Wabi-Sabi

Saw a group of school kids, well I would be wrong to call a flock of scantily dressed, swearing and mocking individuals, as kids. But, it is hard to say if they are individuals as everyone seems alike and acts alike. It is frustrating to feel this desperation to belong as this is not limited to the kidults but to the adults at the workplace, social events and home. If we ‘fit into’ a group because of the new tab that we brought yesterday or our dirt bike, it is not something to be rapt about but is an alarm for us to wake up. Acceptance is not about fitting in; it is about making a place for ourselves and not the belongings that we can flaunt. Any refuge taken to hide a weakness remains a weakness and is not to be mistaken for power. Our style might be a license to strut around with someone who would not still like us but merely be flattered by the fact that they are being idolized and followed around by someone who is always on their heels. We are not an accessory; ...

Anyway, no drug, not even alcohol, causes the fundamental ills of society. If we're looking for the source of our troubles, we shouldn't test people for drugs, we should test them for stupidity, ignorance, greed and love of power. — P. J. Rourke

Achtung! We have reached Switzerland, the country that we are familiar with sadly because of chiffon saree-clad women dancing around on the Alps as the actor sings to her, snug and warm in a couple of woollens. A couple of Swiss cities were all it took me to know that the cow and cheese country definitely goes beyond all the build-up.                         It all started in Zurich with a platter of Mexican and Moroccan salad with beans, potato and cous cous. Yes! the name itself makes you feel full and not fat as it is a salad. Well salad can never be a thing for one who lusts for chocolates and desserts. New country! New food! You got to do it so I told the chef to bring it on. He was apparently an Indian and was from South India so I stuffed and stuffed myself with the over generous portion of salad, which we had for dinner by the way. My taste buds were shocked but in a good way. Under the pouring sky and ...

    As I sit down in my study and turn on my laptop, I end up staring at the wallpaper for a while.  It is the first photograph clicked in college, in the canteen- chairs stacked up on the open terrace as hungry students are yet to start pouring in.  Then, I begin rummaging through the drawers in my cabinet, I come across a stack of photographs captured and hidden on many a happiest days of the past few years.      Hidden in the crevices of my mind are the days when a curious child embarked upon a mission to search for shapes amidst the cotton candies of the clouds. The one who used to extend his hand to catch the stars that twinkled in the night sky and preserve them in the twinkle of his eye. The same child grew up and begun taking ample interest in the realms of photography.      I wish to have the power to hold the attention of the contestants in the blind race that has no end. What could be better than pausing for a whil...