Karthik Blogs

  Mango Diaries continues to evolve and surprise me with its sweetness and ability to charm its audience. I guess more than anything its the positive intent and inspirational real life stories that causes that bell to ring. Anyways in this edition of Mango Diaries, I seek to focus on how I managed to steer this negative mind of mind to something very positive and cheerful. It goes back to the times of Covid-1st Wave, initially the dark times accompanied by an eerie stone like silence and nothing but the shrill and occasional sound of the passing Ambulance could be heard. It was at the same time I had also lost my beloved father. Barely had i consigned my fathers mortal remains to the flames, within the next few days, I found myself in the ICU ward of a Hospital battling Covid myself. Such tough times, no one was allowed to visit me, surrounded by other patients, it was extremely depressing. It had come to an extent where I even contemplated running away from the hospital but guess ...

 Mango Diaries continues its onward march. Its been exciting and enriching picking up the threads along the way recollecting imageries and personalities from my own life that have sweetened my experience to such an extent that these people have become a part and parcel of my Mango Diaries. Its a very honest and true attempt in bringing true life stories in front of all the readers, there is so much of negativity around all of us why not a few spoonfuls of positive, vibrant, sometimes sweet and a little bit of tangy sourness of our Mango Diaries each day. That's the principle idea behind Mango Diaries Today in my Mango Diaries I proudly feature my Uncle(My mothers younger sisters husband) Mr K V Lakshmanan. He is no more but I am sure that he is there somewhere spreading sweetness in someone's life or someone's family. Such was his nature. Lakshman chittappa was born to do good. He could not bear to see people suffering. A curt and strong personality by nature, most people c...

Discover the Mango in People and that is what our Mango Diaries is all about. I am a firm believer of the fact that there is inherent sweetness in people, and it becomes even more sweeter when they become a part of your life. They create such a lasting impression in your life, that they constitute a chapter in your sweet memories, each time you recall them. I am truly blessed that my Orchard of life has many such personalities who according to me have donned the Mango Badge of Honour. Today is about one such personality. Ladies & Gentlemen Todays Mango Diaries is one of my Ex-Bosses Mr Vikram Dasu. In the Year 2010 I changed jobs from Odyssey in Chennai to Homeshop18 in Bangalore. Anticipation was high, lots of expectations and a dream job in the booming Ecommerce industry took me to Bengaluru as it is called now. A Tall, bespectacled gentleman, Narasimha was assigned as my interim boss. Narasimha will also be a part of Mango Diaries, so more about him in that episode. Anyways, as ...

 Many people have suggested and advised that I write a book, they appreciate my writing style and the ways of my simple language. However let me state quite unilaterally that I find myself at the bottom most rung of literary authors some of whom are yeons ahead of me and I am just not quite there. However what is quite exhilarating and encouraging is your kind and loving feedback that acts as a potent tonic to keep writing more. My attempts have always been to give visual delights to my words. If there is a synchrony between the two and I have bought a smile on your faces then I would have achieved my objective . Writing a Book was never my intention and never will be, if at all I will come close to writing a Book, it will be a Biography of someone else, could be the life story of Roadside Coconut seller. Along with writing a Book rises the expectations of a commercial dream, which I would prefer not to get entangled with, and so here I would like to present Mango Diaries. Summer T...

Long Time since I touched my blog pages, but lots of things coming my way, hectic activity coupled with the pace of life. That however does not mean that my thirst for words has ever satiated, for it continues to be my passion. That time of the year when Chennai sizzles for two reasons, one is of course the relentless heat and the other is of course the IPL. IPL is back with a bang post Covid. For me personally my relationship with Chepauk was renewed once again as a friend invited me to watch the match between CSK & Rajasthan Royals. So here I was sporting my pink loyalties and my Friends all them crowning themselves in CSK Yellow. Quite contrasting and intimidating.  A Few Things stood out. First was my entry into the Anbu Den. All those glittering trophies that Tamil Nadu/CSK won over the years greeted me a warm welcome, The glitz and brightness of yellow splashed across the walls, with legends who have taken the state as well as the Franchisee to pinnacles of glory being ac...

