched on. Here is my review: Good ·       I observed Shiv Ratri, Holi and Navroz in my way. ·       I started physiotherapy, Mashi does it for me daily and I’ve shown considerable improvement though the pain persists. I have fewer stiff muscles now. My ability to type was decreasing so I began physiotherapy. ·       My boss has given me a challenging project and I’m so busy that I can’t update my blog as often as I used to. ·       I don’t know if this is true or not but it gives me great comfort to know that my cat Bhutu reincarnated into my cat because he loved me when he was a human being. This gives me a new lease of life and adds immense value to it as many people dislike me as I’m not polished and cool, and am neurodivergent. Bad ·       The child from Uganda’s orphanage Hope Care Children’s Home [ @hope_cared_childr...

Confirmed! The reincarnation of the beggar as my ginger cat Bhutu has been testified by my mother. She remembers the beggar too, much better than I do.   We met him sometime between 1980 and 1983. My mother didn’t want to provide him with a coin as my ignorant grandmother had prohibited her from giving money to leprosy patients. She was told by her guruji that they should never be given any money by ‘respectable families’ as when they gave the coin to someone, the receiver immediately contracted leprosy. This godman had also ordered her to run away, go indoors and shut the door if she saw them walking down the street as he claimed to have the medical knowledge that simply passing by spread leprosy immediately. Leprosy is transmitted through prolonged contact. Coughs and sneezes may transmit germs. My grandma had spread the rumour that her nephew got leprosy by boiling an egg in tea water. She believed such nonsense because of babaji. That’s why my family was ruthless to them ...

Bhisma Lochan! So what? I was mocked as Bhisma Lochan Sharma, the fictional singer in Bengali literature who makes the world collapse by his bad singing. I’ll still sing to my heart’s content. One doesn’t have to be a good singer but may do so for fun. I was listening to psychologist Dr.Ramani’s video last night that we must not stop doing something we love doing as some toxic person reprimanded us for it and ordered us to stop. This advice has been life-changing and I come forward to sing publicly online to shed my inhibitions regarding this. That’s why I created a Smule account on 25 March 2022. #smule, #smulesinger, #doctorramani, #smulesing, #smuleindia, #singing, #singingislife, #singingcoversongs, #singingishealing @ doctorramani https://pixabay.com/vectors/birds-cherry-blossoms-spring-lark-6364460/    

  The ice cream song “Kwality! Kwality!” is what the ice cream man would cry as he wheeled his cart through the lanes and by-lanes of Kolkata in the 1980s and 1990s. He was relaxed as he made this beckoning call. He knew that in the late afternoon and early evening, kids and adults of upper-middle-class households would be in an unhurried state of mind to buy ice cream to further unwind. Sometimes we’d ask him to halt by the time he had almost disappeared down the wind of the street. He had a sharp hearing, so he’d return most of the time with a smile on his perspired face asking, “How many kids live here? How many ice creams of which flavours do you want?” My widowed mother could only afford vanilla. “That’s the best and healthiest flavour,” she reasoned. Sometimes the ice cream seller would vanish by the street bend before we could stop him. He was exploring the maze of tiny winding streets of the city till twilight set in and TV sets beamed with the first evening news. ...

  A cat has nine lives [or more] This is a dream I had in the afternoon [23 March 2022]. Me [to my cat Bhutu]: Why are you forgetting me? You’re eating downstairs. You don’t come upstairs to us as often for a meal. You frequently ignore me when I call you. Bhutu: Don’t say that, do you know who I was? Bhutu changed into a beggar with leprosy who walked on four legs. Bhutu: Do you remember me now? Me: No. Bhutu: When you were a little girl, you’d visit India on winter vacations. Once you visited a famous Kali temple holding your mother’s hand, I had lost much of my limbs, crawled on the remnant limbs I had. You were confused and upset on seeing me and pleaded to your mother to give me a coin so that I could eat. Shopkeepers would turn me away even when I had money to buy food as I was despised. This time I got my favourite snack. After eating it I breathed my last cuddling with a stray cat on the cabbage leaf piles on the street. It was such a cushiony bed to end you...

Summer and ice lollies Red, yellow, orange, pink, green… sugary ice in yummy flavourings…. ice lollies made summers more tolerable for us as kids. They brightened our mood. The ice cream seller would wheel his cart and perch it outside the school run by nuns where I had studied in classes 1 and 2. He’d be merrily by the gate before the first school bell rang to end school hours for the tiny tots. He’d roll out his cart in the afternoon after the school buses, vans and cars left, transporting the kids to their homes. Orange ice candy bars were the highest in demand among kids. They made our lips temporarily deep amber. We had an orthodox Bengali teacher who travelled by the same school bus with us. She had a mighty temper and we trembled in her fear. On seeing our ruby lips after having sucked lollies, she’d scold us, “Aren’t you ashamed? How obscene to see schoolgirls in uniforms with red lips! You are purposely drawing the wrong kind of attention.” We’d like to see one anoth...

