India
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Isn’t It A Woman’s Day Everyday?
It often makes me wonder what makes a woman the way she is. We have all come across the million-dollar question asking – “What do woman actually want”? And the responses are generally caricature versions of a woman’s personality analysis. Don’t women actually find peace with anything at all? Why do they seem confused, complicated and undecided? What is it that they actually want to express? On International Women’s Day, here is an ode to womanhood, for a woman, by a woman and from a woman’s heart ~ Don’t just celebrate me today. Celebrate me everyday. Just the way I selflessly celebrate you, as a daughter, sister, wife, daughter-in-law and…
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The Rainbow Experience in India
India, the spectacular subcontinent burrows the most magnificent regions within. We know India as a land of multiple cultures, huge population, spices, and so on but among all these things, our USP is the beautiful spread of colors through landscapes. Just like our popular spices, these colors are roaring, fine-drawn, loopy, mellifluous, toned down, etc. Are you aware of the most colorful places in India? Well, if not, we have created a refreshing list of destinations that are as bright and vivid as a RAINBOW. So pack your bag, grab a buddy, and just set out on a journey to experience something that’s going to leave you wanting way more…
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Is My Love Not Enough If I Do Not Fast for My Husband?
Says my Satyavan – “I will anyway live a 100 years just for you. For that, neither do you have to fast, nor do I.” And I fell in love yet again. Today, I am going to tread into an “unpopular opinion” territory. So, read with caution and without any judgement please. Recently, we just celebrated a festival, exclusively for married women – called Sabitri Brata in my home state and Vat Savitri at my in-laws. The essence is the same for both – it is based on the popular folklore of Savitri and Satyavan. Basically, the wife keeps a fast for the husband’s longer life on this day. Even…
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Festivals – Are They More Important Than a Global Pandemic?
Life has been so different since the year 2020. And so are the extravagant festivals celebrated in India. Gone are the days when festivals in India meant a surreal experience with fanfare at a different level. I still vividly remember how the first blow to Indian festivities was when the larger-than-life Ganpati celebrations were banned in Maharashtra, followed by the ban on the most-awaited Durga Puja in West Bengal. The pandemic was clutching its grip and the only way to fight it was – SOCIAL DISTANCING. It was a great feeling to experience the country coming together as one and fighting this nasty virus. It almost felt like we have…
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Corona – How Did This Contagious Virus Change Our Lives Forever?
The first time I heard about the corona virus was back in December 2019. China had reported the outbreak of the corona virus disease (COVID-19) from Wuhan and the original source of viral transmission to humans was still unclear. We had seen such instances before, so why would this one be any different? That’s exactly how we acknowledged the onset of an unforgettable pandemic beginning in 2019. After all, the only ‘Corona’ that I had heard of was the Mexican beer! It is already 2021 and the virus has almost become a part of our lives now. Rather, we keep hearing about the new mutants of the corona virus and…
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Birthday Surprises – the New Normal in COVID Times
With a nationwide lockdown in place and a birthday round the corner, our creative juices were bound to flow to make it a special day. Personally, I am not someone who is excited about her own birthday. But, birthdays of loved ones get my adrenaline rushing like nothing else. And then, the year 2020 changed it all. The last year has been very different from the rest of our lives so far. It almost feels like a reset button which life has involuntarily turned on. New set of rules, new way of life – and we just have to adjust and fall in line. Initially, the mindset was slightly delusional.…
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A Nationwide Lockdown – a Long Holiday Nobody Asked For
I still vividly remember the exact day – 15 Mar 2020. It was 4 PM on a Sunday afternoon and I was engrossed in every bit of Michelle Obama’s journey described in her book – Becoming. In the adjacent living room, the news channel was blaring with information on the rising COVID cases world-wide, and how we should prepare for an impending global lockdown. Yes, I heard that right – a LOCKDOWN. Honestly, this was a new word in my vocabulary base. I mean, I could obviously make out what it might mean, but it was the first time I was hearing this word in such a large scale. I…
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What Are Your Takeaways From the Pandemic Year 2020?
Needless to mention, the pandemic year 2020 has been tough. Having survived COVID-19 myself, I can confidently say that each one of us is a warrior in every sense – the ones who contracted the virus, the ones whose loved ones were infected, the ones who toiled hard to protect us, the ones who shielded themselves and the ones who succumbed. Each one of us fought our own battles, in our own mighty way. Time for a round of applause for self. The least that we deserve is a pat in the back for making it so far. It is March 2021, while I sit down and type this post,…
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A Tribute To RATHA JATRA – The World Famous Chariot Festival at Puri, Odisha
Amidst the corona virus epidemic scare this year, Ratha Jatra was like never before! With very strict restrictions and a limited number of people, the authorities allowed the basic rituals to be commenced for Ratha Jatra in 2020. The priests were masked and public attendance was completely banned, followed by some sharp criticism for even allowing this in the first place. While we witnessed the empty streets of Puri on television while the chariots were being pulled, I thought of writing a tribute to this world-famous festival of Puri, Odisha. I did my bit of research and collated whatever little I know about Ratha Jatra so far. This blog…
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RAJA PARBA – The Festival Of Odisha Celebrating Womanhood
Today, I will write about a very popular festival of Odisha – “Raja Parba”, which is going to start from this weekend. And I can’t help but hum this very popular folk-song from Odisha, commemorating RAJA PARBA, while I sit down to write. The first stanza goes something like this : ବନସ୍ତେ ଡାକିଲା ଗଜ ବରଷକେ ଥରେ ଆସିଛି ରଜ, ଆସିଛି ରଜ ଲୋ ଘେନି ନୂଆ ସଜବାଜ । Amidst the current pandemic crisis in the world, social distancing is the key. So, one of the many things that has been hit hard and taken a backseat is – the fanfare and celebrations of Indian festivals. So, I thought of writing about one of…
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That first touch of a newborn baby on Day 1
Here’s a heartfelt short story on that feeling of the first touch of a newborn baby. It is an angelic touch indeed! “A happy baby has shining eyes. It walks open hearted into the world and spreads magic.” ~ Sigrid Leo 09:55 AM | It was a usual Friday at work. The floor was bustling with activity and each cubicle was getting started with its onsite calls. We had already started feeling the vibe of the upcoming weekend. That’s exactly how Friday mornings feel in an IT office. The managers were doing the rounds just to keep an eye on who’s getting into the ODC at what time. Wish early…
