In Varanasi, the Ganges pulls the world into the rhythms of its waters, slowing time. There is an ancient energy vibrating with devotion, longing, and eternal love. As the river meets the sky, peace and calm suffuse the world around it. And yet, within that stillness, there is an ache—a feeling that something or someone… Continue reading Finding Fulfilment in Varanasi
Aabir – Learning hope
Learning hope. On 15th August that year, Binodini was asked to sing bhajans at the Independence Day function of the town. The chief guest at the function was a renowned social worker, Mr Somnath Pandit. He had an internationally-reputed NGO that supported marginalized communities, especially women. During his speech, Mr Pandit promised to help improve the… Continue reading Aabir – Learning hope
Flights of Fantasy
Dusk descended early on a quaint village, as it was enveloped by dark, wet clouds. A loud crack of thunder gave way to the soothing pitter-patter of raindrops. Abandoning work early, villagers rushed to their cosy, warm homes. However, the birds that still dotted the evening sky weren’t prepared for this sudden darkness. Many were still… Continue reading Flights of Fantasy
The Last Second
Rays from the setting sun streamed through banyan trees, blessing the jungle with an amber glow. Soon, nightfall would cloak the jungle in utter darkness. A tiger prowled in the twilight shadows; dense, thorny bushes camouflaged its ebony stripes. Engrossed in following its prey, the tiger skulked in the gloom, now choosing to hide behind… Continue reading The Last Second
Fearless After Fifty: When Divorce is Not the End but a Beginning
Social norms are evolving at an unprecedented rate, and women are at the forefront of these changes. Divorce is no longer a taboo in society. Women are increasingly exiting unhappy marriages, regardless of age. Fifty is no longer an age of midlife crisis; it’s a time for midlife experimentation. Divorce after fifty is not the… Continue reading Fearless After Fifty: When Divorce is Not the End but a Beginning
Time to break the stereotype: A man and a woman can be just friends
Photo by cristinaponciano on Unsplash The idea of a man and a woman being just friends still raises eyebrows. Our discomfort around people of the opposite gender shows that we are not as broad-minded as we like to believe. Indeed, most of us still live in a world of preconceived notions and stereotypes. Whether in books, movies, TV… Continue reading Time to break the stereotype: A man and a woman can be just friends
We’ve had enough of natural destruction
After my sojourn in Uttarakhand, it was jarring to return to the bustle of city life. The incessant traffic, the smog-laden air, the relentless pace of urban life—all hit me with a near physical impact!It’s plain to see why people rush to the hillswhen they’ve had enough of the city. Nature is a refuge, a… Continue reading We’ve had enough of natural destruction
Friends Forever?
He almost missed the hut. Navigating the capricious turns of hill roads, it is easy to miss those dust tracks that skulk away from the traffic. The path leading to the hut disappeared into long grasses and wild bushes almost as soon as it appeared. But still, Ashok noticed the narrow trail. Among the many… Continue reading Friends Forever?
Monochrome – a Zebra story
The sun was hovering over the horizon. A herd of zebras was grazing their last meal of the day. However, one little zebra was distracted from food. He was gazing intently at the yellow disc in the sky. Every evening he would watch the sun hide behind the earth, and today he was determined to… Continue reading Monochrome – a Zebra story
First Flights
First Flights A little bird wobbled to the edge of her nest. It was a European stonechat. Numerous other birds peeped at her through tree branches. It was time for her first flight. In front: the vast, open sky. A welcoming freedom; an unsettling loneliness. Behind: the reassuring eyes of her parents, the cheering calls… Continue reading First Flights