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Which food, when you eat it, instantly transports you to childhood?

Certain smells and flavors have an uncanny power which transports me back to my childhood, unlocking memories I thought were long forgotten. These sensory triggersghee wafting from a neighbor’s kitchen, the tang of fish curry, or the sticky sweetness of a chocolate baract like keys to dim corners of my mind, where moments from my past flicker to life. The rich, nutty aroma of ghee drifting from the flats downstairs instantly transports me to North India, where I spent much of my childhood. It’s the smell of my mother’s kitchen, of warm parathas sizzling on a tawa, and lazy Sunday mornings filled with laughter. That heavy, golden scent wraps around me like a familiar embrace, conjuring images of bustling markets and family gatherings under a wide, open sky. Some evenings, the unmistakable smell of fish curry spices sneaks up from the Bengali neighbors’ kitchen. In an instant, I’m a child… Which food, when you eat it, instantly transports you to childhood?

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Do you remember life before the internet?

Do you remember a time before the Internet reshaped our lives? I do. It was a world where the Sun rose, the Moon glowed, and the night sky sparkled with countless stars. We noticed these wondersbecause we weren’t glued to screens. Life was simpler, slower, and full of real-world adventures. Back then, playtime meant running outside, climbing trees, and collecting scratches or bruises (if you were lucky enough to avoid a broken bone!). We didn’t scroll for entertainment; we lived it. Falling was part of the fun, and every scraped knee told a story of a day well-spent. A World of Real Connections Socializing meant face-to-face conversations, not likes or emojis. To share gossip or ideas, you had to cultivate friendships and speak in complete sentences. There were no shortcutsno single emoji to sum up a hundred words. Building relationships took effort, but those connections felt deep and meaningful. The… Do you remember life before the internet?

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What personal belongings do you hold most dear?

Some personal belongings are more than just objectsthey are time capsules that carry the weight of cherished memories. For me, the belongings I hold most dear are those tied to the early days of my family, a time when life was a delicate balancing act. Back then, I was newly married, navigating the uncertainties of young adulthood, with my sona curious, giggling toddlerlighting up our world. Among these treasures are my son’s tiny baby clothes and his first alphabet learning books, worn at the edges from countless bedtime readings. Now, at 26 years old and towering half a foot taller than me, my son is a grown man, but those little outfits and books remain sacred. They’re carefully preserved, tucked away like fragile relics of a fleeting era. My wife feels the same; we can’t bear to part with them. It’s curious how selective memory can be. While some of… What personal belongings do you hold most dear?