Diwali Gifting Options

This festive season, choose from a variety of hampers and gifting choices to make the festive occasion special for your loved ones

FOOD

DIWALI HAMPERS WITH THE WESTIN GURGAON, NEW DELHI

Grab the well-curated Diwali Hampers from the Westin Gurgaon, New Delhi. The Indulgence Hamper includes champagne/whiskey, signature truffle chocolates, Indian sweets, macaroons, cookies, chocolate bars, Baklava, exotic nuts, and Lord Ganesha idol. See the Artisanal hamper filled with delights like mithai, dry fruit, tea cakes, confectionaries, savouries, and wine. The Divine Delights Hamper includes Kashmiri kahwa, Mithai box, macarons, truffle chocolates, cookies, nuts, TGL filter coffee collection and diyas & candles with a Lord Ganesha idol. The traditional Rich Royal Blue Coloured Box includes treats like Indian sweets, chocolates, nuts, macarons, with  décor items. The TGL Luxury Tea Hamper has TGL products from TGL Bridesmaid Bouquet to TGL Filter Coffee bottle. Personalise hampers from Rs. 950 onwards. Call +91 78380 90923 / +91 124 497 7777

SASSY GIFT HAMPERS & CHOCOLATE BOXES FROM SASSY TEASPOON!

Celebrate the festive occasion with Sassy Teaspoon’s customised packaged Diwali gift hampers. Their small box of centre filled chocolates is priced at Rs 350+ (box of 6) & at Rs 750+ (Box of 12). Flavours include Masala chai, Passion Fruit, Dry Fruit and Raspberry Jelly, Cardamom and Saffron, Hazelnut, Salted Caramel and Roasted Almond. Other two hampers are Small Hamper (Rs 700) has Sassy Firecracker Chocolates, Belgian Chocolate Brownie Chunks, Roasted Almond & Pistachio Cookies and Chocolate Coated Dry Fruits. The big hamper (Rs 1500) has 6 Assorted Chocolates, Belgian Chocolate Brownie Chunks, Roasted Almond & Pistachio Cookies, Chocolate Coated Dry Fruits, Shrewsbury Biscuits, Salted Caramel Jar and Roasted Almond Brittle. Pre-order from all Sassy Teaspoon outlets or online on Swiggy & Zomato.

DIWALI SWEETS FROM THE WOODEN SPOON

You can go a bit different unconventional delights from The Wooden Spoon. Their Jar Desserts includes Gulab Jamun Cheesecake Jar and Tres Leches Jar. For the health-conscious, go for their best Granola Jars. Their Brookies or brownie-cookies are quite a try. You can also try the Hand-Rolled Truffles, Mini Cinnamon Cookies, and a variety of chocolates. Do not miss their Paan-flavoured balls. You can choose between individual or corporate hampers. Priced from Rs. 125 onwards, visit The Wooden Spoon at 244/A, SVP NAGAR, OPP-Platinum Heights, Mhada Rd, Andheri West. You can call them at 08552991212.

DIWALI HAMPERS AT LOVE & FLOUR

This season, go for Sweets Diwali Hampers from Love & Flour. Want the perfect Hot Chocolate or Cheesecake on a stick? Get it here. You can also go for their Orea-Nutella Ladoos or their chocolate barks (flavoured and Cookies & creme).  Pre-order your sweets now. Priced from Rs. 250, visit Love & Flour at 8, General Jagannath Bhosle Rd, Nariman Point, Mumbai 40002. Call at 09930152303.

DIWALI GIFTING OPTION FROM EARLY DARK WINES

Celebrating with drinks is always a good idea. And that’s why Tetrad Global Beverages has brought a selection of the finest French wines in a classy Cherry Wood box lined with satin. It also includes pourer, a stopper, a corkscrew, a drop stopper and a ‘wine thermometer’. The award-winning range of handcrafted wines in small batches will add to your Diwali celebrations. Available for across India, the price starts from Rs. 1990. Contact connect@tetradbeverages.com or call 9845346932.

