Maithily's Scribblings

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A Birthday Between Tears: The Day Grief and Love Held My Hands

I am someone who loves celebrating my birthday. As a child, it was exciting. But after becoming an adult, it became something deeper, a day I consciously set aside for myself. A day where I felt special. A day where I allowed myself to enjoy the little things that make me happy. But in August 2025, my birthday carried a different weight. On the 28th, my father-in-law passed away. It was one of the most devastating moments of my life. He was not just an elder in the family; he was my guide, my guardian, someone whose presence anchored us all. His last rites were planned for the 29th. My birthday. I was shattered. I was grieving. I felt lost. Gowri Athai was with me throughout. She picked me up from the Chennai airport, brought me to Cuddalore, and took care of me like my own mother. In that moment, when I had lost someone so significant, she became my quiet strength. Even while I was mourning, my phone kept lighting up. Friends and relatives were calling and messaging to wish me....

The Last Packet of Chilly Powder

It feels strange to even write this in the past tense. I am a below-average cook. I say that without hesitation. The curries I make taste good not because of my skill, but because of a secret ingredient — a special chilli powder. But this wasn’t just any chilli powder. It was formulated by my father-in-law. Ground in his own mill. Packed in his own shop. Made with precision, patience, and pride. Traditional South Indian Kulambu milagai podi, but to me, it was simply mama’s masala . After I got married, I never worried about buying chilli powder from outside. All I had to do was make one phone call. “Mama, milagai podi venum…” And he would prepare it fresh for me. My brother-in-law Suresh would carefully pack and courier it. If someone travelled from Cuddalore to Mangalore or Chennai, I would request them to bring a packet. It travelled across cities with me like a silent family member. I must thank my father-in-law for this — whether I learned cooking or not, his masala n...

Things I Never Knew I’d Wish for Until I Became a Mom

Based on my daily experience with my four-year-old daughter... Daily Chaos Honestly, I wish knives became blunt the moment tiny hands touched them. I wish lipstick and nail polish would instantly dry up if kids picked them up. I wish the handwash dispenser allowed exactly one pump—no more, no less. I wish bathrooms were extremely inviting only until bath time was done, and then immediately stopped being interesting. And once they stepped out of the bath, I wish kids magically came out dry , especially the long, dense hair they absolutely refuse to dry, because patience is clearly optional at that age. Very Important Invention A device that tells me the exact time my child will need to use the bathroom. I could plan my entire day around it. Productivity would skyrocket. An I nvisible-to-Kids Rack A rack where chocolates, snacks, juices, and junk food are clearly visible to adults but completely invisible to toddlers. Because no matter where I store these things, they somehow g...

A Simple Anniversary Filled with Gratitude

Today, 9th February 2026, marks our 12th wedding anniversary , and my heart feels full in the simplest, most beautiful way. The day became special right from the morning because a few people remembered. My husband’s friend Jeevan , Uma Chitti , my cousin Sandhiya anni , my Wipro friend Lakshmi, and Selvaraj mama took a moment to send their wishes. That thoughtfulness alone made me feel so happy and deeply blessed. What made the day even better was my husband reaching home early from work — a rare and precious gift in itself. Together, we visited Shri Jai Ambe Karthik Swamy Temple, Vadodara , and the experience was calm, divine, and grounding. As a small token of love and gratitude, we donated ₹1,000 to the temple and requested them to prepare evening prasadham for two days . It felt peaceful and meaningful. After the temple visit, we did a little shopping at the Tamil shop below — picking up Thangaiah mixture, Mysorepa , and a few groceries. Those familiar flavours always bring...

Mathur Aqueduct, Kanyakumari: Where Engineering Meets Timeless Strength

Some structures don’t just serve a purpose—they quietly stand as reminders of human intelligence, patience, and vision. The Mathur Aqueduct , located near Thiruvattar in Kanyakumari district , is one such marvel that continues to amaze visitors decades after it was built. Often referred to as the Mathur Hanging Trough , this aqueduct is one of the longest and tallest aqueducts in Asia . Constructed in the late 1950s, its primary purpose was to carry water from the Pahrali River to irrigate agricultural lands in the surrounding villages. What makes it extraordinary is not just its size, but the fact that it still performs its duty efficiently even today. A Structure Ahead of Its Time The aqueduct stretches for nearly 1 kilometer and is supported by massive concrete pillars, some rising to a height of over 100 feet . Built across a deep valley, the structure looks almost suspended in air, earning it the name “hanging trough.” Despite being exposed to sun, rain, wind, and decades of ...

A Colourful Tiffin, A Happier Heart

My daughter studies at Kidzee, Sayajipura, Vadodara , and one thing I truly appreciate about her school is the emphasis on healthy food. Over time, she has naturally adapted to Gujarati meals, and as a mother, that makes me incredibly happy. Once a month, the school celebrates a home feast —a day when children can bring healthy food prepared at home. Every month, I try to make something thoughtful and nourishing. In the past, I’ve packed her kolukattai, paniyaram, poori , and a few other homemade delicacies. But this January, I wanted to do something different. Something colourful. Something fun. The night before the home feast, my daughter and I sat together scrolling through YouTube, hunting for cooking inspiration. After watching several videos, we finally decided to try a healthy, vibrant idea inspired by this video: 👉 YouTube inspiration : https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=7kToQQB1jj0 We made purées using spinach, beetroot, and carrot , and used them to prepare the ...