Adding a Secret Flavour to your Cooking

In the mood for experimenting with my time-tested recipe of mutton curry, I embarked on the lookout for new ingredients that can be used. This is when I chanced upon a bottle of Ballantine's whisky, which a friend had got for my husband, as both of them are lovers of scotch. The label seemed to invite me - "Stay True, Leave an Impression".

 I had read in a forwarded message that if you add a spoon of whisky while cooking, the oil would not burn. No one was at home, and this was the time to try this!

So went in the first tablespoon of whisky with my favourite sunflower oil, and indeed, facilitated the cooking. I added another spoon as a secret topping just before serving it. Everyone who tasted the mutton, simply loved the unique flavour brought by the scotch.

Curious, I googled "Ballantine", and discovered that the founder of the brand, George Ballantine, was an innovator and entrepreneur,  and always acted with conviction and flair. I smiled quietly to myself, as I was reminded of my bold experiment.

Experience Business Hotels in Pune for Superior Services

One often mistakes Pune as an equivalent to a satellite city to the financial capital of India, Mumbai. That image of this town has definitely transformed as many companies have set up offices there, and many premiere institutes have also been set up. In modern times, Pune is looked upon as one of the fastest developing towns of the country, and one of the most popular destinations for business travel. And to match this growth, business hotels in Pune have also developed gradually over time.

With multiple options for easy connectivity to different parts of the country vide road and rail, Pune also has an international airport that connects it to two major international nodes, Dubai and Frankfurt. When you are travelling to Pune for work, then it is needless to say that you would want to avail of lodging facilities that are suitable to your nature of work, fit your budget, and offer facilities and superior services that suit the modern consumers and make the guests feel pampered. There are some hotels near Pune airport as well.

First and foremost is the easy booking options. No longer is hotel booking a stressful experience where you arrive at a hotel without being sure of availability of unoccupied rooms. Now, bookings can be done online or over the phone, and even an advance payment can be made. Alongwith comes free pick up from the airport/ railway station/ bus terminal on the day of arrival and drop off to the suitable transport node on the day of departure. Moreover, almost all hotels have provision for round the clock check in and check out, which means a guest can walk in and leave as per his business needs, and pay for the duration of stay and whatever he has consumed in that period.  

Complimentary breakfasts offer varieties of wholesome food to the business executives to kickstart their day on a healthy note. At the end of the day, after a long day of work, one can now bank on hotels to rejuvenate its guest. Depending on the class of hotels, the facilities offered include spas, salons, and gymnasiums with variety of equipments and a trainer, shopping arcades, cafes, gaming parlours and more. Round the clock wi-fi connections are provided to a guest so that he can work at his convenience, as per his business needs.

Next time you are in Pune for work, look out for an experience that boosts your productivity and makes you look forward to revisiting the city again. 

Pastry and Chocolate Art

"What could that be?", I wondered, when I first heard about the Academy of Pastry Arts, India. 

The sweet-toothed foodie in me urged me to check out this absolutely new concept - an institute set up for chefs and food lovers to discover the art of pastry making, decoration and more. So long, the term "pastry" would mean black forest or chocolate truffle (my favourite) - this expedition was quite an eye opener for me!

We were greeted by smiling chefs, Ewald Notter (World Pastry Champion), Tay Chee Siand and Tan Wei Loo (Asia Pastry champions) and Niklesh Sharma (Director) who demonstrated their expertise - leaving us open mouthed, and short of words, even to ask questions that were knocking around in our heads. 

A delectable pallete of pastries were laid out for us to taste .. they taste yummier than they look!

Award winning chefs from across the globe are associated with this venture, who shall bring their experience to us. Similar institutes are being launched in different countries. There are different modules of courses available for you to choose from, depending on your interest. Amazingly, the fee structure is also quite reasonable.

Chefs of 5 star hotels have benefitted from the institutes abroad. Now its your turn, in your own country, in Udyog Vihar, Gurgaon.
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Photographs: Supratik Bhowmick

 

With Cricket comes Travel !!

