Letter from India

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Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Gooseberry Jam

So, what exactly are gooseberries? For good measure I am posting a photo. In Delhi they are called 'rhasbharies' which loosely translated means full of juice. The British call them 'cape gooseberries'. Here is a recipe I have promised to share with FB and other friends. Ingredients 1. 1 kg... Sign in to see full entry.

Friday, February 4, 2011

The Surajkund Mela

Every year, for the last 25 years, the Surajkund Mela (fair) has been held. It’s about 4 kilometres from where we live and every year a week before, furious preparations begin. The roads get fixed, there are signs everywhere. This year, the organisers created special parking and a great deal of... Sign in to see full entry.

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Passion, exploitation and being cross

Yesterday I left the house at 7.30 and returned at 10.30. I was exhausted. It was a national meeting of a project I have been working since last April, evaluating a leadership project in the two poorest states in India - Bihar and Jharkhand. I had made three trips there (some of you may recall this... Sign in to see full entry.

Friday, January 28, 2011

An unexpected week

How quickly a week goes by. This Wednesday was a holiday in India - January 26, India's Republic Day. Nothing like a holiday in the middle of the week. I love it. And ever more when unexpected things happen (although sometimes I am a little uncomfortable with it). However, on Wednesday two people... Sign in to see full entry.

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Orhan Pamuk, Nobel Prize winner

Last night I heard the Nobel Prize winner from Turkey Orhan Pamuk speak in Delhi. It was such a lovely evening - him in conversation with an Indian writer and columnist. The hall was full and the engaged conversation, along with questions and answers made the evening a short and pleasant one. After... Sign in to see full entry.

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Work and Play

I like days when there is a combination of work and play. Yesterday was one such day. I left home at 10 AM to interview someone for a project I am working on. It took a while to find his office but I did and in time too. Soon I was offered a lovely cup of coffee and a plate of fruits. I declined the... Sign in to see full entry.

Monday, January 24, 2011

Without socks

Friends, yesterday was the first time this year, I went out without socks. Just to be safe, I carried them in my purse. It was also the first time I wore only one layer - a silk shirt. But, just in case, I carried a velvet jacket with me. I only wore the jacket after 6 PM. I like this feeling of... Sign in to see full entry.

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Edging out the winter

Its amazing. All through December we complained about how cold it was this winter. And, it was. I wore four layers of clothing routinely, as our homes and buildings are not heated. Outside, when the sun was not shining, there was cold wind and more cold wind. I wore two pairs of socks inside my... Sign in to see full entry.

January in the Hills

Earlier this month, after a full 9 months, I traveled to my sister and brother-in-laws home in the hills. After 4 months of hanging around at home and feeling sick most of time, it felt good. It was cold, but the sun shone brightly during the day, with clear blue skies. At night it was chilly, but... Sign in to see full entry.

Saturday, January 22, 2011

Missing

It's when I got a reminder from Blogit administration that my payment was due and my credit card had failed (it had expired) I remembered that I had not posted for so long. How long? Almost four months. Imagine. Where have I been? Ill for most of this time. In September 2010 I was detected with TB... Sign in to see full entry.

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