In April, 2020 Forbes.com ran an article by Avivah Wittenberg-Cox appreciating women leaders who have successfully steered their countries through the COVID crisis as most other countries are still grappling with it. I read a lot of discussion around it where many (mostly women) are hailing the gender of these leaders as the reason for their success. Their voices are vociferously being matched by people (mostly men) arguing that gender has no role to play. What I fail to understand

HER LAST WALK – by Preeti S Manaktala A 15 year old elephant consumes a pineapple filled with powerful fire crackers which exploded in its mouth. It died in the Velliyar River. This is considered to be a malicious act of cruelty by someone and was done on purpose. Things are still being investigated on this matter. Here is my short poem paying a tribute to the harmless animal, who was carrying a life within”. Her last walk.. She walked

People ask me when I started writing. Honestly, I don’t remember when I didn’t. I always loved scribbling visual stories on the blackboard that my grandfather bought for me. Then I started maintaining my personal diary which I then called Terry because I had a huge celebrity crush on Terence Lewis. But I never thought that writing would make me stand out or become my identity because it felt so natural that I thought maybe it was something which was

I am an incorrigible optimist and my faith in people’s innate goodness is quite firm. Having said that, there have been times when I have questioned it as well but then along comes something or someone and those wispy clouds of doubt are dispelled. Like everyone else, COVID-19 outbreak has tested me severely. I have felt embittered and let down by people and questioned their right to be called human. Then there are people who go beyond their line of

This week marked the end of a one-year creative writing programme that I had signed up for in the hope that I might become a writer. I am not sure of that but this programme pushed me to the edge of my physical and mental capabilities that I had either forgotten or never knew they existed. A major part of the programme involved submitting a thesis with a specified word count. What no one told me then were the number

The new normal, COVID 19 gave me a chance to validate, who I thought I could be versus who I really can be. Life is made up of infinite choices, not everyone gets a chance to showcase the courage, confidence, clarity they possess. Ours is an organization which caters pure drinking water to communities at affordable cost indiscriminately. Calling ourselves essential workers and emergency responders at this hour, we choose to work, adding another layer of burden and responsibility with

A short, engaging story to boost our positivity during these times by our very own and dear Avinash Gujral “Light at the end of the tunnel “– a very positive thought during this period of uncertainty and darkness—- but obsessed as I am with the distant past (my way of avoiding the present reality and fighting lockdown blues), the mere mention of ‘tunnel’ sent me to my childhood days. I had read a very humorous story of a small boy who

“Karma, when properly understood, is just the mechanics through which consciousness manifests.” – Deepak Chopra Here is a short poem on Karma.  Karma: This is a powerful word. Seldom do we understand it’s power. The world would be a better place if we took it more seriously.  “Boomerang” A seed is planted knowingly, unknowingly sometimes.As you pass your deed into obscurityand walk on your desired paths. Sudden failure, a loss cometh upon you.You don’t know who to blame?pointing fingers every

My mum would often say – No one’s indispensable. And this was an oft-repeated statement every time we moved house or city and school. I used to be inconsolable with every change and this statement just made it tougher. It was a cruel realisation that propelled me into growing up. Then came hostel and a rigorous curriculum. Not only was I on my own but I had to juggle studies, battle loneliness and survive hostel politics and bad food. This