-Story by Moutushi Ghoshdeysarkar Divya was forced to change trains and somehow managed to reach Mughalsarai past midnight, another hour max by road to her college hostel in Varanasi. But there was nothing to travel by! Just when she had lost hope, a car stopped right in front of her and offered her a lift. … Continue reading Promise of a home
Sunderbans: the jungle you can’t step on!
By Moutushi Ghoshdeysarkar A very different landscape awaits, as one embarks on a journey to the Sunderbans. The trees seem like short stout all bones-exposed giants wading through the waters to get you. People are not allowed to land on any of the islands other than the areas specified by the government. The fishermen die … Continue reading Sunderbans: the jungle you can’t step on!
The tourist
(Won the Ruskin Bond Literary Award at Dehradun Literature Fest 2023) By Moutushi Ghoshdeysarkar “Have you noticed that man?” Viru gestures towards someone. It is past dusk and the faint light of the bus stand is hardly sufficient to see anyone. “No, why?” Ishfaq strains his eyes to see who Viru is referring to. “I … Continue reading The tourist
Number four
by Moutushi Ghoshdeysarkar The slow yet incessant rain made me a bit irritated. People waiting at the bus stop were few and buses were fewer still. The autos all full zoomed past never stopping. I paced up and down the little shaded area to keep away from getting drenched. After a while an auto slowed … Continue reading Number four
The many lives of Bharati
by Moutushi Ghoshdeysarkar Bharati drove past the posh market street enchantingly lined up with branded shops. ‘So much money must have been spent on the decor’ thought Bharati, ‘and the location must also bleed the company through their noses – and there are hardly any buyers, albeit footfall is high.’ She smiled to herself and … Continue reading The many lives of Bharati
Once at dusk
By Moutushi Ghoshdeysarkar Nirvi hadn’t seen a better a sunset in her 26 years of existence. The sun was low on the horizon splashing yellow all over the landscape. A peacock perched on a nearby rock fitted perfectly with the backdrop of the sand outstretched in every direction that the eye could see. Nirvi cupped … Continue reading Once at dusk
Nobs finds Hops
by Moutushi Ghoshdeysarkar Bheti - the gentle turtle “Hops! Where are you?” Nobs crawled on looking from left to right, two steps forward and turning back again. It has been a few months now, Nobs can see Hops - turning a corner while on land or beckoning him from the land whilst he is in … Continue reading Nobs finds Hops
10 days in Andaman – Chidiya Tapu and a sweet goodbye – 30th Dec’19 – 1st Jan’20
Facts Figures and Touchdown || The Havelock Chapter || Port Blair || Jarwa Reserve || Baratang || Diglipur - North Andaman We had travelled the whole of Andaman Trunk Road (343 km), from North to South. Though we can still not say that we have seen it all but we can definitely claim that we have seen … Continue reading 10 days in Andaman – Chidiya Tapu and a sweet goodbye – 30th Dec’19 – 1st Jan’20
10 days in Andaman – Diglipur,Rangat n back to Port Blair – 27th – 30th Dec’19
Facts Figures and Touchdown || The Havelock Chapter || Port Blair || Jarwa Reserve || Baratang || Chidiya Tapu - South Andaman It was time to move on from Baratang and we started early. This day would be called an ‘inCar day’ in the history of our travels, as we literally drove all day to reach Diglipur … Continue reading 10 days in Andaman – Diglipur,Rangat n back to Port Blair – 27th – 30th Dec’19
Istanbul Prelude – flying to Dubai and beyond
Dubai airport In the beginning there was chaos – and then there was more chaos! Well that’s what makes trips enchanting. That feeling of something must have been left out – it was there all along as the cab scurried along the ever repair-in-progress Bangalore roads. It was not the dead of night but being … Continue reading Istanbul Prelude – flying to Dubai and beyond
Rusty goes swimming…
By Moutushi Ghoshdeysarkar In memory of our beloved Kheti who left us on the 3rd of September... Little Rusty was anxious. She had not seen Tommy since yesterday evening. Initially they thought Tommy must have gone swimming across the ridge which he loved to do often but it had been too long he should have … Continue reading Rusty goes swimming…
When the comp takes time to boot – what to do?
I am a man – sorry woman - of work – doesn’t mean I am very productive – I just have to keep doing something. My computer is old and takes a bit of a time to settle at boot up - almost every day – unless there is a phone call to be attended … Continue reading When the comp takes time to boot – what to do?
Making of Anoushrayan – The 14th Year
The first Year || The Journey Till 12 || Entering the Teens On the eve of being 15 There was no birthday bash, no momentous trip, in 2021 as Roddur turned 14 on the 7th of Feb, covid still prevailed. We just visited a local nursery, the day being a Sunday. He doesn’t show any … Continue reading Making of Anoushrayan – The 14th Year
Go Goa – anytime, everytime, manytimes!!!
By Moutushi Ghoshdeysarkar Colva Beach People find paradise in Goa. Some like the beach. Some like the drinks. Some like both. And then there are slightly eccentric people like my husband who love to chase ghosts – well he loves to walk around ruins of forts and desolate temples, churches and mosques and calls it … Continue reading Go Goa – anytime, everytime, manytimes!!!
Champaner – Gujarat
By Moutushi Ghoshdeysarkar Champaner Offbeat!!! That’s the first thing that comes to our mind as soon as we think travel. Champaner was one such UNESCO site tucked in an obscure location about an hour from Vadodara. We had planned a two day trip as little did we know about its vast offerings. One fine January … Continue reading Champaner – Gujarat
The different guy – HR issues
It was my first day in a spacious office with a not so huge staff. One of my present colleague also happened to be my ex colleague, quite senior though. He took me around and after a quick round of introduction I settled with a kappa of coffee at what was supposed to be my work space. First day, so not really loaded, I had ample time to assume, presume, judge and misjudge the people around me.
Choosing a lens to shoot a subject
A photographer has to deal with three main characters so as to create a composition. The first character is the object of interest namely – “Subject”. The second character is the 'lens' in use and the third character is the material to record the composition that is the film or the 'sensor'.
Fortified Living within 99 bastions – Jaisalmer Fort
Maharawal Jaisal Singh was banished from Ludavra (Lodhruva) by his younger brother who ascended the throne. He chose to built this unique fort resembling the giant ark of Noah in 1156 AD on a hillock called Trikuta Hill. Thus Jaisalmer became the new abode of the Rawal, named after him. It was a mud fort then.
Ready to sleep alone
“Can I sleep here?” he said with that beautiful smile, tilting the neck to a side. “You want to sleep here? Alone?” I inquired. “Yes, you always wanted me to sleep alone in my room, isn’t it?” he said confidently.
The Very Affordable West – Singapore
Singapore was once a small fishing village, then Singapura (Lion City), then an important settlement in the 14thcentury (evidence from archaeological excavations) and finally “great ruins” by the time the Portuguese came in the early 16th century. Sir Stamford Raffles identified Singapore as a natural harbour with not more than 150 people living at the mouth of the Singapore River and merely a 1000 in the whole island, as he landed in 1819.