BEAUTY

DIWALI GIFTING OPTIONS FOR KIKO MILANO

A different Diwali gifting options come from KIKO Milano. The KIKO Milano Sicilian Notes Brightening Primer Price (Rs. 1890) is the best for all skin types. The KIKO Milano Sicilian Notes Full Coverage Hydra Foundation (Rs.  2290) camouglages imperfections with protection and hydration. The KIKO Milano Sicilian Notes Eyes And Lip Primer (Rs. 1000) is a 2-in-1 base & stops make-up from melting and smudging. The KIKO Milano Sicilian Notes Liquid Lip Colour Duo (Rs. 1190) provides long-lasting matte and shiny lip paint. In 9 colours, KIKO Milano Sicilian Notes Maxi Eyeshadow Palette (Rs. 2490) gives silky texture with matte & metallic finish up to 10 hours. KIKO Milano Sicilian Notes Long Lasting Eyeshadow Duo (Rs. 1150) is long-lasting and gives matte & metallic finish. KIKO Milano Sicilian Notes Nutrilash Mascara (Rs. 1500) last up to 16 hours long and has 6 natural ingredients. Available in all KIKO Milano stores 

DIWALI GIFTING WITH THE BODY SHOP

Be beautiful with natural gifting options from The Body Shop. Their range of responsible gifting hampers are perfect replacement of the boring mithai & dry fruits boxes. The product range in these gorgeous gift hampers include ingredients like British Rose, Almond Milk and Honey, Strawberry,  Moringa, Argan and more. Customise or choose the pre-made ones. Being responsible this Diwali got better with The Body Shop’s natural hampers. The hampers start from Rs. 895 onwards and are available at www.thebodyshop.in or across all The Body Shop outlets.

CLOTHING

FESTIVE GIFTING WITH UNITED COLORS OF BENETTON

This Diwali, United Colors of Benetton has come up with stylish options! Their Autumn Winter collection is fashionable with an array of apparels for men, women and kids. You can add Benetton’s accessory line that’s modern and sophisticated. Easy convertible bags, small coin pouches, purses in true Benetton colors, classic work and laptop bags are available in neutral colors with pop accents, with metallic and patent shine bags and more. Price range is between Rs. 699 – 6499. Visit your nearest Benetton Store.

GO DIFFERENT THIS DIWALI WITH ALDO

Canadian footwear brand ALDO brings you their festive range of accessories, bags and shoes for men and women. It ranges from statement pumps to golden block heels to funky slides for women and smart loafers to formal Brogues for men. The accessories has wide assortment of animal print tote bags, barrel bags, clutches for women and backpacks, messenger bags and wallets for men from their latest Autumn winter collection. Get comfort and style along with elegance and grace for every occasion. Find the ALDO AW’19 collection at all ALDO & ALDO Accessories stores across India.

GIFTING OPTIONS FROM TISSER

This season, give your loved ones hand-crafted gifts right from the artisan and help your community. Tisser offers eco-friendly, handcrafted artisan made products for family and friends that will help rural livelihood. These products are natural, craft based, contemporary, and affordable and help preserve our traditional handicrafts. You can also make your own sets for gifting. You can find who made your diwali hamper with the QR code on each product. To order your gifts from Tisser, contact on the website www.tisserindia.com or email them at contact@tisserindia.com

HOSPITALITY

DIWALI BONANZA AT JW MARRIOTT JAIPUR RESORT AND SPA HOTEL

This Diwali, celebrate on a grand level just at JW Marriott Jaipur Resort & Spa which offers 8 distinct accommodation experiences. Explore Rajasthan with curated experiences. Offers include Buffet Breakfast for two at Sukh Mahal, Lunc /Dinner for two at Sukh Mahal, Evening tea with fun activities at ‘Kookas ki Chaupad’, Buy one get one free spa treatment at Spa by JW, Morning & evening aarti at in-house temple, 20% Discount on Food and Beverage and 20% Discount on Laundry. Book at https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/jainh-jw-marriott-jaipur-resort-and-spa/

GREEN DIWALI AT THE WESTIN SOHNA RESORT AND SPA

Celebrate the festival amidst nature at The Westin Sohna Resort & Spa thanks to the specially curated staycation package. Have special moments with activities like diya lighting ceremony, campfires and sky lanterns along with moon gazing experience. The kids’ creative sessions has art & craft and more.  Or visit the relaxing Heavenly Spa by Westin. You have delectable food, drinks, good music, and the festive vibe. The price starts at Rs. 9999+ per room per night (includes accommodation in premiere room, buffet breakfast and choice of buffet lunch or dinner, 20% discount on beverages and spa services at Heavenly Spa by Westin and Festive turndown with artisanal Diwali Sweet Platter). It applies for stays till October 31, 2019, and includes 2 adults and 2 kids upto 6.

