Author: Aheli
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Voice (Non)Recognition: Airline Edition
One of my family’s favorite video clips features two Scottish comedians trapped in a Voice Recognition Elevator in Scotland. Upon entering the elevator, they notice this new fangled voice recognition technology and try, with increasing desperateness, to activate the elevator. Unfortunately, Voice Recognition software can’t recognize the Scottish brogue and the gentlemen are forced to repeat…
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Leaping Over Luggage and Other Legacies: An Ode to Dr. Arindam Purkayastha
As some of you know my grandfather Anjan Kaku Dadu* passed away last month after a four year battle with cancer. I was in the process of writing down some of his past (mis)adventures, which he loved to share with a captive audience over a nice cup of cha and biscuits. I had hoped to…
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Human Frogger or Crossing the Street in Kolkata
As I stepped onto the streets of Kolkata, a thrill surged through my veins, mingled with a subtle twinge of trepidation. Crossing the bustling Gariahat road, I found myself engaged in an enthralling game of human frogger. Here, at the intersection of five roads, a symphony of chaos unfolded before my eyes. Buses, auto-rickshaws, bikes,…
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Chasing Lapin
When I first started “blogging” back in 2007, I had a blog called “Bitten & Smitten” that was dedicated to food. It was one of those blogs filled with stacks of fruit-laden cornmeal pancakes, cheap champagnes, and my favorite street food from across the world. In my defense, this was before Instagram, Pinterest, and facebook albums with…