Remember Chamatka, Suppandi, Tales of Birbal and Jataka Tales? Apparently, a startup, ACK Media, is acquiring a majority stake in Amar Chitra Katha Pvt. Ltd., the company which publishes the wonderful Amar Chitra Katha comics, besides Tinkle and Double Digest.

While I was growing up, this definitely a big hit – a lot more interesting than the history teacher’s droning, dates and maps, a peek into Indian culture and mythology and a definite pride in being Indian. Where else would you see 10 year old eager to read about Rabindranath Tagore’s life or Amarapali, the court dancer in the ancient kingdom of Vaishali and her conversion to Buddism? Also for a generation that was exposed to mainly British literature, this was a refreshing dose of reality and what with Little Anwar, Tantri the Mantri and of course, “It Happened to Me”, a section where readers could write in. I remember huge comic exchange programs every summer vacation when stacks of comics would be lent and borrowed and actually read! Yes, the content is clinical, too non-controversial and sometimes not factual. But I can definitely attest that they are a wonderful tool to make kids sit down and read, get interested in history and feel a sense of pride in being Indian. How many textbooks or any other book for that matter can claim that distinction?

So go for it ACK Media, rerelease those 200 issues that are not in circulation and reach out to a wider audience. I see many a parent appreciating those Kodak moments of quietness while watching their kids engrossed in reading about India!

I lost a very near and dear one to cancer recently. Coping with death is tough, no matter how much you know that it is coming, when it does come, it hits you like a whirlwind. As one of my dearest friends said, the only definite thing in life is death. May sound morbid – but I think that the person I lost kept that in mind and dealt with her life and the cancer very gracefully. Never one to complain, she took everything in her stride. Clear-cut and organized, she dispensed instructions on everything from her funeral to what she wanted to do with her possessions. She was certainly not in denial but at the same time, she made the most of her life and cherished it.

Here are some things I learnt from this experience.
Being around: The best thing family and friends can do in this situation is be available. If circumstances allow you be by the side of a loved one, do so by all means. Bonding, sharing memories and at the same time doing what you can to alleviate pain is a powerful experience. But do understand that it is emotionally exhaustive and take time out while doing the care-giving to talk to a friend, recuperate and recover.

Find a good doctor you can trust: Probably the most important tip. A empathetic doctor who understands the situation and deals with it effectively, is able to be firm when required and understanding during difficult times. We were lucky enough to have the right doctor.

Do not offer false hopes or quack medicine: Coupled with the obvious agony of watching someone you cherish die slowly, the situation can get aggravated by solicitous well-wishers offering their input on everything that would “definitely” cure the disease. Even normal and intelligent people when confronted with serious life-threatening situations may grasp at non-existent straws. Mind you, I see nothing wrong with optimism and hope but I do draw the line at quacks and false comfort. In case of a terminal illness, it is important to remember that most other therapies will offer relief and palliative care. Dietary restrictions or excessive intake of a particular food item is not going to do change the situation dramatically.

Hold the unnecessary advice: Have you seen the Reliance mobile phone ad? That’s what it feels like when visitors offer bucket loads of unnecessary advice. Of course, if you feel that something can undoubtedly be of help to that person, do suggest it gently to a family member. But do not be aggressive and overly loquacious about it.

Help out: Daily chores are where others can help. Whether it is cooking meals, offering a ride or doing the grocery shopping, practical help will go a long way in helping out a family that is coping with terminal illness.

Allow yourself to grieve: Whether you want to take the time out to cry on someone’s shoulder or be by yourself or share memories with your friends, do take the time out to grieve. Understand that it may take time, but do make the effort to get back to your usual activities and routine.

Got a sweet tooth? Here is a list of my favourite places to satisfy those cravings.

Corner House – Of course! And have the Death By Chocolate and in summer the Strawberries with Cream and Ice-cream.

Café Fresco’s – The awesome B52 – a creamy concoction of chocolate mousse and kahlua.

The Edge Ice Creams – Try the Rum Tart – you will go back for more.

Kadambam – The sakkare (sweet) pongal – warm, gooey, with oodles of ghee and bits of cashews.

Casa Piccola – The delicious After 8 – a mixture of peppermint and vanilla ice cream with malty chocolate sauce and whipped cream. To cheer you up on those days when you think nothing goes right!

Sunny’s –The chocolate cake is to die for!

Daily Bread/Deluca’s – The Ferraro Rocher gelato is rich, chocolately and superb. And sort of guilt-free 

Just Chocolate – For that chocolate fix, try their exotic range of chocolates. And the home-made butterscotch ice cream is truly wholesome and delicious.

Karavalli – For at taste of fabulous Goa and all the wonderful memories that come with it, try their very delicate bibinca!

Selective meat-eater? Or “pure” vegetarian? Prefer organic products?

