#6. Setting intentions, New Year- Jan 2022
No resolutions for New Year, Hot Pot, Disappearing Terraces
Hello!
If you look around, you will notice how January creates pressure on setting new resolutions, a lot of them invariably revolve around measuring external metrics - look a certain way, acquire some socially sought-after skills, be a better you. You are inundated with self-improvement porn, productivity porn, and a narrative to turn your life around.
Two years into the pandemic, the world seems to be exhausted- languishing in the background and getting away from the idea of wanting to lead a perfect life. As a result, this year, the general consensus has been to do away with new year resolutions and instead lead with intention.
In a previous edition, I shared how I have been noticing some internal changes and have had a shift in my priorities. For this year, I decided to continue on this journey by indulging in activities that have aided in my self-exploration. Continuing to make time for hobbies, for family and friends, and for the self.
Reading Corner
In the spirit of Republic Day which is right around the corner, I decided to recommend Mandate by Vir Sanghvi which I discovered while watching this Discussion with Sorabh Pant. Mandate offers an excellent introduction to Indian politics and gives us a peek at contemporary history. If you had a similar educational experience like me, there is a good chance that you were told to learn the names of all the Prime Ministers by heart from the time of Independence to the Present Day. General discussion about politics was discouraged and we stuck to rote learning of names, and the years they held Office with very little being taught outside of this.
Mandate takes us through the journey of each of these Prime Ministers, giving us a brief overview of their political arcs and how they brought in policies that have shaped our country the way we see it now. While you may differ in your political leanings from the author, I urge you to read it with an open mind and form your own thought process and opinions.
Some popular highlights from the book are :
WE have become a society that prizes opinion over fact, and a fuzzy view of a possible future over a clear understanding of the past.
What we do know for certain is that the architect of the Emergency proclamation was Siddhartha Shankar Ray. It was he who told Indira Gandhi that she should declare an Emergency.
Nobody liked Moraji when he was in Congress and nobody liked him now. Within weeks, India’s new rulers were at each other’s throats. Jagjivan Ram hated Charan Singh who hated the RSS which hated the Socialists.
Have a recommendation that is similar to this one? Write to me!
Writing Corner
I wrote a poem recently and it was featured on The Alipore Post on its WinterXSnow Theme. Sharing an excerpt below:
Six Hot Pot - An Excerpt
The empty tables at the Six Hot Pot Invite me lovingly, Warm broth simmering in Silence, gentle chatter Of families sharing a Meal, meat being cooked In hot pot, slurping of Noodles, crab cakes.
Read the full poem as it appears on The Alipore Post.
Learning Corner
Some interesting things I came across on the internet
Lounge Corner
A Raga for every mood- choose one for yourself!
See you in the next edition!
Pratiksha