growing gains

Essays

What defines our hometowns?

Mountains, rivers, trees and those we leave behind

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Mariyam Haider
May 03, 2026
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Camphor trees, Sanno Shrine, Nagasaki, 2026. © Mariyam Haider

On a cold, cloudy morning, walking through Kanazawa’s castle grounds in Japan, I hear someone call out to me and say, “Indian?” I turn around to see a young desi guy, in a white hoodie, brown track pants and shoes, smiling at me. I nod.

“And you?”, “Bangladesh,” he replies.

“Are you heading towa…

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