"Life is not eternal so it shouldn’t have come as a surprise to me. We all know this. But we don’t pay attention to the immediateness of mortality until it touches our life in some way.
It happened to us last week. Pixie, my babe, the light of our home, the vanquisher of Gohils, the queen of our palace, left us without giving us a second’s notice. And we are left in this awkward space trying to figure out how to deal with this loss now.
Read More"How is it that one section of the world can be so privileged that they complain about the authenticity of sushi they get and the other is so dismal that they can’t even grow food to eat? Is that the reason why I need to be here? Because then I’m part of the privileged few who get to walk on dirt-less roads and have water straight out of the tap? Or am I exercising privilege if I refuse this opportunity in favour of roads with potholes and doctor’s clinic that host roadside dogs?"
Read More"When dreams become real life, there is no scope for romanticizing uncertainty and possibilities because whatever happens next is completely in your hands. If you screw up, there is no one to blame except you. Subconsciously, I didn’t trust myself enough to follow through on my promises to myself."
Read More"On a 7-hour flight from Seattle to Newark, I was contemplating what it meant to be a first generation immigrant. Lydia Minatoya warned me about the identity crisis that slowly engulfs you without giving any notice. She was very clear that the only way to survive was to adapt but we have this terrible habit of holding on to the past. In an effort to cling to what we know, we let go of the beauty of a new culture. Can we be our past, present, and future at the same time?"
Read More" Hey New York, make a place for me in your heart. It makes more sense for me to go elsewhere. I could always go back home and lead an equally exciting, if not more, life. Sometimes, I become weak. Especially when my mom calls me to tell me how much she misses me. But there’s something about you. "
Read More"I want to get outside and drench in the rain, have a small talk with the rain gods while sleeping on the luscious green grass in Central Park. It should rain and rain until it feels like Bombay. It should rain until it feels like home again."
Read More"In the attempt to avoid scrutiny of any kind, I lost my art. My music. A piece of my soul. Then, it all started changing a few years ago. I was sick of feeling helpless. Is it always because of my circumstances that I can’t get what I want?"
Read More“If they hate me or laugh at me, I don’t care. But never will I stop myself from meeting people who I want to meet and doing things I want to do because of the fear of that rejection or humiliation.”
Read More"I’m scared. My bones are shivering even as I type this. You think that this would never happen to anyone you know. You think that the world is a perfect, bright and happy place. But people just bury the ugly stories in order to keep this myth alive.
I have a story today which I need to tell the world because something needs to be done, my hands are tied and this is the only thing that I can do as a woman who wants to stand up for another woman."
Read More"They will listen to you. Your wish will be their command. They will not raise an arm in defence and they will surrender to every argument you put across. You will have the last word. You will no longer be a damsel in distress but will be the Wonder Woman they dare not mess with.
Fat or thin, old or young, townie or a Ma-Ka-Bo, employed or unemployed, whether you are going for a party or a casual lunch at the local Udipi restaurant, it doesn’t matter. If you are down in the dumps, are being pushed around like a pinball, and nothing seems to be going your way then forget the bitch-face. Put the perfect shade of red-lipstick on."
Read More"For a woman who has battled with body image issues all her life, I can tell you one thing, my happiness is intrinsically linked with my body weight. Whoever propagated the notion that fat people are happier got it all wrong.
I am Fat. Okay, fine. I am over weight. I am chubby. Still on the good side of chubby, at least. I love eating nachos with Greek dip. I prefer my chaklis with schezwan sauce. I like my penne arrabiata with an extra sprinkling of parmesan cheese. Though, pizzas, samosas and doughnuts are still a complete no-no for me. The heart of the matter is that nothing in the world is as comforting as a big bowl of caramel popcorn or a large helping of freshly cooked and strongly spiced Maggi. Nothing."
Read More"Old people have an air around them which makes you see the world differently. They have a caution in each step that they take, with or without their walking stick. They take each step with a kind of worn down temperament as if they know where this step is taking them and yet, they are being cautious not because they are afraid of falling but because they know they can fall. They aren’t afraid of the fall. They accept it.
They smell different… of soap, cologne and old people scent. If you catch a glimpse of their eyes, you see a touch of greyness in their pupils. You dare to peek a second longer and again, the weariness becomes so evident. Those eyes have seen so much and with them they carry years of memories which keep fading away each day. They may not remember the memory but each memory adds a wrinkle to their skin. Each memory gets erased and is replaced with a grey hair."
Read More"Most of the things in my life have been a bit like that. I always dismissed every problem worth my concern as a stupid excuse to crib. Maybe, it's not hurting that much. Maybe, it’s in my head. I'm supposed to bear the pain. It's just a bruise, no need for me to complain. Sit on a sofa and bear your pain in silence. They taught this to me while I was still very young.
You don't let anyone know how hurt you are. Never crib about the lemons that life throws at you. Keep a straight face or smile in the face of adversity. I did. I did that so sincerely that now I keep smiling all the time (mostly) irrespective of what sorrows plague my life."
Read More"Khhursi par baithe..
Chuppi hum nibhayein..
Kuch na kaho tum..
Hum bhi hain khamoshi mein gum.
Tum paas na ho ke bhi..
Ho humare saath..
Aisa ajab hain humari dosti ka ehsaas.
Muskurahaton mein chhupe the woh labz..
Jo hum kabhi na keh sakein..
Darr lagta hai yeh sochke –
Kya ho gaya hain humein..
Bin tumhare ab hum lagte hain kuch adhure..
Haath thamein rakhna, oh yaar..
Zindagi bhar nibhayengein hum
Woh dosti wala pyaar."
Read More"Beads of sweat break on my forehead and race down to the undulations of my collarbone. Fists clenched tight and skin is ash white. Palpitations make me restless and am frozen at my spot. The sight of that creepy crawly looking thing has me paralyzed! Oh my God! What am i going to do?!"
Read More"You can poke fun at your professors and still respect them. The college does not owe you anything but yes, you owe a lot to this institution. Leave behind footprints that are worth following. You should be proud to say that you are an Atharvite. Don’t wait for others when you can do it yourself."
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