It’s been over three years that I have been working in the AI field, and I am well aware of the positive and negative conversations surrounding it. But when Nobel Peace Prize winner Kailash Satyarthi raised the pertinent question, “AI for good, but good for whom?” at the 2026 International Day of Non-Violence program in Minnesota, it got me thinking about how changemakers think at a deeper level than most people.
We are divided over whether AI is crazily good or crazily bad, but Satyarthi’s “for whom” changes the angle.
Satyarthi elaborated on this, noting that AI can be amazing if we start using it “compassionately” and as a “tool of transformation” to change lives of the marginalized people. He also talked about how “compassion” is a different and more powerful, “actionable” emotion than softer emotions such as empathy or sympathy. He elucidates this in his recent book, Karuna.
IAM (India Association of Minnesota) has been hosting the International Day of Non-Violence program at the Minnesota History Center in honor of Mahatma Gandhi every year. This year, two stalwarts – Justice Alan Page and Nobel Peace Laureate Kailash Satyarthi in conversation with PBS NewsHour journalist Fred de Sam Lazaro – engaged the Indian diaspora and the broader audience with their inspiring thoughts.
Justice Alan Page motivated the audience with his story, and his thought that “All of us, no matter where we come from… no matter the color of our skin… we all do better when we all do better” received a wonderful reaction from the audience.
Honorary board member Ram Gada and IAM President Mangala Acharya’s introductions and remarks also beautifully touched on the subjects of service and “standing up against injustice in a respectful way”. They thanked the sponsors Dr Dash Foundation and the Minnesota Historical society.
Shilpi Chatterjee’s Kathak dance was lovely to observe. IAM also honored nine organizations for their incredible service in Minnesota .
I am glad I attended the event with my son – the future generation needs this exposure. For such programs pull us out of our comfort zones and break our individualistic and egoistic bubbles.
Wishing more power to these changemakers and organizations who go the extra mile to make this world more humane.
As Summer has arrived here in Minnesota, we see the emergence of the grass, no longer under a blanket of snow. We see the sky lose its previous pale tinge and exchange it for a pleasant light blue. As I sat on my deck and observed my environment, a thought came to me. Where do people around the world believe the Sky and the Earth came from? I grabbed my laptop and immediately started researching the ideas of the well known faiths.
*P.S. – I am the Older One, as my mom refers to me in her blogs. But today I am taking over her blog to share my ideas and research.*
Christianity and Judaism
As written in the Book of Genesis, the belief was that God had created the universe out of nothing for these religions during the Six Days, a period of creation. The authors believed the universe was divided into three different layers: the heavens, the earth, and the underworld. The old belief was that the sky acted as a protective dome, holding back a cosmic ocean, giving explanation to its blue color, however many modern scholars of Christianity reject this idea and rather accept the scientific reason. Prior to the Middle Ages and contact with the Greeks, the Earth was believed to have four corners set on pillars.
Islam
In the Quran, the belief regarding the creation of the Heavens and Earth during the Six Days stay consistent with Christian and Jewish beliefs, as they are all Abrahamic religions with a lot of religious beliefs intertwining. However, Islam differs in the expansion of the structure of the cosmos. In their belief, there was creation of seven heavens and seven Earths during the Six Days, all composed differently and made of different stuff. In Islam, the Heavens and the Earth are believed to be a sign of God’s mercy, allowing humans to live and explore the cosmos. Similar to the other Abrahamic religions, some early interpretations suggested a flat surface, but the acceptance of a spherical Earth was established earlier than the others.
Hinduism
In Hinduism, the origins of the Heavens and the Earth are described through different stories. The earliest belief describes the two entities as a couple, Father Sky and Mother Earth, who were believed to be the parents of all life and the gods. A slightly more modern belief describes the origin of the universe through a cosmic golden egg floating through the universal ocean. After a year it had opened, it cracked in half, with the gold half becoming the sky while the silver half became the Earth. Additionally, the god of creation, Brahma, came out of the egg to form life and the realms. A third well known belief in the Puranas talks about the Earth sinking into the cosmic ocean. Lord Vishnu, the God of the preservation took a form as a boar, who rescued the Earth from the waters to continue creation. Though these are only some of the stories regarding the creation, there are many ways that the origin of the Sky and Earth is said to have been in Hinduism.
