2342: New frequencies

It is fascinating to see how my "antennas" are picking up a completely new frequencies!

I am literally blown away by a version of myself I never knew existed. If you know me, you know I am not "that kind of person" poetry was never my world. Yet, here I am, completely mesmerized. It isn't even that I am searching for this; rather, I am in a phase where these voices are simply appearing, standing right in front of me and reaching me.

It started with one Marathi poet whose work moved me so deeply that, within no time, I had absorbed his entire collection. Then came a young girl who narrates in Hindi. Her words carry such warmth and soul that I find myself under her spell which is quite a shift, considering my Hindi has always been "horrible." To find myself held by poems in that language is a complete departure from the usual.

As if that wasn't enough, the digital world bridged the gap, presenting a young boy whose verses are equally superb. And then, an extremely spontaneous Marathi girl straightforward, popular, and "bang on" with her words (via her poems, astonishing work indeed at such young age).

What I love about all of them is that they are solution-oriented and brief. For a couple of years now, I have been moving from one voice to another (automatically), finding a new rhythm in this current chapter.

To top it off, I’ve recently encountered "stand-up comedy" through two specific personalities who truly know their limits.

I am in a space where I am not so much discovering as I am being discovered by these new colors, flavours and fragrances. It is strange, it is unusual, and it is reaching me with a clarity I never expected.

2341: Locker Sweets

As Sankranti approaches, my house and my neighbors' homes are already radiating those festive vibes freshly made sweets prepared with loads of love. These treats, made of sesame seeds and jaggery with a touch of cardamom and ghee, are as healthy as they are seasonal.

But when I was growing up, these sweets were kept under lock and key literally! Can you believe it? My mother used to store them in the locker, protected by two layers of security: the inner locker lock and the heavy front door of those iconic, strongly built Godrej almirahs.

I was the reason these sweets were given such a "cozy" and unusual place. The sweets themselves probably never imagined they’d end up sitting in the dark, double-locked heart of a cupboard. I was (and still am) a massive foodie. Since these delicacies were made only once a year, I wanted to finish them all at once. Back then, almost nothing was bought from outside; everything was made from scratch by my mother, and I simply couldn't wait to eat as much as I could.

Those were the days before mobile phones or the formality of asking before visiting. During the festivals, anyone could drop by, and hospitality demanded that they be treated to these sweet varieties. To ensure there was something left to serve to guests, my mother’s "researcher mind" came up with this foolproof plan to protect the sweets from my relentless taste buds.

This "Locker Protocol" was repeated with coconut sweets during Dasara and various other treats throughout the year. She even mastered the art of illusion, making me believe that the empty containers in the kitchen were all we had. If any sweets did stay in the kitchen, they were hidden in high, unreachable corners, far beyond my tiny height and hands.

Oh my god! Today, whenever I make these special sweets, I am instantly transported back to that locker, that cupboard, and that room. I find myself back in my mom's cozy arms, in a house filled with love and affection to the brim.

2340: the "New-Old" Me

The winter is at its peak here, and as a "learned and aware" person who loves to cook, all my antennas are on high alert. Today, I made "Methi Muthia" a healthy, one-dish meal that turned out to be the world’s best dish. At least, I am my world, and for me, it was perfection.

It was "bang on." No measuring cups, no scales, just intuition. In that steam and spice, I literally found myself again.

I realized today that I was exactly like this in my younger years, all through my post-graduation. Then came the "Great Interruption" a break of many years where life took over. But since December 1st, 2025, it’s as if I’ve said a final goodbye to the "lost me" and a grand welcome to the "new-old me." You know exactly what I mean.

I remember arguing with my mother as a young girl; I wanted to stop my education after the 10th standard just to cook for my family and friends. That was my only dream. But HE had a different script for me for a while. He led me through academia and professional heights, only to bring me back to this cooking on a small scale, where almost every meal is a new creation.

Someone asked me today, as a blogger, "What do you plan to write tomorrow?" My answer was simple: "Whatever HE suggests."

It’s the same philosophy I apply to my kitchen. Whatever my "inside" feels like having in the next meal is what gets made. No control, no calculations. Just going with the flow, enjoying the flavor of life, and finally living the script I always wanted.

2339: The Savitribai Legacy: From Education to Shared Prosperity

It is a world-known fact that in 1848, the most respected Savitribai Phule ignited the education movement for girls. She realized early on that education was the key to financial independence. By definition, an independent woman is one who is not a burden to others. But let’s look closer: isn’t her independence actually a massive boon for her families both her parents and her in-laws? Because she earns, the "burden" of her existence is lifted from the shoulders of her father, her husband, and her brothers.

