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Food, Festival and Diabetes

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Living with diabetes is like sharing space with your worst enemy. You know he is evil and wants your downfall, but you still have no other option. All you can do is deal with it mindfully. As a diabetic, I constantly go through this ordeal. I am a Type 2 Diabetic who has carried it through a generational legacy. My mother had diabetes. That warning sign was enough to prompt me to choose a healthy lifestyle when I was younger. But as a foodie, I could not manage my lifestyle in the way I was supposed to. So, by the time I turned 40, I fell prey to diabetes. The initial days were painful as a foodie, as it came with a lot of restrictions. However, checking up with my doctor frequently and consulting a nutritionist gradually normalised the process. It was difficult, but not impossible. And by the time I was 45, I learned to live with Diabetes, without feeling sad. Every relationship is based on mutual respect. And so is my relationship with Diabetes. As a person with diabetes, it becomes ...

Book Review: Scream Stories- A Horror Anthology

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Navratri is celebrated more as Durga Puja in West Bengal. I was fortunate to spend those 10 days in the state, specifically in my city, the City of Joy, Kolkata, that too after 15 long years. Catching up with old friends after so many years and travelling to every corner of the city in search of the magnificent creativity each pandal, big or small, showcases made for a fortnight to remember. But every beginning has an end. And yesterday, as my stay ended and I was on my flight back to Mumbai, I had to do something exciting to compensate for my sadness. On a flight, what can be more interesting than reading a book filled with spooky stories! And I picked up the brand-new Horror release, Scream Stories: A Horror Anthology. About The Book Scream Stories- A Horror Anthology is a compilation of 9 spooky stories from 9 Indian authors: Rathin Bhattacharjee, Madhu Mehrotra, Parthib Chatterjee, Monisha Manindra, Vishnu Mohan, Suman Ghosh Dastidar, Archita Kumar, Reubenna Dutta and Raveena Menon...

5 Bengali Books with the Best Hindi Movie Plots

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There are some books that, when you read them, feel like watching a movie. Most of these books are either filled with adventurous expeditions or thrilling detections. In Bengal, there are many such books that make a perfect plot for a movie. Some of these have already been turned into films, but there are a few that are still waiting to try their luck on the Silver screen, especially in Bollywood. So, today I am making a list of books that could make excellent Hindi Films.   1.      1.  Durgeshnandini by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay : One of the most exciting stories ever written in Bengali literature, Durgeshnandini is set in a historical backdrop of the Pathan-Mughal conflict. It is a love triangle between Jagat Singha- a Mughal general, Tilottama- the daughter of a feudal lord of Bengal and Ayesha- the daughter of a rival Pathan king. Laden with ample action, romance, tragedy, and betrayal, this story is surely going to be a tremendously exciting Hindi ...

Book Review: My Jeans Fit Well & The Ice-cream Didn't Melt

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Some books can bring a smile to your face, anytime, in any situation. My Jeans Fit Well & The Icecream Didn't Melt by Manali Desai is one such book. I was struggling to get sleep one night, and instead of mindless scrolling, decided to do something mindful, and what's better than reading?. And I read this cute book by Manali. About the Book: My Jeans Fit Well & The Icecream Didn't Melt is an illustrated book about the author's daily life, thoughts, and situations, presented with the right dose of humour. About the Author  Manali Desai is a noted blogger and author whose writing has always been both enjoyable and touching. Her recent book, Inked Inheritance, is already winning hearts everywhere. Her bloghop, Every Conversation Matters, along with Sukaina Majeed, is a wonderful platform for bloggers to showcase their creativity and channelise their opinion on a given topic. My Review: My Jeans Fit Well & The Icecream Didn't Melt is an illustrated book wit...

Top 5 Timeless Romances on Screen

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Kolkata during Durga Puja, that too after 15 years, is travelling back in time. On top of that, meeting old friends is perhaps the most uplifting feeling one can have. Since I am in a great mood, today I am going to write about a few movies that show how love and life transcend time and age. I have watched most, but some are in my watchlist. 1. The Age of Adeline:   This 2015 movie stars Blake Lively as Adeline, a woman who wouldn't age, and runs from one place to another to escape the death of her near and dear ones. She is scared of getting attached and getting hurt. This movie is about her extraordinary story and what happens when she meets her boyfriend's father.  It's a beautiful film, the scenes almost read like poetry. The dialogues, Adeline's repeated attempts to avoid facing reality, and ultimately her brief conversation with her boyfriend Elis's father, William Jones (Harrison Ford), change the entire sad tone of the movie into something beautiful: the rea...

Book Review: Fishbone Cinderella by Elizabeth Lim

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I have always been fascinated by Fairy Tales. However, little did I know that there is a Chinese version of Cinderella, the tale of Ye-Shen, dating back to the Tang Dynasty. In New York Best-Selling Author Elizabeth Lim's book Fishbone Cinderella , Ye-Shen and the Fish appear multiple times through the story of the protagonist, Yut Ying/Helen. About Fishbone Cinderella Fishbone Cinderella is a semi-biographical book by Elizabeth Lim, who created the protagonist, Yut Ying, based on her grandmother’s life story. That makes the book authentic, despite its fantasy element. About the Author Elizabeth Lim, a Harvard alumna, is a New York best-selling author with 10 novels to her credit. She lives in New York with her husband and daughters.  Synopsis In 1940, Yut Ying, along with her 2 brothers, mother and grandmother, was living in a camp. Their village has been taken over by the brutal Japanese army. She sneaks back to her deserted house to get some essentials for her ailing brother, w...

Click Bait

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 “Hold on, Prateik, wait for me.” Rumi’s voice echoed in the surrounding silence. But Prateik’s car had already crossed the huge Iron Gate. The screeching of its tyres against the dried leaves felt like the blow of belts on Rumi. What did she do to deserve this? Her huge mansion stood against her silhouette, like an ancient ghost roaming for decades. Her coarse hair strands flying astray, like crazy serpents, Rumi stood there frozen, without any idea of time. She just stood, looking beyond the iron gate, towards the pebbled road from where the car had gone. Prateik had left her.  Rumi stayed lying on her bed. Time passed, but she did not move. Her gaze was fixed on the ceiling fan. It was as if it were calling her, “Come, I am your destiny.” The doorbell rang. She ignored. It had rung many times since morning. Maybe the maid, the caretaker, the gardener- everyone came, rang the bell and left. But this time, someone opened the door. Footsteps approached the hallway, and they re...