Greek and Roman Mythology
Beginning with the God Chaos, there was a spontaneous creation of three Gods: Gaia (Earth), Tartarus (Underworld), and Eros (Love). As Gaia sought after a mate, she created Uranus (Heavens) to cover her, making them equal in size. They then mated to create the Titans, who established the divine generations and future gods. Though Roman tradition has the same story, it framed it through a lens regarding order in disorder, and renamed the gods. In the Roman tradition, Chaos didn’t remain a single force for long, literally separated into the three entities by an unnamed supreme power, unlike Greek mythology, where Chaos continued to exist.
It’s interesting to note that almost all myths begin with a state of formless, dark, watery chaos but what existed before all of this is unknown. Hope you liked the various beliefs and stories from around the world.
I was in for a warm surprise this snowy March weekend in MN. I was delighted to receive this incredible goodie box from @GraphixBooks (Scholastic)! It’s packed with amazing graphic novels and fun swag for 2026! As an avid fan of middle-grade stories, this really made my day. Let’s see what’s inside:
Max, a Little Axolotl by Joey Spiotto: A funny and sweet tale about Max, a shy axolotl Perfect for kids 7+ who love animal stories like Narwhal and Jelly.
Winging It by Megan Wagner Lloyd & Michelle Mee Nutter: A charming story of family, friendship, self-discovery.
Refugee: The Graphic Novel by Alan Gratz, art by Syd Fini: A powerful adaptation of the bestselling novel.
Sneak Peeks (Coming Soon):
Mixed Feelings by Sara Amini & Shadia Amin (out in April!): A semiautobiographical slice-of-life story about a mixed-race sixth-grader navigating puberty, identity struggles, friendship drama, and self-expression through drama club and TV.
Sidekicks: Thick as Thieves by Dan Santat: The exciting sequel where Captain Amazing’s pet sidekicks (Manny, Roscoe, and Fluffy) tackle a massive superhero data breach and investigate a shady visitor named Whipley while their hero is away. Action-packed fun from the Caldecott winner!
Goodies Galore:
Adorable Graphix 20 Years tote bag, stickers, the Cartoonists Club bookmark (with space to draw your own comics!), Unico Bestie Necklaces, the Baby-Sitters Club button set (featuring all your fave characters), Express Yourself pins inspired by Raina Telgemeier and Unico temporary tattoo for some magical fun.
Thank you @GraphixBooks for this delightful surprise.
My dear readers, if you love graphic novels that spark imagination, empathy, and laughs, grab these from Scholastic ASAP.
Two words are very important for anyone, more so for writers – relevance and roots. Professor Subhash Chandra Mishra, my mentor from my hometown Daltonganj, had both. He remained relevant across generations – he taught my father and uncle, me, and several generations after that. He also never left his roots. A giant figure in the socio-cultural and academic circles of the region, he identified talent, nurtured generation after generation of students with his knowledge, positivity, and care, while staying rooted. His roots were many and deep, supported by his values, profession, and love for the region; that’s why not only his teaching but his works were also profound.
“For a bilingual, first and foremost, learn your language and that will help you learn a foreign language better. Or else you will be just mugging up stuff,” he would tell me while quoting Tulsidas and Shakespeare in the same breath. He was an English professor but equally well-versed in Hindi and regional literature.
I, a twenty-something, would listen to him attentively. I was working on my Master’s and he was my voluntary mentor. I had also written a play, “Bholwa Ke Jute,” featured by the local DD channel, and had received some recognition from an international organization. But I was raw, unpolished, and had only surface-level knowledge. For some reason, Sir thought I was capable of creating good work. I hardly believed that, but I just liked listening to everything he said with rapt attention because of his great knowledge across genres. He taught me what “literature” actually meant, the very core of “sahitya,” that is, to recreate life through a different medium.
Apart from literature, he also spoke fluently on all topics. He wrote extensively in newspapers, magazines, and for Akashvani (Radio) then; this was on top of him being a professor. My association with him lasted for roughly 2–3 years, but that duration was enough to leave a lasting impact. I moved on to Delhi and started working as a journalist, thanks to his guidance and blessings. Soon after, I moved abroad after marriage and lost touch entirely.
Yesterday, I learned the sad news of Sir’s demise. He was more than 80 years old. Suddenly, the past revived in front of me like cinematic slides in a series of flashbacks throughout the day. His teachings, his infectious optimism, and his great faith in me, I remembered everything, his visits to my house by the Koel river to guide me and my siblings. He showed me dreams which I thought I wasn’t capable of realising. He showed me possibilities in a small town, in a time and era when things were not easily accessible and every effort was met with resistance. I moved on, but his blessings, teachings, and discourses have stayed with me somewhere, and they will stay on as long as I live.