During my career, I recall a period when several young men joined my department as teachers. As one of the senior professors, I shared countless discussions with them. These men, most of whom had homemaker wives, would often say to me with genuine admiration: "Ma'am, the working women in our department are such a boon to their husbands. They are a true support. Their partners must be so relaxed knowing they don't have to carry every single expense. There is a surplus pouring in because of her."

They recognized that a working woman isn't just "independent" she is a co-contributor. She covers school fees, buys groceries, picks up gifts, and handles emergencies. No earner keeps their money in a vacuum; they spend, willingly or by necessity, for the collective good.

And yet, I still hear that outdated, confusing statement: "A woman earns only for herself, but a man earns for the entire family." To the proponents of that view, I say: You cannot have it both ways. You cannot enjoy the "surplus" and the "relaxed shoulders" while simultaneously labeling her income as selfish. To the Indian middle-class man still caught in this trap: decide whether you want to be the "Sole Head" of an old-world myth, or the "Equal Partner" in a modern, blessed reality. Stay in your confusion, or enjoy the partnership, the choice is yours.

2338: Kids again

 A tale shared by my friend:

"A few days ago it was me who went for shopping in such a place where I found everything (well, almost) we needed. The shopping was so much fun that it lasted only for hardly an hour, shopping done with lightening speed indeed. It was my duty to settle the house for us, me and my elder sister. I made a list myself, hopefully thoughtfully and just ran to grab things.

Me and my elder sister literally share daughter-mother relationship due to age difference. For many reasons we two are alone and started our own residence freshly recently. While picking up stuff I picked up breakfast plates which looked awesome. When we started using them we found that those plates are actually made for kids to motivate them to eat and finish the food served. That too we both are enjoying eating with dessert's spoon, small in size.

Its so much of fun to be kids again. Wow. We both never had such colorful, cartoon plates when we grew up, so now using them gives us a different energy altogether. We are not able to recollect how our kids days were, as being elder she was busy with household work, then got married and I was busy in my own world being the youngest. She did everything for our parents, as I could not come back from abroad.

This is the platinum opportunity to be with the person who took care of parents very well. We are literally kids again, living life full size. Very few get to live like this."

2337: Beyond Magnanimity

My journey to Shivaji University, Kolhapur, began with a prestigious invitation from BAMU to serve as an AAA Audit External Expert. Little did I know that this official assignment would lead to a remarkable connection. It was there that I met Respected Prof. Dr Subhash Kombde, Head of Economics at Shivaji University. Staying as neighbors in the BAMU guest house, we moved from "next-door neighbors" to "intellectual allies" almost instantly.

Dr Kombde is a man of swift action. On the spot, he proposed a PhD workshop for his campus, secured all necessary approvals, and by January 2nd, 2026, I was standing in Kolhapur.

What followed was not just hospitality; it was a masterclass in care. From meticulously arranged guest house stays to being personally chauffeured by him, every detail was handled with a warmth that felt like a homecoming. He hosted a lavish dinner, ensured my comfort every morning, and even tracked my journey back to Pune. When the heavy traffic delayed my arrival, he was the first to call, genuinely concerned about my safety. In today’s fast-paced era, who does that?

Dr Kombde is, quite simply, a "rare species." He is a powerhouse of energy a distinguished expert in Economics with a deep mastery of IT, a traveler with an incredible professional network, and a man who manages his vast responsibilities with an unflappable calm. Yet, amidst his many accolades and grants, his devotion to his family and his guests remains his most striking trait.

In addition to all these multitasking activities, he is soooo fit, extremely smartly connects with local and global students, huge patience, wow, what to and how much to write about him I really dont know. He manages his energy and professional commitments with such grace that it leaves one in awe.

He seems wired differently perhaps not from this planet! There is so much to learn from his energy, his PR skills, and his genuine humanity. Meeting him wasn't just a professional highlight; it was a lesson in how to live a large, impactful, yet deeply kind life.

2336: A Full-Circle Moment at Shivaji University

Life has a poetic way of coming full circle. Recently, I stepped onto the campus of Shivaji University, Kolhapur, not just as a Resource Person, but as a daughter walking the same internal roads my mother once roamed as a student.

Entering the library, I couldn’t help but imagine her as a young woman, perhaps sitting at one of these very tables, buried in reference books with her friends. The nostalgia was overwhelming; I felt an immediate urge to call her, share pictures, and show her the "new avatar" of the institution that shaped her youth. Being invited back to this specific university was more than just a professional milestone it was a deeply touching personal honor.

On January 2nd and 3rd, 2026, I had the privilege of delivering my 265th PhD Smart Paper Writing Workshop at the Department of Economics. The audience was a niche and impressive crowd of local and international Research Fellows. Interacting with such dedicated scholars was an awesome experience, and I am grateful to the department and university for this honor.

This was an incredible start to 2026. If the first few days are any indication, the year ahead will be full of meaningful connections, knowledge sharing, and perhaps a few more walks down memory lane.