One phrase every Bengali worth his sweater has grown up with is thanda lege jabey. It is the ultimate warning of impending doom, an unadulterated form of existentialist advice. Thanda lege jabey. Thou shalt ‘catch the cold’. ‘Catching the cold’ comes easy to Bengalis. It’s a skill that’s acquired almost immediately after birth. Watch a Bengali baby and […]

Not many people know this, but Pandit Nityanand Haldipur has for long been my favourite flautist; unfortunately I never had the opportunity to hear him play live, and since his public appearances are rare, I didn’t have my hopes up either 🙂 This was to be a Sunday treat I guess, as he gave a […]

While on our honeymoon in the Andamans in Feb ’07, Tina and I had the privilege of meeting Steve Bloom, one of the foremost wildlife photographers in the world. He was there to document the life and talent of Rajan, a magnificent old tusker who happens to be an excellent sea swimmer as well! Tina […]

Hmmmm this is something very very interesting…..

Hi everyone! Just flew back with Guruji from an absolutely stunning visit to Arunachal Pradesh. No phone, no email, guess it was a vacation of sorts 🙂 Loved reading all your comments as soon as I got back home, will post pics of the visit etc after Guruji leaves for Bangalore tomorrow. Cheers all JGD […]

My dear friends Rajita and Ajay Bagga were among the fortunate survivors from the Taj, after spending the entire night there. She sent her inspiring, cathartic experience to us today, and has graciously allowed me to share this intensely personal message with you all. Raju, we are so glad that you and Ajay are safe, […]

Thank you all! I must inform you that we lost two of Tina’s jijaji’s friends (yes, he skipped the dinner and was thus saved!) who were shot in Leopold, while a third is struggling with four shots to the leg. Also, two very close friends were trapped in the Taj hotel all night and evacuated […]

Mumbai/Bombay/Bomb-bay — who cares about the name when the populace is held to ransom by 25 madmen? Where are the Raj Thakerays, the crusaders, the activists, the politicians and their loudmouth views when the city they claim to be guardians of is held at gunpoint? When will we finally say we have had enough, and […]

Three women are about to be executed. One’s a brunette, one’s a redhead, and one’s a blonde.  The guard brings the brunette forward and the executioner asks if she has any last requests. She says no, and the executioner shouts, “Ready! Aim!” Suddenly the brunette yells, “EARTHQUAKE!!!” Everyone is startled and throws themselves on the […]

Please excuse the obscenities (courtesy the late, great John Lennon) but this is just a must-watch.http://in.youtube.com/watch?v=iFkh7sDgAcM&feature=relatedYou might also want to zip across tohttp://www.waxaudio.com.au/ and check out some of the mash-ups; great fun!