_____  Short Fiction _____ MY MUSE Story By VIKRAM KARVE _____  _____  Short Fiction  Unfinished Romance _____  My Muse – Story by Vikram Karve _____ Pune – circa 2006 ­­­_____ PROLOGUE _____ There is a saying: “The best kind of friendship is one where two people love the same books” We – Manisha and I – we loved the same books – so – we became the best of friends. _____ Let me tell you how we met. _____ I love reading books. For me – reading is one of the greatest joys. When you read – you transcend your immediate surroundings – and you are transpor ..read more

MUMBAI MEMORIES – GINGER LEMON  _____ Refreshing Ginger Lemon Drink  My Favourite Pick-Me-Up “Sundowner” Blog By VIKRAM KARVE  ______ I love to exercise in the evenings – it makes you feel good and ensures sound sleep.  In my heyday I used to play games or swim till I was physically exhausted and then I would soothe my tiredness by having a relaxing warm water bath.  After that – as the sun set and twilight engulfed the sky – I would sit with a glass of Rum Pani (or occasionally Whisky-Soda) – sipping slowly&nbs ..read more

_______ SHORT FICTION by VIKRAM KARVE  “SMOKING BEAUTY” _______  Disclaimer:  This story is work of fiction. Names, Events, Places, Settings, Situations and Incidents narrated in the story are fictitious and imaginary. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or actual events, is purely coincidental. _______  _______ “SMOKING BEAUTY” Fiction Short Story By VIKRAM KARVE _______ PUNE ______ HOLI March 8, 2023 – Late Night 11:30 PM An Apartment in Mumbai _______ A PHONE CALL AND A PICTURE _______ “Do you smo ..read more

 ESPECIALLY FOR DOG LOVERS TEKAPO DOG MEMORIAL Bronze Sheep Dog Statue Monument Memories of New Zealand By VIKRAM KARVE During our visit to New Zealand 9 years ago in 2015 – while travelling from Christchurch to Queenstown - I was pleasantly surprised to see a Bronze Statue of a Dog – a memorial for James Mackenzie’s legendary Sheepdog (Collie). It was the first time that I had seen a monument dedicated to a dog. The sheep dog statue stands proudly on the shores of the unique exquisite turquoise waters of Lake Tekapo – amidst breathtaking scenery of snow capped mountains of the Southe ..read more

 Short Fiction by Vikram Karve ________ THE VISITOR Short Story by Vikram Karve ________ Around 4 years ago – in March 2020 – as COVID cases started rising in my neighbourhood – I shut down my consulting room in Mumbai – and I “escaped” to my farmhouse – just a day before lockdown was imposed. One morning – a man came to see me at my farmhouse. “Sorry for barging in like this without an appointment – I intentionally didn’t call – because – I felt you may refuse to see me…” he said. He introduced himself – he was a business tycoon – he gave me his business card. “How did you manage to come ..read more

NEW ZEALAND MEMORIES BY VIKRAM KARVE WAR MEMORIALS and MUSEUM ________ PART 1  ________  WAR MEMORIALS ________ We (my wife and I) visited New Zealand for the first time 8 years ago in the year 2015.  After two long flights by Korean Air – the first from Mumbai to Incheon (Seoul) of around 9 hours duration – then – a wait at Incheon Airport for 5 hours – followed by the Incheon to Auckland flight of almost 12 hours – we landed at Auckland International Airport New Zealand at 0800 Hrs (8 AM) local time on the 23rd of December 2015 – where our daughter was ..read more

___________ SHORT FICTION by VIKRAM KARVE REDEVELOPMENT A STORY ___________  ___________ REDEVELOPMENT Fiction Story By VIKRAM KARVE ________ “I have decided to give the bungalow for redevelopment…” his mother says. “Re-development…?” he asks – surprised. “Yes – redevelopment of our old bungalow into modern high-rise apartments – I discussed it with your sister – she wants it too…” his mother says. He looks at his sister and smiles at her sarcastically. “Oh – so this is why you have come to Pune all the way from the US – after a gap of 3 years…” he says to his sister. “We were busy…” h ..read more

SHORT FICTION STORY __________ “Tete-a-Tete” with a Pretty Techie Girl Story By VIKRAM KARVE _________ I love walking – and – I love talking. That’s why no one wants to come for a walk with me. “Oldie Goldies” of my age feel that I walk too much. “Youngsters” feel that I talk too much. That’s why I was pleasantly surprised when a pretty techie girl smiled at me and asked me if she could join me in my evening walk. “Hello Uncle…” she said, “can I walk with you…?” “Of course…” I said, “I would love your company – come along…” “Thank you…” she said – and – she started walking beside me. ______ De ..read more

 TEACHING STORY  ________  ________  VALUE OF KNOWLEDGE Teaching Story By VIKRAM KARVE ______ I love teaching – and – I got plenty of opportunity to train and teach during my Navy days and thereafter.  ______ I have encountered two types of students: 1. Students interested in learning (knowledge oriented students) and  2. Students interested in marks/grades (examination oriented students) ______ This second category of examination-oriented students would often say that I taught much more beyond the syllabus – and – they would ..read more

________ Short Fiction _______  _______ PARENTING Story By VIKRAM KARVE ________ PART 1   _______ She comes out of the College Principal’s Office – she goes to her best friend’s room – and – she tells her friend the exciting news. “It’s a chance of a lifetime – don’t refuse…” her friend says. “But – what about my daughter – I can’t take her with me…?” she says. “Your daughter Nisha – she can stay at your husband’s place…” her friend says. “My husband’s place…? Why should Nisha stay at my husband’s place…?” she says – taken aback by her friend’s suggestion. “Where else can she stay ..read more