EATING OUT

DECADENT DIWALI DESSERTS AT SANTE SPA CUISINE

Be prepared to gorge on exciting desserts this Diwali at Sante Spa Cuisine only at Rs. 330 each. But these are healthy desserts for your sweet tooth. Indulge in Organic Ajmer ‘Gulkand’ Cheese Slab or a Rasmalai Watermelon ‘Sandwich’. What are you waiting for? Visit Santé Spa Cuisine, G Block BKC, Bandra Kurla Complex, Bandra East, Mumbai for Healthy Diwali Desserts between 22^nd October and 3^rd November.

PATAKA BREAKFAST AT PLATE & PINT!

Make this Diwali special with The Pataka Breakfast at Plate & Pint. Till October 30 for Rs. 500++, try the Cappuccino, Americano (Regular/ Iced), English Breakfast Tea, Regular Milkshake or Watermelon Chia, eggs options like Scrambled/Fried/Akuri/Eggs Kejriwal/Masala Omelette, veggie delights like Vegetable Cracked Wheat Upma, Paneer Bhurji, Baked Beans and Toast or classic Waffles or Pancakes with Berry Compote or Chocolate Sauce. Have pataka Breakfast between 8.30 AM to 12 PM at Plate and Pint 106, Dhunabad, Bhulabhai Desai Marg, Kemps Corner, Mumbai.

DIWALI THALI AT RASOVARA, UB CITY

Make this Diwali special at Rasovara, UB City with their Royal Diwali Thali. Their traditional menu includes delights like Farsans like Crunchy Corn Kebab, Cheese Bhare Kebab, Chaats like Palak Patta Chaat, Mains likes Undhiyu &  desserts like Kesari Rasmalai. Their In–house chef Maharaj Hemaram Choudhary has crafted the delicacies from century-old recipes. Go for the Royal Diwali Thali at Rasovara till October 29, 2019 at Rasovara, UB City 

GO TRADITIONAL WITH RAJDHANI

This Diwali, celebrate with your loved ones at Khandani Rajdhani with their Diwali Special Thali. They offer delicious farsan, main courses and desserts like Khajoor ni pattice, Kaju Katli, Karanji, Kesar Shrikhand, Methipuri , Undhiyu, Mirch Vada Chaat, Anjeer Gujiya, Mewa Lapsi, Akhrot Halwa, Moong Dal Halwa and Dry fruit Churma Ladoo. Make your reservation now at the nearest Rajdhani outlet till October 29, 2019.

Seeking Chanakya’s Wisdom

Bestselling author Radhakrishnan Pillai’s book Chanakya in Daily Life, published by Rupa Publications India, is a fascinating way to sail through the tough times. Sapna Sarfare interviews the author regarding the book, being a best-selling author and more.

                Radhakrishnan Pillai

A simple question – how much can a book help in leading better life?

Books have always been sources to lead a better life. Across cultures & generations, we find books have helped people to make themselves better and have good quality of life. For eg., the Gita, Ramayana, Panchatantra, etc have been eternal books that have helped our nation stand the test of time.

How is this book different from the self-help books around?

My book ‘Chanakya in Daily Life’ is not a self-proclaimed theory of success. This is based on the ancient wisdom of Chanakya given in his Arthashastra that was written 2400 years ago. So, in reality there is no invention or nothing new as such. But, there is a discovery of many principles when are not just ancient but also eternal.

In this book, I have taken the liberty to modify the thoughts of Chanakya to our generation. You will find that the original quotes of Chanakya is used, and then given to readers in simple format that they can practice in their daily lives.

Please do tell the readers as to how the book will affect them in their daily life.

The book is divided into 3 parts – Personal life, Family life & Professional life. We all play these roles simultaneously at any given point of time. And the challenge is to balance all of them. One cannot be a successful professional and not give time to one’s family. On the other side, one cannot be a good family man without providing a decent income for this family needs, so the person has to be successful professionally also.

So in this book we have 69 short chapters dealing with day to day challenges. How to wake up in the morning, how to take care of health, how to plan your finances, taking a family vacation etc… One would be surprised that Chanakya offers solutions to many such areas of our daily lives. The best part is that each chapter can be read in 3 minutes. So take up a chapter a day – practice it and find success.

