House Facades Reflect Personality 

Do you ever, like me, love observing houses while out for a walk? You would notice that house facades reflect the inner personalities of the people residing in them, and you can presume their persona by a mere glance. 

A spruced-up soldierly garden echoes the orderly life of a retired army officer occupying the house. A recently constructed posh one with no plants is not the abode of an environmentalist; in contrast, a non-distinct house, with a huge garden and an orchard has an ardent lover of nature residing inside. Shabby chic exterior points to the art enthusiast who loves all things vintage, while unembellished exteriors house a methodical and unpretentious individual there. 

Overgrown creepers, the grass gone wild, and unkept trees camouflaging the parked car, a deserted house. Exotic palms, flowering bushes, and the numerous fruit trees amidst the overgrown plants speak of the interest of the long-gone owners. The closed doors and windows jammed by the creepers hold the stories of people who lived here.  

A simple yet orderly dwelling with minimum plants built generations ago speaks of the elderly retired people living there while a fort-like design with high walls and an arched main gate demonstrate the love of all things royal for the owner.

An extraordinary creative facade has an architect residing there. Prim and properly painted mansion with an overpowering guard box is of a person with a suitable status and wealth. A recently restored house, a mix of traditional and contemporary, with several outdoor seating areas, belongs to someone who treasures the outdoors and is modern yet rooted in tradition.

The identical government houses of the services or the other government employees are similar yet distinct as they reflect the essence of the owner living there. These houses get transformed with every new resident. 

The scenario changes when you see identical multi-story houses in the metros. Zoom in a little closer to the entrance of the flat to understand the persona of the house owner. While you wait for the owner to open the door, you can guess the personality while observing the entrance to the flat. Specks of greenery from far will tell you that the house belongs to a plant lover. An artistic entrance with a curated door and paintings on the wall is an abode of the artist. 

I returned home after a walk and wondered whether it reflected our personality. It does. Homes are the extension of our characters, and the unique differences and complexities make them beautiful. We choose the colours, designs, and patterns according to our choice that dictates everything. Our abodes are our refuge and shelter, reflecting our inner world, which gets shaped through time and experience but never changes completely. 

Our homes are defined and shaped by the personality that dictates what pattern we follow to make the house a home. There is no place like home as it is a piece of our heaven.  

(Pictures from Google)

                      Lets go on a Joyride……

The time appeared to have stopped at the Kalka Station, where my brother and I stood with our father, foreseeing the thrill of a journey on a toy train to Shimla. We were not small kids, and, this was not our maiden trip, but the memory is still fresh. The enigma of travelling on this heritage train was mesmerising. The heritage train, built in 1903, covers 102 tunnels and many bridges while traversing the hills where pines, oaks, and deodars add to the breathtaking view as the train slowly meanders toward the mountains. The hide-and-seek of darkness and light in the tunnel in the mountains is mesmerising.

The picturesque Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, the majestic facade of the Kanpur railway station, and the preserved heritage at the Kolkata or the Lucknow stations speak volumes of the significance of railways in the past, which has somewhat diminished in today’s fast-moving times. Train excursions seem remote and minuscule in the time of air travel. There is no match to the enchanting train ride with its deliberate slow movements, the film of the sooted, crowded cities threaded by the vast green fields with its everyday clamour running in front of our eyes appearing magical. The crisscrossing train across the picturesque hills in the North, the dense forests of the East, the vast deserts of the West, and the seaside beaches in the South of India are captivating. We disembark on train journeys in the expectation of finding new places, and there is a thrill of discovering places and the inexplicable happiness these rides give us. The rhythm of the rambling train traversing the ever-changing terrain of faraway towns and villages, historic cities, expansive coastlines, or rugged mountains is a visual treat. My childhood passion for the window seat still stays as my heart fills with wonder as I see the world pass by. 

The famous Darjeeling toy train merges with the road or runs parallel to the tracks, as it slowly meanders like a snake toward the rising hills. In the quaint villages in the mountains, one often comes across small children innocently waving to the passing train. The moving scenic beauty and the cool fresh air refresh the mind while we catch glimpses of the surreal backdrop and the expanding horizons. We form connections with the places we visit and the people we meet during the journey, and find friends for life.

