Noggyisms

SO the results are out. The 2019 general elections to constitute the 17th Lok Sabha that took place over a month culminated in this day - May 23rd 2019. The BJP (forming the NDA along with its allies), won a landslide victory. A party with its narrative steeped in virulent nationalism, focusing on an India which is a far cry from the ideals on which the nation was born. A country which was aptly described by Shashi Tharoor in his book, The Great Indian Novel as a thali where different items are not mashed up but come together as a meal rather than a porridge which is a mish mash of everything and individuality doesn't stand out - that is the India we know of and we strive to cherish. A country which is vast and resplendent in its diversity but is now under threat of becoming a porridge. A porridge of hatred towards the other, anger towards anyone who doesn't tow the official line that manifests itself in lynchings, right wing trolls threatening rape and murder and at its n...

I have never reviewed a movie, much less a series. In fact, there were a lot of firsts with this series, Made in Heaven. It is the first Indian web series, I have watched It is the first series, I have binge watched It is the first series, I have rewatched (all 9 episodes, no less) And now it shall be the first series I write about Quite a hard hitting series and so tastefully done! When you include ostentatious weddings, systemic misogyny, anti LGBT rhetoric, myopic views, current political climate, the complete lack of correlation between being educated and belief in superstition and the intersection of class with progress, you have a huge canvas to work on. To be able to do that, without coming across as preachy is a skillful act by itself. To be able to do that without judging is pure art. There were two scenes that stand out for me. The second (which I shall write about first) was where the male protagonist spends some time in prison under article 377 and comes out to mee...

Vasant Kunj is an upscale area. With only one downside - there is no parking available. When the colony was developed more than two decades ago, Delhi Development Authority (DDA) had provided a scooter garage with each flat, quite a nice garage for a scooter, had a door which could be locked. But India has been on an economically upward trend hasn't it? Who does not own a car? Who does not own more than 2 cars? Plus this is Delhi, the showpiece of everything flashy in this country! Being ostentatious is something to be proud of! So the cars are biggers even though there is no parking, the entitlement complex ensures that everyone parks their cars wherever they can and as close to their houses, obviously. Parks have been converted into parking land and there is a lot of bad blood amongst neighbours (I assume) since it is so easy to tread on your neighbour’s toes parking spot. It is a first come first serve unless there is some unwritten understanding. Real story - i was co...

When you tell most people, you are going to Kasol, the first reaction is oh Kasauli. Both are in Himachal. That is where the similarity ends though. One is touristy, the other dopey! Kasauli, everyone knows and loves to go to, meandering through the valley. Kasol, on the other hand, is a well kept secret. Those who know the place are the people know why it is famous. Famous for being a mini Israel (that is actually further up Malana), it is almost like the shacks of Goa with their Russian influence observed through availability in menus in the language, ability of locals to speak the language and an obvious bunch of second generation people living there who have mixed well and live and work as locals (incuding speaking gruff Hindi). It is the gateway to the havens of Malana, famous for Malana cream, the high quality hash which is quite the rage. The grow conditions (at the foothills of the Himalayas) combined with making of hashish being a major source of money make sure tha...

Someone once told me that travel should be about meeting people, having shared meals, conversations that linger well past the alcohol is over and the last cigarette stub lies under the sole and then wake up in the morning to say goodbye to never meet again, just remember that this also happened. This was before whatsapp and social media made it almost impossible to be 'not in touch'. I scoffed at it then, a rather immature version of me (not that things have improved), but I think of it now. And wonder what if. What if I do a trip with people who I know not too much, meet people who I know not at all, just be open. Open to experiences, open to different thoughts, open to different. And want to know more. I was in Tawang last year and in a bar, unusually drinking with someone who I had met a few hours ago. And some other random people. Aside - Tawang, being a border town, is full of army men (yes, the absence of the gender neutrality is deliberate). A few drinks down and e...

There are places I want to visit around the world. It is not a bucket list, a things I want to do before I die, it is more a things I want to do now.  Machu Pichu is foremost on that list and the Northern Lights come a close second but there are others too which are less expensive and as the years pass and the costs continue to escalate faster than the earnings, it is always easier to tick off the ones which are cheaper, first. Angkor Wat was one such place. As I was planning this trip, advice came from all sides. Combine Vietnam and Cambodia, Cambodia may not be very safe, have you heard about the bikers who snatch your bags, what is there in Cambodia, go to Thailand instead, why spend so many days in Cambodia and so on and so forth. I ignored this as I have done with unwanted advice throughout my life and we went ahead with an only Cambodia plan and boy were we thrilled. We dilly dallied enough for the flight costs to be more than it should have (seems like a pere...