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Jaishree Misra is an immensely readable author, with an easy and engaging style. She writes about people like you and me, ordinary characters undergoing extraordinary crises in their lives. Though her books don't exactly fall in the realm of serious literature, I found a lot of deep insights and reflection in her heart-wrenching tales. And unlike other popular Indian English writers, she does not write chick lit, or about the ultra-modern IT or BPO generation, so it becomes easier for ordinary middle-class folk like me to identify with her characters. As a Malayalee married to a north Indian, she has seen both cultures well enough to write about them. She sets her stories either in Kerala or in Delhi, both places being close to her heart. Her protagonist makes the proverbial journey from India to the west, in this case, London, where life altering experiences take place. Or they leave India to escape tumultuous situations in their lives here. Destiny or nemesis catches up with t

Today a new government comes to power in India. Let us hope this government does not succumb to vote-bank politics and corruption. Let us hope that our chosen Prime Minister is strong in intention while keeping an open mind. And that he keeps the nation's best interests in mind while maintaining India's multi-layered, multi-hued secular and cultural fabric. And my wish list goes on to include: No compromise in India's internal and external security Safety for women and children across all social strata Opportunities for pursuing higher education, ie., more technical colleges and institutes of good quality Investment in infrastructure and roads in all cities and towns Investment in industry and commerce which will lead to more jobs Health and old age assistance for the elderly Better managed hospitals and medical facilities Immediate and extreme punishment to offenders against children, women, the weak and the disabled And freedom to everyone to express their v

It's Mothers Day, the day the West commemorates mothers by showering them with compliments and gifts. And we in India have, over the last few years, warmed up to the idea of honouring our mothers for the incessant sacrifices they make throughout the year. But aren't our mothers worth much much more than just a day's recognition? The first loving presence that warmed us, the first face we started to recognize, the first hand that held us through our troubles, the first shoulder we cried on......., the list is endless. How can we ever begin to thank that presence which is next only to the Almighty for most of us. She never even expects us to turn around and say thank you, for that matter. Whatever we say to or do for our mother pales in comparison to what she does for us. All she asks for, in return, is that we stay safe, secure and loved. Of course there are overbearing and dominating mothers, who are known to crush their offspring with the weight of their expectations.