Truth is stranger than fiction

Title: Come home papa Authors: Scholarship-winning daughters of truck drivers Genre:Short stories  When we think of a truck driver, an image of an uncouth illiterate flashes in our mind. They are often viewed as a menace and blamed for several accidents on highways. Yet there exists a difference facet to them which is explored in this book. ‘Come home papa’ is an initiative by Mahindra Trucks and buses Ltd and Tell me your story to bring to light the road safety measures that need to be incorporated.  It is a collection of short stories written by the scholarship winning daughters of these truck drivers. Its an attempt to look at truck drivers as fathers who toil for long hours to provide for their families. At the same time, it gives an insight into the hazards faced by them during their journey on the road.  The stories consist of horrifying escapades that involve truck drivers' encounters with robbers, natural calamities, accidents due to drun...

Title: Educated Author: Tara Westover Genre: Memoir  Educated by Tara Westover is one of the best memoirs that I have read so far. This is a true story of a little girl who grows up amidst the mountains in Idaho. Her family is rather queer and does not believe in education or treating ailments in hospitals. Her father is quite radical in his views and her brother suffers from bipolar condition that makes him quite violent. Out of frustration, Tara begins to educate herself and manages to get admitted in Brigham Young University (BYU). For the first time she learns about significant world events like the civil war and holocaust. As Tara delves deeper into her academics, she finds education taking her across the world and to places she only dreamt of including Cambridge and Harvard. ‘Educated’ describes the struggles with a little girl trying to survive in a world different from the one she was exposed to. It’s also sort of a coming of age story. Dealing with themes of family, los...

It was sometime around the month of February when Doc (Kumar Janardhanan)- one of our runner friends from Chennai told us about the ADA 5k run. It was a run organized by the American Diabetes Association scheduled on June 9 th 2019. Doc said he was coming for a conference and said that the run would be a good chance to catch up. Amit and I signed up immediately and the registration was free of cost.  We were up by 3:00 am on June 9 th . Partly because of the India-Australia cricket match, tracking our friends at the Comrades runners in South Africa and partly because we had to be at San Francisco city by 5:15 am for our bib pick up which was at a place called Pier 32.  One of the best things about being an early morning runner is the sights that you are treated to. It’s an entirely different world and nature paints a vivid picture. Streaks of pink in the sky are reflected in the ocean. The sun slowly begins to peep out of the clouds. The radiant glow of y...

As a runner/triathlete, I always appreciate the volunteer support at any running event. To me they are our unsung heroes without whom our runs would deem impossible. Placed at regular intervals, these kind-hearted souls provide the much-needed hydration and refreshments like energy gels and fruits. When I got an opportunity to volunteer at a running event organized by Vibha, I eagerly accepted. Vibha is a non-profit organization in the Bay area that focuses on the development of underprivileged children in India. One of the members of Team Asha-the group whom I train with, introduced me to one of the race coordinators. I was supposed to be the bike lead for the 10-km event. The bike lead usually leads the front runner/elite runner throughout the course.  The day before the event, I was given a course preview. Incidentally I had done an event sometime end of March which was on the same course. It was an out and back route. So, it was important for me to know the exact turn...

On the occasion of global running day, penned down a poem which addresses the rhetorical question that runners often get asked. Why do you run?  Why do you run A question so rhetoric Makes me grimace  That I reach for a gin and tonic. Often asked by a non runner to a runner Sometimes in a curious way,sometimes critical This fail to understand us runners Their comments get caustic and clinical. To which I reply I run because it’s fun To experience the endorphins That comes with being exposed to the sun. I run because It keeps me stable and sane It keeps the worries at bay As I cruise on the roads and lane. I run because It makes me feel happy It keeps me fit and fine My mind so agile and far from being snappy. I run because It gives me a community Of like minded folks And helps me gain a new identity. I run because I see and learn new things That refreshes my curious mind To grow new wings!