Major N G Swami, INA’s Unheralded Phantom

Azad Hind – Head of Secret Service and Intelligence Most INA-related books focus on Subhash Bose's central role as the leader and often overlook details about the people, characters, actions, and stories of bravery at the lower levels of the force he commanded. However, the Rani Jhansi army, whi…

Early Indians in Egypt

And the graffiti made by Cikkai Korran, in the Valley of the Kings It should be no surprise to anyone interested in the Indian Ocean trade that there was robust intercourse between India and the various dynasties that ruled Egypt and Rome. As one might guess, it was mainly fostered by trade, though …

The Boston Brahmins

An elite community of Boston Boston is an amazing place to visit with so much to see. While exploring, you might even come across a Boston Brahmin without realizing it. So, who could this be? There existed a wealthy aristocracy in New England, called the Boston Brahmins (pronounced differently as Br…

The Parotta Story

The ubiquitous Malabar Parotta – and its meandering journey I love the Malabar Parotta, and ever since I first tasted it during our college days in Calicut in the 1970s, it has remained a favorite. There was even a time when we only ate it during vacation visits to India since there was just one Pak…

The state of Keralam – What’s behind the name?

A discussion on its etymology The state is making headlines, and several discussions will soon begin in the media - on social platforms, and of course, on TV. The official name Kerala, as written in the constitution when the state was formed in 1956, will soon be changed to Keralam at the request of…

Air India 101, 1966 – The many mysteries at Mont Blanc

The fate of AI 101 Kanchenjunga VT - DMN is well known to many interested in Air India and to those who have studied India’s nuclear developments. Simply put, this commercial flight, a Boeing 707-437 operating between Bombay and New York via Delhi, Beirut, Geneva and Paris, took off without inciden…