What makes Chanakya an excellent guru and still relevant to someone on higher position and layman?

Chanakya is relevant to the kings (those in higher positions) and also to the commoners (layman). The beauty is that any person at any stage of life can get guidance from his wisdom. Chanakya was a wise person. He thought of the total happiness of everyone. He wanted India to be healthy & wealthy country and be built on spiritual principals. For him, ethics and moral standards was the most important priority. Therefore, times may change yet Chanakya’s thoughts are relevant even today.

Quite a few management gurus have become the byword for writing spiritual/self-help books. How?

Where there is a demand there is a supply. Similarly it shows that since self-help books are doing well, our society needs many authors for writing in that area. However, look at the other side, not all self-help books do well. Those management gurus, who have done good research and also have experience in that field, are the ones who are in demand.

Self-help books also inspire people when they are low and down emotionally. They get a direction and path in their lives. There are many people who were contemplating suicide and then a few lines from a self-help book they read motivated them to live a purposeful life.

What kind of books keep you going?

I like to read all kinds of books. Reading for me is like a daily capsule. Without reading a few chapters of a book, not a single day of my book is complete. It is food for thought. Primarily I read more management, self-help and spiritual books (which is my area of writing too). But I do read novels, text books, academic journals (since I am a professor at University of Mumbai) and also poetry and drama. Nowadays lots of new & upcoming authors send me their books to be endorsed. So I read all those first time written books too.

A little bit of self-analysis – what makes you & your books so popular among the masses?

This is god’s grace. I have been very fortunate that all my books have been bestsellers. And continue to be even after 7 years (Corporate Chanakya – my 1^st book, continues to grow in its sales).

Out of over 10,000 books published each year in India, not all become best sellers. There are various factors that make it one. The most important one is a ‘connect’ to the readers. If the reader does not feel connected to the writing, he or she will lose interest after a few pages.

My writing style is simple and reader-friendly. Even though my books are for the intellectual readers, it is read by an 8 year old kid and also an 80 year old wise person. My readers have given me feedback that when they read the book, they feel I am telling their story. This is important.

My book ‘Chanakya in You’ got the Crossword Raymond Popular Book award. I was surprised the way readers have responded. They connected with each character in the book. This is true even for ‘Chanakya in Daily Life’ – you will feel connected that Chanakya is addressing your personal problems. And that is where the book becomes popular and successful.

Lastly, apart from the gyaan in the book, what else can anyone take from your present book?

Fun. My books are not just about Gyaan but enjoying life in totality. Life cannot be boring. It has to have an element of fun and joy. In my books I have always insisted people to have a ‘full’ life rather than just a regretting life. Listen to music, laugh at yourself, go on vacations, take a break, and spend time with your friends and family. Life cannot be dull; it has to have lot of positivity too. From my present book ‘Chanakya in Daily Life’ I say don’t just lead a successful life – lead a happy life…

BOOK TITLE: Chanakya in Daily Life

AUTHOR: Radhakrishnan Pillai

PUBLISHER: Rupa Publications India

PAGES: 285

PRICE: Rs. 295

Indian Cuisine Deciphered

Writer Colleen Taylor Sen speaks to Sapna Sarfare regarding her latest book Feasts and Fasts: A History of Food in India which reveals Indian cuisine like no other book.

Much has been written about Indian cuisine. Yet, not all these books & their authors can claim to be an authority on the subject. Colleen Taylor Sen is an exception. A Canadian-American translator & author, Colleen has written vastly on Indian cuisine including 6 books. Despite her Slavic Studies educational background, it is her prolific writing on different topics she is renowned for.

Her latest book, Feasts and Fasts: A History of Food in India explores Indian cuisine keeping in mind India’s religious, social and other growth, along with topics like vegetarianism, street food, festivals & food, and so on. Colleen speaks about this project which puts focus on Indian cuisine once again.

A lot is always being spoken about Indian cuisine. How does your book differ in that sense?

Despite the growing surge of interest in Indian cuisine and history, the only other comprehensive work on the subject is the late K.T. Achaya’s wonderful book Indian Food, written over 20 years ago in 1994, and followed by his Historical Dictionary of Indian Food (1998). By contrast, dozens of books have been written on the history of other national cuisines. Achaya’s book covers the food of certain regions in depth, especially his native Karnataka, but devotes less attention to other cuisines such as Bengali, Assamese and tribal cuisines. I know that my own book has similar shortcomings and hope that many other people are inspired to write histories of not just Indian cuisine but their regional and even local cuisines, drawing upon original sources.

