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Of Math & The Monkey God

Centum is Latin for hundred. I don’t know if Italians use the word anymore, but some people in India still do. To them, centum is what a smart kid would score on a math test. In the middle class neighborhood where I grew up, many adults...

Unknown Bestsellers

Supermodel Padmalakshmi is in town this week, according to The Hindu. She has traveled from the east coast of the United States -- just like me -- for a brief visit to the hometown. And that is where the similarity ends. She’s visiting her...

A Spicebox & Cookbook Got Her Started

When I set off to graduate school in the US, the Internet had not yet taken over the world. I actually spoke to people to gather information about life in America in general and my destination, New Orleans, in particular. So, I was delighted to...