First came the world. And the word was …ma (not 'da' as some Hindu traditionalists - including T.S. Elliot would have us believe). Ma. Hear its quiet reverberations in the Four Corners of the Universe. Ma. It is omniscient. Invoked in agony (OOOee ma! Cockroach!) and ecstasy (Mama mia! What a babe!) Ma. The first word a baby utters. Ma, the epitome of love, sacrifice, love of sacrifice - the ultimate woman (move over, Julia Roberts, Ma is here!)

In case you haven't guessed it already, this book is about - surprise, surprise - mothers. Indian mothers. Who can forget the thrill of their child's first concert? (And who can forget the frantic desperation of searching for a tailor who knew how to sew a flamenco dancer outfit that immediately preceded it?)

Everyone knows that being a mum is not easy. Being an Indian mum - even tougher! But being an Indian mum today - Whoa! Hold it right there. You have to be a teacher-cum-friend-cum-nutritionalist-cum-CEO-cum-transmitter-of-cultural-values (not to be confused with Cultural Attache - he gets to ride in a limousine).

Which is why Millennium Mums and the Art of Chakki Peesing is required reading for everyone who is a mum, has a mum or then, loves chakki peesing!

About the Author:

Sonali Mehta graduated from St. Xavier's college, Mumbai, with - surprise, surprise - an English Lit. degree. She then worked as a copywriter at Ogilvy and Mather, Mumbai for 4 years, during which time she married a tall-dark-handsome type and gave birth to a (SFX: Santoor melody) beautiful baby boy. Like most Indian mums, she is absolutely besotted with her son and would much rather write about him than say, shampoos and anti-wrinkle creams. Lime green is her favourite colour (which is a bit unfortunate for the baby).