What are the aspects of the book which will tempt food lovers and readers alike?

The book has a lot of anecdotes, historic recipes, and even poems. My favorites include an ode to ghee from the Rig Veda and a whimsical argument among leafy vegetables about which is the superior in a 16^th century Sanskrit treatise called the Ksemakutuhalam (Diet and Wellbeing.). Feasts and Fasts is also lavishly illustrated with photographs and paintings. 

How tough was it to write a book like this considering the sheer vastness of the cuisine?

Colleen Taylor Sen

It was very challenging. I have been writing about Indian food for over 30 years and accumulated a lot of material in the process, but  it still required a great deal of research. It took me three years to write it. I was limited to translations into English but on occasion asked native speakers, such as my husband who is Bengali and a friend who is a professor of Sanskrit for help. Some of the existing translations are poor because the translators were not cooks and didn’t know how to translate culinary terms. 

Any aspect(s) which surprised or amused you?

I was surprised by many things. Some people think that Kebabs came with the Mughals, but in fact, meal grilled on skewers over a fire goes back thousands of years to Vedic times. Also, in classical Ayurvedic medicine, meat and even alcohol was part of some cures. As an 11^th century Ayurvedic physician wrote, “The recommendations of medicine are not intended to help someone achieve virtue (dharma). What are they for, then? They are aimed at achieving health.”

Your educational background is different from what you write currently. How did the process towards writing on food start?

Although my educational background is in Slavic languages, I was familiar with the techniques of scholarly research and writing and this was very helpful. I started writing about Indian food for newspapers and magazines in the United States decades ago, when very few people were doing so, and eventually adopted a more scholarly approach to the subject by writing several books.

Has your foray into writing about Indian food come from the fact that you are married to an Indian?

It very much comes into it. My husband is Bengali and has been very interested in food since childhood. His late mother Arati Sen was a well known Bengali journalist who wrote a widely-read column in the magazine Desh under the pen name Srimati. She wrote a lot about food and even introduced me to the late Kundal Lal Gujral, founder of the iconic Moti Mahal restaurant. 

Indian food still has not reached the global status. As an authority on Indian cuisine, what do think?

That is a very good and much debated question which Professor Krishnendu Ray explores in his recent book Ethnic Food. In the United Kingdom, Indian food is, of course, very popular both as an everyday food and as haute cuisine. London alone has several Michelin-starred Indian restaurants. In the United States, Indian food is less popular. One reason is that India is less familiar to Americans than to the British for whom it is part of their history. Another is that other cuisines have long gained a popular foothold in the U.S., especially Chinese, Mexican and Thai. I believe that one way Indian food will become more popular here is via street food both in food trucks and restaurants that serve Kathi Rolls and other wraps, Bhelpuri, and similar dishes.

Colleen Taylor Sen’s latest book Feasts and Fasts: A History of Food in India is out in the market. Visit her website www.colleensen.com for more information on her and her work.

Feasts and Fasts: A History of Food in India

AUTHOR: Colleen Taylor Sen

PUBLISHER: Reaktion Books

PUBLISHED: January 2015

GENRE: Food, History, Culture

LANGUAGE: English 

PRICE: Rs 562

PAGES: 352 

Investigating Tarquin Hall

Journalist & writer Tarquin Hall is popular for his creation – Vish Puri, India’s Most Private Investigator. He speaks to Sapna Sarfare about the character, writing, popularity & much more

Tarquin Hall

Over the years, I have realised that writing is not an easy job. If you are an author writing in another country, the task is humungous. You have the locals to please, apart from staying away from any prejudices. Amongst successful authors residing & writing in India writing is British journalist & writer Tarquin Hall who has been associated with India through his journalistic work. Having done some impressive features, he has several articles to his name in British newspapers & magazines.

Most Indians identify him as the creator of Vish Puri, a Dilliwala who happens to be India’s Most Private Investigator. Starting from his first Vish Puri mystery novel The Case of the Missing Servant (2009), he has cultivated a fan following with three more novels – The Case of the Man Who Died Laughing (2010), The Case of the Deadly Butter Chicken (2012) and The Case of the Love Commandos (2013). Busy man that he is, a short & sweet email interview introduces the man behind the pen.

