Data science

“Maximum data leaks happen from Google Chrome browsers, and rediffmail ids,” says a report about online frauds. “Download Opera browser. My experience has been good”, says my teenage daughter. Data science tells us different stories, and some suffer from the curse of dimensionality. Certain sets of data will accidentally correlate. “Why are you talking about … Continue reading Data science

House

The house is isolated, a little away from the mainstream. People who live in surrounding areas are often perplexed about its existence and purpose. Interestingly, the house has smart sensors and receives signals from different parts of the world. Intellectual inputs and ideas are always welcome. It is well-connected, but not part of a spy … Continue reading House

Drumrolls

Let the drum beats pierce eardrums, develop an anthem and get everybody singing it to proclaim alignment. Let not going with the majority feel like blasphemy. Songs replace divergent thought processes, and guilt compels them to put in extra effort. Show them images to incite anger or devotion, and watch some of them write corollaries … Continue reading Drumrolls

Blended

“This is Indian food for me, not Chinese”, exclaimed a Dutch guest in an Indian restaurant. A friend’s family asks for ‘Indian Chinese food’, on a holiday to India from Thailand. They’ve been missing it so much. There was a ‘Boycott Chinese’ wave in 2020, when the world held China responsible for the pandemic. Consumption … Continue reading Blended

Shame

It’s that moment when you are made to feel less human - for not following a code of conduct devised by other humans. You don’t understand why the majority matters more than your originality, your right to be. You’re unable to achieve your goals because you are excluded from the club.  And then you make … Continue reading Shame

Release

He is crestfallen, not finding anyone inside there.  He remembers the girl who guided his boat to anchor on the right spot. She might have some clues about his quest. He sees her helping the locals with their daily chores. “If you’re hungry, there’s enough food for everyone.” “I’m looking for a princess who was … Continue reading Release

Wallpaper

“Shouldn’t the night sky be midnight and silver, rather than blue and yellow?” My husband is being critical as usual. He has never liked this interior decorator. “This is soothing on the eyes. And my baby is going to shine like gold, not a subdued silver.” His arms engulf me in a split second, and … Continue reading Wallpaper

Fiction

It feels great to be on the seaside jotting down thoughts, the feeling of anonymity exhilarating, as I shed the burden of ego and constructed self. Stories flow smoothly with a pen-name - it’s not seen as confession or spilled secrets. Somehow, the characters evolve into different beings and act in a manner not envisaged … Continue reading Fiction

Story Swap

“Uncle, how long will you wait in the queue on a sultry afternoon? Go home and rest. I’ll collect the cash and deliver it to your house.” The old man looks grateful for the offer. He is tired and sick, but desperately in need of money. He hands over the signed cheque to the young … Continue reading Story Swap

Who knows?

Someone told me seashells carry sounds of the sea. I hold it close to the ear for secrets nobody’s ever heard. A crashing sound hits the ear drums, but only to distract. Those are the waves hitting the shore to get scattered and gather themselves again. I ask the shore what stories it absorbs and … Continue reading Who knows?