Author Archives: udaykumarvarma9834

 My brilliantly hued radianceOf red and purple, smooth and shiningPales into brown, then yellowWeak and spent, I feelThen, one day a cool breeze blows! A little harder than usualI detach from my homeFlutter in the airOnly for a whileThen fall on the ground, and to oblivion! A man used to watchMe from the windowEveryday withContinue reading “Parting of a Leaf”

A Magical Mélange of Assailing aromas and Fanciful FlavoursPart II A Food Tradition Anchored in AgricultureThe rich and varied Thai culinary tradition naturally owes its development and diversification  to Thai way of life that essentially revolved around agriculture.Thailand may have become an export led economy today and the share of Industrial activity may be almost 40% ofContinue reading “Thai Cuisine”

A Magical Melange of Assailing Aromas and Fanciful Flavours “Thai cooking is about the juggling of disparate elements to create a harmonious finish. Like a complex musical chord, it’s got to have a smooth surface but it doesn’t matter what’s happening underneath. Simplicity isn’t the dictum here, at all.”              – Australian chef DavidContinue reading “Thai Cuisine”

(Continued) Part IILoss and Damage- the Reparation ArgumentWill the discussions at COP27 make some progress or is it doomed?  Theprospects seem unpromising.Climate change is becoming increasingly deadly and disruptive. This year’s mega-flood in Pakistan, along with a drought in Somalia that is extreme even by the standards of East Africa, and unprecedented heat waves across India, Europe,Continue reading “Is COP27 Doomed?”

Part I Coming Sunday, November the 6th, over 90 Heads of State, hundreds of diplomats and officials, businesses, and Advocacy Agencies will descend on the Egyptian Resort town of Sharm-el-Sheikh for the 27th annual UN Climate Conference of the Parties (COP) under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Ironically, the Conference host is known for its poorContinue reading “Is COP27 Doomed?”

( I saw a squirrel built a nest on top branches of a maple tree. After some time I saw two young ones peeping out of the nest, and soon venturing out. The nest was there, bare and in open, exposed and vulnerable! Then Fall came. The leaves began changing colour, beautiful colours-orange, red, yellow,Continue reading

As guests gatheredIn weird, scary, funny costumesBringing with them ‘Treat’ for othersNot wanting to be seducedBy the visiting spirits and soulsFrom the yonder other lands! Children and youngOf infinite variety and ageRan and frolicked, making mirthShouting, yelling, even cryingThe Party was warm and aglowWith innocence sublime! A ‘Spiderman’ here, An ‘Ironman’ thereA ‘Bowser’ in theContinue reading “Halloween Night”

Part II The tradition to relate to the dead and departed has been part of most civilizations. Halloween sanctifies it in a far more interesting and engaging manner. Therein lies the reason for its continued popularity.The Celtic end- of- summer festivals were marked by a sense of connect with the deceased friends and relatives, and for thoseContinue reading “HalloweenThe Festival of Superstitions”

How does a country that scoffs at superstition and boasts of a progressive temperament, celebrate a festival that commemorates the dead, the ghosts, the witches, the goblins and the evil spirits? Wearing costumes of the most weird, scary and terrifying varieties that disguise, scare, spook and thrill, Halloween is arguably the most popular festival second in importance andContinue reading “Halloween-A Festival That celebrates Superstition”

Indian Diaspora- Be Part of the Place, not VisitorThere is a sense of elation on Rishi Sunak becoming UK’s first Prime Minister of colour. His ancestors belong to India, though he is from Kenya. There was also a short-lived elation when Kamala Harris became the Vice-President of US. This sense of pride is not illegitimate but weContinue reading