“Everyone has at least one story in them – their autobiography,” he would tell me. And I always requested him to write his book. I don’t know if he wrote his autobiography or not, but I discovered on the internet that he published a book, “Koel Ki Dhara,” based on his features for Akashvani (radio). However, some aspects of his life’s story are sketched in the minds of people like me, whom he mentored selflessly and diligently.
I have always been blessed with great mentors and teachers at every stage of my life, like Sir. I just wanted to capture his remembrance in this blog post. I also wanted to remind myself of Sir’s teachings and the importance of “roots” and “relevance” in life – both difficult while living as an immigrant. But I am sure Sir’s infectious optimism, guidance, and blessings are with me, so some kind of connection and relevance will follow. Thank you, Sir. My condolences to everyone connected to you. Om Shanti.
Ever wondered how an Indian immigrant woman felt in 1970s Minnesota, US, when support systems were negligible, there were no Indian restaurants, and making phone calls or sourcing groceries was hard? Read this old letter to get a feel of life before organizations like the India Association of Minnesota (IAM) appeared on the scene.
My dearest Didi,
Sadar Pranam! Received your sweet letter yesterday, I am happy to know that Dadi, Ma, Pitaji, Ranju, and Reena are doing well. I can’t believe that our Ranju’s marriage has been arranged and her wedding is next month.
It’s so hard for me to say this, Didi, but I will be missing Ranju’s wedding. You know that my second trimester is on, and it’s not safe to travel. Please tell Ma and Pitaji not to worry about me. I am managing well, trying my best to adjust to my first brutal winter in Minnesota.
I always pour my heart out in my letters to you, but to Ma and Pitaji, I write only cheerful things. I don’t want them to worry about how much I miss India. I wish we had a “Maayka” like support system here, where I could find the support and unconditional love I miss so much. Every small thing from India, crumpled newspaper, snack wrappers, achar bottles… reminds me of home…
It must be hard for you to imagine, but I stay quiet for most days. Your jijaji travels often, and there’s no one to talk to in this apartment. I miss the endless chatter of Dadi, the morning chants of Ma-Pitaji, the clink-clatter of Hariji in the kitchen, the conversations of our friends near the Ganga riverfront, and the uproar we siblings used to create back home.
I cherish reading the Hindi newspapers that you put in my saree folds, and search for India-related pictures in magazines. I earnestly hope for cheaper trunk calls someday so I can speak to you all for more than 3 minutes.
Didi, one thing I love doing here is visiting the UMN campus and meeting other Indian families. I have made friends with other ladies whose husbands are studying at the University of Minnesota. Our families watch Indian movies like “Bawarchi” on weekends, and we often exchange recipes. One friend from Tamil Nadu has taught me how to make idlis.
You know, according to the Indian American Directory 1972, there are just around 600 Indians here. We are all from different parts of India, but we always try to stay connected.
With my pregnancy advancing, I crave Aloo Dum like the one Ma used to make, but Indian groceries and some spices are not always available. Our local Chinese grocery sometimes has overpriced Indian spices, so I order from a New York Jewish store that stocks Indian spices.
You know, there are no Indian or vegetarian restaurants here, so we hardly eat out, but your jijaji always helps me. Housework is becoming more difficult as my pregnancy progresses, and I long for helpers like in India.
Didi, the native people here are very kind and supportive. Last week, a kind neighbor taught me how to use the dishwasher properly, and it made me so happy. Despite my limited knowledge of English, she explained so well that I was able to follow her. There are just a handful of Hindi-speaking ladies around, so I am trying my best to learn and express myself confidently in English.
I often worry about how I will manage everything – taking care of a newborn and household chores – without any day-to-day guidance. I’ve seen other immigrant ladies struggle. Back in India, you and Ma would guide me on everything, from wearing my saree to packing my suitcase. How will I cope without you all?
When my child is born, how will he learn about our culture and traditions? Will I be able to teach them our language? Will they celebrate Dussehra, Diwali, and other festivals like their cousins? Will they find acceptance and confidence in a place where there are so few like them?
But you know, one recent happening has filled me with hope, and my worries have lessened. Some of our amazing people have formed an association called the India Club. I am so happy about it, and earnestly hope and pray to find my “Maayka” at this club. May this club grow into a bigger organization and enable Indians like me to meet each other, get supported, and explore their dreams.
A culturally rich and thriving Indian community in Minnesota is what I dream of, and I’m sure the future will be brighter for my children and the coming generations.
