Brownian Movements

  A LANDMARK, A PLEASANT SURPRISE & CHARCUTERIE Recently I completed sixty-five years of existence in this world. It is a landmark for most people, and for me as well. Although I do not intend to stop working, I have resolved that from now on I will work only when it is pleasurable and stress-free. I have also made a few resolutions as I begin this new phase of life—chief among them is training myself to notice the small things that bring joy. No celebration was planned and my wife and I were to have a quiet evening at home with the youngsters (my son and daughter-in-law). While we expected them in the evening, I was taken aback when they arrived, heavily loaded with bags of goodies, each carefully sourced after meticulous research to prepare and serve a Charcuterie! Food has always been a source of pleasure for me. I was more of a gourmand in my earlier years; with age, I find myself becoming a gourmet instead. This thoughtful surprise was therefore the perfect bir...

  NINETY MINUTES IN PARADISE:  Dzuleke village, Nagaland. I was in Nagaland on a birding trip organized by Nature India with Mandar Khadilkar as our group leader and tour organizer. Our ‘all male’ group of eight was housed in the village of Khonoma, which has the apellation of being the first eco friendly, 'Green' village in India following the adoption of eco-friendly policies by the villagers which includes a total ban on hunting (which was part of the culture of the Naga people), and eschewing plastic articles which has paved the way for sustainable eco-tourism. Our first day there was a trifle disappointing because of unseasonal rain during the night and fog throughout the morning that made birding difficult and photography unfeasible in the poor light. Worse were the numerous leeches that pervaded the undergrowth and were abundant even on the tarred road! We were to visit Dzuleke the next day and left at 5 30 am with a little trepidation as it had rained in the morn...