  Happy Feet! One of my earliest memories is dancing for hours with the accompaniment of my favourite children’s songs. It was a lovely exercise and it cheered my soul. When we relocated to India, our house was too cluttered with furniture to even have walking space. I also needed the beat of the music to do dance moves. The tape recorder was rarely played as we were to get good grades to top the class. My mother and grandparents refused to teach me to dance as it was believed that ‘good women no matter how talented dancers they may be better quit dancing after marriage’. Later a religious leader would self-righteously preach at a place which I have left, “Dancing! Do you know how bad it is? I know a friend who dances daily. I gave him sermons to stop and he is now obeying.” As a teenager, I was dancing at a class party. A cool girl told me, “What are you doing? Are you trying to dance? Dance is to make you look sexy, trendy and cool, just look at yourself!” After others ...

Nowruz 1.      The Persian word ‘Nowruz’ means ‘new day’. 2.     That’s what the Iranian New Year is called. 3.    This ancient celebration that began in Persia is still celebrated in the current age. 4.    Good things are to be initiated on this day. 5.    This festival coincides with Spring Equinox when there’s an equal amount of daylight and darkness. 6.    In the southern hemisphere, it is meanwhile Autumn Equinox. 7.    It usually coincides with 21 March. 8.    It’s the first day of the Persian calendar. 9.    This festival ushers off with spring cleaning. 10.                       People decorate homes, wear brand new clothes and feast on delicious traditional dishes.   Happy Nowruz!   #nowruz, #happynowruz, #iranianfestival, #iraniancul...

Help an African girl child recover Just a boil or pimple can cause immense discomfort on our skin, the largest organ of our body. Nine-year-old Jackie from Uganda’s @hope_cared_childrens_home [Instagram] has a virulent skin disease all over herself. She’s been suffering from this for over two months. The charitable home informed me that she needs to be taken to the hospital for treatment but they lack the funds. Please reach out to them through Instagram if you wish to help. #skindiseaseinafrica, #helpafrica, #africaneedsyou, #wearetheworld, #diseaseinafrica     

  My favourite book covers It’s said that we shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. That’s debatable. Artists will say that the content of the volume was so thought-provoking that they naturally designed a beautiful cover. Authors whose books don’t sell may complain that the cover illustration was lacklustre. A reader who chose the book by its alluring cover but was disappointed by the reading material may be reminded of the adage that all that glitters isn’t gold. The book covers which have created the deepest impact in my heart are Bengali fiction books for children. The paper is eco-friendly, hard and has the most innovative colourful drawings atop. Many English books which come with elite soft book covers aren’t friendly to the environment. #bookcover, #bookcovers, #favouritebookcover, #ecofriendlybookcover, #bengalibooks, #bengalifiction, #bengaliliterature, #softbookcover, #hardbookcover https://pixabay.com/photos/library-books-bookshelves-bookcases-1147815/   ...

  Weaver moon As per Mayan folklore, the moon goddess was silently watching a tiny spider spinning a scintillating web at night. This arthropod is deft at the craft. Its web creates a tapestry of dancing shadows, unique in artistry. The moon had no haughty airs for being a goddess. She softly and silently watched the spider busy tailoring its home. From a minuscule creature that society would term as insignificant when compared to the mighty moon, she modestly learnt its unique handiwork. Soon, the moon started weaving magic on Mother Earth in embroideries of shadows of various shades of black. She couldn’t have done this alone. The trees, houses, hills, mountains and living beings became her spontaneous paintbrushes. That’s how the orb of the night spun magic on earth. Night after night for millions of years, this celestial body has created aesthetic enchantment on our planet. Waxing, waning, crescent, full moon and in the hues of silver, white, black, gold, yellow, orange...

  Oils not well Multiple wars have been fought over natural resources which are limited in number. These should be used optimally and recycled. Earth’s possessions need to be uniformly distributed to living beings on earth. By this, I don’t just mean humans but to animals, birds, aquatic creatures, reptiles, amphibians, insects, worms, and all green and non-green plants. Unequal distribution of God gifted products has caused death and bloodshed. We may avoid war by curbing this. Many wars have been fought over oil. Using it gives rise to environmental pollutants as well. The sun shines on us all on earth. I agree that some receive harsher rays and others softer. Wind also sweeps our planet. Invest in solar and wind power by funding scientists who work on generating energy from these. Create a social and economic system wherein all of us can power our buildings and cottages from this healthy source of energy. This may also do away with wars emitting from grasping oil. #cle...