There’s little space left in this inland letter for me to scribble on. Please convey my pranam to the elders and love to our younger sisters. Give my blessings to Ranju. Do write back without delay, as your letters are my lifeline.
Yours, Guddi
Note – This is a fictionalized version of an Indian woman’s thoughts in 1973, when IAM (India Association of Minnesota) was yet to be formed.Since 1973, organizations such as India Club (later renamed as IAM 1993), Geeta Ashram, Minnesota (1974), Gujarati Samaj of Minnesota (1976), Hindu Society of Minnesota (HSMN) (1978), School of India for Languages and Culture (SILC, 1979), and many more have been supporting Indians across Minnesota and helping them feel at home in their new home. References – “Letter to the Community” by Neena Gada and “From Seven Rivers to Ten Thousand Lakes” by Preeti Mathur.
Just a small thing to share 💕- Took up the brush after a long time! Sought assistance of my two apprentice (and their father for a bit) to create the replica of “StillLife with a White Mug” c. 1764 by Jean Siméon Chardin. Finished within one day as we used acrylic. Then, asked the little one to look up the original artist.
He just shared his perspective – probably, the Jean guy was a fat French guy, too much interested in healthy food, that’s why he painted apples, pears…!! well, ahem😂
Note – The kids are almost out of their childhood and well into their teens. Time flies, my dear friends. Be well, all of you!! #painting #acrylic painting
I breathe deeply. What a pleasure it is to feel the keyboard as I type my thoughts out into words. I feel the carpet beneath my feet and hear the closing and opening of the basement doors as kids go about doing their business. Outside, I hear the pitter-patter of rain and watch the pond brimming with rainwater. I see some vehicles passing by on the far-off road. I smile.
I watch myself feeling glad… we won’t need to water the petunias and marigolds on the deck and porch. But what about tomorrow? I check the weather app on my phone. It will be sweltering hot tomorrow. I plan on taking breaks between work to water the plants. But there are so many action items I need to work on, how will I manage them? I frown. Then I watch myself realizing – I lost my smiling “Now” for frowning “Tomorrow.”
I shifted focus from our gift, our present, our NOW, because the brain likes to make plans. It likes to worry, but existence wants us to breathe and just be. We need just a little amount of focus on planning, but what we do is plan, plan, plan, and forget to just be, to just exist. We forget that the road to tomorrow is from “Now.” If we are calm now, we will make the best of whatever comes… tomorrow does have a way of taking care of itself…!
We also forget that, for many, “Now” is the only moment they will ever have. “Now” is the only meal they will ever eat, the only breath they will ever take, the only smile they will ever see on a loved one’s face, and sometimes it takes a big jolt to make us aware of “Now” and not waste it on bickerings, triflings, and stressors. Let’s make the best of “Now!” Breathe, allow, let go, and just be…with a smile.
My brother was there, right before when the Pahalgam massacre happened and innocent tourists were murdered in Kashmir valley in the name of religion by terrorists. The incident led to “Operation Sindoor.” His is a truly balanced and measured narration, read on:
“Pahalgam instantly stole my heart. The Lidder River rushed past our hotel, snow-covered peaks framed the horizon, and the evening market buzzed with…
Last night, February 22, 2025, the Fitzgerald Theatre in Minnesota was alive with the spirit of Tom Petty, thanks to an incredible performance by the Minnesota band “Free Fallin.”
This talented tribute band, which includes Karl Swartz on lead guitar, Russ Lund on bass, Dale Peterson on keys, Wade Kirby as Lead singer and guitarist, Ted Byrne as the Utility Musician, Mark Medcalf on Drums and others, delivered a show that honored Petty’s legacy to perfection. The crowd turnout was great despite the infamous Minnesota cold!
My music lover sons loved the show and watched with undivided attention. According to them, “the performers had a great connection with the crowd and their skill was amazing. A huge shoutout to @Karlswartz!”
Karl Swartz
Tom Petty, who passed in 2017, left behind a towering catalog of hits and a four-decade run of sold-out shows. “Free Fallin” channeled that magic, blending stunning musicianship with a genuine connect with the crowd. Their interaction with the audience was electric, drawing everyone into the experience as if Petty himself were in the room. The display of skill was top-notch!
Other performances by “Our House” was enthralling (tribute to Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young) and “Taming the Tiger” (tribute to Joni Mitchell) was beautiful and touching.
As you read this last message of 2024, I just wanted to tell you that you have always been very special and important.