Nilgiri Mountain train, made iconic with the Chaiya Chaiya song, with its quaint heritage train traversing through lush greens meadows, alluring valleys, and rolling hills  is worth  a visit when one is in Tamil Nadu. While on a memorable train journey from Pune to Mumbai, the moving images of the concrete jungles lulled me to sleep.  I woke up surrounded by the towering mountains of Lonavala looming large, and the breathtaking view refreshed my being as the rattling train traversed through the mountains. The ease of the train journeys opens the door to a new vista of a world of its kind,  a great way to experience  varied and vast landscape of our country. 

People moving hurriedly or eagerly waiting, coolies vying to catch the prospective customer, the lone bookstore hoping for customers in the internet era, the echoes of the voices of the rushing hawkers, and the lingering fragrance of the food spread around the place. You observe and reflect on how you fit in this expanse of life while the slow-moving scenery forms the backdrop. These journeys are full of promise, take you to your inner realms to rediscover yourself, a rejuvenating mental elixir. 

It is a great way to explore the places while on a road trip, a rage these days thanks to the shared experiences of people on the social media.  With technology coming to our aid, it is easier to plan the  road trips. The GPS and the online maps ensure you plan a trip to precision to discover the places on your bucket list. These expeditions offer flexibility and are a great way to destress and clear your head from the daily grind to come back rejuvenated. There is a joy in exploring the desired places at your own pace while you enjoy the journey listening to your favourite music in your earphones. Who would not mind seeing the countryside, the historical places, or discovering the local food as you move at the desired pace? 

When you set on a journey, you enjoy the kaleidoscope of landscapes where the world rumbles by, making the journey as rewarding as the destination. 

Pictures from Google

 WHERE BOYS TURN GENTLEMEN.....

Family reunion… Destination… Alma mater…National Defence Academy Pune. 

This was no ordinary reunion. The boys who turned gentlemen years ago could stay in their cadet cabins with their wives to relive their days and go down memory lane. The giddy enthusiasm on the faces of these fifty-plus men was evidently visible as  they were cadets once again. 

The trip from the Airport to the Academy seemed forever for my husband, and the moment our cab landed at the Squadron gate, his buddies in the near vicinity rushed to the car to help us unload our stuff to join them for the first reunion lunch. There were serving Lt Generals on this trip who did not bat an eyelid to pick up a suitcase to carefully deposit it inside the squadron, while the taxi driver was  astonished by the excited voice of greetings around the place. The architectural elegance of these imposing buildings created a perfect backdrop to this reunion. 

Course mates is a tribe that defies definition and does not wane or wax with time as the time spent in rigorous training seals the bond forever. Grandfather retired from the services, and a serving grandson will have the same josh meeting a course mate. The commitment, chivalry, and camaraderie are incomparable, as they are forever friends regardless of the circumstances. They may meet infrequently, but a warm hug with an academy nickname melts away the time. For this band of brothers, responsible army men who risk their lives to protect their motherland, rank has no meaning when they are with their buddies. 

Time  flew by during the lunch, and all you could hear were laughs and greetings. There is a parallel fraternity of wives that has come into being over the years of interacting with each other who were looking for familiar faces, exchanging greetings, and catching up on the happenings in each other's lives. Post lunch, we visited NDA in their buses which took us to Peacock Bay, the Equestrian training area, and many other places while we heard live commentary from the gentlemen who had turned cadets for this trip. 

The spirit of not giving up on these men in the forces was displayed here. My phone slipped and fell in Peacock Bay, the diver retrieved it from the muddy water, and astonishingly in working condition. Of course, it did not last after staying in the water which is another story. 

The setup of cadet cabins in the Squadrons was a big surprise for us ladies. We were getting a chance to stay a fraction of the life of a cadet, and we loved it completely. The fun-filled evening and the laughter continued late in the night when we heard amazing stories from the horses' mouths. The icing on the cake was the sweet sound of the pipers walking through the corridors to wake us up in the morning, and we felt like royalty, nothing less than the Queen.

Royal breakfast at the Cadet Mess followed the wreath laying and paying homage to the brave hearts at the sacred Hut of Remembrance, built by the cadets, commemorating the sacrifices of all those alumni who laid down their lives for the motherland. The sanctity of this place is well maintained, which is felt by the peace and calm around it. Later, we visited  the historic Sudan Block, an iconic image of the Academy, and we watched the screening of the Course Movie. The brave wives of the brother officers who are no longer amongst us agreed to be with us on this get-together and were honoured in memory of their gallant husbands.

