Suitcases, Sandcastles, and Little Anvik : All the way from Nikhil's Pune

 

When I see you holding my Suitcases, Sandcastles, and Little Anvik, all the way from your IISER Pune lab, I really run short of words, my surrogate brother. I miss and cherish our sincere days and moments of togetherness in the royal desert. You were and are always kind to listen to my amateur dreams, my vision, and passion for the life I fantasised. Thank you for being honest and loyal in the way, you treat me as always. I do miss you, da. Still, we could connect online and offline despite all the hectic work schedules. I am really grateful that you managed to pay a visit to my home and lavish a great time for all of us. Above all, thank you for showing the affection and magnanimity to meet us at our Steak House. I am glad that I could sketch you in one of my stories. You remain extremely special in the pages and the stages of my life book. We look forward to meeting you with the prefix, my dearest Nikhil, my Kunjapp's Nikhil Unkil!

Certificate of Merit: An honour as well as a Surprise

 

I am extremely excited to see my name in the Certificate of Merit list of the 6th Chidananda Dasgupta Memorial Competition for Best Film Criticism. I am neither a film scholar nor a film researcher. I am an amateur author with all my flaws, too. I just love and fall for the flicks that resonate with my domains of expertise. Honoured and humbled! Thank you, FIPRESCI, for this surprise. It's truly a recognition for a person far away from the domains and spheres of film. Thanks and love to my darling husband, my sweet little Anvik, PaapaUnkil and Achan Amma for the support and motivation. Love and hugs to my crew!

My Travelogue's Review from the Andaman Islands

 Thank you sooo much, Preeth Ji, for this lovely review. I am profoundly delighted to share that my book review was published from the Andaman Islands. Preeth Ji writes

"The book opens with a structural elegance that mirrors the fluidity of travel itself. Following a series of endorsements from luminaries such as National Award-winning filmmaker Dr. Santwana Bardoloi and poet Johanna D.S. Chittranjan, Dr Aparna presents a foreword, biography, preface, and acknowledgements before plunging into the journeys. This paratextual apparatus serves not merely as formality but as a framing device, positioning the travelogue within a continuum of literary appreciation. Bardoloi praises the “inimitable style” and “overwhelming love and passion for people and their places.” At the same time, Chittranjan highlights the author’s ability to transport readers to “hitherto unknown territories” through vivid observation. Such commendations, drawn from a spectrum of artistic and academic voices, underscore the work’s interdisciplinary appeal, bridging literature, cinema, and pedagogy.

Dr Aparna’s narrative commences with “Flight at 0.8,” a chapter that captures the exhilaration and trepidation of air travel with an infant. The title alludes to the Mach speed of commercial aircraft, a clever nod to the family’s naval affiliations and the accelerated pace of modern mobility. Here, Dr. Aparna describes the sensory overload of airports and the quiet heroism of parental vigilance: the careful packing of suitcases, the construction of ephemeral sandcastles on distant beaches, and the anchoring presence of little Anvik amid constant upheaval."

To read the full review, check Andaman Chronicle https://andamanchronicle.net/ephemeral-itineraries-family-mobility-and-memory-in-dr-aparna-ajiths-suitcases-sandcastles-and-little-anvik/

A Strange Coincidence!!

I met my dearest Sheela Tomy Madam, finally! That was a true coincidence. In the words of my publisher, Preeth Ji -  

" In a moment of quiet grace and literary kinship, the COVER PAGE of SUITCASES, SANDCASTLES, AND LITTLE ANVIK: A TRAVELOGUE BY DR. APARNA AJITH was unveiled by two of India’s acclaimed authors—K.A. BEENA and SHEELA TOMY.

K.A. Beena, who has written the book’s enchanting foreword, and Sheela Tomy, who contributes a captivating blurb, came together to honour this deeply personal and evocative work. Their gesture added warmth to an already luminous occasion.

To mark the moment, both authors presented copies of their latest works to Dr. Aparna Ajith. K.A. Beena gifted Aa Kasera Aarudethanu, and Sheela Tomy offered Kilinochiyile Shalabhangal, a quiet exchange of words, wisdom, and mutual admiration.

SUITCASES, SANDCASTLES, AND LITTLE ANVIK is a travelogue unlike any other—interweaving journeys through sacred landscapes with the inner terrain of motherhood, memory, and quiet transformation. Across twenty-two stories, Dr Aparna Ajith captures life in motion: tender, uncertain, and filled with wonder."

This is not just a travelogue—it is a quiet awakening, a sacred serenade to the seen and unseen. Order your copy and step into a world where love travels in whispers, and time unfolds in the footsteps of a child.

Releasing the cover page of my book

Though my post is very late, I am glad that Preeth Ji, as usual, is prompt in posting all the updates about my travelogue. When I happened to come across both motivational authors together, I had no better plans other than arranging a small release of the cover page. My dream did work out. Thank you sooo much for this lovely pic and the touching words. Loads of love to Sheela Ma'am for the support and cheerful words. I am humbled!

In the Fading Shades of Goa

 

In the fading shades of Goa, my cutie lives,

A cornucopia of memories, he daily weaves

Unaware of the unexpected sojourn

Unmindful of the unruly moments in the pattern

All set to travel anytime

Kunjapp in the sweet memoirs of Goan time

The tiny one in the infant to toddler stage

Is unfurling a novel life’s page

Withering are the gone days

Blooming are the new ways

It is time to bid adieu

From the accustomed earth to something new

                                                                          The Portuguese city of beaches and sea waves

                                                                          Shacks and snacks, he often craves

                                                                         Will those days remain in his memory?

                                                                          My darling infant, I really worry

                                                                           It is going to be tomorrow’s history

                                                                           For me, it is his treasured newborn story.

To read my full poem, please check the Vibes Literary Website. Thanks a lot for publishing this ( yet another delayed post)

Praise for my Travelogue by Vinita Agrawal Madam

 

Suitcases, Sandcastles, and Little Anvik is a delightful work of non-fiction penned by a Navy wife and a new mother, stationed at fascinating places like Kodaikanal, Tilari Dam, Kolkata, Havelock Islands, and Port Blair, to name a few. Aparna Jeeth writes this memoir with infectious ardour and genuine fervour. There is a lovely innocence underlying the narration of incidents. This travelogue-cum-motherhood-cum-memoir is fun and relatable! She engages the reader with guileless forthrightness. A most cheerful and congenial read!’ – 

Vinita Agrawal, Indian Poet, Writer, and Editor

Thank you so much, Vinita Ma'am for this lovely blurb. Thanks a lot for sharing the pic holding my precious travelogue.

Turtledove's Sunrise Serenade and Me!

 My dearest Johanna Ma'am,

                                             It is an honour to be a part of your touching poetry anthology by writing a blurb for it. Thank you so much for giving a space for my words and photo in the cover page of your poignant poetry collection, Turtledove's Sunrise Serenade. We are beyond grateful to you for the love and affection, you always bestow on us. For the lovely presence, affectionate words and sincerest laughter of conversations, we love you so much, my loving little Anvi Chellam's Jonaa Aunty!

I am pretty sure, the readers will  definitely fall for your word smithy and your raw emotion. Long way to go. My sincere best wishes, my darling sister, friend and guide! Love you soooo so much, Jonaa Aunty!