Author Archives: udaykumarvarma9834

(Perceived by many as the Paradise on earth by variety of men and women and for diverse reasons, Grand Cayman Island, the biggest of the three islands that comprise this island group, offers an exceptional and unusual feast to senses. Blessed by a climate that remains salubrious and pleasant throughout the year, its beaches andContinue reading “Standing on Seven Mile Beach”

As the red orange disc of molten gold begins its daily descent behind the endless expanse of turquoise sea, the sky above and the water below reflect the rapidly changing hues and hurriedly darkening brilliance of the setting sun. It is at this time that the ambience in the Library Bar of Kimpton Seafire* comesContinue reading “A Library by the Sea”

The ‘Personality’ Dog that endeared itself to Royals King Henry III of England was so fond of this dog that he carried it wherever he went in a special basket that he hung from his neck. He did not know that he was setting a trend that millions will follow one day. And never beforeContinue reading “Bichon Frisé”

‘Affenpinscher’ Affenpinschers are what they call a Napoleon among dogs, a classic “big dog in a small body. Curious, adventurous, stubborn, fun-loving, playful and active are some of the adjectives that define Affenpinscher, sometimes also called the ‘Monkey Terrier’. Barely a foot tall at the withers, their height ranging between 9 and 12 inches;  heaviestContinue reading “A Black Bundle of Joy”

  Tradition, Opportunities, Controversies  What was the actual fare at the inaugural feast in 1621 is a matter of reconstructed record and conjecture but its religious overtones were never in doubt, indelibly imprinted as they were on the proceedings. Today, in most American households, the Thanksgiving celebration has lost much of its original religious significance; instead,Continue reading “Thanksgiving Day-Part III”

The First Feast The travellers on Mayflower were not all pilgrims.Of the 102 passengers on the Mayflower, there were 50 men, 19 women and 33 young adults and children. Just 41 were true Pilgrims, religious separatists seeking freedom from the Church of England. The others were considered common folk and included merchants, craftsmen, indentured servants and orphanedContinue reading “Thanksgiving Day-Part II”

The year was 1620 and the month September. 86 years ago, in 1534, King Henry VIII sought a divorce from Catherine of Aragon; and Pope will not grant it. In a daring and deft move, he split the Roman Catholic Church and created a separate Church of England wresting the Supreme Divine authority from theContinue reading “Thanksgiving DayPart IThe Prelude”

COP27 at Sharml-El-Sheikh concluded in the wee hours of 20th November, two days behind schedule. The outcome is predictably vague, inconclusive, and the agreement, a familiar exercise in face saving.The most significant achievement at COP27 is the decision to establish and operationalise a ‘loss and damage’ fund, with a commitment to set up a financial supportContinue reading “Sharm-El-Sheikh and After”

One of the sights that unfailingly arrests the attention of a visitor to New York City, is the incredible variety of dogs that accompany their masters or mistresses. Large number of them don’t walk with them, instead they ride on them. Finding a child in a woman’s lap may be a rare sight here but not a pup inContinue reading “The Human’s Best Friend”

Broadcasters’ puzzled response to MIB’s latest mandate is eminently predictable. Who is government to dictate what should be the content? And who will define National Importance?Although MIB is going to hold discussions on this issue with stakeholders, and then issue detailed guidelines, the voices of resentment and dissent are not likely to be muted even as theContinue reading “Content of National Importance-MIB’s New Mandate”