For someone out there, you are the center of their being not just an option. Some people still smile fondly when they think about you. You have knowingly or unknowingly made someone’s life better. You have made someone see a clearer perspective of life when things were dark for them. You are important, irrespective of your circumstances or what “others” may think about you.
Agreed, this year, some things didn’t work out according to plan. However, you still persisted.
There were times, when some people wanted to put you down, or were mean to you for their personal toxic reasons. It had nothing to do with you, it was their problem.
At times, you did not handle situations with grace or made wrong decisions. That’s okay; life has many lessons, and things get mended with time!
There were times when you went beyond yourself to make someone feel better, but got rebuffed. You learned the hard way!
And you suffered an irreparable loss and tried in vain to cope. But, you allowed time to heal and sustain you.
Whatever ups and downs you had this year, you flowed on…!
You are all the more special, my friend because despite an onslaught of troubles, worries, challenges, and bad behavior from some people, you “chose” love, joy, generosity, gratitude, and creativity.
Here’s hoping that you keep making “wise choices” in 2025 and design a joyful, successful, and contented life! Happy 25, my dear, you truly rock!
Whether you’re a Shakespeare enthusiast or not, you’ll love “The Owl Was a Baker’s Daughter” by Grace Tiffany if you celebrate unconventional, spirited heroines in historical fiction.
Review of The Owl Was a Baker’s Daughter: The Continuing Adventures of Judith Shakespeare
(Thank you @Harperbooks for the review copy)
Thebook has a winner in its lead character. Judith Quiney, Shakespeare’s sharp-tongued youngest daughter, is not your young, pretty-damsel-in-distress but a 61-year-old midwife-apothecary, accused of witchcraft in the tumultuous era of Charles I. Her appeal lies in her resilience, spirit, quick-thinking, humor and Shakespearean wit as she navigates a challenging world.
Everything is going wrong for her. She has lost her two adult sons to plague, her marriage is failing, and she is accused of witchcraft while aiding a woman during childbirth.
Although her pain is evident, she never appears gloomy, and her steely resilience sees her through the ordeal. The ending is a surprise, but what stands out is the author’s ability to make an age-old character relatable to our times.
Author Grace Tiffany, a Shakespeare scholar, recreates the age of Charles I with remarkable dexterity. The political situation, social structure, religious extremism, dogmatic beliefs, and language, all come alive in this gripping book.
The book is dotted with Shakespeare’s famous dialogues just like the title – “The owl was a Baker’s daughter,” famously spoken by Ophelia. It took me back to the days when I studied Shakespeare in school and college, and when “thy,” “thou,” “et tu,” ruled my heart. That’s why, I savored the book from beginning to end.
Must read for those who love classics, historical fiction, or spirited heroines.
The Blurb
For readers of Hilary Mantel and Madeline Miller, a deeply engrossing work of historical fiction—a tale about a woman of the Shakespeare family struggling to manage both her private grief and public danger.
At the age of sixty-one, Judith Shakespeare, a midwife-apothecary and twin of the long-dead Hamnet, must flee provincial Stratford on horseback to avoid arrest for witchcraft. Her traveling companions are a zealous Puritan woman and child who have been displaced by civil war—the bloody seventeenth-century strife between Royalists and Roundheads. Judith is also leaving her marriage, which has foundered since the wrenching loss of two adult sons to the plague.
The sequel to the author’s My Father Had a Daughter, a tale of Judith in her youth, The Owl Was a Baker’s Daughter revisits this character for the ages—Shakespeare’s sharp-tongued, witty youngest child, no less feisty in her maturity. Four-hundred years after Judith’s death, Grace Tiffany brings her back onto center stage. Judith’s latest tale offers profound insights—into friendship, motherhood, marriage, religious extremism, and war—which remain resoundingly true today.
(Thank you @Harperbooks and @Harpercollins for the review copy)
I hope you like this new Krishna Bhajan, released by T-series and rendered soulfully by my lovely singer-friend, Pratibha Sharma. With the divine blessings of Krishna, I wrote the lyrics of the song, and my sister Sneha helped me. The music is by Deepak Rupani.
If you like the song, please like, share, and comment as it will support us tremendously.
May Krishna take all your troubles away! Haribol, Hare Krishna!
The Gist of “Tu Hi Bata Kahan Krishna Nahin Hain”:
The song emphasizes the omnipresence of Krishna, suggesting that he is always there to provide support and comfort. The song encourages people not to worry or feel troubled because things are always taken care of because of Krishna. By chanting Hari’s name, you’ll always finds strength and victory, and He will never let you down.