This half-British & half-American writer is married to an Indian. His childhood & later writing led him to different places. One is sure that this must have had a profound effect over his writing & general outlook. Tarquin reveals, “My parents always mixed with lots of people from different countries when I was a kid and up until the age of 10, I was in schools in London with kids from all over. My mother hung curtains in my bedroom with caricatures of children from Europe, America, Asia, the Middle East, etc. I guess her aim was to emphasise that we are all members of a larger community. I also had a godfather who collected folk tales from all over the world and recorded them on audiocassette and I often listened to them. My father would also read me store from World Tales by Idries Shah, which I loved.” 

In his words, despite growing up in England, he learnt the important fact that there is a whole world out there to explore and that we share the same planet & common humanity in every way possible. “The moment I turned 18 I was off, I wanted to see all of it.” Larger causes are in smaller things, indeed.

Vish Puri connected with Indian readers quickly. One cannot imagine of how a character like Vish Puri came up. To quote Tarquin, Vish Puri owes his existence to his inspiration from real life detectives interviewed while writing an article for The Sunday Times in UK. His article was on Indian detectives investigating for parents on prospective brides & grooms in arranged marriages. “What came across to me was how these detectives were dealing with any number of incredible, unlikely & sometimes downright bizarre cases as well. I did not think when I was doing the story that I would take it further and start writing detective novels. In fact, I had never really considered doing fiction. One day in London, I was walking along the street and suddenly thought to myself, “You know what? This is a brilliant way to describe modern India today”. I dashed into a shop, bought a notebook and started outlining the character, his helpers and the bare bones of the first case.  That’s how Vish was born.”

Vish Puri stories might seem typical. Dig deep and his stories amuse people, interest them and get them involved in the story at once. Writers find it tough to avoid clichés and just write what they think is right. Tarquin begs to differ. “In some ways, I don’t mind dealing in generalisations. I think they’re very useful for people to grasp the basic about a society. I honestly try not to be too hung up on what other people consider authentic. However, I do try to make the books ring true as much as possible, while accepting the fact that I’m an outsider and am mostly writing for other outsiders. My aim is to interest people in India, show them what a complex & extraordinary place it is, and how much it’s changing is some ways and not in others. I try to pack the books with different aspects of the culture & cultural phenomenon each time. The plot is always secondary to that,” he divulges.

Success has come well for Vish Puri. Tarquin has been getting mails & messages on social media about the books’ popularity. “When the first book came out, I was terrified that Indian readers would hate it. You never know how people are going to react. It’s one thing sitting on your own bashing away at a keyboard but then suddenly your words are published, they’re out there and others can read them. And you think, oh crap, what are they going to make of it?  But I’ve had so many Indian readers write to me or tell me how much they’ve enjoyed or even loved the series that I feel very comfortable now. I think generally they emphasise with Vish Puri because he’s a decent man having to deal with obstacles that they recognise. They like the humour, too. If they’re especially from northern India, they’ve all got an uncle like VP - a thoroughly honest bloke – a bit pompous and very fond of his khaana & the odd non-veg joke,” he happily writes.     

 

Vish Puri mystery books are not Tarquin’s only claim to fame. He has a few books on Indian sub-continent too. There is that non-fiction book To the Elephant Graveyard which speaks about his journey in Assam with Dinesh Choudhury, an elephant hunter. He recounts, “I wrote it because it was an incredible adventure and I had a lot to say about the plight of elephants & the way nature is under assault. I suppose there was quite a bit in there about human nature as well. The other book you are referring to is Salaam Brick Lane. That is about my time living in the London’s East End amongst a mostly immigrant population. It was conceptualised in the sense that I lived through that experience and then decided to write a book about it.”

Having caught our imagination, Tarquin is finally coming out with yet another creation. His next book, The Delhi Detective’s Handbook, has just got over. “I should say Vish Puri has completed it as it’s entirely written in his voice. It’s been tremendous fun to do. There are sections on the history of spycraft in India, the best disguises, how to trail people through Indian traffic, how to grow a proper moustache. There’s also a section on where to find the best snack food when conducting a stakeout. It is going to be out soon. Meanwhile, I have been working on other projects. I have come up with four new Puri novel ideas and am aiming to get to work on the next soon. The working title is The Case of the Bombay Duck.”

Some writers just know what readers want. Tarquin Hall is one of such successful gentleman. Lucky, eh!