A Mother–Son Independence Day Brunch at the Taj
Some mornings ask to be marked. This 15th of August, the 80th Independence Day, my son Siddharth and I decided to mark it the way we like best — slowly, together, over a long and unhurried brunch at Taj Palace, New Delhi. Walking in still gives me that little pause. The domed ceiling, the lantern chandeliers hanging like quiet gold, the cool hush of marble underfoot — the Taj has a way of making you stand a little taller and slow a little down, all at once. And then there is the best part of any outing with him: the sitting around. The easy, teasing, phones-down kind of togetherness that gets rarer as children grow up and lives get busy. For a little while it was just us, sunk into the cushions, laughing at nothing. The restaurant had dressed for the day. Tricolour drapes swept over the live counters, little flags stood to attention on every table, marigolds and roses at each setting — that gentle, proud patriotism that Indian hospitality does so beautifully. We began small: a bright...
