The evolution of What Ho!

Thoughts on the journey and what’s ahead

I started this Substack during Covid. It seemed like an appropriate time to start a newsletter called the Vaccine. I hadn’t written for years and I missed writing, which is why I did this.

There was a time when I was prolific. I had a blog named What Ho! on which I wrote regularly. Some of you may have even read it and remember it. I was looking through the archives of What Ho! recently and discovered that I had written, over a 3 year period, about 200 posts on all sorts of things, each averaging 40,000 to 50,000 views. The most popular ones have well over 100,000 views. In case you’re curious, you can find it at whatho.in

The funny thing is I started What Ho! on a whim, with no rhyme or reason in mind, other than to give vent to some vague creativity that lay inside me. It’s one of those things that sensible people, who are serious about their lives and careers and what not, will consider a waste of time. “What are you doing? Where is this going? Don’t you have a job? Aren’t you supposed to be busy? How do you find the time to do this?” I have heard it all over the years. Somehow the What Ho! blog became a body of work unto itself. To be honest, I used to wonder myself. I completely agree that it wasn’t the most sensible thing a career minded person could do. Then again, I have never been one to take my career seriously (topic for another day). And, I had a lot of fun writing the blogs. A few days back, a close friend wrote me out of the blue, “Whenever I have time and want to laugh a bit, I go to What Ho!” That alone is enough to convince me that it wasn’t a waste of time. It’s still bringing a smile to someone’s face. Thanks for letting me know, man.

These days, I’m struggling to be as prolific as I once was. Looking through the Substack, it turns out that I have published 91 posts since 2020, averaging a measly 18 posts a year. It’s not terrible. It’s not prolific either. I’ve struggled over the last couple of years to find something to write about. There was a time when I wanted to write about everything under the sun. These days, few topics grip me. My posts have been largely about politics, I think, which signals a desperate lack of imagination. A few of you keep liking or commenting on the posts over the years, which kept me going. At one point, earlier this year, I just gave up. One of you (you know who you are) wrote me and asked me to keep going. Thanks man. I needed that push.

I’m going to try to keep going. But I’m going to make a few changes, and it’s fair to let you know. Hitherto, What Ho! (the Substack) has been largely about politics and satire and poking fun at the establishment. There have been a few serious posts in between. I’m having a hard time being motivated by the political situation to keep writing week in and week out. So, I’m planning to write about other things that are closer to my heart.

When I was 18 years old, I did not plan to grow up to be 57 years old. And yet here am I. I am finding this process of aging and growing old terrifying in some ways, calming in others but mostly fascinating. I’ll share my experiences of growing older. I’ve been dabbling with a bunch of things over the last couple of years. I’ve been traveling a lot. I’ll share whatever is interesting about those.

The last year or so has been challenging on the personal front, in some ways. I’ve failed in areas that I did not expect to fail. I thought I had grown up. Turns out I have a lot of growing up left to do. It’s utterly disappointing. I plan to write about the good fight that we’re all fighting, and my own journey to becoming a better person.

At some uber level, I seek refuge from my fears in my beliefs, as I’m sure you all do. Our beliefs are our armor. I personally am deeply rooted in the Vedanta school of Hinduism, which is not to say that I am an expert practitioner. Anger and ego must be conquered, I know. I’ve listened a lot. I’ve read a lot. You name it, I’ve read it on Vedanta. Yet, I struggle daily with staying the course. I think it’ll be worthwhile to share thoughts on Vedanta and my struggles with living my beliefs.

What Ho! is about to turn a whole lot personal. Maybe even like the diary of an aging man. It might not be everyone’s cup of tea. Do what you will with this information.

When I was in my third year in college, I was introduced to this gorgeously beautiful girl. I was smitten from the first second I laid eyes on her. I remember we were standing next to a telephone booth near the Adayar telephone exchange. I, for once, wore a clean shirt and combed my hair for this “date.” The thing is Sudha and I were never supposed to meet. There was literally only ONE person on this planet who knew us both. She convinced Sudha to meet me that fateful day. I remember it distinctly. I went back to my hostel room, drunk and exhilarated. I knew she was the one, right then and there. I had no idea why.

A close friend asked me last week if there is such a thing as true love. (These are the Whatsapp exchanges I’ve been having these days!) First, I don’t know why I’m being asked questions about love. I’m no expert. But here’s what I said: Everyone who comes into our lives is there for a reason. These reasons have to do with connections that are made across lives, past, present and future. I truly believe this. These connections are not necessarily romantic, but romantic connection is one such karmic connection.

It’s how I felt about this girl who I met for the very first time. That we were old souls and we were meant to be with each other. Yes, I’ve always tended to rely on my intuition even from when I was a boy. Sudha and I will celebrate our 32nd wedding anniversary on December 9. It’s amazing how everything has changed and yet nothing has changed in the last 32 years. We’ve practically grown up together. Even now, I’ll catch a glimpse of her chanting a sloka or making tea or combing her hair, and my knees weaken and I turn into an 18-year-old boy. We were never supposed to meet. Thank you, Sudha, for everything.

I will see y’all next week. Have a great weekend!