What’s up, folks? Or should I say WhatsApp? I can’t imagine how we lived our lives without this ubiquitous software App on a smartphone. I looked at WhatsApp like what we Indians used to call SMS, to share short messages that didn’t really require immediate attention (where one should call!) Read more…
December 26th 2024, was the 25th death anniversary of my dear Amma. This Boxing Day has become doubly sorrowful with the passing of India’s jewel, Dr. Manmohan Singh ji. I was already reminiscing about the most huggable person in my life, my Amma, when I woke up to read about Read more…
Ukraine doesn’t cease to amaze me. It’s a very young democracy, having broken away from the Soviet Union in 1991 along with the other 14 that comprised the erstwhile Soviet bloc. They decided to have their own Constitution and became a parliamentary republic soon after. This Slavic nation with a Read more…
Most Ukrainians are Orthodox Christian of various denominations with a small section of Islamic Tatars and Greek Catholics. Recently, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church was recognized as an independent patriarchy, breaking away from Moscow finally. Eastern Europe and Ukraine celebrated Easter on April 28th a week after Roman Catholics, Protestants and Read more…
One thing common between India and Ukraine, is corruption. Any other similarities end there. In India corruption is clearly evident in our poor road systems, poor public offices and their deliveries, poorly maintained hospitals, schools, ports and also anything that the Government has a duty to deliver. Ukraine is plagued Read more…
Every country has its national and historical heroes. But how many such celebrated heroes are poets? Taras Shevchenko, who has written Ukraine’s national song was a writer, painter and thinker. His sculpture and portraits are found all over the country. The Taras Shevchenko University in Kyiv is popular and lots Read more…
Ukraine doesn’t much care for tourism or tourists. At least not till couple of years ago. But all their cities are so tourist friendly, despite the occasional language handicap. They have introduced visa on arrival this year for several countries, including India. It costs USD 100 for a fortnight stay, Read more…
When I mention Ukraine to friends in India, the usual reaction is, ‘Oh, Uuuu.Kay’? Or ‘Ah, in Russia, no’? To be frank I didn’t make much difference between Russia and Ukraine when it first came home to me! Whether it was Oleksii or Olesky, mattered little till it was pointed Read more…
Getting a traditional book contract is seen as a prize for great writing and a sure shot at becoming a household name. And for some cases it is true. But when you see the capacity for traditional publishing versus the number of writers having something to say, there is a Read more…
Fart on Demand I know this autobiography is a story about myself. But there is nothing insightful that you don’t already know about me at present. Or as Shri. Nag says, ‘what he reads in the morning he forgets in the afternoon.!’ So I’m going to divert your attention to Read more…