The Middle

Language in Maharashtra is politically charged and a source of cultural pride, fostering strict adherence to Marathi. Conversely, Himachal embraces linguistic diversity, with numerous dialects changing rapidly and encouraging a more inclusive, less judgmental approach to communication and understanding.

A trip from Yamunanagar to Jaipur became a comical adventure driven by persistent billboards. The travelers were lured by enticing advertisements, leading them to impulsive purchases and food stops. They abandoned their initial plans, experiencing a highway-themed commercial spectacle instead.

Indians favor bucket-and-mug bathing, a tradition the author brought to postings abroad. This preference, sometimes critical for survival like in Kabul, even puzzled Russians during a Prime Minister's visit, highlighting cultural differences.

Déjà vu experiences, a feeling of prior familiarity with a new experience, are frequent for the author. These moments, including musical talent and navigation of unfamiliar places, challenge the boundaries of experience. While often explained neurologically, the author views them as a nudge toward a deeper, less understood realm.

The scent of petrichor evokes cherished memories of childhood spent in a large family's courtyard. Shared meals, games, and celebrations thrived in the space, fostering a strong sense of community. The author treasures these moments of connection and love.

Astronauts use music to calm nerves before spaceflight, a tradition exemplified by Gp Capt Shukla's choice of 'Yun hi chala chal' from 'Swades.' The author recounts a similar experience in Sudan, where the movie and its songs, like 'Swades,' provided comfort and a connection to home.

The author visited Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's ancestral house in Karamsad, now a museum. The museum features photos of Patel's life. The author reflects on Patel's legacy, including his role in unifying India and the lack of a memorial at Birla Bhawan, and celebrates Patel's birth anniversary.

A cherished glass with a crack was kept despite the flaw. Its owner ignored the damage and continued using it, associating it with love. Eventually, it shattered, spilling its contents. The experience led to a realization: flawed relationships, like cracked glasses, ultimately break under pressure, wasting love.

ON flights around the world, we come across all kinds of passengers. After all, people embark on journeys for myriad reasons. While we forget most of our co-passengers, some end up making a place in our hearts. Some years ago,...

Golfers faced a wasp swarm during an afternoon round. One player's panicked movements agitated the wasps, leading to stings. The incident triggered memories of past wasp encounters and a business magnate's fatal bee sting. They resumed playing after first aid.

In the 1970s, a battalion fought insurgents in Nagaland, using Jessami as its HQ. They sought to capture the underground leader Hurie in Phek. A local informant signaled Hurie's presence by extinguishing the church light. A large operation ensued, but Hurie was not found. The informant claimed drunkenness, leaving the unit uncertain of his loyalty.

In 1975, Jayaprakash Narayan (JP) was detained at Chandigarh's PGI for medical care during the Emergency. Medical staff faced security scrutiny while treating him. He was briefly moved to a guest house but his health declined. Released on parole, he humorously thanked the staff before departing for Delhi.

A woman recounts her enduring struggle: her husband prioritizes rest, leaving her overburdened with household and childcare responsibilities. This imbalance, stemming from the mental load, leads to resentment and unequal partnerships. True happiness requires men to share the load, fostering mutual respect and connection.

Escaping the plains' heat, the author journeyed to the hills, taking the Kalka-Shimla railway. The trip included visiting the unfinished Barog tunnel, a monument to Col Barog's failure and suicide. The tunnel symbolizes the weight of responsibility, professional honor, and the cost of high standards in a world that often forgives easily.

The author accompanied Gen. Sundarji on a 1986 trip to the USSR to discuss AEW&CS acquisition. A copy of a Jane's Compendium entry prompted a humorous negotiation. The Soviets initially denied possessing the technology, but eventually agreed to provide India with the first AEW&CS produced in Russia, resulting in a hybrid system of Israeli and American technology.

A patient, facing hernia surgery, contrasts his experiences in a government and private hospital. The government hospital offered impersonal, rushed care, lacking privacy and empathy. The private hospital provided dignity but pressured for expensive treatment. He questions why public healthcare fails to prioritize basic patient respect.

During Operation Parakram, minefields were laid in Gurdaspur, disrupting villagers' access to their fields. One villager, driven by alcohol cravings, entered a minefield to retrieve buried liquor and lost a leg. He was rescued and given a prosthetic. Despite the incident, another similar accident occurred months later. (This summary is generated via AI.)

In June 1975, the author, a Hindi teacher, was arrested in Bathinda, Punjab, during the Emergency. He was held in jail, encountering prominent political figures. Released in January 1976, he was denied JNU admission initially. He earned his MA, eventually gaining admission to JNU and completing his PhD in 1982. (This summary is generated via AI.)

The author feels overwhelmed by the NCR's fast-paced life and longs for the simplicity of their childhood in Yamunanagar. They cherish memories of playful games, innocent joy, and the close-knit community of their hometown. The author wishes to rewind to a time of unedited joy and simpler connections, contrasting it with the complexities of modern life. (This summary is generated via AI.)

The author's first flight, a turbulent experience, shattered the romantic ideal of freedom. Overwhelmed by fear and the sensation of weightlessness, the author longed for the grounding pull of gravity, akin to a child's yearning for the mother's womb. Despite the initial aversion, the experience revealed a profound appreciation for the comfort and security of Earth. (This summary is generated via AI.)

As commander of the Jammu Transit Camp in 2005, the author used yoga to improve discipline and morale among transient troops. He personally learned yoga and led daily sessions, fostering team spirit through roll calls, prizes, and shared practice. This initiative led to a calmer atmosphere and, ultimately, the camp's ISO 9001 certification. Yoga remains a personal practice for good health and focus. (This summary is generated via AI.)

Astrology is booming in India, fueled by lucrative apps, especially among Gen Z. This trend is diverting funds from essential needs and impacting legal and political decisions. The reliance on astrology can trigger mental health issues and is promoted as logic, not faith. (This summary is generated via AI.)

During the 1965 war, India faced technological limitations. Innovative solutions like a makeshift ATC in a small hut with trenches were crucial. 'Operation Batti Jalao' used flares for night landings. A mobile ATC was created. Despite challenges, the Indian forces showed high spirits, exemplified by the downing of a Sabre jet. (This summary is generated via AI.)

The author's wife struggles to open coconuts in his absence. She had a bad experience with a shopkeeper and avoids the task. The author reminisces about a dedicated coconut scraper and a bull-driven oil mill he knew. He later sees the mill modernized, replacing the bulls with machinery. (This summary is generated via AI.)

The author, inspired by a reckless bus driver, analyzed seat safety. Considering frontal, rear, and lateral impacts, the middle aisle seat on the left was deemed safest. The author realized that seat choice can impact survival and suggests thoughtful seat selection during travel. (This summary is generated via AI.)