Archi Patel

As one of the very few women carving out a career in the carpet industry, I feel I was always cut out for this role, as I grew up around carpets. My family has been into manufacturing and exporting carpets for the past 38 years, and as the eldest child of my parents, I took keen interest in everything. I have always been fascinated by the art of hand-making carpets.

Mumbai-based author Jane Borges calls herself a seeker of stories. Her debut novel, Bombay Balchão (Westland, 2019), established this fact with detailed stories about people in a fictional old Bombay neighbourhood — Cavel. The quest for stories comes naturally to Borges, a journalist: she has used this expertise in creating rich characters and interesting settings for her book. “Moonlighting as a journalist,” as she puts it.

Whooshing through my door It came in and settled On the pillow of my bed, It started slipping into my mind, Every night when I fell asleep It showed me vivid pictures, It stood up every morning with me And danced randomly in daytime In front of my eyes, It felt sometimes spooky When it came along everywhere In the back of my mind, It made me fall in love with it, Wrapped up itself with my thoughts And I developed its habit, It dissolved itself in my blood Started coursing through my veins...