It is true that a person’s truest worth is inner. Many younger people and their families today have no idea of the panic and fear that smallpox brings with it.
For some, the very survival of the episode is a miracle.
My new essay on smallpox, titled: A face is something that sticks in mind: Rethinking Smallpox has been accepted into Amazon Shorts program.
My editor Daniel noted, "this is a fantastic, lyrical, and memorable piece".
I think you will like the piece too. I will keep this blog posted when the piece is live on Amazon Shorts.
Monday, August 20, 2007
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Independence
This Independence Day, I love to do three things:
1) Crossword Puzzle
I like to sit in a corner and do crossword puzzles….I put up my glasses with long gold-chain hanging on its edges. I like to spread out my millions of dictionaries and translation books. These books are more than the number of boxes in the crossword puzzles. When I look back from that corner, I see a reflection in a mirror…I see a sea of books and a glow on top of my head…. O Boy, I am thinking.
2) Short Walk
I dream to take a strangest walk ever. Walk slowly…take small steps…look at everyone who pass…smile lightly at them…smile widely at those who don’t pass by…buy a pizza…and make one hungry person eat fully…comeback home…and laugh loudly. This is my day.
3) Pest Control
My house in Bangalore is in a very bad condition. Cleaning is required for probably 15 days. Yes…the requirements: do it non-stop…do acid wash, kill all mosquitoes, kill few rats…run behind and catch few rats. One more thing…make sure you don’t trample the black ants. These ants are sadhu-type…always non-violent.
Happy Indian Independence 60th Anniversary.
1) Crossword Puzzle
I like to sit in a corner and do crossword puzzles….I put up my glasses with long gold-chain hanging on its edges. I like to spread out my millions of dictionaries and translation books. These books are more than the number of boxes in the crossword puzzles. When I look back from that corner, I see a reflection in a mirror…I see a sea of books and a glow on top of my head…. O Boy, I am thinking.
2) Short Walk
I dream to take a strangest walk ever. Walk slowly…take small steps…look at everyone who pass…smile lightly at them…smile widely at those who don’t pass by…buy a pizza…and make one hungry person eat fully…comeback home…and laugh loudly. This is my day.
3) Pest Control
My house in Bangalore is in a very bad condition. Cleaning is required for probably 15 days. Yes…the requirements: do it non-stop…do acid wash, kill all mosquitoes, kill few rats…run behind and catch few rats. One more thing…make sure you don’t trample the black ants. These ants are sadhu-type…always non-violent.
Happy Indian Independence 60th Anniversary.
Saturday, August 4, 2007
Revelation
Everything I left behind three and half years ago, caught up with me during this trip to India. From packed suitcases to old pants. From old acquaintances to strangers. I retrieved my memories faster than the ticks of the clock. Boy, I was home.
The India trip has been a real revelation. Age has caught up with most of the near and dears. People were morphed into submission. People with good jobs turned into spendthrifts and deeper into credit card debts. People without any jobs moved into bigger role jobs. For some, times have just got much better. Luck smiled heavily on them.
Right in front of my eyes is transforming of Bangalore (almost I could feel it). The roads swelled in cars, buses and dust. Many villagers living on the outskirts became overnight millionaires. The name-tag still belonged to them, but they now sport swanky, luxurious cars. Almost everyday I felt humbled.
There was a deep awe when we visited the Sahayadri mountain ranges for a trip to Triambakeswar. When our taxi raced through the roads shadowed by towering mountain ranges, I retrieved my camera and clicked to capture the pure beauty. Nature was pure genius here.
My initial plan was to spend more time with relatives, especially my parents and in-laws. The schedule was directed to Shirdi and Shani Singanapur. New paths just opened for us, and our taxi driver, like a good friend, showed us new places we never dreamed to see. Time moved up, just as I wound up a cool, four-week vacation.
The most difficult part of the trip was taking the return flight to US. My mind kept turning back. I found it difficult to answer a simple question: “Why do I have to do this? Why am I leaving everyone here? Why am I going back to Seattle?” I had no answers. My planned schedule moved me into the flights and off the flight. I moved like a robot as my mind melted in silence.
The India trip has been a real revelation. Age has caught up with most of the near and dears. People were morphed into submission. People with good jobs turned into spendthrifts and deeper into credit card debts. People without any jobs moved into bigger role jobs. For some, times have just got much better. Luck smiled heavily on them.
Right in front of my eyes is transforming of Bangalore (almost I could feel it). The roads swelled in cars, buses and dust. Many villagers living on the outskirts became overnight millionaires. The name-tag still belonged to them, but they now sport swanky, luxurious cars. Almost everyday I felt humbled.
There was a deep awe when we visited the Sahayadri mountain ranges for a trip to Triambakeswar. When our taxi raced through the roads shadowed by towering mountain ranges, I retrieved my camera and clicked to capture the pure beauty. Nature was pure genius here.
My initial plan was to spend more time with relatives, especially my parents and in-laws. The schedule was directed to Shirdi and Shani Singanapur. New paths just opened for us, and our taxi driver, like a good friend, showed us new places we never dreamed to see. Time moved up, just as I wound up a cool, four-week vacation.
The most difficult part of the trip was taking the return flight to US. My mind kept turning back. I found it difficult to answer a simple question: “Why do I have to do this? Why am I leaving everyone here? Why am I going back to Seattle?” I had no answers. My planned schedule moved me into the flights and off the flight. I moved like a robot as my mind melted in silence.
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