Cricket is in the air again with the ongoing World Cup tournament. Everyone at my home loves the game, so there is never a fight over the channel on television when a match is on. We try to watch as many games as possible... apart from our zeal for the game, the added attractions are the glimpses of the city we get as the camera zooms out and pans around during breaks. I felt so proud when my city, Calcutta, was showcased during the 1996 World Cup, which was hosted in India.

Isn’t that a wonderful way to build interest about and boost the tourism of a place? Think of the reach – your audience becomes global, where you can create lasting impressions.

The countries hosting the current World Cup are Australia and New Zealand, both of which are full of picturesque destinations, ideal for travel enthusiasts.

Alongside television, radio, and internet, following the World Cup has become a notch more convenient with the launch of mobile-based applications that offer information about teams, fixtures, etc. Also, details of each venue are available, along with a city guide. This includes snippets of places to visit for sightseeing, shopping, and things to do while you are in the city and not watching the match. There are tips for you to keep in mind on the D-day, such as traffic diversions and other arrangements, public transport routes, availability of parking of personal vehicles and cycles. So, if you are in Melbourne, Perth, Sydney, Auckland or any city hosting a cricket match, you have all necessary information to find a venue or your way around.

Travel has become so much a part of cricket that even ICC, or International Cricket Council have launched a website, for facilitating those who wish to travel to catch a match live. Tickets can be booked through this website and various offers such as stay in hotels for a defined period, city travel passes and more!

So you see, travelling to watch a cricket match live in the venue has many additional benefits!
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Solution to your Travel needs

"Who are these people?", I asked the admin chap of my office. We were recently back from a Team Building programme, and this one was definitely different from the previous ones I have attended. Everything, including travel arrangements, seemed to have been planned seamlessly.

I was handed a business card, and informed that this group of young professionals of travel agents in India offered services for both corporate and individual customers. I promptly checked out their website,

The homescreen is welcoming and easy to navigate, whether you are looking for international or domestic options. Plan your honeymoon, or a trip with friends and family! Try out their Singapore holiday package.

If you are looking for corporate arrangements or other travel related services, this could be your one-stop solution.

What is more, there is a Holiday Planner just a call away, who'll tailor your package as per your need, budget, time in hand and more.

Complete transparency and personalized care makes this a travel portal with a difference.
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This is a sponsored post. However, views are my own.

Free at 97

The mind says:

• When you are 6 months beyond 97 years,
• When you are but a skeleton with a super active brain,
• When you are dependent on others to move around,
• When your eyesight fails you,
• When people younger than you die, and you cannot do a thing about it - and when this includes two of your own children and one grandchild,
• When sleep evades you inspite of medicines,

maybe its good for you if you can leave this material world.

But can the heart agree? My Granny was the centre of our lives. She was fragile, but gave us (everyone in the family) the strength to face the world with her optimism. Such was her positivity that we almost believed she would continue to support us forever. Everytime we went out or came back from somewhere, the first thing in the morning and last before we went to sleep, we would sit on her bedside, holding her hand. The conversations would be about anything she could recall - ranging from how unsafe it was to hang out after dark to rains in Calcutta. We were always left in awe, wondering who kept her abreast about global current affairs.

When we were elsewhere, she used to write letters to us, as long as she could. Later, she'd dictate, with me as her scribe. The frequency dropped as regular phone calls made communication more convenient, but less charming. 

Granny was a beautiful lady in her hay days, but her grandchildren have always seen her as a cute old lady, full of love, inspiration and support. She encouraged us in whatever we did, even if our experiments were not exactly successful. And never would she allow anyone to say a negative word about any of her grandchildren. She had a difficult life, a 65 year-widowhood, challenges flung at her over and over, but she was always the soldier who sailed across seas of joy and pain with equal ease. 

We lost her on 10th January, 2015 - a vacuum which cannot be filled. She left us with a challenge to live up to what she expected us to become. Rest in peace, my lady. 

Enliven your Kitchen

Bright colours. Convenient. So durable that it can be passed on through generations. What do you think I am referring to?

All that may come to your mind is not correct for the above descriptions refer to kitchenware from Le Creuset. I personally have always felt that the designs of utensils, accessories and likewise that we use in the kitchen haven't evolved as much as the modern consumer... until I chanced upon Le Creuset store in Ambience Mall, Gurgaon. 

