Category Personal

If you are familiar with this blog, you would be able to guess that I absolutely dig opportunities that let me travel to one of the many national parks in India. These nature reserves preserve and showcase the unparalleled biodiversity that India possesses. The dizzying array of flora and fauna in the Indian jungles can be represented by one iconic animal – the Royal Bengal Tiger. The sight of a tiger cooling off in a water hole, confident and unfettered, and then walking with a nonchalant swagger, that only the powerful can have, and turning his gaze at the beholder for the last time before disappearing into a bush as if to say “Hey! What’s so interesting? I am just being a tiger”, evokes emotions so profound that are indescribable in words...

The allure of a Mumbai to Goa road trip had not left me since I had first watched ‘Dil Chahta Hai’. The movies beautiful and fun filled depiction of the drive to Goa and Goa itself had made me want to do a similar trip for a long time. So when a group of friends planned such a trip, I happily joined in. And what a trip it was! When the feeling of being with some of your best friends combines with the festive atmosphere of Goa against the scenic backdrop that only Goa can provide, it creates a heady cocktail that can both blow your senses and sooth them. And it is the ability to cater to both these extremities that defines the Goa experience.

We spent the first half of our time in South Goa. We stayed at a resort on the Palolem Beach. South Goa is scenic and peaceful...

It’s that time of the year again. Winter chill has set in and the infamous North Indian fog has already started delaying flights and trains. Christmas festivities have just concluded and I am sitting in my office cube trying to pen this post before it becomes pointless to do so. The spirits are high and most of my colleagues are on vacation. Somehow, sitting in a sparsely populated office doesn’t seem so bad. I am experiencing a sense of freedom and privacy, that I have seldom felt at work. For some magical reason, I am not feeling disappointed at coming to work on the last day of the year. I am sure, I will be home in time to ring in 2014 with my folks at home.

2013, like most years and life itself, was a mix of both good and bad for me...

I visited Naini Tal earlier this month to participate in the 125th Anniversary celebrations of my Alma Mater – St. Jospeh’s College. And what a trip it was! It was like being transported back to my childhood amid the smiling faces of teachers and friends, and the picturesque Himalayas. I was there for 4 days and spent most of the time in school trying to relive the good old days. However, I still managed to stroll along the Mall, savour Sonam’s momos, relish Neeru’s Bun Tikkis and trek to Tiffin Top. It was a trip that seemed to end too soon but I have come back with invigorated memories of my childhood and the careless banter with friends. Shared below are some pictures I took while I was there. Sit back and enjoy (and reminisce if you are a Semite 🙂 ).

Naini Tal on our day of arrival ...

Abhigya Verma: Check out my infographic resume.

This is is the first time this year when I have been able to spend a decent week at home with my parents and it has made me realize how easy it is to forget the small joys that being at home can provide.

The morning walks in the tea gardens adjacent to my home or the joy in biting into a juicy apple on a bright sunny morning soaking in the autumn sunlight with the birds chirping above has no parallel. It has recently hit me I have never heard a bird chirp in Noida. The skies here are bluer, the leaves greener and the traffic more sedate.

Back in Noida, eating is just a chore but at home its an event that I eagerly await. Mom makes all my favourite dishes and serves them with so much love. The evenings are spent playing card games and taking strolls on the roof.

Back in Noida, I have to t...