The Hindu over the last 2 days has extensively covered the sorry plight of H1-B visa dependants or in other words, the H4 spouses in the US. While there have been letters to the editor suggesting that the reports are exaggerated, I think it may be not too far fetched. I was led to believe this after seeing many food blogs from Indian women in the US.
I used to read enthusiastically the various exotic named dishes they made with exotic veggies not available in India. Reading the beautiful prose that some of these bloggers write, it is clear that they are really talented and imaginative women. Their cooking skills attest to the same. But at times, it was impossible to miss the loneliness that stood out in between the lines once in a while - the meagre lonely lunch menus, the energizing drinks, hot soups for snowy days looking out of the window- would be thrown in with gregarious pot luck parties, weekend family get-togethers etc etc. Food blogging is a way of reaching out for these women. This is not to suggest that all food bloggers are cooped up lonely women. But atleast for some of them struggling with their isolation, they find solace and company in the virtual world. It gives a purpose to their dreary days; every morning you get up with the anticipation of how many people have commented or liked on your post. Every day you can plan what new dish to cook, you can spend time exploring new camera angles, buying new crockery for the bright pics. It is an outlet to whet their unused creativity and talent, an attempt to make sense of their time.
I used to read enthusiastically the various exotic named dishes they made with exotic veggies not available in India. Reading the beautiful prose that some of these bloggers write, it is clear that they are really talented and imaginative women. Their cooking skills attest to the same. But at times, it was impossible to miss the loneliness that stood out in between the lines once in a while - the meagre lonely lunch menus, the energizing drinks, hot soups for snowy days looking out of the window- would be thrown in with gregarious pot luck parties, weekend family get-togethers etc etc. Food blogging is a way of reaching out for these women. This is not to suggest that all food bloggers are cooped up lonely women. But atleast for some of them struggling with their isolation, they find solace and company in the virtual world. It gives a purpose to their dreary days; every morning you get up with the anticipation of how many people have commented or liked on your post. Every day you can plan what new dish to cook, you can spend time exploring new camera angles, buying new crockery for the bright pics. It is an outlet to whet their unused creativity and talent, an attempt to make sense of their time.
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