Loving right now

A list of Indian Link’s current favourites

Read

Machali, Ranthambore National Park’s beloved Bengal tigress who died in 2016, was the inspiration for American author Katy Yocom’s debut novel Three Ways to Disappear – a story about family, love and loss, as a human and as an endangered species. Protagonist Sarah De Vaughan quits journalism and returns to India, the country of her childhood. In the process, she explores her lost family, forbidden love and the vast natural beauty of her former home. Wistfully descriptive, this is a must-read for anyone who loves family dramas, the big cats and a well-told story.

Listen

You’ve seen him do his stand-up comedy shtick on TV, and maybe even in person. With his podcast, irreverently titled Birdy Num Num, you get to hear Sanjay Manaktala wax eloquent (and hilarious) about his philosophy –because life begins after engineering. Of course, you don’t have to be an engineer to appreciate Manaktala’s brand of humour. With episodes like ‘Being Yourself is Underrated’, ‘Grooming, Hygiene, Bodyspray and the Indian Man’ and ‘Who Said You Can Only Have One Career’, Manaktala (and his guests) have something for everyone. Episodes drop Mondays and Thursdays.

Eat

Hot pakoras (fritters) and chai (tea) are a match made in… every Indian home. Now this dream combo’s right here in the heart of Sydney’s CBD – this winter, head over to Gunjan Aylawadi’s diminutive Flyover Fritterie on Temperance Lane for a bite-sized meal of pakora burgers with pickled beetroot and tamarind chutney, and some spicy chai made with soy milk. With just four items on the menu, you won’t be overwhelmed. And with a big cone of hot pakoras (drizzled with delish chutney) in your hand, you definitely won’t be disappointed.

Watch

ICYMI, Engineering Girls was one of the best web shows of the past year. Nudging aside the well-worn subject of male engineering students, this series (directed by Apoorv Singh Karki and starring young web talents Barkha Singh, Sejal Kumar and Kritika Avasthi) explores the trio’s college and hostel lives, their aspirations to have their own start-up and the ensuing craziness that inevitably follows. Not only is the 5-episode series immense fun to watch, but it’s also a not-too-subtle nod to the importance of having more girls in STEM. Episodes are out on YouTube.