Lavina Melwani is a New York-based journalist who writes for several international publications. Twitter@lavinamelwani & @lassiwithlavina Sign up for the free newsletter to get your dose of Lassi!
Don’t you just love love stories and happy endings? When I first did the story with chocolatiers on their own sweet romances, it was a popular post. This year I thought I’d go back and see if there were any romantic updates. Yes, there were – including an adorable baby!
Shefalee Patel, our only chocolatier who was single had found true love and Aarti Mahtani Raman who had just got married now has a baby boy!
So here is a Valentine’s Day Treat – true love stories!
As Wordle has skyrocketed in popularity, multiple media outlets have published articles that explore the best word to use as your initial guess. Here are some winning strategies
Have you eaten Beetroot Kofta Curry or Lal Maas recently? How about Chocolate Bebinca or Pear Jalebi – all without traveling to India, right in the heart of New York City? Try NYC Restaurant Week!
What happened to the New York model who became a nun?
I introduce my first bi-weekly column of 2022 ‘From Me to You’ – How a Corn Snake Taught me My Purpose in Life’ – these are just random, intimate thoughts which may help us through our chaotic times. None of us have the answers!
Melanie Chandra and Surina Jindal star in the first Diwali holiday movie – Hot Mess Holiday and strike a first with South Asian actors and an Indian festival theme on Comedy Central
It is a wonder that something so small as a virus can hold an entire global community hostage but that is the sad fact of our lives. Leisure travel is once again restricted to flying carpets of the imagination as more and more people cancel their plans.
Escaping the Taliban
2021 has been quite a year – and it’s not done yet! Here we share dramatic images which overwhelmed us when we first saw them – and which continue to surprise us.
India runs on spice! A billion plus people can’t be wrong – they swear by the tangy, sour-sweet spicy street foods of India. Indeed, there is something homey and comforting about street foods, almost like the hug of a mother. Not surprisingly many of these street treats go back to ancient times and have been a part of Indian tradition and memory.
Education activist Malala gets married
Deepa Mehta to direct Burnt Sugar
Happy peaceful Diwali to all from our over-crowded Hindu universe – Lakshmi for prosperity, Ganesha for wisdom, Krishna for joy and the Sindhi Jhule Lal for getting the boat to shore!
Here we share the wrappers of those lost, long-gone Diwalis when every kid with a handful of fire-crackers was king – yes, power was setting the match to that bichu or anar firecracker!
Our Communities: India’s 75th Independence Day – and Indian-Americans are celebrating They may be far, far away from India but their hearts are in India – especially on August 15, the historic day that India became a free nation, and the tri-color flag flew over the country. It is India’s milestone 75th birthday and Indian-Americans are celebrating with music, dance, gatherings and video tributes. The scale of the celebrations is low-key and muted due to the pandemic but the enthusiasm is there. President Biden greeted India and in his remarks noted, “Over the decades, the ties between our people, including…
The anointment of Kamala Harris as US vice president has given 4.1 million Indian-Americans a new sense of self and of changing dynamics, with their community coming into its own and becoming a force to be reckoned with.
New York Stories – The Sound of Silence Lassi with Lavina – Photo of the Day It’s a day and night difference. During the day, it’s a kid-centric universe in the playground with children sprouting everywhere – delighted screams and squeals, flying sky-high on the swings, sliding down the chutes at break-neck speed. Kids streaming into the park with parents, care-givers and dogs. Kids gathering in the sandpits with sandpail strategies as if they are taking over the world. Kids running, jumping and chasing each other. Kids on scooters, kids cycling madly, kids huddling arm in arm.…
Her transformation from an “It” Style Girl to a Buddhist nun is so complete that people who knew her earlier do a double-take. She admits, “It was hard at first because your sense of identity is tied to how you look and your look determines your self-worth. As a renunciate you shave your head, use no makeup, perfume or high heels – but the beauty of wisdom that adorns you is far more beautiful than any couture dress.”
“Millions of Americans are still not protected against COVID-19, and we are seeing more infections among those who are unvaccinated. And that’s why I want to talk to you today about one of the biggest obstacles that is preventing us from ending this pandemic.” – US Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy
Vaccinations have certainly made this dream scenario possible. “This year, the Fourth of July is a day of special celebration, for we are emerging from the darkness of years; a year of pandemic and isolation; a year of pain, fear, and heartbreaking loss,” said President Joe Biden
Who are the Indian-Americans? A new study ‘Social Realities of Indian-Americans’ tells you a lot that you may have not known.