Enthralling Trails

  The piercing sound of the long lash caught my attention as a man approached the road. He was half-naked, wearing a type of palazzo-style garment on his lower body. His back was painted red, and he periodically lashed himself to the rhythm of the music. After a while, he began to beg for money. When the traffic signal turned green, we all rushed back to reality, driving forward before the lights turned red again. As I began to drive, I couldn’t help but wonder what the beggar hoped for in life — was it more lashes, more cash, more begging, or perhaps a hot meal? These thoughts lingered with me every time I encountered a situation. At college, I noticed preparations for new admissions were underway. The faculty seemed eager to welcome a new group of students. Many changes were occurring, particularly with the college becoming autonomous. I observed the faculty looking forward to these changes, including new positions and additional responsibilities. I wear a smartwatch, and when I ...

  The photograph was dated July 19, 2016. Until now, I hadn’t paid attention to either the date or the car in the picture. In fact, for years afterwards, I didn’t think much about the date at all. I hadn’t picked up my car from the showroom because I wasn’t confident in my driving skills. I had chosen a small, gleaming red coloured car— one of the older models that hadn’t been sold. It stood out, brave and shining, among the newer models that looked so sleek and proud. It seemed like the best option for a novice driver; it suited my budget and was capable of handling difficult drives and narrow parking spaces. The date of purchase coincided with the birthdate of the eminent astronomer and astrophysicist Dr Jayant Narlikar, whom we lost recently. I was recalling the memories of Dr Jayant Narlikar, but the photograph sent me down the memory lane. When I completed my Ph.D., my family and extended family expressed great appreciation. Everyone had kind words to share, but my mother-in-l...

The young man walked proudly holding his baby in his arms, the baby was just 4 months old. She was named Munmun and called Moon affectionately. She sported a beautiful smile and had plenty of admirers. Far away in a man-made forest, a black dog had a litter of two pups. One of the pups, as black as coal, tended to bump into everything around it. The other pup was beige and appeared healthy. A philanthropist adopted it within the first few days. Everyone fondly called the little black puppy Bumpy. Unfortunately, after losing its way, Bumpy ended up all alone at the top of the mountain, searching for someone to care for it. However, it refused to give up on life and continued to bump into people. Some kicked it, some petted it, while others simply ignored it. As time passed, Bumpy grew into a proud stray dog, carrying an air of dignity despite no one being able to identify its breed. In the forest, it met another dog, a black-and-white hound, and the two quickly became the best of friend...

  PHOTOGRAPH BY GETTY IMAGES PHOTOGRAPH BY GETTY IMAGES It was Valentine’s Week, and the shops were filled with cute, cuddly teddy bears, red hearts, chocolates, and a variety of gifts. Valentine’s Day holds deep significance for many. It is a celebration of love, compassion, and to reflect kindness and empathy. That morning I happened to see an advertisement that said, ‘This Valentine, fall in love with learning’. Our housing society is home to more than 100 families, and every year we welcome a few new faces. We watch as little kids grow into adolescents, and we also see toddlers transition into curious kids. Among them, Prajvini and Saiesha are two little girls who capture my attention every day. At just four years old, they are full of curiosity and possess a certain magic. One day, I found them seated on the low boundary wall of the garden, surrounded by mounds of white rangoli powder. They had a packet of powdered color but seemed unsure of what to do with it. I flattene...

  Pradhikaran in Pimpri Chinchwad is one of the most well-planned areas in Pune. The roads are designed to allow easy access to various destinations, even when the main roads are congested. The lanes and bylanes open on the main road. The neighbourhood has numerous bungalows and market squares, these are less crowded than other localities. Many of these parks have lakes, and one can find over a hundred parks in the region. This place is particularly special for residents due to its beauty and abundance of flora and fauna. It was a beautiful winter evening, Kay was out in one of the market squares of Pradhikaran with her mom, Leda. Kay was six years old and was full of curiosity. Unlike other kids, she never glanced at her mobile phone while shopping with her mom or on nature walks. Nature and animals were close to her heart. That evening, on her visit to the local market, she spotted a stunning pair of white geese walking confidently along the road amidst numerous vehicles. The pas...

  A Christmas Tribute to My Godmother After a long time, we had a family wedding in Kerala. It was exciting to meet cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews again, but we were pleased to see Aunt Nirmala. Our extended family has been inspired by Aunt Nirmala’s grace, warmth, and strength. When she walked into the wedding hall, the whole place lit up. Everyone greeted her with warmth, and it was clear how much she was loved. She had travelled a long way, even though my uncle, her husband, wasn’t keeping well. When we met her, it felt like no time had passed. She stood proudly by her granddaughter, the bride, and stayed for the wedding, meeting everyone and sharing her best wishes with a smile. After a few days on our way to the airport, we stopped by my aunt’s house to visit my uncle. Fortunately, he was feeling better that day, which was a relief for all of us. My aunt carried herself with remarkable grace and energy, moving around actively and tending to everything with her usu...