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I am an anaesthesiologist living and working in Mumbai I love reading- biographies, newspaper editorials, op-eds, short stories, romance novels, humor....anything that piques my interest. But the leap from reading to writing has been a revelation. And now it has become a source of joy. At present, I am engaged in learning new things- in self-improvement. I am also counting my blessings and making a bucket list and ticking it!
Sullu vows to never, ever speak to Renu again. Every time, a Hindi film song extolls the virtues of ‘Dosti’, she feels a tide of anger within her.
Nirmala disconnected, and turned to speak to Amma. But she was long gone. Once more, the poor kitchen utensils were bearing the brunt of Amma’s temper.
She stood up and then did something odd. Something volunteers rarely did on a first meeting. She touched Anu’s feet. A simple gesture, yet not.
My head is full of doubts. Was I completely wrong? Am I unlovable? Could I have done something differently, changed the course of my life? Should I have ‘adjusted’ more?
The phone buzzes again. It is my little sister, Preeti. My confidante. The only one in my family who knows why this day is breaking my heart. To whom I have poured out my heart.
Ever since Amma’s death, she had felt so alone, all alone in a world full of people who wanted to know her, be with her, but none of whom she loved or wanted to know.
The younger girls openly approve of this, while the older ones are contemplative…perhaps thinking of their own compromises and adjustments, voluntary and involuntary.
Oh, but it is true, child. For most women, the waiting comes from their earliest years. Waiting to be asked to choose, waiting to be heard, waiting to be loved, to be appreciated.
In a society obsessed with bloodlines and family ties, inherited traits and nature versus nurture, however, it was just a matter of time before this rickety house of cards collapsed around me.
To the world I may be Dr. Anandi Joshi. But it would please me immensely if you could call me Yamuna. It is the name that I was given at birth.
She steadies me and looks at me with a thousand-yard-stare that looks into my soul. Then she stands up and in front of me, protecting me with her body.
The men who held down the hand of a five year old and burnt her hand have been destroyed, at least in my mind.
Saand Ki Ankh is a movie worth watching, for the sheer solidarity between women who face the same adversary - patriarchy - while also being an inspiring sports film.
Although the attention that it had garnered in Samir’s social circle was a deterrent to an outright ban on writing, the downside was that Samir had carefully read every story, and given ‘suggestions’.
“Sia. You have had that gleam in your eyes.... a joy ...You found that one thing that made you more complete, like I do when I tie the ghungroos and dance! Today I can’t bear to look at the sadness in you.”
So many of us have been touched by your presence in our lives, at a vulnerable time in our lives. A time when we could have been led astray or felt deficient or just different.
"Don’t second guess yourself. I have always believed that ‘A child gives birth to a mother!’ and not vice versa."
Furthermore, if they sighted her, they might blame her for any calamity that would befall them during the entire day as the mere sighting of a widow was considered inauspicious.
Nitu looked thoughtful, “But something happened, didn’t it ? You came home pouting and angry. And, didn’t talk to Amma for two full days.”
Ritu grimaced inwardly. “Now why on earth did I, of all people, commit the error of assuming that the surgeon would be male?” she thought.
Medical research has always been done with men as the default, and the 'one-size-fits-all' approach does not work well in diagnosis and treatment of illness in women.
Life isn't easy for working moms, we know that. These tips for a working mother come from a place of experience - read and don't forget to share!
This was no ordinary volunteer. Gauri’s attitude and voice flowed with simple eagerness to please, her eyes full of some emotion... what was it? Reverence? Affection?
Why is a woman's identity reduced only to being wife-mother-daughter of someone else? Entrepreneur Karla Bookman's recent experience at a business event was startling.
Dear Kareena Kapoor Khan, I happened to watch your interview on Koffee with Karan, where he was gushing over how much busier you have been during your pregnancy. That is indeed true. Over the last few months, during your pregnancy, we have been inundated by pictures of you. You have been walking the ramp or posing […]
Nearly 90% of women suffer from it. We may have stopped telling women that it is in ‘all in their heads’. But sexist jokes about PMS still abound.
Why are we so interested in Indrani Mukerjea's trial? Is it because she is a woman who married thrice and is rich too?
Sexual harassment at the workplace in India is more common than you think. Here are 9 Myths and Facts you should absolutely know about.
We live in a society where merely discussing women and sexuality will earn angry looks. The burden of virtue is thrust on women, says this story.
Two years since a woman many now call 'Nirbhaya' was assaulted, how different is the state of public transport and women's safety in Delhi?
Constantly being asked to change your ways is tiring. Don't succumb, rise like the phoenix, says this winning entry for our muse of the month contest!