I come from thair sadam (that’s curd rice for non-Tamilians) brigade and am married to a sorpotel -sannas (aka Mangalorean) clan. So what do we eat at home – rasam and surmai fry, vatha kuzhambu and jackfruit curry, pan pole and milagai podi and may other such combinations which might make purists shudder. The rasam and sambhar I make is not the Tamil original either – it is the Karnataka version with a dash of jaggery, a result of growing up in Bangalore and my hostel life in Mysore. All this in addition to the pastas, salads, grills and bakes that I experiment with – a legacy from my US past and acquiring a neat cookbook collection from there.

End result is my daughter is a very non-picky eater. The only thing I can think of that she dislikes is tomatoes! Her list of favourite foods includes curd rice (of course) and vadu manga (pickled tender mangoes), salads, tuna sandwiches, fish fry, chicken soup and noodles.

Sometimes we eat what we do out of choice, sometimes as a result of upbringing and environment. There is Kareena Kapoor who converted from a hard-core meat eater to a vegetarian for her beau. And there are others who end relationships over differential food preferences.

I completely believe in embracing food influences whole heartedly. What I eat has evolved over time and continues to do so – I like to think that it is a reflection of my life.

So do you think you are what you eat?

Ten years ago, I left for the US to do my masters - with no cheap way of keeping in touch with family. Having just about got an email address and with the new computer at home being some DOS type thing where no pictures came up, the vsnl internet connection had speeds that rivalled Rip Van Winkle’s aging process. Dad’s email address was soooo long – ending in bgl.vsnl.net.in. Really!!! Calling cards from the US charged 53 cents a minute to India and that was considered a good deal and calling from India to the US was Rs.60 a minute. Seriously!

Now one of my dearest and nearest has left for sunny California to do his MS. And I am amazed at how easy it is to keep in touch. Skype, Gtalk, what have you! And calling cards from Reliance and Big Zoo that cost 15 cents a minute. And it is so cheap for me to call as well. In addition, you can add gtalk to your blackberry and be online all times of the day. So all he has to do is ping and I am there with the answers. Amazing!!!!

Being in a city, it really is quite easy to bridge the distance. And at the end of the day that’s what matters – keeping in touch with your loved ones and being part of their lives and transformations. Bidding adieu just got so much easier!

The aqua-blue and white-washed walls bring memories of the sea shore. The greens, reds and yellows of the salads jostle for space with the wicker baskets filled with loaves of freshly-baked bread and rolls. Crisp tablecloths. A whiff of grilled lamb and barbeque sauce. A strumming guitar, a lazy melody in the background, the clink of champagne glasses. Candles flicker in the shadows. The taste of creamy gorgonzola cheese and the tangy citrus flavour of the grape salad with crisp lettuce. Dip the pita in the tzatziki. Muted conversations. Cherubic babies in beautiful clothes play amongst the white pebbles in the patio. More champagne, ma’am? Sure, why not. The red pesto sauce is brimming with flavour. Delicious aromas drift over from the waffle iron. The sweet taste of warm chocolate sauce and maple syrup. The indolent Sunday sun shines away. I lean back on the cushion soaking it up. And savour the moment.

What is your favourite food memory?

Whether you are from Gen X, Gen Y or the 1960s, I am reasonably sure that most of us, at some point when we were growing up, felt that our parents did not understand us at all and were stuck in time.

I think a very important factor in parent-child relationship is being able to relate to each other – that is, having a relationship where you are able to understand and be understood. Here are some thoughts on reaching the golden median with your parents:

Make the effort: However old-fashioned and out-of-touch your parents seem to you, make the effort to reach out to them. Spend the time and energy to connect with them on an ongoing basis.

Set expectations: Especially if you think that your public persona is way different from how you behave in front of them. For instance, your parents don’t believe in dating. Doing it behind their back and then expecting them to suddenly embrace the person of your dreams when you decide to tell them is unrealistic. A better strategy would be to talk to them over a period of time (yes, this requires a lot of patience) convince them that things have changed, that you want to choose your own partner and that you will make responsible choices.

Behave responsibly: Be honest with your parents and follow through with responsible behaviour. Keep them in the loop and they will be more willing to listen to you if they trust you to make reasonable choices. Choose smart decision making over not-so-smart impulsive behaviour.

Avoid resentment: It is important to understand that no parent is perfect and that they have made their share of mistakes. Harbouring feelings of resentment and anger against them is not the way to go to build bridges. Parenting is a tough job and it is important to realize that most parents do try to do what is best for their kids.

“What do they know” attitude: Loose the attitude and respect your parent’s opinions, even if you do not agree with them. Listen carefully to what they say, even if it sounds ridiculous to you. Often, you may be surprised that when you peel away all the layers, you will find something at the core that makes a lot of sense and looks out for your best interests.

Be willing to compromise: Just like in any other relationship.

