The Writer’s Flight

The best time to approach a career counsellor is when your child is in class nine--someone who will help him dodge the duds and choose a line based on the child's interests, aptitude and ability Namrata Kohli   |   New Delhi A career counsellor will help whether you are a school student trying to figure out which stream to take or a working professional wanting to further career prospects or switch jobs Many of us are married to our jobs and end up spending more hours at office than with family. One needs to make the right career choice to be happy, and a good counsellor can help you choose one based on your interests, aptitude and ability. When should you start thinking about your profession? Class nine is the ideal time, says Hyderabad-based Padmavathi Devananda, Career Counsellor at Aca Sports Counselling. “Before that, the child is still evolving and exploring things. But by class nine, some shape begins to take place and you can start channelising the child's talent and en

Book Review: "Delusional Politics" by Hardeep Singh Puri  By Namrata Kohli He has spent forty years of his professional life as a senior diplomat and was India's permanent representative to the UN. On the occasion of World Book Day 2021 , I am sharing my book review of “Delusional Politics”- a book by Indian politician, seasoned diplomat who is the current Civil Aviation Minister of India and Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs in India ,  Mr Hardeep Singh Puri. Is politics delusional? Ask anybody in today's times and anybody who is a nobody or a somebody is bound to stay an unequivocal yes... In this "collective trauma" that humanity is facing, when you see petty politics over anything and everything, people trying to score brownie points, you are filled with delusion and disillusion, both!  Albeit here, the author is referring to a generic, all-pervasive,  pre-pandemic problem which has  impacted not just one nation but the entire world- he beautifully

There's a range of stationery and desk accessories like luxury pens, premium pencils, fancy bookmarks to feed your passion for writing. Just don't go overboard on form to miss out on functionality Namrata Kohli   |   New Delhi This luxe hand-stitched journal (price: Rs 1,990) is the perfect space for writing your thoughts, ideas, dreams and adventures. The cover is made from handloom silk from Benares. Source: Anand Prakash Do you still have a penchant for longhand and are besotted by the old-world charm of letter writing in the era of e-mail and laptops? If the digital age hasn't diminished your fetish for paper and allied accessories, and writing is a choice, not a chore, it would delight you to know that there is an entire universe of designer stationery, desk accessories and more for your kind. In any case, with WFH becoming more the norm than the exception with the second Covid wave, many want to beautify their work spaces and have been building a collector’s closet. S

There is a wide range of curtains, carpets, cushions and more at various price points. Pick up stuff that goes well with your space as furnishing is usually a long-term affair Namrata Kohli   |   New Delhi Sofa fabrics, curtains, rugs and bed linen add a refreshingly warm and welcoming feel to your home. Picture Courtesy: Clarke & Clarke available at Maishaa If your clothes speak volumes about your personality so do the bedsheets, blinds and other home textiles that deck up your castle. What's more, your spirits get a huge lift every time the light drapery allows light to filter through or a set of throw cushions spruce up a neutral sofa. This summer the focus is on pastel colours and natural fabrics that make the home a cool, comfortable place. Says Anshu Garg, founder, Maishaa: “With the temperature soaring, people prefer pastels but even in winters, we were selling them. Customers today know what they want, have enough exposure to travel and social media and want to access t

Conflict and cooperation are the cornerstones of the equation between media persons especially when it comes to the relationship between a journalist and a publicist. What are the few things that a journalist would rather not be asked By Namrata Kohli Whom all are you quoting in your story- is the most annoying thing for any journalist to be asked. And then there are other things- will it be a paragraph or a few lines? Won’t it be an exclusive? Will it not come in print and only web against that pay wall thing? Please madam, can you use it in the first para, since the rest gets hidden behind the paywall. Can you run the story through us before you publish… rubbish! As you fret and fume over these silly questions, you find you are not the exception but this is quite the norm. My friend Nona Walia who has been a journo for over two decades with one of India’s leading newspapers, says that the most stupid line she has heard PR people say is “shall I give you some story ideas.” She says

Luxury housing isn't just about the Italian marble or German modular kitchen. It embraces impeccable amenities, flawless maintenance, high-speed lifts, tight security, an efficient concierge and more Namrata Kohli   |   New Delhi Luxury homes are usually large, located in prime areas, built with high-end materials and designed with uncommon architectural details and exceptional amenities. Picture Courtesy: Sources Unlimited There is a huge gap between the ordinary and the extraordinary in the realm of homes. It isn't just about the Italian marble, the tiles and fully fitted German modular kitchen, but also about the impeccable amenities, flawless maintenance, high-quality and high-speed lifts, tight security and an efficient concierge. Everything from the specifications of the house to those of the community must be above commonplace. For instance, the foyer in a luxury condominium isn't any different from the entrance lobby of a five-star hotel, with designer light pendant