Dear Pravin, By now I am pretty sure that Google would have choked up by the number of times people  searched for your name online, including yours truly. Let me be honest and upfront. When my good friend Sudip asked me to watch your biopic, I thought to myself, no not another biopic. I am a self professed movie buff, have all the big platforms at my disposal like Netlflix, Hotstar, Amazon, Zee but when it comes to Biopics I am just a tad bit wary of having to sit though the motions of "Another Biopic" . However I wanted to pay heed as well as respect to my dear friend Sudips recommendation, so here I was watching Kaun Pravin Tambe. Am I glad I did? No actually I am glad and overwhelmed. I must admit that I was mightily emotional towards the end, when you took a hat trick against KKR.  Not only  did I watch the movie but ended up analyzing to shreds as to why one should know Kaun Pravin Tambe Kaun Pravin Tambe(Reason One to Understand Who you really are) You are an inspir...

  The prospect of a ice cold chocolate ice-cream on a hot summer day, and a melting cheese vegetable burger for a hungry palette both evoke similar reactions, the expectation of something tasty, a hunger that needs to munch on something, and then the first taste as the tongue rolls in appreciation of having torn into a delightful mouthful. The cardinal sin has been committed but the taste buds have been satisfied. The tongue does not stop at that, Yeh Dil Maange More. An India Pakistan encounter in a sporting arena has a similar effect, it creates an unending desire and when one encounter is done with, the heart desires for more. So the title of this Blog is India-Pakistan, Ice cream- Burger Sports has a magical effect of bringing people together of unifying geographies beyond boundaries and borders In essence Sports can do that which perhaps Politics and Backroom diplomacy cannot do. Cricket is such a huge influence in the subcontinent. People across India, Pakistan,Sri Lanka, Ban...

I dont quite understand Politics, neither do I understand War. All that I understand about War is that it has far reaching consequences that takes years to rebuild. A War destroys a countries morale, leaving hundreds and more dead. It cripples a nations economy and renders it helpless. In these days of social media where news spreads thick and fast, the war is broadcast right into our living rooms, nothing really gets hidden below the carpets. Its there for everyone to make their own inferences. A Few Facts about Ukraine even before we get into those mindless whatsapp forwards that are doing the rounds on social media about how rich Ukraine is with abundant raw materials and how Putin is seemingly made to look like a monster: Ukraine's poverty rate currently at  51%. In 2020, the unemployment rate of the Ukraine amounted to approximately  9.48 percent  of the total labor force. What does Ukraine produce the mostly?  Ukraine produces 16% of the world's  corn ...

  A Highly popular series when India travelled down under, a series that not many believed India would not be able to last the distance, But the belied expectations and bought the Gavaskar Border Trophy back home. At the same time, Ashwin was creating sounds of a different kind via his youtube channel. I have come to realize that Ashwin besides being the worlds best off spinner is a story teller par excellence. His Kutti series was highly popular and much sought after when he toured Australia. As soon as I heard that Kutti Series was making a comeback this time from England, my ears were all cocked up. I knew that all of us would be in for a visual treat. Historical win at Lords done and dusted, the next big thing that I would have wanted to know what actually transpired behind the scenes those five interesting days. I did not have to wait for long as the Kutti Story series was back again. Lots of emotions had been exchanged on the field, Lots of mind games and obviously a lot of s...

