The word ‘syndrome’ is used in medicine to refer to a group of often seemingly unrelated features which occur together to form its own clinical identity. This blog about places I see and thoughts I have is a similar attempt at uniting seemingly unrelated aspects of what interests me into one entity.
Recent Posts
Pune, Shanghai, and a Man Named Victor
I’ve lived a fair bit of my life in the city of Pune and it’s a very special place to me. I first moved here in 2012 to study medicine at the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC), an institution to which I owe a lot. Between adjusting to new life and its rules, studying anatomy…
Monopoly and its Forgotten Hero
An enterprising woman and a feminist icon in the early 1900s essentially created the first version of the game we love today, but lies largely forgotten. Here’s the story of the game’s origin.
A Dying Empire, a Nawab named Safdar Jung, and an Imperfect Tomb
Many of us are familiar with the name ‘Safdarjung’. But who was he? And how is his story linked to the decline of the Mughal empire?
The Zero Stones of Pune and London; and Measuring the Whole Subcontinent
This stone marks the official centre of Pune, India. Many cities in the world have monuments marking the same. But what are their stories? And how is this stone connected to one of the greatest exercises in human history?
Jinns and Other Spirits in the Time of Corona
This mediaeval fort in the heart of Delhi is supposed to be the home of jinns – supernatural mythical shape-shifting creatures.
Recommendation: The Case of the Missing Hit (Podcast Episode)
A man in California is haunted by the memory of a pop song from his youth. He can remember the lyrics and the melody. But the song itself has vanished, completely scrubbed from the internet. PJ Vogt, one of the hosts at the ‘Reply All’ podcast decides to investigate.
Le Corbusier and the Lesser-Known Planners of Chandigarh
Many of us are familiar with Le Corbusier and the fact that he planned the city of Chandigarh. But what about the others whose names are relatively forgotten today?
The Ranwar Village in Bandra, Mumbai
The Mumbai suburb of Bandra, or ‘Queen of the Suburbs’ as it’s often called, is one of the most affluent and well-known parts of Mumbai. It’s home to some of the wealthiest and most popular movie stars and sports stars in the country. Many visit Bandra to shop at Linking Road; to sit on the…
The Two Synagogues of Pune
There are an estimated 200 Jews living in Pune. That’s not many. But Pune is home to two synagogues, and one of them is the largest synagogue in all of Asia, outside Israel.
The British Magazine Memorial, Delhi
Contrary to what it sounds like, this isn’t a memorial to Punch or The Economist or any other glossy periodic publication. So what does this memorial really commemorate?
St. James’ Church, Delhi
A little bit about the history of the oldest existing church in Delhi and the man who built it.
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