Kochi (formerly known as Cochin) is a city in the state of Kerala, at the southern tip of India (South Asia). In the 15 years from 2006 to 2020 Kochi had everything going for it. Kochi is at the eye of a perfect storm in its favor. A unique convergence of political and private goodwill, and a larger than usual dose of luck, pushed an unlikely Kochi to the cusp of leapfrogging its competition. Considering the trend of reverse migration from metros, here is my two-cents about Kochi. Private investment Kerala boasts one of the largest international diasporas (Malayalees or Keralites) among any Indian state. But in these last 15 years, this vast diaspora cashed in its chips in Kochi’s favor. At the turn of the century, pseudo malls like the Bay pride and Penta-Menaka arcade, and the American-strip-mall-styled Broadway were the apples of our eyes. Kochi was yet to see the decade in which five malls (Lulu International, Oberon, Gold Souk Grande, Centre Square, and Abad Nucleus), would vi...
Two day weekends had become inadequate. And then I run into a one day weekend. I cannot recall the day when weekends moved on from being a break to follow your passion to a basic recharge which was not enough to get you through the week. The day when my day job had killed my dreams. It did not happen in a day, it was a slow painful death. There was a time when writing a few pages used to get me recharged and add a spring to my step that lasted the day. Days when I used to write were far and few in between, similar to the posts that I have made in this blog. I needed the safety net. I needed to pacify my misplaced ego. In simpler words, I was addicted to my monthly payslip, and the annual hike. It was no different from the bonded labour, humanity had broken free from. The only happy moment I now feel was when I sat slouched in front of the television and saw a good movie start immediately after the previous one got over. I want to wake up again to the dream of writing. My l...