Given that I haven't touched a polpat-latne in about 20 years, I was amazed I could make 25 rotis at a stretch. I did it on Saturday last week, and again on Tuesday, and plan to continue. It all started when a good friend, Falguni Desai, forwarded me a WhatsApp message from Circle of Love, a group of volunteers from all over Mumbai, saying "10,000 roti rolls needed" for distribution to the poor, hungry and migrants. Falguni herself was making 120 theplas (thick rotis with spices and methi). Bas, I jumped in. Many Indians are feeling terrible at how the Coronavirus has left millions devastated, and are unsure about how to help beyond donating money: here was an opportunity, and from home.

I aimed at a modest 25 masala rotis. As I had just two hours to deliver them (I saw the message late), I quickly texted friends, who immediately helped. Diptiben brought me thepla atta. Viju lent me two large tawas. Soon, I was belofying the rotis, and simultaneously roasting three rotis at a time. Imagine, some even turned out round. But, mostly, they were the shape of love.