Earlier this summer I read a fascinating article titled ‘Death, Redesigned.” As I read the piece, it struck me how vastly different the West views death and how Sasmita and Indians view death. The story begins with Paul Bennett, the founder of Ideo, a design, marketing, and branding firm in San Francisco Bay. It’s famous for among other things,… Continue reading I say ‘dies,’ Sasmita says ‘expires.’ The words signal a major cultural difference.
Category: India
Should India seek British Reparations for Colonialism?
Perhaps, but they should look internally as well, realizing they bear plenty of responsibility for their underdevelopment. In mid-July 2015, MP Shashi Tharoor gave an impassioned plea for Indian reparations after more than 200 years of British colonialism. You can watch the 15-minute clip below. Many Indians, both in the country and abroad lauded his words.… Continue reading Should India seek British Reparations for Colonialism?
This blog is six years old. Wow!
On June 15, 2009 I began this blog after much hesitation. I can honestly say it has been and continues to be one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. My first blog was about my adoption anniversary, and celebrating that special day with my family. I have to thank my readers and commenters, for… Continue reading This blog is six years old. Wow!
The Awkwardness of Male Eyebrow Threading
I thread my eyebrows. Yes, I admit it. Now it is out in the open for all to read. I am not ashamed and I fully embrace it. My eyebrows resemble furry caterpillars when grown without attention. They look awful. Sasmita, along with other women throughout my life has told me so. I began threading my… Continue reading The Awkwardness of Male Eyebrow Threading
Feeling like an Outsider at an Indian Buffet
Recently, Sasmita and I went to an Indian restaurant called Woodlands, in Langley Park, Maryland. We rarely eat Indian food outside of our house. Sasmita is a fantastic cook, and she makes most dishes either of us might order out, usually they taste better than any restaurant. She has craved South Indian cuisine for a while;… Continue reading Feeling like an Outsider at an Indian Buffet
The First Christmas Knowing my Indian family
Sasmita and I celebrated our third Christmas holiday season together in 2014. But it was the first Christmas that I actually know my Indian side of our family, the Nayaks. As I wrote about here, Sasmita and I visited them in June 2014. We had an Indian wedding ceremony and stayed in her village, Alligonda at her parent’s house for a… Continue reading The First Christmas Knowing my Indian family
Stories Catching My Eye
In the wake of continuing police violence against unarmed citizens, I found this piece well worth reading. Why It’s Impossible to Indict a Cop On December 3rd, 1984, the world’s worst industrial disaster took place in Bhopal, India. Most have never heard of it. It’s terrifying and tragic. An author retraces the fateful morning and… Continue reading Stories Catching My Eye
A Small Thank You to my Parents this Thanksgiving 2014
For those unaware, this is National Adoption Awareness Month. There has been a lot of social media about this, some good pieces in well-known magazines, like the NY Times and elsewhere. National Adoption Month, was created to raise awareness and celebrate foster care adoption. In recent years it has been co-opted by the Adoption lobby and by those… Continue reading A Small Thank You to my Parents this Thanksgiving 2014
The TSA is a push-over compared to security at Kabul Airport.
Everyone told me leaving Afghanistan through Kabul International Airport was the most obnoxious of all security I would experience. They were not kidding! A little background before my narrative; Since 2009, no vehicular traffic is allowed directly outside either the domestic or international terminals, except for a bus that looks like it has survived the 1979 Soviet invasion.… Continue reading The TSA is a push-over compared to security at Kabul Airport.
Indian Justice is Sloooow
Two stories came out of the sub-continent recently regarding India’s courts. The first one, details just how many court cases are pending in India. It’s an astounding number. 32 million. Even the 1,000 fast-track courts, many set-up after the horrific gang-rape of the 23-year-old student in Delhi in 2012 haven’t really impacted the court backlog. Fast… Continue reading Indian Justice is Sloooow
My brother-in-Law Ajit: The Nayak’s Great Family Tragedy
Ajit Nayak is my brother-in-law and he is mentally and physically disabled. Since I’ve known Sasmita, I have heard stories about her brother who is two years older than me and his disability. One day this summer, my father-in-law Valentine and I were chatting about life in Village Alligonda. He began telling me about Ajit,… Continue reading My brother-in-Law Ajit: The Nayak’s Great Family Tragedy
India’s Obsession with Fair Skin
One aspect of contemporary Indian culture that bothers me is its obsession with ‘fair’ skin and ‘lightness.’ Perhaps it’s because I married someone with darker skin. Or maybe it’s just because as an educated US citizen, I decry discrimination against anyone because of their skin color. Indian businesses and others in Asia have long sold… Continue reading India’s Obsession with Fair Skin
Some Delhi Observations
Sasmita and I spent one full week in Delhi in May 2014. We were there primarily buying wedding clothes for the Nayak family and ourselves. We also visited some friends we stayed in touch with and who made indelible marks on our lives. I remarked to Sasmi at one point that Delhi felt comfortable and… Continue reading Some Delhi Observations
A Glimpse of Sasmita’s Sacrifice
Sasmita and I have returned from our Indian village excursion and being married again. I met my Indian family and feel in love with them. I am sure the feelings were reciprocal, given the rolling tears from them all as I said good-bye after six days living in Sasmita’s parents house. After 21 days spent traipsing… Continue reading A Glimpse of Sasmita’s Sacrifice
Indians just elected Narendra Modi Prime Minister. This news upsets me.
India’s populace spoke loudly. Narendra Modi eviscerated Rahul Gandhi in the nationwide elections. It was Congress Party’s worst showing at the polls in their history. The final result, a landslide victory for the Bharatiya Janata Party, led by Narendra Modi has been predicted for months. But the utter annihilation of the Congress party caught many… Continue reading Indians just elected Narendra Modi Prime Minister. This news upsets me.