Mirabai Chanu  No path to Tread, No Roads to follow, just dirt and gravel all the way No means, No Pence, struggle on the face, pain in the heart, smiles all the way Water Buckets for weight, legs so sore, arms that pain, distant glory I hope and pray. No power day and night, sweat is all that matters, breeze gives calm Paining limbs cry out loud, Menstrual Blood flows, no medical aid, no balm A Mothers tear, a Fathers Toil, A Towns delight and a Brothers Calm Village to Town, Town to City, City to skies and yonder land A Goal so Distant, a Hope Light years away, No kith, No kin, Just Hope and Prayers A Million Hearts, a Weight becomes plain, a silver to Gain, Mirabai Chanu, a Road to your land in Mizoram Lovlina Borgohain Loves in the name, Land of the great Bhramaputra, daughter of the soil Tiny village in Assam, Bruises and cuts, a maidens face Take punches galore, swell with pain but pride intact Walk Miles and Miles A bus sometimes, A Food skipped but a Punch added A Male bas...

  Dear Laxman Utekar, Thanks for giving us that whiff of Fresh Air called Mimi . I watched it yesterday night on Netflix. I loved it to the bits and found the entire movie to be quite entertaining. In this age where the showbiz business is clearly dominated by the macho heroes, you chose to be daring enough by placing your punt on a Heroine dominated story. Kudos for that. India is still relatively taboo to topics like surrogacy and you have presented it in the most light hearted manner. Just when I thought that it is going to take a serious turn you introduced elements of humor in the right mixes thereby ensuring that the movie carries on. The songs were a good break, short and sweet, and pleasant on the ears. Has to be with the legend ARR involved. The ambience of a small Rajasthan town adds to the aura of the movie.  Dear Kriti Sanon , Where were you all these years. I must admit that I am simply awed by the screen presence that you have shown in this movie. With due resp...

I write for the love of words and not for anything else. Writing is my passion and gives me immense joy. Its all about finding the time and the right frame of mind to pen a few words. Yes Technology has evolved and people have moved on to Video content but still there are takers for blogs. There used to be a time when I would just devour books for breakfast, lunch and dinner but over time I felt and urge to write, to put into practice all that had been stored in gray matter as words.  yes you heard it right, practice in any field will make you closer to perfect, if not perfection itself. Practice writing a few sentences, make a few mistakes, learn from them and you will become better each time you write. Writing is like any other specialization or art form, the more you indulge in it, you will become better. There is a story that each one has to tell, its just about giving a form to that story, replete with emotion, drama, and above all passion I am a huge fan of Mr Sashi Tharoor's...

Toofan premiered today on Amazon and I watched it being a fan of Farhan Akhtar . My expectations of him have arisen especially after watching him emote brilliantly in movies like Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara and Bhaag Milkha Bhaag. And I am not at all disappointed by Farhans acting skills. From the movie it is very clear that Farhan has had to put in a lot of effort besides his own histrionic skills. Putting on weight, then loosing all of that must have been quite a daunting task. For his diehard fans all the impressive abs, six packs were on show. The boxing ring scenes were choreographed very well and looked natural. Looks like Farhan had to take quite a few punches in his stride. This is what I love about Farhan. He gets into the skin of the character and lives the role. Here it was Aziz Ali a street fighter turned a professional boxer. But then the transition from an ordinary slum dweller to a professional Boxer, it was super quick, this is a movie and there are obviously few things t...

  Have you frequently come across the saying that there is nothing like a Mothers cooked food. Have you ever wondered the reason why? Another statement, There is nothing like chutney and spices ground in stone and pestle. The taste is different, more fresh, more natural, more tasty. The sense of food sets me on new adventures each time I venture into the kitchen. Two things that I am extremely passionate about, my love for food and experimentation and my fondness to play around with words. This playfulness has transformed into a new hobby where I feel the urge to cook up something new each day. I have observed my mother from very close quarters and have learnt quite a few tricks of the trade. She is happy cooking it up for her family and nothing pleases her more than seeing the sparkle in my eyes when the tongue makes the first contact with the first morsel of food.  In goes the oil, add mustard fenugreek, Red Chilly. The oil splutters with excitement as a natural aroma scante...