The Bangalore Blahgers got together for brunch on Sunday, May 27 at Brewhaha in Koramangala. For most of us, this was the first time we met up with the other authors on blah and it was awesome to put faces to names! After the initial introductions, the animated discussions (what do you expect from an opinionated bunch?!!) revolved around everything from the worst boss ever, to The Namesake and dak-nams, to a comparison of the shopping scene in Mumbai and Bangalore, to the best state in India to live in (no agreement on this – the only thing everyone agreed on was that the weather in Bangalore was fantastic). The Brewhaha team took very good care of us as we lounged on the bean bags, sipped on our coffees, gorged on the muffins (yummy blueberry muffins) and sandwiches and surprised us with a very neat fruit spread (see the photos) for dessert.

Thank you for taking the time to come!

Thinktank, Ashley, Small Squirrel, Kishore and Meenakshi

Shirsha, Chitra and Desh

The fruit!

Ankit, Candy and Meenakshi

Chitra, Desh and Thinktank

An acquaintance of mine, an elderly lady, feels very strongly that love is blind and that most people enter into relationships without a rational thought in their head. She vouches for her strong feelings by pointing out the example of her son, seemingly intelligent, who chose to marry a woman with a controlling, possessive personality who has damaged everything in his life from his career to his relationships with his friends and family. And this despite having witnessed obvious incidents and had numerous clues that should have provided him with enough insight into what to expect in the future.

There is certainly something about love that makes grown men and women wear rose-tinted glasses and throw logic out of the window. How do you make smart relationship decisions and avoid mistakes and heartache? Here are some tips and tools you can apply:

Hindsight is 20/20: When one relationship ends, try to learn something from it. Why did it not work out? Do you have a pattern of entering into relationships with people with a particular kind of behaviour or habits? If yes, identify the pattern and look out for warning signs in your future relationships. Spend some time thinking about it. Recognize your blind spots and look behind to spot them. Learn from your past and avoid making the same mistakes again.

He/she has changed: If I could get a nickel for every time I have heard this! The only thing you can change in a relationship is whether you want to be in it or not. Don’t enter relationships hoping that the other person will understand their mistakes or what is unacceptable to you, rearrange their priorities and values and make a change. It mostly will not happen and you will be left holding your disappointment and hurt.

He/she needs me: Please – pick on someone your own size. Really. Work on your self-esteem. Emotional blackmail is certainly not the answer.

Sounding-board: What do your closest friends and family think about that person? Do they seem to like this person’s company or are they forever giving you talks on why you should end the relationship? Do you find yourself defending that person or their actions a little too often? Pay attention to what they are saying – they maybe more objective than you and have your best interests at heart. Analyze how you react to their opinions – are you defending unacceptable behaviour and actions, vouching for the fact that the person has changed or telling your friends to mind their own business. All three responses are danger signs you are heading in the wrong direction.

Its summer!! And if you are the kind that goes mushy at the thought of mango season, with nostalgic memories of eating a Neelam with juice dripping down your chin or gulping thick Alphonso milkshakes on hot afternoons, here are three of my favourite mango recipes.

Mango Mimosa (makes 5 glasses)

1 ripe mango

1 bottle of chilled champagne

Peel the mango and separate the pulp. Add about ¼ cup of water to the pulp and puree in a food processor. Strain the puree. Pour the chilled champagne into a large pitcher/jug. Gently add the strained puree and mix it in without beating. Serve immediately in champagne glasses.

Emilia’s Mangalorean Mango Curry (Serves 2-3)

3 Mangoes – either half-ripe or sweet and sour in taste

Salt to taste

For masala

1 dry red chilli

1 tsp jeera seeds

1 tsp turmeric powder

2 tsp coriander powder

A small piece of tamarind

½ cup scraped coconut

For seasoning

8-10 curry leaves

1 tsp mustard

1 tbsp oil

Wash and peel the mangoes and separate the pulp. Boil the pulp in 1 cup of water for about 20 minutes. Roast the red chilli, jeera seeds, turmeric powder and coriander powder slightly. Grind the roasted spices with the tamarind and coconut. Add the ground masala to the cooked mango. If required, add more water till the mixture is of the required consistency – neither too thick nor too thin. Boil again for 10-15 minutes. Add salt to taste Season with oil, mustard and curry leaves. Serve hot with plain rice.

Mango Salad (Serves 2)

2 Mangoes – ripe but firm

1 red capsicum – sliced long

½ red onion – finely chopped

¼ cup chopped coriander

For dressing

2 tbsps extra virgin olive oil

Juice of ½ a lime

¼ tsp pepper

1 garlic pod crushed

Salt to taste

Peel the mangoes and chop them into cubes. Place them in a bowl along with the red capsicum, onion and coriander. In a cup, mix the olive oil, lime juice, pepper, crushed garlic and salt. Whisk and pour into the bowl. Stir to coat and refrigerate for half an hour before serving.

Tip: Fish-eaters can add grilled prawns to this salad.

Happy Eating!