Newerways

Usha Vance became the Second Lady of the United States, following JD Vance, her husband, ’s election as Vice President. An accomplished attorney and the first Asian-American holding the position. Last week, she occupied the center stage in India. A lot was talked about the book Iliad, which  she carried during the campaign for her husband. What interested me was neither of them, but her title. It reminded me of something I had read years ago. Irving Wallace’s THE SECOND LADY. In our younger days, we frequented libraries and often the shops at Janpath in Delhi to buy reasonably-priced paperbacks or second-hand books. My sister and I visited our chachi to borrow her library books. She would recommend them, much like Goodreads . Those were not the times of the internet, and recommendations always came from word of mouth. I remember her narration of the political thriller. “ The first lady of the United States is abducted during a state visit to Moscow and replaced by a Russian act...

  My call was gladly received by my sister, who was in the midst of a monotonous job of setting a question paper for her students. She needed a distraction, and I willingly obliged. These days, we enjoy our telephone conversations more than usual. The reason is that we dwell upon the stories from the past that have been handed down to us from our previous generations. They are not stories of valor passed down the generations in musical forms to infuse courage. They seem like tall stories stretched by imagination, not only to us but also to innocent bystanders. These have become so believable to us by being repeated many times during our family reunions. The stomach-churning laughter they induce keeps those anecdotes so lively until today. Tippan Chacha (uncle) was a guest who came from far away to take a departmental examination for promotion in the city where my grandparents lived. Our grandparents were glad to have him visit them. As for one of their broods, my mother, younger th...

  Welcome to the world of medical tourism, where people cross continents for budget-friendly surgeries and bonus vacation perks! Imagine lounging on a beach, sipping coconut water, and not worrying about whether your stitches will match your tan lines. Sounds tempting? Some seek cheaper healthcare, others want shorter wait times, and a few need a legitimate excuse to take time off work—Doctor’s orders! Two weeks, non-negotiable, in any scenic destination of your choice. It’s healthcare but with hotel upgrades and spa treatments. Popular Destinations Thailand, Turkey, India, and Mexico have become hotspots for those looking to fix their smiles, sculpt their waistlines, or get a second chance at hairlines. What’s not to love? A medical procedure bundled with an exotic holiday—just research because no one wants their new teeth installed backward! A New Perspective Until recently, this was my idea of medical tourism—an exciting blend of affordability and adventure. But then, I saw a di...

Archetypes are universal, inborn models of distinct aspects of identity and personality that influence human behavior. Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung’s theory suggested that these archetypes are archaic forms passed down from our ancestors. Over the decades, the portrayal of doctors in cinema has evolved from saintly, selfless figures to flawed, outlawed characters. Films reflect societal changes in the expectations placed on medical professionals. Bollywood has served us many unforgettable characters, and its doctors are no exception. From noble heroes fighting for justice to eccentric figures caught in bizarre predicaments, Bollywood’s doctors bring drama, romance, and humor to the medical profession. Here’s a look at some iconic archetypes Carl Jung may have documented for doctors in movies, with a wink and a nudge to the real-life medical heroes who might find these portrayals more fact than fiction. (spoilers ahead) 1. The Rustic Healer One of the early and more grounded portray...

 The COVID-19 pandemic had brought an unexpected shift to education as schools closed their gates. The familiar hallways of the school and interactions with friends and teachers had suddenly all become virtual. Screens deemed their biggest detractors now occupied the centre stage. The school system had adapted to a new methodology-Virtual classes. My children had moved beyond the educational system, so the rigours and chills of this system were unknown to me. Long past the pandemic, I became a student pursuing adult education. My return to education was unexpected. Roles shifted, and I was now being home-schooled with a difference. This time, unlike my previous term decades ago, all my teachers were younger than me. My classroom was an improvised setup of my home. The computer screen was my gateway to the lessons. I delved into my study material. How different? from the traditional ones. They were the PowerPoint slides. There were frustrations, technical glitches, and distractions ...

Some people discover their passion early. As a child, I often wrote with chalk on the doors of our home like a teacher, taking classes for imaginary students sitting on the floor. Some months later, real friends became my students, comfortably seated on the chairs—a clear sign of progress. Finding a passion to pursue is just the beginning. The journey ahead requires skills and hard work. It was the high road to BECOMING (Michelle Obama). 1984 (George Orwell) the year I became who I am— it marked the beginning of my journey as a Dentist. My journey had a trail of milestones. Clearing the Combined Pre-Medical Test was the first such milestone, gaining admission into one of the most prestigious dental schools, yet another.  What followed was graduation, then post-graduation, and more milestones. I was EDUCATED (Tara Westover). Both personally and professionally, the environment around me changed. I was evaluating and learning. Years later, when my little birds flew away, an empty ne...

Salads were the newest additions to our menu list as starters. It owes its origins to friends we visit often like a second home. The mundane sprouts could be part of creative jewellery with pomegranates and cheese cubes that had never occurred to me till I saw them beautifully and colourfully occupying the centre table. The rainbow salad on a different occasion was also mesmerising. The presentation and the warmth with which they served added to the taste as much as to the refreshing memories. As I uncovered the lid of the container on my kitchen slab, I observed that the moth beans had sprouted, and rootlets were visible. I could eat them as much as I could plant them. I decided to plant a few and serve the remaining for breakfast. They lay embedded in the soil with air, water and food in plenty. After a few days, I observed most had not survived. They had turned black and lay on the verge of extinction in that darkness. The paradox of plenty providing in excess is not good. The para...