Category archive for: Personal Views

Blog 183: Patel Brothers Store

Published by prateekkhamesra on June 29, 2019

Familiarity is a weird feeling. Recently, I went to Patel Brothers Store. Those who are not familiar with the name. Imagine, it as the “Walmart of Indian groceries”. They’ve every Indian product available. Whether it’s Parle G, Dabar hair oil, even local toothpaste. You name it, they have it. Every time I walk into a Patel Brothers Store, I become nostalgic. It reminds me of my carefree childhood in India. It’s a comfort level when you’re thousands of mile away from your home. The Bollywood background music, starry eyes from judgmental aunties and conversation in Hindi. All these small little…

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Blog 182: Lessons learned in June 2019

Published by prateekkhamesra on June 29, 2019

Every day we learn something new and forget the next day. Recently, I forget to wear a jacket on a flight and wrote the first bullet as a pointer to remember in the future. This became a daily habit and gave idea to this blog. Below are the lessons learned: 1. Always carry a jacket in the flight. 2. Over communication is a better thing. 3. Never take a middle seat in the flight. 4. Take care of your skin. 5. Check gelatin before eating any dessert. 6. The defense is the best way to win a ping pong match.…

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Blog 181: How dating apps revolutionized modern romance

Published by prateekkhamesra on June 24, 2019

An impromptu dinner plan with a friend gave the idea for this blog. We talked about career, love, and dating apps! Dating apps like Tinder have revolutionized how people meet and interact. You don’t need the courage to walk up to a beautiful girl in a bar. All you need is a smartphone, 4G, and a good selfie. You must be wondering how it works? It’s simple. You download the app and create your profile. Another profile appears on the home page; you swipe right if you like the person or swipe left if you don’t like the person. If…

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Blog 180: Why I quit Instagram

Published by prateekkhamesra on June 12, 2019

I am at my favorite yogurt store, there is nothing interesting about it. Even before I take the first bite of my mango yogurt, I take out my phone, take a picture and post a story on Instagram with a silly caption. This became a pattern in my life to show my friends that “Hey, look my life is cool”. Instead of focusing on the present moment, I would spend my time scrolling on the app. If I have had a single free second, I would instantly check Instagram to see the no. of likes, latest comment or what’s happening in…

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Blog 179: Verandah

Published by prateekkhamesra on April 8, 2019

According to the Oxford dictionary, Verandah means a roofed platform along the outside of a house, level with the ground floor. For me, Verandah (we called it “chawk”) brings back the beautiful childhood memories. I grew up in a joint family where my uncles and aunts lived under the same roof but on different floors. My dad’s elder brother, referred to as Bade Papa, lived on the ground floor. We lived on the first floor. My dad’s younger brother, referred to as Kaka, lived on the second floor. Growing up in a joint family is an exciting experience. Like most…

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Blog 178: How Can We Make India Better?

Published by prateekkhamesra on December 3, 2018

Out of many of my childhood memories, the one which I reminisce is the regular visit to Hanuman temple with my mother every Tuesday. More than the devotion, it had become a habit for me. Early morning the sun shines at the raised spire (Shikhara) of the temple, which features the symbol of the sun and gradually illuminates the stairs and temple’s entrance. The temple flag (orange colored) waves with the rhythm of the wind. The ambiance was mesmerizing with peace and spirituality. However, there was something unpleasant which would disturb this tranquility. I would be horrified to see people…

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Blog #177: No Pain, No Gain

Published by prateekkhamesra on September 17, 2018

Mid-March in Egypt were the months of subtropical heat waves, shockingly humid afternoons and soulful melodies of the fly. Heat licked at our sunburned faces and coiled around our limbs like a great hot-blooded serpent. The ground smoldered and sent up a disorientating haze. Even the birds were silent, and the grass stood still as if too hot to move. My close friend, Dhananjay and I were sitting in front of the Saladin Citadel of Cairo, waiting for our cab. As usual, we were discussing philosophy, uncertainty and why we were single. Suddenly, a group of jovial Egyptian teenagers approached…

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Blog #176: The shoe always tell the story

Published by prateekkhamesra on August 19, 2018

“While riding on a subway, some people listen to the music; some people read a book; yours truly check out other’s shoe.” I am a firm believer that “our past experiences influence every present action”. They shape us into who we are and what we become. In my story, there are two experiences that influence my shoe obsession. The first seed was planted when I read a short story by Roald Dahl called “The Umbrella Man” in the 5th grade (Oh yes, my love for shoes goes long back. I was in denial, but finally, accepted it and embraced my…

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Blog 174: The Tailor-Master!!

Published by prateekkhamesra on August 21, 2017

Rahim looked older than his age with gray beard, wrinkled face and pale eyes. It was hot and humid day so he sat outside his shop looking at the surrounding. The shop was his only means of livelihood & the sewing machine his only source of income. He was a tailor by profession. His family was known for their craftsmanship. His great great grandfather used to stitch clothes for the Royal family of Mewar but now, he lived destitute. He continued looking outside the shop, observing the people. All of them were wearing factory made clothes. He said aloud to himself “the art of…

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Blog 173: The Rambling Series (Part 1)

Published by prateekkhamesra on July 26, 2017

To overcome my writer’s block, I have started ‘The Rambling Series’. I would start a topic and write my views in a single sitting! (It’s hard to sit still and write without checking my phone) Few weeks ago, I was having a discussion on my favorite movie? “Limitless” Yes, it has everything – drama, action, romance, hope and inspiration! I’ve seen the movie countless times. Ever since I watched the film for the first time, I’m convinced that there is more to life than getting bored at home. My favorite is the self-improvement month scene. When he start discovering his true potential and…

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