InklingsInsight

Book Name: A Tale of Two Kitchens Author: Lata Gwalani Publication: Amaryllis Publishing Genre: Non-Fiction/Memoir “In two households where the aroma of curry leaves mingled with the gleaming hue of pureed tomatoes, a Tamilian mother and a Sindhi mother embarked on a journey that transcended the boundaries of language, culture, and geography. It began with an exchange of recipes, a casual sharing of spices and techniques, but eventually blossomed into a profound friendship forged over simmering pots and sizzling pans.” A Tale of Two Kitchens by Lata Gwalani is a heartwarming memoir of two mothers and their legacies, passed on and shared through food and traditional dishes from Sindhi and Tamil kitchens. Review This book is a blend of anecdotes, illustrations, pictures, and recipes, brought together through the author’s storytelling about her mother and mother-in-law, and how the two came together through food. From trying to put their dishes above the other to eventually looking f...

  You can read all A To Z Blogs  here    Dear younger me, I feel a little overwhelmed as this is the last letter of this series. It feels like there is still so much more I could have shared with you. Maybe I will return to this series someday, when I have grown a little more and can see the difference between who I am now and who I will become, just as I have been writing to you from your future. You know, life has never been easy for you, and even today it is not always easy for me to feel free. There are many trigger points. Sometimes, I feel like I am overreacting and that my anger is unnecessary. But at the same time, I also feel that it is justified. I had my own way of doing things, and when things do not go the way I expect, I react. Even now, I struggle to understand what is right and what is wrong. I question myself often, and it becomes difficult to find clarity. There is one thing I keep reminding myself of. I should not lose my fire while trying to fit i...

  You can read all A To Z Blogs  here    Dear younger me, I hope you are doing well. Selflessness has always been a part of who you are, but it often led you into trouble without you even realising why. Instead of choosing yourself, you gave priority to others, even when it was not necessary. You know, you have been one of the best students of moral science. I say this because of how sincerely you learned and practiced every virtue taught in class. But while following those lessons, you forgot to choose yourself. There was never a direct lesson that told you to do so. The irony is that every value you learned started with you. Kindness begins with you. So does respect, care, and empathy. But somehow, we learn what we want to learn and miss the deeper meaning behind it. That is where we often go wrong, and the same happened with you. Instead of choosing yourself, you allowed others to take more than what was yours. I may sound repetitive, but I want you to remember th...

  You can read all A To Z Blogs  here    Dear younger me, I hope you are enjoying this series so far. It feels a little sad to know that it is going to come to an end very soon. Still, I will not break the rhythm and will share another important aspect of life with you. You know, everybody’s life is a story, and so is ours. From the moment we are born, to seeing the world through different lenses and growing up, we get a chance to unfold a unique story of our own. In this process of growing up, I have learned that being warm and friendly is important. The people around us are a part of our story, and we need to make sure that our story remains meaningful and is not shaped negatively by others. Being hospitable and accommodating are qualities you can carry with you. They help keep your mind calm and balanced. But always remember not to extend your giving nature at the cost of your own happiness. In the end, whatever you do is for yourself, and there will not always be...

  You can read all A To Z Blogs  here    Dear younger me, I am writing this letter to tell you that you have always been worthy of what you do and who you are. Many times, you asked yourself, “Am I worthy enough?” So here I am, answering that for you. Yes, you are, and even more than you have ever imagined. You know, worth is not about how many people like you or how many validate your work. It is about how much you value yourself and what you do. You often felt small when people made you believe your work was not enough. That was never true. When you choose a path that leads to growth, you will face many roadblocks, and sometimes those roadblocks come in the form of people. There were moments when you had opportunities to shine, but things did not go your way. Even when you felt satisfied with your efforts, people reminded you of your failures, and that is when self-sabotage and self-doubt began to take over. At that time, there was no one to guide you, and you were...

  You can read all A To Z Blogs  here    Dear younger me, I hope you are doing well. Today, I am writing to tell you that I have grown from being a silent girl to someone who voices her opinions and thoughts. Over time, I learned that not everything you are told has to be followed. You can express your ideas, share your views, and even change the way something is meant to be done. You know, you trusted everyone, believing they were your well-wishers. You never thought twice about what you were told to do by people you considered your own, because you believed they always had your best interests at heart. But let me tell you what that led to, and you might be surprised. As I grew up, I realized that when you do not speak for yourself, people begin to speak on your behalf. They start presenting their own version as your opinion. At times, it may seem harmless, but when it happens repeatedly, it becomes a habit. Eventually, you lose the space to express yourself. I can ...