July 22, 2010 I am sure you’re aware of that wearisome adage: ‘Men don’t like to ask for directions.’ Whoever coined that tired phrase never visited India.  Here, directions are sought constantly.  Seek a ride from an auto rickshaw driver and

July 17, 2010 Deeply engaged in a moment, we often forget to take stock of the entire experience, as unique as it might be.  That moment envelopes us in a comfort that makes it seem normal, as if we had always

July 10, 2010 As I disembarked my auto rickshaw, heading home, I did a double-take when I noticed a man standing beneath a tree engaged in a staring contest with a crow.  Or maybe it was a raven. The staring contest,

July 10, 2010 Suddenly today I was approached at one of the schools and asked if I could cut my project in scope by a third and reshuffle the two classes into three, thus reducing the amount of time I see

July 4, 2010 Saturday morning I sat at Ellen Sharma Memorial Matriculation Higher Secondary School waiting for the 6th standard students to arrive for our field trip to Mahabalipuram heritage site.  Students trickled in from about 7:45 am onwards.  A low-key

June 25, 2010 At the end of my third class today, a diminutive girl approached me and said, ‘This is sad.” I could barely hear her amongst the crush of students trying to shake my hand and say good-bye, so I

June 20, 2010 This megapolis, as most of them do, thrives on sound. It is the blood swirling madly and continually through the city’s tangled veins. For me, morning starts with the soft hum of the air conditioner, backed by a few

June 14, 2010 It’s amazing how quickly one can adjust to small changes.  Light switches mounted in little rows with outlets that you regularly turn off; the morning calls of the various street vendors gathering cardboard or delivering coffee and tea;