In June 2025, US and Israeli forces targeted Iran’s military (read alleged nuclear facilities) before a unilateral cessation of hostilities, after the declaration of mission accomplished. Then, the exchange rate of the INR to the US Dollar averaged around 85.92. Brent crude oil prices had averaged approximately in the
The Chennai Pen Show has quietly carved out a distinct niche for itself in the global calendar of events dedicated to pens, inks, accessories, and stationery items. I use the term “global” consciously, as Aditya Bhansali of Endless, the organisers of the show, says the Chennai Pen Show is
There are very few people who are single-mindedly devoted to ensuring the growth and development of the indigenous fountain pen industry. Prof Yashwant Pitkar is one of them. An architect by profession, Prof Pitkar has been an avid collector and user of fountain pens for many decades now. As
254 Hub cities in 47 countries had hosted the Pelikan Hub in 2024. And this year, conventional logic says, it would have surpassed the number. Even on conservative estimates, it is huge, considering the facts that they are fountain pen, ink, and paper aficionado “meets” that are mostly organised
Hello fountain pen friends! In 2022 when it was announced that Sheaffer Pen Company would be under new leadership and ownership, having been purchased by William Penn, the distinguished Retailer of top-of-the-line writing instruments, I was very happy to learn of this news—the iconic Sheaffer name and products were
First, it was the deluge of use-and-throw ballpoint pens. Then came the digital devices that shook the very foundations of handwriting. And now with AI, the world of fountain pens, inks, and writing is facing a threat that is nothing short of existential. This, when the industry was just
The 7th Inked Happiness Lifetime Achievement Award was conferred upon Nikil Ranjan on August 1st, 2025, at the Eastern Metropolitan Club, Kolkata, in a solemn ceremony. The Award recognizes lives dedicated to the cause of fountain pens and inks, and has in the past been won by the Late Dr Bibek Debroy, Prof. K
The 7th Inked Happiness Lifetime Achievement Award will be conferred upon Mr. Nikil Ranjan on August 1st, 2025, at the Metropolitan Bypass Club, Kolkata. The Award recognizes lives dedicated to the cause of fountain pens and inks, and has in the past been won by the Late Dr Bibek
What begins in jest often ends in joy, and the story of The Chowmein Guerrilla is exactly that. A pen lover with a name born of mischief — “Chowmein” for his unabashed love of the humble noodle, and “Guerrilla” because, funnily enough, people would often label him as
Starmark, with its enviable presence in the major shopping malls in Kolkata (five in the last count: City Centre Salt Lake & New Town, Mani Square, Quest, and South City), is the go-to destination for book lovers. The store formats are extremely user-friendly, the collections are thought-provoking, and the
Satikanta Guha (1st June, 1910 to January 8th 1991) founded a school that went on to become the largest in the world according to the Guinness Book of World Records. But that is hardly enough of a measure of the greatness of the man. For he was a true
It was never easy being a scribe. Imagine carrying your quill (and a penknife to sharpen it at regular intervals) along with a pot of ink to work. Dank. It was only a little better when the holders with their metal nibs were introduced. Well, it did do away