The highlight at tea time was the quintessential cold coffee of the NDA. No one was interested in eating as they all vied for the stall of cold coffee. An informal lunch at the picturesque Peacock Bay gave us an occasion to relax, catch up with old friends and forge new friendships. The vast expanse of Khadakwasla Lake was the ideal setting. Going for a walk post lunch to the Gole Market and hearing  the stories was a treat and rest was not on our minds.

Chatting over cups of coffee and then rushing from one event to the other along with these giddy young cadets, time just flew by, and it was time for the  dinner  in the cadet mess. An immense opportunity for us where musical evening continued so late that the jazz band in charge felt entertained when he had come to entertain us. The highlight of the lavish sit-down dinner was The Tipsy Pudding of the Cadet Mess, which none of them will miss for anything, and no one can make it better than this place. 

They say whatever is done in the forces is practised to perfection. The farewell breakfast was a lavish affair around the beautiful greens of the Golf course. A perfect send-off for this trip as we carried a bag full of memories of this unique experience. 

IMAGES from Google

                 KHUSHBOO AUR YAADEIN

The fragrance of Ponds cream evokes childhood memories, and I visualise my mom applying it on my face in winter, a comforting blanket of mother’s love.  The stress of the day just withers away, and there is a sense of calm. Smells echo comfort, safety bringing a sense of security and solace into one’s life. Miti ki Khushboo after the first rain in summer can bring a smile to any stressed person. Smell and memory have a link with the amygdala, the emotional centre of the brain. It is hard-wired to memory, and nothing can bring back a memory like the familiar fragrance as the strong sense of smell is associated with well-being. 

The anatomy of the brain, allows olfactory signals to get to the limbic system very quickly so that is why smell and memory are closely linked. The Proust effect studies the exceptional ability of scents to trigger memories and how close is the olfactory processing system to memory in the brain. The nostalgic fragrant memories knock on the door of childhood memories. Fragrances of our childhood are our anchor of happiness when the going gets tough in life. The sweet aroma of kheer produces a déjà vu of my grandmother’s kitchen, and I lose myself in her memories.

The smell of the crackers burning can take you back to carefree childhood days while bringing the fervour of festival time of Diwali. Whenever I bake a cake, the atmosphere brings back the laughter of my friends from my youth. You go on a time travel with the nostalgia of fragrances. The aromatic carpet of pristine white Har Singar takes me back to where I discovered them first and fell in love with those flowers and I relive the joy of those days. 

While older people may find joy in the fragrance of pine or freshly baked bread, the millennials may find a connection with the whiff of freshly brewed coffee. Our growing up years and the atmosphere affects which fragrances bring nostalgia unique to each of us. The smell of fresh-cut grass or old books will bring in nostalgic memories for people who like reading books or love being in nature.

The aroma of food is the smell of home triggering a sense of comfort in anyone. The smell of chalk or the crayon takes us to a happy-go -lucky time in the classrooms, while the salty smell of the sea takes one to the seaside trips and how freshly sun-dried linen is so refreshing. One of the happiest scents for anyone is the fragrance of a baby. 

Pleasant memories can improve mood and reduce stress which is good for our mental health.  It fosters greater  confidence and enhances creativity. An early detection of Alzheimer’s disease through the diminishing sense of smell can help to start the treatment earlier. An olfactory recall is incredible, as small airborne molecules are so powerful to impact our feelings and spark a flood of reminiscences.

Images from Google

 Are we depriving our children their future?

Who would have foreseen buying drinking water thirty years ago? Now imagine a situation thirty years into the future…acute water scarcity, sparse jungles, and oxygen booths. This can perhaps become a reality if the climate crisis is not averted. 

Mother Nature feels eroded and wounded by the colossal damage. Soaring temperatures, fires, floods, rising sea levels, and dissipating polar ice are evident enough. Is this what we are leaving for our children, and do we want our children to starve in the future?  The Covid 19 is a wake-up call. Global heating is a reality, and the UN climate report terms it irreversible. A meaningful commitment backed by action is the mainstay. 