The Customary habit first thing in the morning is to glance through the newspaper. I am now trying to make it a habit of making notes as I read matters of interest and then pen my thoughts about it . Writing is such a passion for me. You can liken it to watering plants or simply watch as the sapling grows. I keep making these small, tiny pledges only to Falter after some time.  Flying drones from the other side of the border even as our bravehearts BSF Jawaans chased them away. These technology mosquitoes are becoming quite a menace and need to be squatted away.  Another Indian Legend Yashpal Sharma returns to dust, his heroics on the field a distant memory. I still recall a six off Bob Willis in a world cup match against England. A shot that can be only replicated by another Legend, Viv Richards. Rest in Peace Yashpal Ji.  The Class of 83 will definitely miss you. However, coming back to my blog today, I read in todays paper about the Tamil Nadu government looking into t...

  While I have been away from blogs for quite a while, the mind has been pre-occupied with professional stuff. As much as I would love to write, times have been challenging and hectic. Last couple of weeks have seen a spurt in Sporting activities on the field after a long long time. The French Open, WTC Finals in England, Wimbledon, Euro Cup and the Copa America. Djokovic, New Zealand, Italy and Argentina all deserving champions of their respective sport. Kudos on the amazing victories. However I have decided to stay on the Mathematical science route as far as this particular blog is concerned. It actually struck me a couple of months ago when India’s champion bowler R. Ashwin involving himself in online coaching classes when Covid struck India for the first time. It was a revelation for me. The Grip on the ball, the analogies used to make the concept understandable, the revs on the ball for a spinner. Besides the approach, the run up, the speed, acceleration, the final jump and ...

  As a child I used to be enamored by the story of the Pied Piper of Hamelin. I don't know how many of you know the story but let me relate to you the story in a nutshell. There was this town called Hamelin  which was infested with rats.  it became a Nightmare for the people residing in the town.  so much so they had to call for meeting of the Council and have a strategy in place to tackle the menace of the rats.  It was then that someone came and said that there is this Pied Piper who has the charm of leading the rats out of town with his music. So they called the Pied Piper and Lo and behold he managed to lure away the rats from the town.  Amazing that he could hold sway over the rats with his beautiful music. Well this is my 100 blog, and I have decided to dedicate this blog to the pied Piper of Chennai. It has to be someone that Virat Kohli loves to referred as the lege.  Ladies and Gentlemen,  let me now relate to you why I refer to Ashwin as...

Quite disturbing news coming from up north, the melting of an Iceberg in Uttarakhand has caused widespread damage to both life and property. It has now been estimated  that more than 120 lives have been lost. While these are all clear signs of global warming, mother nature is constantly sending us warnings that if we do not mend our ways then widespread destruction  is the only way human race can learn a lesson. Yesterday the flash floods caused have inflicted damage that is a clear reminder to something worse that might happen in the  foreseeable future. What is very worrying is the fact that this incident has happened while the winter has not even receded. Scientists across the world are studying the phenomenon of global warming.  rising temperatures across the planet clearly indicate the need  for drastic steps in all our actions. A few steps that we can definitely take and mitigate the losses due to the phenomenon global warming have been discussed below:...

  As I try to revive my  tryst with blogging, I ponder over what could be the best way to pen a few words. While blogging might be out of vogue, and out of fashion, I realize that my love for words will continue unabated. I commit to writing more, and loving each bit of it, the best way of doing a Sri Ganesh is to write an ode to the City of Joy and my dear departed father, both inseparable parts of me. In fact my late father Shri K. Subramanian was a true Bengali, even his last days his eyes would light up and shine bright at the mention of Kolkata or a Bengal Sweet Delicacy. When he was into his last few days, and it became increasingly difficult for us to make him have his food, my wife Hema asked him if he would like to have Mishti Doi, immediately the hundred watts bulb in the pupil of his eyes lit up and he repeated "Mishti Doi, Mishti Doi". I would want to admit a hard truth here. In the early days of his passing away, I was downcast, depressed, buckets into tears, my ...