Letter from India

By Greenfields - About Me - E-mail this page - Add to My Favorites - Add to Blog List - See other blogs in Journal

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

AIDS, again

Two years ago, at this time, I was in Canada attending the bi-annual congress on AIDS. There were thousands of delegates and I was presenting a paper on a project on gender and HIV/AIDS I was documenting in India. I met Richard Gere, Bill and Melinda Gates and Bill Clinton. That was my high point.... Sign in to see full entry.

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Sunday, August 17, 2008

What is a perfect day?

Yesterday was a perfect day. As I began to write this I thought, what is a perfect day? I went to Goggle for the precise meaning of perfection. I was amazed to find so much literature (and I am sure there is more) on perfection - in science and social sciences. But, I am choosing to include what... Sign in to see full entry.

posted by Greenfields at 9:13 PM | add or view comments (12) | leave calling card | link to this | view only this entry

Saturday, August 16, 2008

Brothers and sisters

Yesterday, I was part of a celebration around a ritual called ' Rasksha Bandhan' in India. Among Hindus, this ritual signifies a brother protecting his sister. The ceremony entails the sister tying a 'rakhi' or a decorative thread on the brother's left hand. He, in turn, accepts gratefully, gives... Sign in to see full entry.

posted by Greenfields at 11:52 PM | add or view comments (10) | leave calling card | link to this | view only this entry

Friday, August 15, 2008

Poppies and poppy seed cake

I first encountered poppy seeds and poppy seed cake when I lived in the US, in the mid 70s. I volunteered in the local food coop and was surprised when one day a colleague told me that poppy seeds made a great cake. She then made one. I loved it immediately. Since then, I regularly made poppy seed... Sign in to see full entry.

posted by Greenfields at 12:16 AM | add or view comments (8) | leave calling card | link to this | view only this entry

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Missed birthdays and belated celebrations

Last week, I missed the birthday of two of my dear friends, as I was ill. Stina, my Swedish friend, bakes every year on her birthday and invites friends to drop by between 12 and 6 PM. She serves tea and coffee to go with the baked goods. Nothing else. No fuss! She sends sms's around. I called and... Sign in to see full entry.

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Monday, August 11, 2008

Fishy business

I love fish. I always have. I grew up in the eastern part of India, in the state of West Bengal, where fish is a part of the staple diet. The pictures you see below are taken in the southern town of Pondicherry, of the coast, where fishing in the main source of livelihood. I had visited here several... Sign in to see full entry.

posted by Greenfields at 8:18 AM | add or view comments (2) | leave calling card | link to this | view only this entry

Sunday, August 10, 2008

Stuck

I am going through my music collection and realize that I am stuck. The purpose of this exercise is to create CDs to listen to in the car and to give as gifts. I copy my CDs onto the computer and then make CDs. As I go about this, I realize that I have music from the 60s to now. And, some of it I... Sign in to see full entry.

posted by Greenfields at 2:30 AM | add or view comments (4) | leave calling card | link to this | view only this entry

Friday, August 8, 2008

Understanding the body

For the last one week, my body has challenged me in many ways. And, this has affected my mind. Or, is it the other way around? First, I got very high fever on Friday night (one week ago) and spent all of Saturday and Sunday at home, prone with body ache and total lack of will to do anything. Monday,... Sign in to see full entry.

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Wednesday, August 6, 2008

Green and greener

A few days ago, standing on my terrace, I looked down and saw this. It's a small green patch we have on the ground floor, to the right as we enter the house. It was so beautiful, the contrast of the two greens and the small flower in contrast. I went indoors and got my camera, keen to capture the... Sign in to see full entry.

posted by Greenfields at 8:08 PM | add or view comments (6) | leave calling card | link to this | view only this entry

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Abortion in the news

In India, abortion is legal and not often in the news. But recently, a couple has gone to court asking for an abortion in the woman's 25th week of pregnancy as the foetus seems to have a malfunctioning heart. Today, the newspapers reported that the petition has been turned down. Over the last week,... Sign in to see full entry.

posted by Greenfields at 9:15 AM | add or view comments (5) | leave calling card | link to this | view only this entry

About this Blog

I started this blog in mid-March 2006 when I moved to Kabul, Afghanistan, for a four-month assignment. In mid-July I moved back to India, and am continuing the blog.

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