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Benign Strangers

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It’s quite strange to quote strange experiences in this strange place!

To elucidate further, Last Saturday we were hopping in some markets in London trying to shop for our daughter. After raiding few shops we ended up in this store, exhausted and tired. I preferred to sit on a tuffet and pleaded my husband to look for the things he had to buy. As soon as I sat, an elderly woman came with her clan and sat beside me. She looked equally tired like me. We briefly exchanged glances, I unwaveringly smiled and she responded . She seemed interested in looking at me and my daughter. So, I uttered few words about how my daughter keeps me busy. She said she was there for her grand daughter who was going to turn twelve next month on 10th and since it’s their school summer break, she would be taking her to her homeland, Paris. All her relatives from her husband’s side were there in France and they were planning for a nice family reunion along with her grand daughter’s birthday treat!

What a sheer coincidence! I told her that my daughter would turn four on the same day -same month! She looked intently at Siya who was busy twirling, dancing, glancing at the mirrors and singing! Siya turned and sneaked a look at the girl who was dressed like a boy. Finding bit odd for her young mind, she said, ” Mama! Why is she not wearing a Frock ?”

Before I could say anything, the lovely lady said,” I was telling my grand daughter that she shares the same birth day and month and look she is wearing a frock, so why can’t you wear one?”

The girl shyly smiled and went to see her mother who was busy trying some clothes. While the old lady started talking to me. She said she likes the people who really care for their children and look for their needs. As per her opinion, family is very important and she takes her family from London to meet her relatives in Paris every year.

Meanwhile to our dismay, Siya and that girl picked up the same dress unknowingly, I retorted, “They have struck some chords!” I don’t know what clicked in that girl’s mind, she bought that frock and the old lady happily said, “She would be wearing one for the first time. All these eleven years she had never worn a frock!” Well!! what could have I said!! It was a sheer zodiac effect or just an impression!! That one hour in that GAP showroom was a delight. I had almost forgotten the wide chasm of language, culture and background!!!

Building Bridges: How Translation is Redefining Indian Publishing – By Smita Dwivedi

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India’s greatest literary strength lies in its multilingualism. With books published in dozens of languages, the country possesses an extraordinary wealth of stories, ideas and cultural traditions. For decades, however, these stories largely remained confined within linguistic boundaries. Today, that landscape is changing. Publishers, translators, literary agents and institutions are investing in translation not only to connect readers across India’s many languages but also to introduce Indian literature to the world.

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Why We Do What We Do: Hindu Dharma – By Rajeev Achari

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Why We Do What We Do: A Father Explains Hindu Dharma

Gopalu had wondered for years why his family did the things they did — the morning puja, the temple visits, rituals, none of his school friends had ever heard of.

It was a warm and sunny Saturday morning, not quite usual in England. Gopalu had already showered and completed his morning prayers alongside his mother. The smell of incense is still coming from the puja room. Fresh parathas are ready on the table as Gopalu sat down for breakfast. His dad sat down mid-conversation, phone still in hand, finishing off a call with family back in India — something he did most mornings, keeping one foot in India and one in their life here in England. 

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What does it mean to be a British Hindu?

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In British politics, immigration has become one of the defining subjects of public debate. The origins of this debate itself is contested. Some scholars argue that it reflects the decline of the state’s capacity to foster national cohesion, following the country’s neoliberal reforms of the 1980s, weakening many of the institutions that had historically underpinned a shared sense of citizenship.

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Panchang & Muhurth The Ancient Science of Timing

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By Dr. Gyan Sharma

What Is Panchang?


If you have ever wondered why your grandmother checked the calendar before fixing a wedding date, the answer lies in the Panchang. The word comes from pancha (five) and anga (limb) — so it literally means “five limbs.” It is the traditional Hindu astronomical almanac, and people across India and the diaspora have relied on it for thousands of years to pick the right time for important events.

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British Theatre vs Indian Theatre – By Alankrit Shrivastava

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Different origins yet a shared purpose.

Despite the fact that we live in an age where there are endless options for entertainment available instantly via online platforms and social media, it is easy to wonder if theatre has a relevant role.

However, the Society of London Theatre states that “the West End continues to be the leading theatre destination globally.” Although Britain’s theatre industry is known throughout the globe, it is only a small part of a larger story. Theatre has survived throughout time due to its ability to do more than entertain; it creates a platform for storytelling, reflection on society, and cultural preservation.

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