We don’t leave the balcony open after sundown. Mumma is terrified of lizards, and there’s always one camped out by the door. Still, Puppa goes out for a smoke every now and then. Forgetful bugger, he always leaves the door open. One such evening, I’m walking… read more

Goregaon East, midday, traffic light. A confluence of worlds held together by red; an unlikely equaliser of haves and have-nots, and haves who think themselves have-nots – if only for 90 seconds. A golden Maybach lounges across two car-lengths (and tax brackets) with impunity, shutting down… read more

July 17th, 2025 There’s a rat in my house. Or maybe, I’m in his. He was here first, after all – burrowing into the walls, learning the rhythm of slippers slapping tile. I came later, uninvited. He tours the kitchen at night, eats what we leave… read more

I’m sitting in a conference room at NID Ahmedabad, the top design school in the country. I’m going to be interviewed for a place in the Master’s course in Product Design. With one hour’s prep, I’ve ranked 17th in India’s toughest design exam. I am, how… read more

First Christmas out of the hospital. After a year of IV drips and pity smiles, the holidays seem like a juvenile affair. A momentary look away from the truth of life. We’re at the Shrine of The Infant Jesus in Nashik, where the faithful pour their… read more