The staff told me there are outlets in South Delhi too, if I wished to pick up something later. 

Attracted by the bright colours and simplistic, yet functional design, I picked up a medium sized cooking bowl just to take a better look at it. It was so heavy!

The staff smiled to tell me that most cookware was made of cast iron, a material that has been known to human beings for long, but in a revamped version. The weight would make a utensil sit right on the flame and there's no need to hold it while stirring. Plus the material would ensure uniform heating. 

Incidentally, that day there was live cookout at the store in association with Bonne Maman, a brand renowned for traditional preservatives. There were chefs with international fame who demonstrated to us how Le Creuset utensils can be used for cooking, baking and more. It was an evening very well spent.

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Photos courtesy Angon Bhattacharjee

Grilled by Chicken - Nando's

Connaught Place is the place to hang out with friends for many a Delhi resident, including me. After a very satisfying shopping expedition, my friend and I were attracted to Nando's, a newly opened restaurant in F Block, mainly by its huge glass facade and modern interiors. Once we ventured in, the menu excited us all the more: it was mainly about chicken, flame grilled in Peri Peri style.

So we began the gastronomic journey with chicken livers. It was soaked in a tangy sauce and served with Portugese bread. The staff recommended two absolutely refreshing drinks for us - Madeira Red and a minty concoction. 

We ventured with chicken wings next, and an assortment of roasted chicken. Our food was recommended with the mild sauce, but if you would like it, you can go for spicier and hotter ones too.

We are such committed much non vegeterians that anything vegeterian on the menu went ignored by us. We ordered Portugese Salad and Moroccan Wraps, both with generous helpings of chicken.

You can imagine we were full to the brim by the time we finished all the food. The idea of dessert was a complete no-no, but they do have interesting options in their menu to complete your meal.

Nando's is a chain started in South Africa in 1987 and has presence in 20 countries. The interior is designed uniquely in each - and the one in Connaught Place is inspired by a basket in which chickens are usually carried. Do make sure to check out their lighting.

So next time you are in Connaught Place, do remember to hit Nando's!

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Photos Courtesy: Supratik Bhowmick

"Real" Family Day for Underprivileged Children

In continuation to the overwhelming response received to the "Cheer a Child" campaign, Real Greetings, along with Prayas Juvenile Aid Centre Society hosted a Family Day for underprivileged children in Hotel Kempinski, New Delhi. 

A handful of families and bloggers were invited to interact with the children, play games and engage in various activities such as crafts. Each family would be associated with a team of children, so that they do not feel abandoned, but as a part of a family. 

This is an extension of the previous campaign that had pledged a packet of Real juice against every wish collected vide missed calls, online and field promotions for the nutrition of the children. And this one helped them associate with families.... isn't that wonderful?

The event was for a few hours, but the positive impact of this bond would be everlasting for the children.

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Photo Courtesy: Real Juices

Fun & Food @ Yum Yum Cha

Loitering around lazily on the 2nd floor of Select City Walk Mall, my eyes were attracted to the newly opened Yum Yum Cha. Against a serene backdrop of white, what attracted me was the abundance of fun shapes such as umbrellas, flip flops and various fun objects in vibrant colours. See for yourself how exciting an ambience the colours create!

 

 The staff were very friendly when we admitted that the menu was too tempting to choose from. Many of the dishes were brought to India for the very first time. Some items you cannot afford to miss, and I'll personally vouch for are

• Sea food salad - a cold salad of diced crab on cucumber
• Sushi platter - which is wonderful even if you've never had sushi before 
• Takoyaki Octopus dumplings  

And the pleasure doesn't end there! We tried the hot pot of Ramen and pork - it comes in a paper bowl placed over a tiny fire- so it remains hot. We tried sizzling rice -it comes with the ingradients neatly arranged on rice, but to have it, you'd have to mix it all! It is placed on a stone wok, and it crackles to increase your apetite!

We were too full, but for me, even a small bite of dessert is essential. So, between the two of us, we ordered just one espresso creme bule - and it would have been a big miss had we not tried it. You may try the other desserts on their menu, but make sure you order this one too!

