One on Cocktails

 I recently interviewed Ravi, a friend in Calicut, on his interests, that focused on Cocktails. This is the link to the chat, on my Chat Masala Youtube channel. 

https://youtu.be/hPkDNWxyM3I

Chat Masala - Newer Episodes

 Some new episodes added to my Youtube Channel, Chat Masala..

About bosses.. 

https://youtu.be/BV3x6qoWrE4

Star students or Friends - Part A and B

https://youtu.be/2e9UHA_CpJo

https://youtu.be/Tk7JKJPTG_A

Procurement as a CAREER

https://youtu.be/AQwHBrxButc


Cultures- A Chat with Vandana Kumar

https://youtu.be/M_tauueJJ5Q

On entrepreneurship.. with Natasha Kothari, founder of Studio Ungap.

https://youtu.be/Gpe3yD27_Lg  

The Fine Art of Blogging

 I started blogging around 2008 or 09, with a push from Hari, who was already a blogger. Over the years, it has not dimmed- my enthusiasm for blogging, I mean.

I also have an increased readership among humans and bots, as a helpful reader pointed out when there was a sharp rise in viewership as per Google Analytics. Well, I don't mind it one bit/byte. (intended)

Ok, so this is my 200th blog post for 2025. And it's not even New Year's Eve. So I am going to enjoy this double century.. having once played cricket, I know it's value.

Thanks to all the readers- especially the human readers, for keeping me going by reading and occasionally commenting. I met one reader who told me she was unable to comment. Not being technically competent to solve that problem, I am happy that she reads the blog.

Hopefully interesting things will keep happening, and I will keep writing about them. Happy Reading, and writing, if you are also a writer.

As a bonus, you can take a look at the two latest interviews on my Youtube channel- links below. With Ananya Nandi De and Natasha Kothari.

https://youtu.be/AQwHBrxButc

https://youtu.be/Gpe3yD27_Lg

Ananya Nandi De

I experienced the warm hospitality of an ex-student yet again. Ananya Nandi De and her family -husband Raka and son Hrishit. We had a great time, great food, and conversations.. the 9 year-old Hrishit was full of enthu for books and wants to start a library.. great news! I also recorded an interview with Ananya for my Youtube channel, Chat Masala.. this is the link to it- 

https://youtu.be/AQwHBrxButc

She's worked in procurement for leading companies like Torrent, British Telecom and more.. so it was interesting to talk about her rather unusual choice of career. She's an engineer and an IMT Nagpur MBA.. 

 

My Youtube Foray - Chat Masala

 Trying out something new, thanks to persuasion from Sheetal Garg, a friend, and Prarthana, my daughter no. 1. A series of 10-15 minute videos on a variety of topics. Some guest episodes and some my own. Three have been published so far, and some guest episodes too, with Bhagyalakshmi Venkatesh, covering her views on Happiness and with Sheetal Garg, about music and friendship. Also one with Anjali Paruvu, about education in the Humanities. Mine are related to Hindi films, actors and domestic travel. More will follow. Shot and edited by Prarthana, with help from Pooja, daughter no. 2.

The links to existing episodes, in case you want to watch them.. a playlist.

https://youtu.be/1Ey5BlUQI7k - Episode 1- Hindi Films

https://youtu.be/x4drlX8nQh8  - Episode 2. Favourite heroes from Films

https://youtu.be/wNwMxUqIW9M  - the guest episode on Happiness

https://youtu.be/qQLyLUyzllw -Travel destinations in India

https://youtu.be/DhHVQvrFUS4  - Guest episode on Humanities and AI.

https://youtu.be/LoEq7-S2NpY   - Guest episode on Music and Friendship

An Eventful Week

 Went to Hyderabad, and met my sister and BIL Hari, and niece Anjali after a long time. Anjali has completed her 12th and is looking at colleges up North. Also caught up with tow visitors at their place. Did not stir out much, as it was hot in the day. Of course, had biryani and small onion samosas with Irani chai once. 

Also shot 3 episodes of Chat Masala with Hari, Anjali and Vandana on various topics of their interest. This is a new Youtube Channel of mine where we discuss anything under the Sun. 3 episodes have aired so far, but we have shot a few more.

Back in Pune, we again shot another guest episode with Suhita Thatte, actor and my cousin, visiting from Mumbai. She was here to perform in a Play written by Sai Paranjpye. In Marathi, at a program dedicated to Female characters in Theatre.

Also shot two more solo episodes for Chat Masala, about Friends/ Students who became entrepreneurs, and Bosses I have had over the years -in industry and academia.

Chat Masala - My Youtube Channel

 So far, we have published 3 episodes. If you want to watch them, the links are

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNwMxUqIW9M for the Happiness episode

https://youtu.be/x4drlX8nQh8  the second is about my favourite heroes from films

https://youtu.be/1Ey5BlUQI7k the first, is about why I like Hindi films.

Starting a Youtube channel

I plan to start a Youtube channel called Chat Masala. It will feature chats, sometimes me talking to myself, and sometimes with others.

It's an experiment, like this blog was a decade or more ago. Some experiments work. This one did.

It will feature varied content, from films, music, books, travel, views about life and some undisclosed areas of expert opinions from, well.. experts.

Stay tuned, and you won't regret it.. at least, that's what I think.