A few years ago, my daughter (then nine) came running to me and asked if she HAD to marry someone when she became older. I can never forget her eyes that were brimming with innocence and unshed tears. I told her it wasn’t a compulsion and, in any case, we were still two decades away from that situation so why clutter one’s mind. I was rewarded with a bone crusher (that’s our version of a super tight hug) and I

The week that just went by was all about standard X and XII results and my timeline was filled with proud parents displaying their child’s marks with the mandatory congratulatory messages in the comments. There were some who called out on such parents because it endorsed the marks-are-everything dictum. I also spotted some heartwarming posts from ‘successful’ people who moved past their ‘miserable’ marks’ sheets and some equally endearing ones from the ‘not-so-successful’ people who were merit listers of yore.

Unconditional love- the first image that our mind conjures when we hear these words are a mother’s (parent’s) love for her (his) child. Parents are our one shot at this rare kind of love and we know that every child isn’t fortunate either to win the parent lottery. Yet so often I hear parents telling their children to do this and that or else they shall not talk to him/ her.  Fall in line… Behave or else… I know that

Many times we have heard or read that ‘Be your own light, crave your own path’, but how to do this is where we lag the most. Last few months have been a roller coaster ride for me. You just name the issues and I will nod my head in affirmation for almost all of them. Life came to a standstill be it professional, personal, societal or my passion. My plate of life was overflowing with troubles of all kinds,

1st July is National Doctors’ Day in India that commemorates the legendary physician and former West Bengal CM, Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy. I’m sure most of us are aware of that; so, I shall refrain from any more details about what a great doctor he was. By now, we’ve scrolled through our friends’ list and forwarded wishes to those who are doctors. There… done and dusted… No. I don’t think so. This lip service isn’t enough. Not any longer. Before

It was three years ago, when a curious fourteen-year old me came across the book. “Misogynation” by Laura Bates- the founder of the ‘Everyday Sexism Project’. As an avid reader, I was constantly looking for new books from different avenues that would push past my comfort zone; and having recently stepped into the world of social media where people openly discussed ideologies such as feminism and the like, I was curious to know more. The book consists of an eye-opening

I had neither wished to be nor planned to be a teacher but I am one right now. At many points in life so far, I have had a chance to become someone else, such as a linguist or a musician or maybe even a writer. I am still capable of being all three or any of these three, but had I started ten years ago, I would have been living a life as them or her. However, the tortoise’s

Morning tea is a ritual I love. Waking up early in the AM and brewing a refreshing cup of tea, no sound except for chirping birds. There’s something about that silence. When the world sleeps and you’re awake; feels like you have all the time to be with your self; for yourself. I love this time. Through the myriad of thoughts, this quiet time helps me gain perspective. Gives me the opportunity to love myself before I give to the

With every stumble,We shouldn’t crumble but stay humble,An obstacle can lead to an optimal outcome,Setbacks ask us to get back up,With every rocky road there is a sturdy path ahead,Waiting for us to get back on the horse,It is time to start believing,Realizing,And continuing,To reach for Resilience Michelle Sanjana Sathish

Is it only a dream to expunge all the misdeeds against women?? A miasma of female foeticide and dowry harassment continues to permeate our society. Recently I came across one video of a woman, a doctor by profession where she depicted how she was persistently harassed for dowry by her in-laws and later when she got pregnant with twins, she was wickedly made to undergo foetus test from where she got to know that she was carrying twin girls. She