Author Archives: subincontinentia

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About subincontinentia

writer and eternal optimist

Apocalypse life

What to do with this love that moves like immaculate conception? I will gaze into the sun without blinking Forge broadswords from abandonment Battle plans from moonlight I am without seed, or home, Without God or country, spouse or paycheck … Continue reading

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!ncomprehensible !ndia: yet another piece of the code

It first hit me as I threw a Snickers wrapper into a rubbish bin in the city of Mysore. The bin was shaped and painted like a snowman, which in the 40 degree heat made me feel even hotter than … Continue reading

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Rakesh and the seventh stone

‘In the arms of Mother Ganga, To sleep the sleep of the stainless once more.’  Rakesh grew weary of fishing for customers, his line coming up empty each time. It was getting dark now, and the lights along the ghats … Continue reading

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Fire on the water, Christmas on the Ganga

Rakesh found some tape from somewhere, and we set about decorating the boat. We hung coloured streamers and strings of marigolds from wire stretched across bamboo poles, finished off with a pink and silver paper star. Huddled in our coats … Continue reading

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At the end of the world we are all Delhites

The end of the world is nigh and it’s starting in New Delhi. How do I know this? I have incontrovertible evidence. I paid 250 INR for Christmas lights – a shocking price even by ‘Second Coming’ standards. I rode … Continue reading

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The quick and easy way to learn Hindi

The following is an excerpt from the Quick and Easy Way to Learn Hindi by PT. Aditya Nand. Do let me know if you find it useful. Man:         Where is Daisy? Woman:    I don’t know Man:        You’re her mum and … Continue reading

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This explains everything…

Why some people love India… Because when you’re on your way to a meeting, the taxi driver stops at a temple half way up a hill, parks two inches from a thousand foot drop, disappears for ten minutes, and upon … Continue reading

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Shopping in India: where change must come from within

It took me a while to find the right coffee mug. You know, the one that feels right and has handles made for humans over six. Now, which to choose? The teddy bear holding a rose and champagne bottle or … Continue reading

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Bodhgaya: don’t need a full moon for crazy

Even a full moon looks dusty in Bodhgaya. Beneath it’s grubby glow, a group of high-spirited Indian youths hijack a merry-go-round in a fair that’s closed for the night. One of them mounts a plastic baby goat while the others … Continue reading

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Double-sided drum

This morning my bicycle rickshaw passed a goat dressed in a turquoise sweater. “Perfectly natural,” said Alice, “since it is rather chilly.” These days, a damp, bone-chilling fog fills Bodhgaya in the early hours, burns off for a few hours … Continue reading

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