Category Archives: Growing up global

The Banyan Tree

Posted on June 6, 2020 by Archana

Just outside my native home in Ambajogai, there is an old banyan tree. It is as old as time, it feels, because everyone simply refers to it as “vadacha zhaad”, or “the banyan tree”. There is no need to describe … Continue reading →

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A Most Thoughtful Gift

Posted on January 6, 2019 by Archana

The other day, my brother told me that this year he is going to send me one book a month. I squealed in delight. It is one of the most thoughtful gifts I have ever received. He knows I love … Continue reading →

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Marathwada Diaries: When Goddesses Come Home

Posted on September 16, 2018 by Archana

Hindu mythic folklore is rich and colourful, creating whole worlds in which the divine interacts with the human. This time of year is particularly full of this interplay, merging the two and creating an elevated sense of companionship and closeness … Continue reading →

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Ganpati Visits Us

Posted on September 13, 2018 by Archana

It’s my favourite time in Mumbai: Ganpati, or Ganesha, is visiting! I wrote about this festival before, describing what the experience when Ganpati arrives in Mumbai. Clearly, I love this time of year. For the next 10 days, Maharashtrians everywhere have … Continue reading →

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Teacher’s Day

Posted on September 5, 2018 by Archana

According to my calendar, today is Teacher’s Day. I don’t think it’s the same as Hindus’ Guru Poornima, which is a day set aside to revere our teachers. Nevertheless, it’s still a day I like. There is something nice about … Continue reading →

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Brothers and Sisters

Posted on August 12, 2018 by Archana

I was watching a rerun of New Girl on TV and there was a scene where one of the characters, Schmidt, thinks he may be becoming a father and he and his friend, Nick, are freaking out. Nick: I’m not ready … Continue reading →

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People that know the ‘old’ you

Posted on April 15, 2018 by Archana

I spent this weekend with people that have known me from 30 years and earlier, if not more. My maternal aunt, who has known me since I was born, and took care of me every summer (I have written about … Continue reading →

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Why Indians don’t say “sorry”

Posted on April 1, 2018 by Archana

Indians, generally speaking, don’t say “sorry”. If we’re late, we are nonchalant and breezy about it. If we don’t do something we were supposed to do, we talk about unrelated things that we have done, as irrelevant as they may … Continue reading →

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Thank you, Starbucks

Posted on September 9, 2017 by Archana

“Ni hao!” The barista called out, as I stepped into a Starbucks cafe in downtown Shanghai. “Ni hao!” He said again. I looked up and realised he was talking to me. A 20-something chap with a cherubic face and trendy eyeglasses … Continue reading →

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Getting closer to nirvana

Posted on March 23, 2015 by Archana

It was my birthday over the weekend, and despite having done it 41 times, and despite knowing that every other person on the planet has one too, it continues to feel like the most important day of the year, one … Continue reading →

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