Ma146;s the word

In Punjab8217;s heartland, there is a common saying about fledgling businesses: only two enterprises are known to do well in India, dhaba a...

In Punjab8217;s heartland, there is a common saying about fledgling businesses: only two enterprises are known to do well in India, dhaba and baba. And while the former may need a certain amount of investment and research, the latter is a greatness usually thrust upon you quite effortlessly. All you need to have is the presence of mind to grab this opportunity when you see it.

It all started around this time last year, when our group of five families started to plan a holiday during the Christmas vacations. Brochures were whipped out, packages discussed and two destinations seemed to find general approval8212;Colombo and Male. Except with yours truly. Having this huge urge to explore one8217;s own country, my vote fell and stayed firmly on God8217;s Own Country. Never mind that the rest of the crowd protested vehemently, never mind that Kerala was actually working out more expensive. I was unyielding. Either Kerala, or I would opt out, I made it known.

The friends sighed, suppressed opinions and reluctantly signed on for Kerala. A month later, on Christmas Day, as we made our way up to Munnar in our chartered bus, after having savoured the breathtaking beauty of the backwaters, everyone8217;s cellphones started to buzz almost simultaneously. The one question friends and family back home wanted to know was whether we were safe. It took some time before the enormity of the tsunami hit us. And even more minutes elapsed before we realised that the venues most devastated were the ones we would have been at, right then, had it not been for one obstinate member of the group!

I was christened Ma Sunanda, there and then. Heartfelt thank-yous poured in. For the rest of the trip every move was made in consultation with me. Every time there was a dispute, Ma Sunanda8217;s word was final. I should have cashed in on these sentiments, set up a shop and sold spirituality mixed with sixth sense, or whatever. But, sigh, for all my Punjabi upbringing, that rustic saying coated with sheer good sense8212;about babas and dhabbas8212;never prevailed. I stayed a scribe pushing words through the keyboard, rather than dipping them in honey and scattering them among eager-beaver followers to make for a comfortable career.

Sunanda Mehta

Sunanda Mehta is the Resident Editor of The Indian Express in Pune. She is a distinguished journalist, columnist, and author with over three decades of experience in the media industry. Educational background: A merit-lister in her 12 th in CBSE (5th rank in Humanities) Sunanda stood first in History in the Board for which she was awarded the Dr Tarachand Gold Medal. She is a triple-graduate with a Bachelor of Arts (History Honours) from Lady Shri Ram College, New Delhi, Bachelor of Education, Delhi University (on scholarship) and Bachelor of Communication and Journalism, University of Pune. Professional Background Role: As Resident Editor, she oversees the Pune edition of The Indian Express, managing local news coverage, investigative features, and editorial direction for the city. Author: She is an accomplished author, known for her biographies. Her notable books include: The Extraordinary Life and Death of Sunanda Pushkar published by Pan Macmillan (2019). The book was long-listed for the Atta Galatta award for nonfiction and Auther award for best debut author. Majestic Musings - Translation of poems from 100 year old Badshaian from Punjabi to English (2023) Behind the Big Screen- the untold stories of child actors published by Bloomsbury India (2024) Focus Areas: While Sunanda has reported on various subjects from civic to political to investigative and crime, her forte remains long-form human-interest stories, heritage and gender issues. Core Column: "Against All Odds" Sunanda curates and writes a signature series titled "Against All Odds," which profiles individuals who have overcome significant personal, medical, or professional challenges. Recent notable articles (2025) The Story of Dr. Harinder Dhaliwal (July 2025): A Pune AFMC topper who became a neurologist in Canada despite becoming paraplegic. Jayoo Patwardhan’s Cancer Journey (Jan 2025): How the National Film Award-winning designer defeated cancer. Partha Iyengar’s Emergency mid-air (Aug 2025): The story of how Gartner’s India head survived a massive heart attack during a long-haul flight. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Her recent reportage continues to explore deep personal narratives and Pune’s socio-environmental landscape: 1. Personal Narratives & Closure "'I grieved for him 10 years after his murder, found closure to unsolved case'" (Dec 14, 2025): A poignant feature on Vineet Alurkar, son of the late Pune music legend Suresh Alurkar, and how digitizing his father’s collection helped him heal. "A 40-day journey home: how Christopher Benninger's partner gave him the gift of memories" (Nov 23, 2025): A moving tribute to the late acclaimed architect Christopher Benninger and his final trip to the US. "'After 38 years I finally met my biological mother'" (Sept 28, 2025): Chronicling the journey of an adopted daughter from Zurich searching for her roots in Pune. 2. Civic & Heritage "'Vetal Tekdi belongs to common citizens'" (Oct 20, 2025): An interview with environmental activist Dr. Sushma Date on the community-led protection of Pune’s vital green lungs. "'Military village' Apshinge recalls living through war days" (Aug 12, 2025): A report from a village in Maharashtra where nearly every household has a member in the armed forces, focusing on their legacy and current anxieties. 3. High-Profile Commentary & Investigations "Malegaon blast acquittals: 'I was expecting this verdict'" (July 31, 2025): An interview with former special public prosecutor Rohini Salian following the controversial acquittals. "Grounded, license cancelled... she decided to soar higher" (March 30, 2025): The story of Dr. Harpreet A De Singh, Air India’s first woman pilot from 1988, and her transition to leadership and meditation. Signature Style Sunanda Mehta is known for her empathetic storytelling. Unlike standard news reporting, her features often read like narrative non-fiction, focusing on the psychological and emotional resilience of her subjects. One of her articles in The Indian Express titled 'The Quality of Mercy' was converted into a film Rubaru Roshini produced by actor Aamir Khan. She is a strong advocate for Pune's heritage and environment, frequently using her platform to amplify citizen-led movements. X (Twitter): @sunandamehta and @ExpressPune ... Read More