Passions & Projects
Where my curiosity and explorations took me
I enjoy learning languages and have tried learning several. I am fluent in English, Hindi, and Urdu. Having worked in a school in France, I have taught in French and can hold a conversation.
I can read and somewhat understand Bangla, but can’t speak it very well. My Spanish was enough to get by in Spain. I can read simple Italian and Portuguese texts like newspapers because of the similarities between Romance languages.
Around 2015, I could read Gujarati and Punjabi, but not anymore. I tried learning Farsi, Russian, and Sanskrit, but abandoned them after a couple of lessons. Someday, hopefully!
I won the national round of a quiz competition by Alliance Française, where I studied B2-level French.
I completed a 200-hour Teacher Training Course at the Sivananda Yoga Ashram in Madurai. It was a packed schedule from 5 am to 10 pm, comprising four hours of practical yoga instruction, an equal amount of prayers and meditation, philosophy lessons, homework, and “voluntary” service (cleaning, helping out with admin, etc.).
Enjoying the sunrise after a “walking meditation” at the Sivananda Yoga Ashram, Madurai
I completed a Basic Mountaineering Course at National Institute of Mountaineering and Adventure Sports (NIMAS), Dirang. I wasn’t the best at it though—I got a B grade and altitude sickness atop a glacier.
We trekked from Tawang to Gorichen glacier, close to the India-China border, learning rock climbing, ice climbing, and rappelling along the way.
One of the rare moments we had the bandwidth to take a photo during the mountaineering course
I pursued a 14-day Basic Skiing Course at the Indian Institute of Skiing & Mountaineering (IISM), Gulmarg.
I have published articles about learning to ski and my experience at a ski resort.
Taking photos when the ski professors were distracted (it was strictly forbidden!)