  Dol Purnima Residents of our building complex filled plastic packets with water, burst these on people and littered the premises. When the sun climbed higher, they put on loud Hindi music. People including those who are sick and senior citizens sleep in the afternoon. I had thought of treating myself to an indoor Holi facial but I still have a mild cold, so skipped it. Last evening, the building’s inhabitants poured cans of ghee and buckets of oil to fuel the fire made of logs that are a few floors high. It polluted the atmosphere and the toxic residues entered our homes. People have asthma and breathing issues. A massive fire may even kill them. The next war may be fought over the water we waste, no kidding. Our planet has three-quarters of water but little of it is in a pure state for drinking, cooking, washing and bathing. I hear climate change deniers suggesting stupid methods to source water like bursting the glaciers and polar ice caps with dynamite. Mashi worship...

  Autumn While spring is decking the northern hemisphere in pretty colours of fruits, vegetables and flowers; autumn leaves of vibrant shades are cloaking the trees of the southern hemisphere now. The world always has a riot of colours swirling through it somewhere. A Fall Song – by Ellen Robena Field “Golden and red trees Nod to the soft breeze, As it whispers, “Winter is near;” And the brown nuts fall At the wind’s loud call, For this is the Fall of the year. Good-by, sweet flowers! Through bright Summer hours You have filled our hearts with cheer We shall miss you so, And yet you must go, For this is the Fall of the year. Now the days grow cold, As the year grows old, And the meadows are brown and sere; Brave robin redbreast Has gone from his nest, For this is the Fall of the year. I do softly pray At the close of day, That the little children, so dear, May as purely grow As the fleecy snow That follows the Fall of the year.”   #autumnc...

  Happy Holi! Wood and straw have been stacked together to make the Holi fire which will be burned this spring evening. Our beautiful full moon will be sad to turn down her face upon Mother Earth tonight to see so many logs burn, which means fewer trees will stand on our soil. These will not even be made into furniture but reduced to ashes in the name of religion within a few hours. Thousands of bonfires send toxic fumes into the air. The old leaves and twigs to fuel this fire rather be recycled and used as compost; that would make me happier. There are many people and places which live with little water. If water is an essential aspect of Holi, let’s try to send them water as summer scorches India. We may encourage rainwater harvesting. Instead of wasting water, maybe we could equally try to share this precious natural resource. Turmeric, besan [chickpea flour], wheat flour, vegetable and fruit paste may be lightly smeared on faces which may act as a facial. That’ll be an ...

  Holi I have been reprimanded as a desodrohi, anti-Hindu, sickular and anti-Indian for not celebrating Holi in a conventional way. I don’t light bonfires as it harms the environment [I’ll explain why in a future post], if I play I use dry organic colours and no water and I don’t participate if I have a cold and cough. For the last few years, I haven’t been playing as I have an allergy to most things and that includes the supposedly god sanctified Holi colours laded with chemicals. I also dislike being harassed by men playing Holi. Don’t get me wrong. I’m celebrating Holi though. I’m gifting the kids of our sanitation worker paints, brushes and a palette. That’s my way of adding colour to someone’s life. Happy Holi! #holi, #addingcolour, #holi2022, #holifestival, #holi, #springfestival, #dol, #vasantutsav, #holikaholika, #holipowder, #holihai, #happyholi, #holidaze, #colours, #painting  

Tess of D'Urbervilles The book that kept me thinking long after turning the last page SPOILER ALERT “ As soon as they had strength they arose, joined hands again, and went on, ” concludes Thomas Hardy’s Tess of D'Urbervilles on a tragic note that rips the heart apart. This classic plays dark and sombre notes in my mind. Though written in the Victorian Age, the notion of a ‘chaste’ woman and the scathing criticism and atrocities a woman who doesn’t fall into its bracket has to undergo persists in 2022. Set in the seemingly idyllic pastures of England, unfolds a bitter tale of how toxic masculinity and a misogynistic society drives a woman to destruction. We also probe into whether the system of meting out justice in courts is fair. Is the death penalty reasonable or barbaric? #tess, #thomashardy, #victoriannovel, #darknovel, #victorianengland, #deathpenalty, #toxicmasculinity, #tragedy, #lastlineofanovel, #tessofd'urbervilles https://pixabay.com/photos/calf-cow-m...

  Books Currently reading: A Historical Dictionary of Indian Food: It’s incredible to read our country’s culinary journey down the ages. Ingredients, herbs, spices, fruits and vegetables have travelled to the Indian soil to make them their home. Gastronomic influences from the modest and grand kitchens of various countries and continents have crossed oceans, seas, rivers, mountains, hills, forests and deserts to blend to make India’s cuisine. India has also lent her recipes, spices, grains, fruits and vegetables worldwide. It’s a small world after all. Flavours and tastes have uniquely combined to create delicious appetizers to desserts. #flavours, #tastes, #appetizers, #desserts, #culinaryhistory, #indianfood, #goodhistory, #indiankitchens, #foodstagram, #spices, #grains, #herbs, #vegetables, #fruits, #gastronomy, #spicesandherbs, #fooddictionary, #foodie, #foodphotography, #foodblogger, #foodpics, #foodstylist, #foodlover, #foodart, #foodlovers, #foodphoto, #foodheaven, #...