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...