Come, discover "Little bundles of Joy - Huge Bowls of Happiness" in Yum Yum Cha, a new presentation from the owners of Yum Yum Tree.
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Photos courtesy Angon Bhattarcharjee, who shares my immense appetite for good food.  

Cheer a Child - a Campaign all of us should join!

Festivity is in the air. While you gear up for the celebrations, spare a thought for those who never do.

Dabur India Ltd, a brand we all know of, along with Prayas Juvenile Aid Centre Society have launched a programme in major cities of Delhi - NCR, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Maharashtra in order to bring a smile to underprivileged children. All that one has to do is to give a missed call to +91-7053123123. The caller would receive an automated call back and he can record a wish for a child. And for every wish recorded, one pack of Real fruit juice would be committed to a child in need.

Further, a dedicated team from Réal will visit big markets across these states to garner support for the neglected, street and working children. They will educate people about the nutrition needs of underprivileged kids and encourage them to sign on a pledge to support these kids. Against each signature, Dabur has committed to give one pack of Réal fruit beverage to a child in need. This initiative is not linked to any product purchase and all that is required from the people is a signature or a wish as a mark of their support.

Isn't this a wonderful opportunity to spread cheer among children? Please find out more by watching the video here.

An all in one App: Ask me!

Every service around me seems to be saying “Download our app”, be it banks, pizza services, online stores, job portals, whatever – this is indeed times of smart phone revolution! I was wondering what a clutter all these applications would create on one’s phone, let alone the subsequent confusion, when I chanced upon a commercial on television. It was about an application called “AskMe”, that offered to consolidate all services into one.

I downloaded the app right away, just to give it a shot. I loved the icon – a rectangular callout representing conversation. The app could detect my city straightaway. The top two lines asked me what I was looking for and where. I had been looking for a dentist near my home for long, and once I fed in the details, I was handed a list of dentists within fraction of a second. Addresses and contact numbers were visible and I could easily select one that suited me best.

Needless to say, I found this extremely useful. What is more, when you select a service from this app, you can see the rating it has received from people who have availed of the same before you. There are reviews for you to set your expectations, and you can add your rating or review as well. You can make a list of favourites for myself. You can share your experience across all social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, etc.

While browsing, I came across various deals available. I was planning a hangout with friends, and discount coupons from Pizza Hut proved really useful!

The tag line of AskMe calls it the “Bapp of all apps” – the app that brings everything under one umbrella. It indeed is so. Download it and I am sure you would love the experience!

Of Awards : Liebster Blog Award

I had stopped participating in blog tagging and awards for long. But when two fellow bloggers nominated me for the Liebster Blog Award at the same time, I could not say no. Thanks a lot, Anjan and Noopur.

What I dislike is nominating further bloggers for the award. I feel everyone out there in blogosphere deserves this award and there could be no criteria to filter out select few So, I decline this activity, of my own accord. Here's to all my blogger friends!

Now, comes the difficult part - I have to answer 11 questions asked by the nominator. Since I was nominated by two people, I've to answer 22!

First, questions asked by Anjan:

1. One thing about my personality that I hate most: 
I trust easily.

2. If I could go back to the past, what would I change?
Moments when I yielded.

3. If I were to live just for one day, what is the first thing I would do?
Thank all those who loved me.

4. Love or Friendship?
Friendship - it is a love affair in its own right.

5. How do I judge a person?
I am bad at this. :(

6. What makes me smile?
When I want to hide how I am feeling.

7. What would I like to be reborn as?
His wife.

8. Living with someone who likes you or someone who loves you?
I would prefer staying with the person I love.

9. Most dreaded dream?
Death of my loved ones

10. Life in 5 words?
Him. Family. Travel. Books. Blog

11. An Inspiring Blog
I get inspired by all bloggers.

Now, questions asked by Noopur:

1. What would I do if I were invisible?
Nothing. I believe in doing what I do openly.

2. What does my blog mean to me?
Somewhere I can write what I feel like. Now, that's important.

3. Person I admire?
Not one person. I admire various qualities in different persons.

4. Most Embarassing moment?
When he discovered what I felt for him.

5. A co-author for my blog?
I am not very open to the idea, but it could be him.

6. Dream I want to come true?
A world tour while I am still young.

7. My opinion about Noopur's blog
Lots of appreciation - for I definitely cannot write poetry.

8. First impression about Noopur's blog
I like the name.

9. A wish?
Isnt that a repeat question? No, I am not writing all my desires here.

10. Post I like on Noopur's blog
All... and usually the latest.

11. Person who deserves credit for me being me?
I think its me, credit or discredit.

My Super Seven

Guiding 7 undergraduate thesis projects - it was a big challenge. I was not sure if I could do it. So far in my so called career as a part time teacher, I had helped post grad students who are marginally more serious. In my own college days, I was a truant myself, how could I even expect these children to be any different? 

  

So began the journey. The industry has evolved, and so has the way Architecture is taught : Modern practices, thought processes and materials. Lot was to be learnt by my own self, shedding apprehensions. There were senior professionals around - and as they taught, they had an additional student in me.

All said and done, working with the seven students in my group was a experience in itself. Let us start from the left. The young lady in white is Apoorva. She may look all so studious with her spectacles, but she is exactly the opposite. She'd refuse to work beyond what she thinks is right. But she can spot her errors fast and can make up statements to cover them during her presentation.

The guy with dishevelled hair and beard is Ankit. He had a very ambitious project, and the biggest problem with him is that his interests lie in far too many places. I had a hard time dragging his attention back to academics, and am glad that he could do justice to his thesis at the end.  

Third in line for you is Dinesh: the bespactled guy. He is the only one among my students who knew what he wanted to do, but had a very challenging site. He could conjure options out of nowhere and finally could transform the limitations into opportunities.

The short doll in black on my left is Shivani - she is a store of ideas, but she tends to get confused. However, working with her was comparatively easy, for all I had to do was streamline her energy.

The smiling boy behind Shivani in a blue shirt with white collars is Deepanshu. And is he a brat? You can make out from his mischievous grin. He'd miss discussions and bug you, but you just cannot scold him for when he comes, there is significant progress in his work.

The lady in pink on my right is Bhavya. She is quite a doll, and obedient. We had initial hiccups together, but afterwards, her enthusiasm surprised me.

Last but not the least, on the extreme right is Sahil. He is everything he does not appear to be, and is not anything what you may think of him. He is a hardworking guy and working with him was good fun.

At the end of the semester, my students gave me a showpiece as a "Thank You" gift, which is their custom. Although I felt it was quite unnecessary, I was touched by what the card said:

What more can a Teacher ask for?

Summer Menu - Perfect for this Season!

Its that time of the year in India which most of us hate - Summer. It rains once in a while, but it makes the weather all the more unbearable. As humdity weighs our spirits down, what happens to us, the foodies, who want to eat out but the idea of oily preparations make us sick?

Chef Sujan has come up with a perfect menu for this season at Olive Qutub, Mehrauli. Its tasty, its light and its refreshing. Even after a long day at work.

So much attention is given to detail, that you shall simply love digging in. It maybe a simple watermelon terrine, but it is coupled with greenapple, avocado and mint to enhance the taste.

The season demands more salads than anything else, and thus, the new menu offers variety of light salads- nutritious, but feather light. The chef offers you a light soup, and then brings in his master stroke : Lamb rump - a non vegeterian's delight!

For those who have a sweet tooth, do not forget to check out the Tiramisu - its teasing coffee flavour, heightened by a biscuit like texture.
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Photographs: Team Olive. Mine are on the way.

T for Teeth

The first thing you would ever notice about me is my teeth - whether you meet me in person or see a photograph of mine.

And this comes as a challenge to any photographer who would dare to participate: try clicking a photo of mine with my teeth in. You cannot.

One of my colleagues once told me, "You are always smiling. That's what I like about you." I shared the secret with him - "Perhaps I've a couple extra" . Its not true, of course.

A smile is a curve that can set many things straight, isnt it? So, even in critical situations, irrespective of what I may be feeling deep in, I'd always put up a bright exterior and try to keep the show going.

Lot of bright teeth for you in the snapshot on the right.

