Journey and Introspection

The Sahitya Akademi awards books in regional languages every year. At my last count there were award winners across 18 languages. A quick fact check and background on the Akademi and awards can be googled. The intent of this article is not to spread awareness about the award. Instead I would like to focus on what the award is for i.e books and writing. One heartening feature over the last decade has been the rise of books published in English by Indian writers on topics related to India. A good book leads to introspection and insights. A way of understanding our country is to read books, understand the literature of that country. But to understand contemporary India, English writing won’t suffice,it’s important to read regional literature to gain an insight into that state , mindset and issues. Why can’t the Akademi translate each year,s winners into English? It would open the market up for regional writers It would open up minds of youngsters across states to the diversit...

Running has been an intermittent hobby/passion for me. 2009 , i.e 10 years back I started running in UK to try and lose weight. Upto this year, I only ever managed to run 10km at a stretch and that too only one. To recap to the best of my memory 1- Airtel Delhi HM - twice 2. Mumbai HM - once 3. Vasai Virar HM . once 4. Thane HM Once 5. StanChart Mumbai Marathon once 6. Navy 10k Once All these were run /walk and the best I ever managed was I think 2:45 for the HM in Delhi and 6:03 for the Stanchart full marathon. Since May this year, I have restarted running, with a different approach. Earlier I identified an event and then put in a plan keeping in mind my lack of fitness. Diet/nutrition did not really play a role. This time, its more holistic and the event depends on my fitness level. One big change is that this time I am trying to run as much of it as possible and not walk. For the record, I can now run up to 70 minutes without stopping and with comfort. Midnattlop...

Its been a few months since the last post, almost 5 months. In a way the hiatus has been a blessing in disguise. Since then, there have been some positive changes in life 1. We changed our diet and eating pattern. We have a nutritionist guiding us, and have been at it since mid may. 2. In line with diet and to aid weight loss, I started running again. Restarted with a Couch 2 5K plan and slowly over time have moved up to running for an hour without a break The above two have lead to a significant weight loss, with the changes visible in clothes size, energy levels  and appearance. The intervening time has also helped me to refocus and find my passion ( a separate post on passion to follow) To cut a long story short, the running bug is back again, and have completed the Midnatt Loppet (10km) in August, and am planning to run Lidingoloppet (15km cross country) tomorrow. Each deserves a post by itself. Yes, the CC also completed a tandem Skydive during this time.. yes an...

Its been a month of steady Yoga practice. Its started with a basic premise of doing at least 2 asanas daily, and over time progressed into a 40 minute practice. Up until last week, it was a daily practice, however, as of last week it is easing into practice on alternate days. This has me worried, as its an usual pattern. Start something, get into it with full gusto, then ease up on it and before you know it, its ended. Why? At the most basic level, its a lack of excitement. Usually the first few days of exercise leads of a sense of well being, a new found sense of feeling fit, and the excitement of doing something new. Over time, fatigue catches up, the body adapts and the same high is missing, and then the routine becomes a bore. What (can be done to prevent it)? This is the key as it determines the eventual success of the plan. The balance lies between having a routine so that one needs not think about what needs to be done but  having a flexibility wherein there is a se...

                             Yoga The journey has started with one part of the Curious Couple completing her 200 hr TTC ( Teacher Training Course) at The Yoga Institute in Mumbai, India this March. Since then she has been taking classes over Skype as well as training the other half of the curious couple (i.e me) So Yoga.. hmmm... Silence.. where to start.. How long have you been practicing yoga? About a month now, but also ever since school , where yoga was a part of the curriculum. Having said that, I still cannot touch my toes or sit in Padmasana. Kavita has been practicing for longer through classes at the local gym in Helsinki/Stockholm and now Mumbai. We both also briefly attended classes at the Yoga Institute on weekends a couple of years back Why do you enjoy Yoga? It relaxes the muscles through stretching, is easy on the joints as compared to running. Also its not only physical, but also help...

There are some books that hook you from the opening paragraph. They dispense with the niceties of building up and slowly sucking you in. Instead you  plunge straight down a steep slope like the best roller coaster rides. A Man Called Ove has been one such ride for me. The story ( without giving too much away) is about an man, who now no longer has a day job and potters around the neighborhood. As the book progresses we find out more about him, his life and love and the people around him. An grouchy old man becoming everyone's favorite is an old trope in books. However, this is so beautifully written ( and beautifully translated into English from Swedish), that like the best books /movies it feels fresh.Each chapter uncovers a new layer to the person , and what seems like disjointed writing in an earlier chapter suddenly makes sense later. The book like Ove himself falls into place , just the way it should. It made me laugh out loud, cry, quietened the cynic in me and had ...

My first marathon Its been 6 years since i ran my first and only marathon. (Thats me in the blue t shirt and cap) . The word run is used in a loose sense, as it was walk :run combination that got me through the 42.something kms. After all the euphoria, the pride and the resting on the laurels, and a sense of checking off a box ( run a marathon..check) this is what I would advise anyone wanting to complete 42 kms on foot in one go.. 1- Motivation : be very clear to yourself why you are doing it. If you are not clear, it will be impossible to commit yourself to the training over the coming year. For me, it was a combination. I had completed a few half marathons by then. was going through a rough phase in my personal life and needed a healthy outlet, a vague idea that running is like meditation and that it would ease all my mental woes.. Right or wrong, these got me through the year's training. Which brings me to point 2. 2- Have a plan. Whatever and however you want to do...