GO PLACIDLY amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexati...

If you are by the Dal Lake in Srinagar, it is worth taking a shikhara ride at Nehru Park. Have them take you to Gulshan Books - for a read and a snack. The Dal Lake, Srinagar - Aug '21 We took an afternoon out at the Lake. In 7-minute ride took us to where the book store operates. The folks seem to have restored an old building- they r...

Dear Dua and Mustaffa, I watched your story today. I learnt about your survival. I feel inspired to hear about your bravery and how you have managed to live over the last five years. I am sorry you are a refugee and how you are having to leave for another place. I wish that someday you can call a place your home. I am 33 years older th...

Art: Sehar Iqbal Art: Sahir Omar, 5- relief! Art: Sajid Omar, 8 The Master himself... I'm not sure what's happening here, or whose getting into what. Great time-off exercises that have kept us going through the year.

On some of my (and our worst days) when it's been indoor fatigue/or WFH trauma or just simple laziness, some of the quick things we've been able to put together have included combinations... that turned out... quite nice in the end! I cut chunks of smoked cheeses. Threw in some grapes and apricots. And crackers. Turned out to be a nice...

I've loved lobster and prawn meals for decades now. I particularly enjoy them juicy- citrus, garlic; gravy-like - butter-garlic, that's fine. This one (above) I devoured at the Sheraton in New Delhi has been the best so far, from all my travels. But my disappointment dates back to as recently as a few weeks ago when I tried the Lobster...

The new always-on display by Parsons Design New York & OnePlus is literally handy, extremely useful! Each time I unlock, it leaves a groove, and in about 24 hours I have a story about my digital day. The darker the grooves, the more time I've spent on the phone. Now it's been helpful because I understand better the type of the things I...

Here are some coke studio tracks I enjoy singing along... keeping up... with! Dana pe Dana (17) Daanah Pah Daanah | Akhtar Chanal Zahri & Komal Rizvi | Season 4 | Coke Studio Pakistan - YouTube Shikwa & Jawab e Shikwa (17) Coke Studio Season 11| Shikwa/Jawab-e-Shikwa| Natasha Baig, Fareed Ayaz & Abu Muhammad Qawwal - YouTube Balaghal u...

Translated by Charles Hallisey I think it is important not to be lost in the reasons of the three important things, or the four noble truths, or seven times of such-and-such, or nine bows. It is important to recognise that material renunciation does not mechanically, or automatically, ascertain silence of the mind. That is a different ...

My watchful friend Witnesses my decay over the years. I was a blooming palace once - My limbs would echo of beautiful voices, laughter, and commanding steps By no less than kings and their young brides. I then started witnessing deaths: One by one and until the Mahatman died. Then all fell silent. My rooms are empty of life, record kee...

I was introduced to Rumi in Sydney in 2003. I picked a book from a store on George St. - and life was never the same again. A man sets his foot in the stream. That moment will never return- as the stream will never be the same, nor will the man! Rumi's works have been an inspiration to me - personally contributing to how I continue to ...

At Mystic Masala, Chef Ganesh and his colleagues recommend the Maharashtrian Green Chilly Chutney, thhecha. Chef sauted some prawns in thhecha and had me squeeze lemon over it, to taste. Dazzled the senses. Real experience of some strong Maharashtra chilies, fresh prawns and a great dish served hot. We both agreed that cold prawns go a...

It is absolutely clear: regional food to be had and cherished in it's own region. Now the Como Chefs (and at-large Italian Chefs, and at-larger World Chefs) would prefer to make their own pasta on the same morning that they're cooking it. And then it is bound to taste different. My penne with sun dried tomatoes, chilies, dash of chicke...

I've always been fond of messy desks. Yes, I do think they are a reflection of a busy mind. A good busy mind. I'd go further than the cliché. The artist's desk is quite full with colours, pictures, shade cards, brushes, and possibilities of what could be. At the Art Museum, she with her earphones plugged in, was quite immersed in work....

Incident He came back and shot. He shot him. When he came back, he shot, and he fell, stumbling, past the shadow wood, down, shot, dying, dead, to full halt. At the bottom, bleeding, shot dead. He died then, there after the fall, the speeding bullet, tore his face and blood sprayed fine over the killer and the grey light. Pictures of t...

The quest for life begins with the thirst for milk And ends with the thirst for life... In between there are people, books, theories and tools, There are leaders, saints, capitals, the poor and the fools. The distance is largely covered in the blink of eye, And bridge we all along plan for we actually never cross. Some marry. Some don'...

Honoured to have been hosted by M&Y in Gif-sur-Yvette, here are some glimpses of my walks there...

I enjoy walking in new cities. I prefer not to pick the prominent locations. Instead, walk randomly, take any road, and observe. It's redeeming in many ways... One views new life. Interacts, without words, with this particular city. Feels and breathes in some newness. Clears the mind. And, one draws no conclusion. Today's walk is in Ko...

The conversation about flavours with Exec Chef Sachin at the Blue Diamond Hotel was scintillating. We spoke about travels, I was telling him about Kashmir and he was sharing his experiences of flavours from the South. Food away from it's original town & culture of creation is bound to taste different. I have never relished Kashmiri foo...

I've developed a theory: if you can reach a galouti kebab to your mouth with a fork, without breaking it, then it's not the real one. Last evening my tooth was giving me a little trouble and I thanked an old chef for creating these kebabs for the King who had tooth troubles (rather, is referred to as a 'toothless king'). And of course,...

I am in Pune after many years. Unable to go out I have the vada paw served right here in the room. With one caveat: the green chilies of Maharashtra are not to be taken lightly! Executive Chef Sachin's garage throws out incredible flavours! First, the vada paw took me back to some memories of college days - spent in Mumbai and Pune. Th...

The quest for life begins with the thirst for milk And ends with the thirst for death. In between there are people, books, theories and tools, There are leaders, saints, capitals, the poor and the fools. The distance is largely covered in the blink of eye, And bridge we all along plan for we actually never cross. Some marry. Some don't...

• to hide the faults of man and the rest of creation- not only from others but even from themselves • to have compassion & forgiveness for even the worst of sins • love and gentleness • truthfulness, honesty, sincerity, devotion, generosity • justice, imposing the 'rights' and preventing the 'wrongs' • humility, staying awake-praying •...

They want to be read. They want their secrets found out. They have a memory they wish to remember in fine detail. They would like to leave behind a legacy of reading material. They would like to put some fine paper and pens to good use, or not! "They want to write private things, funny things, teachers lessons" says my eight year old S...

A prayer Help me keep it simple, my Lord, this life that you have given. I wish to serve with stable hands, a balanced head and a generous heart. I wish to live well, within means, so those who stand beside me are not too proud, nor too embarrassed. And having done my bit for my children, and those I love, help me pass over quietly on ...