Nearer home, the effects of climate change are in front of us.  IT hub Bengaluru was inundated after the relentless rain and the rampant urbanisation with receded drainage space and decreased  green cover is a  case of environmental destruction. Why not work towards the irreversible and inevitable climate change so that future generations have enough resources for survival? Climate change is turning into a crisis and we, as individuals, can do our bit to make a difference. At the societal level, in housing societies, RWAs can work with people to reduce carbon footprints. You can contribute by using clean green energy, consuming wisely, eating plant-based local food, and protecting the green spaces. 

It is normal to get tempted with the dress in the shop window even though we know that our cupboards are overflowing with stuff. But when one is mindful of climatic disruption, one will pause and reflect and go back empty-handed but content that one is reducing the carbon footprints. 

Religion binds individuals and can help motivate them to conserve our natural resources to reduce carbon footprint levels. When we sensitise children about the environment at an early age, they grow up being responsible adults protecting it. Reducing  the  use of paper and wood, and eating vegetarian food are steps toward conservation at the individual level to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Why not contribute towards protecting the environment by taking our children for a holiday to a nearby place instead of far-off exotic places as we aim to spend quality time together as a family? 

“The greatness of humanity is not in being human, but in being humane." – Mahatma Gandhi”

When we plant trees in our areas, we contribute towards building a forest cover as trees absorb 10% of the CO2 emitted in a year. By using greener energies, we reduce the impact of climate change considerably, even at the individual level. 

Gen Z or the millennials are not waiting for the older generation to take action, instead are working towards averting the climate crisis and saving the planet from choking. They are going  a step further by  spreading awareness through varied social media platforms. 

The window of action is all we have now which can either take us away or closer to a healthier environment.

 “What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.” Jane Goodall

Images from Google

                                                     GRATITUDE

                   Cooking a Delightful Meal

Is cooking an art or a task for you; does it give you stress or take away your blues? For me, the process of cleaning, chopping, and cooking food is a soulful refuge. The aroma of piping hot Gajjar ka Halwa simmering on a slow flame, cooked by my grandmother, is still fresh in my memory. When you cook with unfussy ingredients and add a sprinkle of love, you carve out delicacies for all to savour. Our vast culture offers us countless recipes, and the unlimited reservoir of online tutorials adds to it. Food is part of the narrative of our upbringing, our travels, and our escapades. 

I cooked sporadically for pleasure but took delight in the traditional food. Non-fussy food cooked with love by my mother and grandmother turned it extraordinary, the flavours staying forever on my palette, urging me to recreate them. I inherited the hunger for perfection and unconsciously imbibed it.

Some dishes, ordinary or exotic,  become our comfort foods and stay with us, and we recreate those dishes repeatedly. People can sniff and find out whether food is fresh or stale, whether salt or sugar is exact. With the interplay between taste and smells, we can grasp and capture the sensation of medleys of foods. The aroma is essential as it can enhance salivation and appetite, whereas long exposure to food while cooking can kill hunger.

Unconsciously childhood choices are our guiding lights, so parents must cook healthy food with love to instil these habits in childhood.  They do not have to chase the fad diets when they grow up to keep fit as they will remain anchored in eating healthy.

Some cooks measure the exact ingredients, while others rely on their intuition to create a sumptuous meal. It is like writers some are intuitive others plan it fully. Both are happily producing delectable dishes for others to enjoy, cherish and make memories. 

Less is more when there is a hunger to create.  The manner of reverting to basics, and eating traditional, seasonal foods, has caught up as a trend. When you cook with fresh ingredients with the right intention, you will spruce up a delightful meal. We all need food for survival then why not pour our heart and soul into the recipe and produce a delicious dish?  A meal of dal rice or an omelette can become a luxurious treat if we are hundred percent there while cooking it. 

Prosperity and hard-pressed for time have changed the way we cook. The stretching of meals and depending on leftovers may ease our work, but there is no match to shopping and prepping the fresh ingredients to cook a delectable meal. 

The world is on our plate, and it is not a crime to experiment with exotic dishes. The millennials are trying avant-garde epicurean delicacies which are visible on many Instagram accounts. Cooking is a universal experience that brings people together, crossing the barriers of nations or cultures. 

As the Bharat Gas tagline goes Cook Food, Serve love…......

Bon Appétit.....

PICTURES CREDIT:  NATASHA NANDA and SANAH HANDA