AI Natives Are Here: Are You Keeping Up?

It’s a question that used to be common. “What’s your native place?” It was a way of asking where you were from, where your roots lay. The word native carried warmth. It evoked childhood memories, a sense of belonging, and the unmistakable comfort of home. The word native, I have since learned, comes from the

How Deep is Deep?

Depth is having its moment. With a nod to DeepSeek, it’s shaking things up. Portfolios have suffered deep losses, and the technology world — after pouring billions from their deep pockets into AI — is staring at deep consternation. Even Nvidia, the darling of the AI boom, is in the deep red. And it’s not

The Fourth Place: Building Bridges, Breaking Walls

Far back in time, I was part of a theatre group called The Fourth Wall. It was led

Pongal, Sugarcane, and the Art of Holding On

The Tamizh month of Thai comes with promises of new beginnings. My grandmother always used to say, “Thai pirandhal Vazhi pirakkum”—when Thai arrives, new paths emerge. Pongal is not just a festival. It’s a connection to home and to a different time. A time when life was carefree, when simple acts nourished the soul, and

Heroes Without Headlines

There’s a certain kind of magic in talking to ordinary people. Not the kind who wear capes, but the kind who wear aprons, helmets, or binoculars slung casually around their necks. They don’t ask for attention. Yet, they grab it—not by making noise but by making sense. My hairdresser, for instance, lives with a quiet

My Word Of The Year for 2025

Motion, no matter how small, creates momentum. Stride forward, and let each step shape the path ahead in 2025. That’s my message to myself.

Trapped in Feedback: A Day in the Life of Ratings and Reviews

It started as a regular day. A taxi ride to the airport. Smooth. No complaints. As I got

When The Sky Falls

Three or four Fridays ago, I was taking a stroll. It had been a tough day, and the

Horlicks Whirled Wide

Mind Your Language, the old British sitcom, was a personal favourite. Actually, it continues to be. In one scene, the teacher, Mr Brown, asks Juan Cervantes, the Spanish bartender, “What’s unique to Britain?” Juan fires back with a quick, savage reply: “Speak English!” It’s funny and true. English is a British export, but different parts

The Choices of Independence

The usual scene unfolds. The flag is unfurled. Rose petals fall. Haven’t seen that anywhere else in the

Thank God For Dosa

Kerala paratha? A flashback to my early professional life—years I could have spent differently. Filter coffee? That’s Mum. The smell of bread? Raja Barley, a bakery in Madurai. Crabs? Pier 39, San Francisco. Churros? San Gines in Madrid. Crisp dosa? Aiyappas in Matunga. Black coffee? I’m in Brisbane. Toast? Singapore. Kulcha? Amritsar. Pomfret? Calicut. Salads?

Embracing Grey

The rain brings life to a spectrum of emotions, reminding us that most of life is a beautiful blend of grey. The thick black coffee is an exception.