Category: Life Happens
-
When Love Came in a Green Bucket
When I was born in the 70s, my grandmother whom we affectionately addressed as “Andhamai” came to live with us in Bombay to support my parents. With the addition of me in the family, we were a total of five siblings and my parents I’m sure were grateful for the…
-
A Year of Firsts
2020 was a year we all spent thinking about the last time we did something that we had taken for granted in our day-to-day lives. When was the last time we travelled? The last time we went to a restaurant? The last time we threw a party? The last time…
-
My Worst Enemy
She is a killjoySure to whisper doubts in my earWhen happiness makes an appearance She is a villianWaiting to throw a spanner in the worksWhenever I feel confident and ready for a challenge She is a saboteurWho fuels my weaknessesAnd makes me derail my own efforts at improvement She is…
-
A Plus B the Whole Squared
Author’s Note: Names have been changed to protect the privacy of the individuals being spoken about. I have a very vivid memory of my first day of higher secondary school. All of us progressed from secondary to higher secondary with a lot of trepidation and uncertainty. We were about to…
-
On World Coconut Day
One of the more pleasant side effects of the pandemic has been more and more special days to celebrate and commemorate coming to our attention. I’ve never heard of these days before and it’s nice to know we have days marking things like happiness, mental health, chocolate and even the…
-
Choose to Challenge
Often people around us, no matter what their gender, get away with a lot simply because we choose to be quiet and submit to the judgement, the taunts, the injustice, the discrimination, the constant reminders of bias… I can go on and on. I wonder what would happen if every…
-
An Ode To the Sun
On this day, we acknowledge youThe bright all-pervading presence in the skyWarming all living beings with your rays of lightLending us energy, strength and sustenance We thank you for a bountiful harvestFor watching over us with careFor the light that brightens up our daysFor the beauty you lend to the…
-
Memories of an Unborn Sibling
Siblings like me who turned up nineteen years after their eldest sibling was born might identify with this. The youngest of five sisters, even my fourth sister is eight years elder than me. As a result, my four sisters had eight years together before I turned up. Plenty of time…
-
The Year that Wasn’t
It’s been a strange year for sure. Nothing to write home about, to put it mildly. I have started a few times since yesterday to attempt to write a blog to commemorate this rite of passing, this flip of a page on the Gregorian calendar from the dreaded year of…
-
On International Men’s Day
As the adage goes, behind every successful man is a woman. But the reverse is also absolutely true. In the post COVID era, one of the things that has happened is that the media has exploded with celebrations of one or the other day which until last year I had…
-
The Movie That Wasn’t
The year 2000 will be a memorable year in my life. I got married in this year to my soulmate. But that’s not the only reason why it will be a memorable year. Every couple finds themselves in seventh heaven in the days between their engagement and wedding. It is…
-
May is Mental Health Awareness Month
Straight away, I scoffed when I read that! What mental health are you talking about, I fumed to myself… is anyone in the world sane anymore? But then I paused and took a deep breath. Every one of us in the world right now is united like never before by…
-
A Crisis is Cooking
Every once in a while, life gives you insights in the most unexpected of places. Even a simple trip to buy groceries can turn into an unforgettable experience. Something, which leaves you pleasantly surprised, and more importantly, leaves you with a sense of hope and promise for the next generation…
-
Bound for Life
Four years ago, around thirty ladies found their way back to school. I was one of those ladies, and this is our story. But I’m getting ahead of myself. A few days before we met, we were added to a Whatsapp group by a few schoolmates who had got back…
-
Wedding Bells Ringing
Author’s Note: Every one of my women with spunk stories are true stories, narrated to me by the women who went through these challenges in life, and overcame them with sheer grit and determination. Names have been changed to protect their privacy. Abhilasha’s story was one that was close to…
-
The Phoenix Reborn!
Author’s Note: Every one of my women with spunk stories are true stories, narrated to me by the women who went through these challenges in life, and overcame them with sheer grit and determination. Names have been changed to protect their privacy. She is the first women of spunk I…
-
An Ode to Twenty Years
You came into my life Like an unexpected turn on a long road You gave me happiness More than my heart can hold The years have flown by And it’s twenty years Since we first met So much laughter, some tears You are my rock You always lend me strength…
-
A Mother’s Love
He stuck his head up from the grass and smelt the air. His ears cocked for the all-familiar sound of guns and his nose twitched, searching for that smell of carnage and smoke. But try as he would, all he could smell was the fresh grass that shone from the…
-
Keep Calm. Stay Wise. Be Kind.
Author’s Note: The theme of this years international day of happiness is the title of this piece. We live in a time when it seems like happiness is the last thing on our mind. Allow me to show you why that’s far from the truth. And visit https://www.dayofhappiness.net/ for more…
-
Retrospection, Reflection and Realisation
Another year comes to a close. It is once again time to take stock of the last 365 days and build a mental balance sheet. As is the tendency of us human beings who, irrespective of our culture, have come up with creative ways to keep time – it inevitably…