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Discover Things that make me who I am :  A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S

S - Secret Keeper

If you want your secret kept safe, just tell me. I am a good listener, and would never utter a word to anyone. And the best part is, I would not give you any unwanted advice.

Since Childhood through today

However innocent our faces were, my group of friends were the most notorious lot. And pranks had to be planned. I had that capability - to be part of it all, but not a hint of it would show on my face. I was usually assigned the task at the climax, for I could keep a straight face.

Later, as we grew up, most of us developed crushes on someone or the other, and there's a charm of keeping it secret from the person in question. But when cupid strikes and with a fluttering heart, you just cannot do without sharing it with someone. Needless to say, the trusted confidante would be me.

In the very first year of college, I had guarded a similar fact about a girl, even from my closest friends. When the affair surfaced, everyone secretly developed a respect for me - "This is a non-porous repository."

Till today, I am the confession box for many. I carry with myself lots of secrets dumped with me - some shared to relieve stress, some to test impacts of wild ideas, and more.

Sorry, it doesn't apply to myself

However silly it may sound, I am a complete flop show when it comes to guard my own secrets. When troubled, it shows so much on my face that people around me start worrying. I wont say anything if I choose not to, but you'd know something is wrong. Lend me your shoulder, and soon, I'll be up and going.

Can you keep secrets well?

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Discover Things that make me who I am : A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R

R for Rowing

 Now, this is something very few people know about me - I was a rower! 

I was part of the Swimming team of my school, and when the Rowing team was being formed, I was sort of automatically inducted. It was something that was God had planned, for Rowing clicked for me instantly. For once, my broad structure helped me, and I excelled. 

I joined the Rowing Club after the Interschool championship, much against the wishes of my parents. Every morning I'd get  up and go for practice. I had completed school and joined Architecture, a course that requires one to prepare detailed drawings. I was an organized student - I'd start work way ahead of my classmates, row in the morning, go to college, work in the evening, sleep late, get up early and back. So much so, my work would be ready before others and I often helped others after that.

I was a good team member and sportsperson. My fellow rowers would forbid their teams to talk to others for fear of letting their strategies slip, but I'd do no such thing. I just asked my team to give in their best, and that's what worked. 

I gave up Rowing in the 3rd year of my college (had to make a choice between studies and sports). I had won many races, here are some of the medals and cups I had won, of which two are from State Olympics. 

History repeats:
When in Bhopal for work, we had taken a recreational break for boating in the vast Upper Lake. I was claiming that I could do it all, when the navigator let the oars down suddenly and asked me to demonstrate my skills. I had to! You can read about the trip here. Till then, here's a photo for you!

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Discover Things that make me who I am : A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q

Q is for Questioning Minds

On a foggy winter morning, I was travelling by a bus to work. There was a school boy in the seat ahead of me, accompanied by his mother. He turned back when I slid in, and I noticed the handsome child was, unfortunately, blind.

All along the journey, the boy kept asking questions- things which we see everyday, but do not notice. Since the fog was thick, perhaps we were almost in the same position as him - we could not see the beautiful world around us, although we inhabited it. The child's incessant questions compelled me to re-look at life.

This post is not about free advice.

I've observed many a child after that - they ask so many questions, sometimes over and over. I admit its difficult to sustain constant bombardment, but I cannot agree when the parents snub their children. Comeon, its their formative years and if they do not question the world, who will?

We should all have inquisitive minds.

Do not accept things just the way they are. Ask why. Atleast think why. Then if it appears acceptable, let it be. If not, question it. There is nothing that is right or wrong -it is just what has been taught to us over generations. Lot of things have evolved over time, and there is still a long way to go.
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Discover Things that make me who I am : A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P

P for Photographs

I love photographs - they can defy time. Our priceless moments are captured in them, and they stay with us as long as one can keep them.

Over time, everything changes : the way we look, people around us, locations, etc. But once captured, maybe photographs hold those moments that remind us of our past, experiences, family and friends.

The art of photography has evolved a long way, and now photo sharing and backup is much easier. I am of course, not the correct person to discuss this evolution.

Since my theme for the A-Z challenge is about things that define me, here are two priceless photographs which date back about 30 years!

  

Can you recognize me?
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Discover Things that make me who I am : A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O