Column: The Good Life: for Mint Lounge
Chairs, Sugar, Phone
Thank you, Manish, for this idea. Modern addictions are holding us all back, but can we live without them? Shoba Narayan June 11, 2014 Updated: June 11, 2014 18:40:00 Recently, a friend asked me an interesting question: “Which would be the hardest addiction for humankind to shrug off? Sugar, chairs or mobile devices?” My instinctive answer was mobile devices, but that may just describe my addiction. As the recently released documentary Fed Up, points out, very few things can rival sugar as a “weapon of mass destruction”, as one review says. The documentary, which has garnered good press, takes a [...]
Khadi
I am speaking at this event organized by the Crafts Council. About the future of khadi. Going to call all my designer friends and find out what they think. Thank you, Susheela Mehta for inviting me. Looking forward to hearing doyennes like Uzramma speak on this topic. Click here for the Vastra Invitation
Christina Amundsens
Thank you, Christina Amundsens, for this plug
My work in Hindi
Some time ago, a well-run and respected newspaper based in Rajasthan got in touch. Their name is Patrika. They wanted me to write for them and were willing to run columns that had already been published after translating the work into Hindi. I was thrilled to receive the PDF of the translation. You have to scroll down to the middle to find my piece. I wish I could write in Hindi. I wish I could speak better in Hindi. Patrika Column
For The National Abu Dhabi on Bangkok
My Dad talks about this incident to this day. Tuk-tuk tricks and Bangkok bartering Shoba Narayan May 29, 2014 Updated: May 29, 2014 11:47:00 It begins innocently enough. We’re in Bangkok and my 12-year-old wants to ride on a tuk-tuk. After days of visiting Buddhist temples, she wants something more adventurous. My 80-year-old father, who’s travelling with us, is having none of it. “Tuk-tuks are dangerous,” he says. “Why take chances in a new country? And that too, on the day of our flight?” I’m caught between two generations. My instinct is to dismiss my father’s warnings, as I usually [...]
For The National Abu Dhabi on Hyderabad
Travelling with kids: History is more fun with new friends Shoba Narayan May 22, 2014 Updated: May 22, 2014 15:57:00 My husband asks as we disembark the plane: “Did you know that the Nizam didn’t want to join the Indian Union after India gained independence?” “Yes, and did you know that Hyderabad is called the City of Pearls?” I chime in. “Even though the Nizam used diamonds – not pearls – as paperweights.” We’re in Hyderabad for a long weekend to attend a friend’s wedding and also to give our children a glimpse of south Indian history. Hyderabad epitomises many [...]
For The National Abu Dhabi on Summer holidays
As someone who loves swanky hotels, that last bit is going to be hard to follow. Maybe later on that one. Opinion Comment When did travelling overseas stop being an adventure? Shoba Narayan March 25, 2014 Updated: March 25, 2014 18:45:00 The holiday season is approaching in India. Many of my friends are making travel plans for trips to all corners of the globe. It is incredible how easy it now is to book tickets, rooms, cars and plays on the other side of the world. It is a far cry from times gone by when arranging travel was a [...]
Dragon Dictate
I have been using Dragon Dictate for some time and I love it. I am in fact speaking to my computer now. If your arms or hands are hurting from the typing, consider buying it. Talking to a computer is easy, but you must remember to keep calm Shoba Narayan May 17, 2014 Updated: May 17, 2014 17:41:00 People who follow my work will know that I have three obsessions. The first is to lose weight without exercising. The second is to slow down my mind without necessarily meditating and the third is to discover fun smartphone and computer apps [...]
About Narendra Modi for Quartz
As someone who is delighted with what happened in the elections, I just wish our new PM gave speeches that healed and built bridges rather than proclaim himself hero. In Quartz here As usual, the comments interest me: Posting some below. The article is below that. In order of appearance. In response to a question below. Yes, I did sit through the full speeches. Update: just pasted some more comments. My takeaways. Yes, I need to learn more quotes and stories from Indian culture. I cop to that and am attempting to rectify it. Someone said below that Mr. Modi [...]
Neuroplasticity
In the Times of India here. I was quoted :)