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The book launch took place at Abhijan book cafe, College street, Kolkata on 22nd Dec.  Sharing some pics There was a lively, stimulating discussion on issues affecting youth today, like gender fluidity, body shaming, excessive competition, social media obsession, etc. Stories in this book centre around these topics, focusing on imperfections in people. It's these imperfections,  this brokenness that is endearing, that makes us human. Published by Shades Publishers, Kolkata, the book is now on stands. # booklaunch #youngadultfiction #storiesforeveryone

3 Days to Go!! My new book for young adults,  Fragrance of Dried Flowers is soon to be launched at a book cafe in Kolkata! Am I excited? You bet! #booklaunch #booksforteens #youngpeoplereading #shortstories #youngadultfiction #abhijanbookcafe #shadespublishers #casualreads #lightreads #winterreads 

Continued from my last post.... So, we left Lepchajagat very reluctantly and started towards Batasia, Darjeeling, where we had booked our last day and night. The trip by car took just 40 minutes and we reached by 12.30 noon. The bright sunshine made everything look splendid - the flowers, the mountainside, the roads, the tall pine trees.  Over the winding roads we went, soaking in the brilliant sunshine, our hearts full of the beauty all around. Day 3 Our hotel in Batasia was a small functional hotel, not too fancy, but providing all amenities like room service, geysers, heaters and provision of meals. The outstanding view from the room made up for any fancy fittings however. I could spend days just looking out at the hills and trees from the window.  View from the window It was cold here too, and the heater (on charge) was a welcome comfort. Freshening up a bit, we went outside for lunch. There was a lovely dhaba at the corner of the road, one that offered spectacular views f...

There's a different kind of solace in the mountains. It's the calm that comes after weathering several storms and disturbances. It's the kind of solace that lived experiences and the resultant acceptance of life teaches us. It's a wise, deep calm. After some trips to beaches, nature resorts, holy and historical places, this time family and me decided to spend a few days in the hills. And what better than some offbeat location near the queen of hills - Darjeeling?  But Darjeeling main area was too crowded to offer peace to city-bred people like us. So begun the search for offbeat places around the area. We shortlisted Jorpokhri, Lepchajagat and Mongphu after extensive Google searches. Then the search for suitable accommodation, as we are stickers for cleanliness and good food, and must have the basic amenities like geyser, room heater, provision of all meals etc.  Lepchajagat scored on this front, with West Bengal Forest Development Corporation Nature Resort situated rig...

Let's face it. Festivals are stressful, and exhausting. Yes, we have the time of our lives, dressing up, visiting people, sharing gifts, bonhomie and general cheer. But our rest and relaxation schedule goes for a toss, doesn't it? Take Durga Puja in Kolkata. So much preparation in terms of spring or rather autumn cleaning, buying, distributing, then cooking, home decoration, planning outfits and pandal hopping schedules.  Then comes the build-up to the pujas - the last-minute buys, scrambling to the beauty parlour for fixing hair or skin, visits to the doctors for chronic ailments (since medical professionals go missing during festivals), buying accessories, make-up, etc,  Visits to relatives to distribute clothes and sweets, reconnecting with old friends, bonding with neighbours, meeting with para club members, all these become essential social etiquette during festivals. And suddenly, its Navratri Chaturthi already, and people are posting pictures of the famous pandals, exqu...

Yes, its that time of the year.  Kaash phool (Image Source: WB Tourism Facebook Site) Flowers like Shiuli ( Night-flowering Jasmine )  and Chhatim ( Alstonia scholaris )   have scented the autumn air. with a heady touch. The rains are retreating, and fluffy clouds fly in a clear, blue sky. Kaash phool (kans grass) dot the countryside in eastern India.  Time has come for Okaal Bodhon of Ma Durga.  People all over India are preparing for Navratri and Durga Pujo - the worship of the Mother Goddess (Shakti/Durga) The Mother Goddess - Shakti/Durga/Amba As a woman, this time has special significance for me. I feel quite privileged to be a woman, to share Ma's gender, her status as mother and wife, and most importantly as a self-sufficient woman. So, here's how I plan to assert my inner Shakti: 👉 I will reserve time for myself, my recuperation, my well-being. In short, prioritize my mental and physical well-being. Which means cutting down on cooking, cleaning, wa...

  Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni is a prolific Indian American writer, who excels in writing about the Indian diaspora experience, as well as value and gender conflicts within society. She juxtaposes the dynamics of the Indian value system with the pull of western sensibilities, suggesting that these two need not be in conflict. Her books have sensitively explored female relationships, especially the mother-daughter relationship. Her best works have been 'One Amazing Thing', 'Arranged Marriage and Other Short Stories', 'Queen of Dreams, 'Oleander Girl', and 'A Palace of Illusions'. “Independence” her latest has been topping popularity charts across India and the US. I particularly enjoyed her “Before We Visit the Goddess” (published in 2018), and let me tell you why. The Story:  The novel encapsulates the story of three generations of women - Savitri, the matriarch and fledgling entrepreneur in post-independence India, Bela, her daughter who eloped...