“Aamhi Karmarkar" literally means - ‘We are Karmarkar’; only recently I learnt about the legend behind my family name. The clipping (above) in Marathi tells the story of a Brahmin/ Bhat relocating to Goa during the regime of the Peshwas. He was resting under a Karmari tree, when soldiers on horseback stopped and asked him his identity. Unwilling to disclose his real name, when a fruit from the tree fell in his lap, he said he was ‘Karmarkar’ This oblong fruit has 5 sharp ridg

Sweet foods, festivities, and indulgence are all hallmarks of the Christmas season. However, because of their high sugar and carbohydrate...