The stories of inspiring women are eerily similar - disapproval from society, a danger to life and liberty, and eventually, breaking barriers.
We all have a list of traits we desire in a partner. Have you given enough thought to what you don't want in a partner? Here's a quick guide!
The Kiss of Love campaign is a response to moral policing, which seems to be taking over the lives of Indians, slowly and steadily. It's time we resist this policing, says this post.
As long as there are people, the complaining will go on. Here's why nothing will help those who complain, except their own efforts.
Your choices will be judged, opposed, and eventually, supported, if you stick to your guns and continue to be yourself. Here's a warm reminder.
IT Giants Apple and Facebook announced that they will pay for their female employees to freeze their eggs. On the face of it, this seems like a wonderful new choice. But is it, really?
The antifeminism trend is creeping up on us stealthily, with the internet allowing for a wide reach. What does antifeminism look like? Will it hinder the growth of feminism?
The empty nest syndrome has become common now that more children choose to leave home in the pursuit of their dreams. What can parents do to prepare for an empty nest?
Can we be fair to 'un-fair' people? Can we help beat the idiotic craze for fair skin in India? Can we shape our children into fair adults? Yes, we can!
Is the rising tide of young people in India who can only speak English, a natural by-product of globalization? Or a modern parenting dilemma?
The discussion on women's safety is incomplete without addressing stalking. When will India realize that without strict laws, stalking is a tragedy in the making?
Within us lies immense strength to vanquish the demons of our past, says this wonderful story of triumph.
Who decides how a 'good girl' must behave, and why should anyone else set the rules for women? - asks this insightful article.
Dual working parents often do need to depend on paid nannies for childcare help. However, bad caregivers can be anyone - not just nannies or non-family members.
Not only does the wheel keep turning, you can never really go back to where it was before - only look at it from where you are now.
Pepsi Co President Indra Nooyi's mother asked her to leave the crown in the garage. As mothers, how supportive would you be of a daughter's career?
In our increasingly hyper-connected world, tech addiction in kids are no longer a rarity. A look at the whys of tech addiction, and what parents can do to tackle it.
Our untold stories have more in common than we think, as this woman realises. Would it help us if we were to reach out to each other?
Many working parents seek the support of a nanny to help care for their child; while a few cases of abuse exist, it is no reason to judge a working mother.
Ekta Kapoor is the reigning Queen of Indian Televison. Here is a tongue-in-cheek look at the norms she and her contemporaries dictate!
Should you coach your children? What is the best approach to your child's exams? This insightful post has the answers!
As parents, we know that comparing a child to another brings no good results. Yet, we persist with our quest for the perfect child.
When the rest of the world is blind, can the ones who see stay quiet? A story in which a murderer takes charge of the world.
When our children's choices, challenges and competition are all so different from ours, why do we insist comparing ourselves to them?
Watching a play, Nine Parts Of Desire, brings home that women and children are the soft underbelly of any civilization and the most tragic casualty of war.
Sometimes, what you want is not within reach. This is a story of tough choices, of overcoming the weakness of wants to make the right decision.
Parents who can look at the new generation, without wearing the blinkers of an earlier one, forge a healthier relationship with their children.
Cord blood banking in India targets parents' desires for a heathy future for their child, but it is important to distinguish the claims from the facts.
What can Indian feminism learn from the fight against racism in America?
Why this obsession with table manners to the extent of dictating the 'right utensils' and the 'right way' to eay?
What is the most precious gift a parent could give their child? Read this beautiful father-daughter story to find out!
What does it say about us when we judge people based on their appearance and looks, and do not take the time to know them?
We are often party to customs which shun single women and widows. Are we right in being party to outdated religious customs?
Every working mother knows there are days when things go wrong, despite your best efforts. That does not make you a bad mother.
We may accuse the U.S. of double standards over the Khobragade case, but the Adarsh scam report shows India is not far behind!
A comment on what has changed an year after Nirbhaya - while crime has not gone away, our response to rape as a crime has changed
What does the Tehelka sexual harassment case means to us in the broader scheme of things?
Sex education for children is a must, but many parents aren’t very confident discussing sexual matters, leave alone alternate sexuality. Tips for Indian parents:
The rights of a rape victim include the right to have her privacy respected. Let us curb our ghoulish curiously about the Tehelka episode
Junk food and hormones: Is there a connection? Yes, 'modern' eating habits cab result in hormonal imbalance. Read on!
Working mom or homemaker - every mother has her child's best interests at heart. Let's learn to be less judgmental of mothers.
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