I am the stepmom of Cinderella, No one knows my fairy tale Or how it was harmed by a male. I was harmed by a beast Who did not care least. – When I was young and naive My uncle dug my grave. As he abused me and my soul Guess I lost will to live or find my goal. – I carried the guilt and shame Throughout life and started a game. A game to hurt one and all.

I have grown up loving Disney just like any other kid, but most of the kids grow out of it, I never did. Even today I watch Disney movies if I am confused about something and want some answers. My favourite Disney movie is Beauty and the Beast because it taught me two very important lessons- one, what a person is on the outside should not matter and two, with love we can change even the rudest and most broken

Jack and Jill belonged to one family but in temperaments, they were poles apart. Jack was a naughty and clever boy always playing pranks while Jill was a sensible little girl always happy in the company of Jack. She was very innocent and could never fathom Jack’s mischievous tricks and many a time, it was she who got punished because of Jack’s mischief and he went scot-free. So far so good — little boys should be full of fun and

“ Your daughter is all of eight, and she is so loud. Quite vociferous. She is always bossing. And talks too much too.” I hear this quite often about my little one. And, I don’t deny. She is like that. She is bossy. She speaks her mind and makes sure that everyone hears what she says. She is talkative. Extremely inquisitive by nature, and by and large a no nonsense person. So what? More than often we all talk about

It all began with a short video that was circulating on Facebook – and a series of personal parenting experiences within our own homes which brought together a dormant WhatsApp group, formed somewhere toward the close of 2012, to life! Not to mention an “I need to urgently consult with you all!” request posted by one of our WhatsApp group members (which incidentally totaled 4!) The seed for Jaadu ki Jhappi germinated at this meet-up, circa September 2017, and it

The other day I was talking to a friend whose daughter and my son are classmates. They have been studying together since they both have started going to school. So, it’s quite familial. The friend and I got talking, and as expected school and its functioning becomes a topic of discussion. And, slowly we move to the Creative Writing class that I take for kids. My friend tells me that how important it is to have a good teacher, or

This is my debut blog and I am writing it as a tribute to my mother on her 11th death anniversary. As long as your mother is alive you are a girl no matter what your age is and you suddenly turn into women when her loving hands are not there on your head. Whatever little I achieved in my life I attribute it to my parents. My mother was a serious task master and used to give me severe

Maa calls up yesterday morning. And, after some initial pleasantries, her most awaited question comes my way, “What’s happening for Diwali? Done with the cleaning?” I keep quiet. I am done with nothing yet. I have to do everything. And I am nowhere. But can I tell her that? No way. My Diwali will be over even before it had started. You guys know mums, they seldom stop when they start. And she is also a quintessential Mother India. Gyan

பாதகஞ் செய்பவரைக் கணடால் நாம் பயங்கொள்ளலாகாது பாப்பா! மோதி மிதித்துவிடு பாப்பா! அவர் முகத்தில் உமிழ்ந்துவிடு பாப்பா! This translates to: If you see anyone who troubles you We should not fear, child Attack and trample them, child On their faces, spit, child! Mahakavi Bharathiyar, the revolutionary poet penned his thoughts on women empowerment more than a century back which is as relevant today. But how many of us will resort to the above written verse? Why is the female sorority a victim of constant brutal attack?

The palm leaves with their elongated finger like fronds brush against each other making a hissing sound as the coconut trees sway with the sea breeze heralding the onset of monsoon. The palms stand rather gracefully even as the ripe coconuts weighed them down. Soon the drenching monsoons will wash everything clean and the entire Konkan will gleam brighter than the most precious emerald. This is what heaven means to me, this life encased in my little hut, its roof thatched