Tarun Varuns Birthday, 2017

 A very happy birthday to my twins Tarun and Varun. As I look back today twenty eight years down memory lane, I see events passing one after the other and  it looks like it just happened yesterday. It was no joke bringing you up and the  rounds to doctors , managing your fights, anxiety of getting the home work done, taking care of you and then travelling to the University for about  twenty five kilometers for me and about 30 kilometeres for papa  is all fresh in my mind. As school going kids the planning by you both,  for your birthday would start months in advance and you both pestered me with thousand and one questions. As  you grew up and went to college  you wanted a celebration  only with your friends and again I was pestered for months together as to how much  money I will give you both for the party.  Today you both celebrate your birthdays in different continents. Yet , I can proudly say that having you both meant  twice the happiness and fun and double dose of every thing. I proudly declare that   there are only a  handful of lucky people who are blessed with twins and  your papa and I are  one of them.

Changing face of urban India

 When we shifted from Ameerpet to Gachibowli in the outskirts of Hyderabad in early 1990's, except the University there was no significant landmark in the surrounding area. We  were surrounded by beautiful rocks and rugged greenery. We would take the children for walks in the backyard of our colony and they would love collecting wild custard apples and crossing the various streams that beautifully littered the landscape. Soon we saw Indian School of Business come in, then Infosys, Microsoft,  Wipro, and many more IT companies. The rocks disappeared and they were replaced by modern buildings with glass facades and wide roads. Soon the roads became so crowded that one could not even walk and we stopped going on this road. However, today I saw a new changing face of urban India. On every Sunday from 6 to 9 in the  morning the main road is blocked and I could see a large number of groups involving grown ups, Children in a number of activities like ludo, yoga, dancing, cycling and chess. Some groups played kho-  kho, Kabbadi, Steppo  and many games which we played as children. Some  groups were showcasing  first aid, organic farming, home made sweets. It was fun filled activities with lot of music. Pullela  Gopi Chand has taken the initiative and a number of groups and people are now joining the initiative. Thanks a lot for giving back to the people, the morning walkers, their old road, albeit one Sunday.

GoodBye Maryland

 Saying good bye to Maryland 0n 23rd March, 2017. Home, sweet home Hyderabad here I come. A visit to the temple before I leave.

Leaving for Maryland by Train

 Saying goodbye to New York, Stamford and Bridgeport as I leave on 16th March, 2017, to go to Maryland. Chotu's friend Kartik and his dog  Ceaser came to say good bye at the station. I am connected to the Internet in the train and only hoping and wishing we have all these facilities in India available to every one soon. I can see snow all around.

Snow Blizzard in New York

 There has been a snow Blizzard in New York on 15th March, 2017. I had come to visit my younger son. Many flights and trains were cancelled. The temperature is down to minus 6. Every one worked from home and today when I went out I could see huge mounds of snow that had been cleared for the roads.

Lecture at Bowie University

 On 2nd March, 2017, gave a lecture at the Bowie University in the  History Department. Met a number of faculty. Here most of the focus is on teaching courses in Africo American history.

International Studies Association, 2017

 Attended the International Studies Association (ISA)Conference at Hilton in Baltimore from 21st February to 25th February and met many old friends from the Feminist Theory and Women's Caucus group.