Veidehi Gite, Freelance Journalist Profile

Articles

Celebrating 550 years of modern chess

2 weeks ago | hindustantimes.com | Veidehi Gite

The air in the grand hall of Valencia’s La Nau cultural space is abuzz with excitement. Chess pieces — from ornate artefacts to contemporary competition sets — line the exhibition cases. It’s May 15 and I’m 7,000 kilometres from home attending this landmark celebration: the 550th anniversary of modern chess. The venue is adorned with banners depicting the queen chess piece and the number “550” in elegant typography. For chess enthusiasts, this Spanish coastal city is hallowed ground.
Revered and feared: A piece of India in Valencia

2 weeks ago | thefederal.com | Veidehi Gite

At precisely 12.30 pm on a warm Friday afternoon, visitors gathered before the striking facade of CaixaForum Valencia, ready to embark on what would become one of the most profound cultural experiences of the year. The destination was FESTin 2025, Valencia's prestigious Art & Gastronomy Festival, which ran across 18 venues throughout Valencia, Gandía, and Riba-roja del Turia.
How Udaipur's Pichwai art covers temple walls to global halls

3 weeks ago | thefederal.com | Veidehi Gite

Wander through the narrow, sun-dappled lanes of Nathdwara, maybe getting a bit lost among the ancient stone houses, when suddenly you will catch a glimpse of something that will stop you in your tracks. Through an open doorway, you see an artist hunched over a canvas, meticulously painting what looks like—blues and golds swirling together to form the familiar, beloved face of Lord Krishna. This is Pichwai, and honestly, it's having its biggest moment in centuries.
Uncovering The Soul Of Málaga Through Its Secret Courtyards

1 month ago | travelandleisureasia.com | Veidehi Gite

Home Destinations Uncovering The Soul Of Málaga Through Its Secret Courtyards Strolling through Málaga, I’m struck by the stark contrast between the two sides of the river— it’s almost like entering two different worlds. This difference becomes particularly clear when visiting exclusive, private venues in some of the oldest districts, such as El Perchel and La Trinidad.
How handcrafted brews are reshaping India's relationship with its favourite beverage

1 month ago | thefederal.com | Veidehi Gite

In the heart of a country where chai has long been a way of life, a new wave is sweeping across India's tea culture—one that is handcrafted, organic, and deeply wellness-driven. While the comforting aroma of masala chai simmering on the stovetop remains a familiar presence in millions of Indian households, a parallel narrative is unfolding in the country's tea landscape—one that prioritises artisanal quality, sustainability, and holistic wellness.
Science And Sustainability With The Baiga Tribe Of Bandhavgarh

1 month ago | outlooktraveller.com | Veidehi Gite

The afternoon sun filters through the canopy as I watch an elderly man's weathered hands transform green palash leaves into a sturdy plate—a centuries-old skill passed from hand to hand, heart to heart—knowledge that modern science is only now beginning to fully appreciate. “Zero waste,” Kartikey Singh, my naturalist from Samode Safari Lodge whispers with a hint of pride in his voice. “Everything returns to the earth.” There was a kind of quiet genius in it: no factories, no plastics, no waste.
Marwar meets the world

1 month ago | newindianexpress.com | Veidehi Gite

By Veidehi Gite Perched against the backdrop of the Aravalli range, Taraksh-Sanskrit for 'starry-eyed'-stands as the culinary home of Sayaji Udaipur resort. The restaurant pays homage to Rajasthan's rich artisanal legacy. With over two decades of experience, its Executive Chef Rajendra Singh blends local Rajasthani ingredients with global flavours, shaping dishes that delight both adventurous and traditional palates alike. Food: The appetisers are nothing short of a culinary revelation.
Nadi astrology: The dramatic art of fate

1 month ago | thefederal.com | Veidehi Gite

The afternoon sun slants through the narrow windows of a small, dimly lit room in Vaitheeswarankoil Temple, Tamil Nadu. A middle-aged man named BS Vignesh Swamy sits cross-legged on a mat, surrounded by bundles of palm leaves. His fingers, stained with turmeric and ink, deftly sort through the ancient manuscripts. Across from him, a young software engineer from Bangalore waits anxiously. “Ah!” Swamy exclaims dramatically, pulling out a single palm leaf. “This is it.
On Sita Navmi, understanding why without Sita, there is no Ramayana

1 month ago | thefederal.com | Veidehi Gite

Among many tales, that stone temples have silently guarded for centuries, one stands out—of a princess who was born not of royal blood but from the earth itself. As we mark May 5, devotees across India prepare for Sita Navami, honouring the birth of one of Hinduism's most beloved goddesses. “My grandmother taught me about Sita before I could read,” said Lakshmi Devi, 78, at a small shrine in Mithila—Sita's birthplace.
Aboard the Swedish Titanic

1 month ago | newindianexpress.com | Veidehi Gite

By Medha,Veidehi Gite Yet, it's impossible not to marvel at its design-carved windows burst forth, accentuating the vessel's 172-foot silhouette-framed with spliced timber, lengthened bow, and ornate saga conceptualised by nearly 400 artists and engineers. However, its true power lay not just in elaborate beauty, but in unprecedented maritime firepower: a staggering 588 pounds of concentrated artillery, the most formidable naval armament in the Baltic and perhaps all of northern Europe.