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Whatever it takes to sail this boat…
Every problem in our country is inter-related, inter-connected to each other. The biggest out of all and probably the root of all others is illiteracy. India is the land of sages, it is a culture that promotes literature and ironically has the maximum load of illiteracy which is nearly 37 % of the global total. Effects of illiteracy Illiteracy has both social and economic ramifications: -Unemployment -Underemployment -Poverty -Ignorance -Low self-esteem…….to name a few. It is a dismal picture and before we talk of any other issue,it is imperative to remove illiteracy. Let me tell you a story… It is set in the city of Varanasi,on the banks of the…
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Stop judging! It is too easy.
What is it nowadays with judging everyone and everything? Has the nation suddenly gained enlightenment or stumbled upon the great wisdom? Earlier we saw allegations or accusations but now no more. We do not send anyone to trial…we simply judge. Why listen to the other person’s side of the story? Why waste time thinking of an explanation for whatever has happened? It is so much simpler and time saving to just go ahead and pass the verdict. The documentary India’s daughter was not even released when it was judged not fit for the Indian audience. Yes,it is not and I say this not because of the way the entire incident…
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When my soldier is gone….An Army wife writes
Wish for you as all dreams unsaid, Miss you as miss breath the dead. Desire you like flight the bound, Cherish you like a treasure found. Follow you as sunflower follows sun, Trust you the way I trust none. Need you like deserts need rain, Love you like I’ll never love again! Do I need to tell you…I am missing my hero in Olive Greens? Yes,the soldier is out and I have braved five days without him but there are still 49 more to go… Every time he leaves,it is the same…as difficult as ever…never gets easier. Stages of coping: Praying he won’t leave…. Sulking when he is leaving…. Trying…
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No forevers…if not together!
There are so many times in life when you feel weak, when you feel like giving up is the only option left. Suddenly then, a phone call from a friend, a visit from a family member or just a smile from your child changes everything and you find a reason to stand up again and fight back. The mind tries its best to repress and keep under wraps all the awful memories and does it pretty well too. It is only when you sit and force back the curtains that it lets you revisit the restricted area. I have such a memory too. I was in the final year of…
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This Women’s Day- End the Guilt!
The UN theme this year for International Women’s Day is Empowering women, Empowering humanity. Picture it! source UN feels that 100% of the goals cannot be achieved if 50% of the people cannot reach their full potential. So true! The lesser than 50% (and never increasing beyond) population needs to awaken from the slumber waiting for the Prince Charming’s kiss and rescue. I did not wish anyone A HAPPY WOMEN’S DAY yesterday..there is still far to go before the celebrations can start. This Women’s Day,do not celebrate…there is nothing to celebrate yet. …
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Do you mind?
Today,as I write this post,I am confused…certain events have made me question my rationale and forced me to rethink… To speak up or not…and when? Is it important for me to react and have an opinion every time? Do I have the option to not take sides? Why am I judged according to what I believe or do not believe in? Constitutions over the world have given their citizens the right to freedom of speech and expression as a fundamental right but are we really free to express? You think we are? What did you feel when you heard of the Charlie Hebdo attack? The whole world condemned the act…
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Happily ever after!
Everything I wrote in my last three posts is absolutely true. YET….yes, yet ,I say ‘Go ahead girl,marry the soldier who stole your heart!’ Army is a different world all together,especially if you come from a non-army or shall we dare say ‘civilian’ background.. It has its own share of sweet and sour moments. Therefore, it is helpful to know what it is like so as to not have the wrong notions or expectations. This fairy tale may have many twists and turns but it can be your happily ever after! What is different in this fairy tale? -The knight in shining armour (replace the word with combats) is…
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The O.G.Fairy Tale-Chapter Three!
The sweet and slightly spicy concoction that we call ‘being married to the olive greens’ is an amazing one. Continuing further, I have for you some more… Oh Really? A few Oh really? moments you may face: – Convent educated you may be,you shall still be subject to the stare and ever-popular remark of a really-senior-army officer’s-wife….’she needs to be groomed!’ This is surely coming your way if you -say ‘hi’ instead of Good evening. -address anyone by his/her first name. -say that you don’t want to attend a ladies’ meet or welfare. -commit…
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The O.G. Fairy Tale-chapter two!
Moving on further in our journey as the better halves of the men-in-uniform,let me begin from where I left off… The inevitable ageing! Yes,we all age with time and cannot do anything about it except fret. Similarly, the moment you get married to an Indian army officer,you instantly grow at least a decade old(at least it feels so) -You meet a senior officer and his family and are suddenly happy to see his daughter who seems almost your age. You flash your teeth and say ‘hi!’ only to be hit back by ‘Good evening aunty!’ You look behind your shoulder and the reality strikes you- yes,you are the aunty! For…
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The Olive Green Fairy Tale! Chapter One
A 21-gun salute to all damsels who have slipped on the ring or are about to tie the nuptial knot with an Indian Army officer! Trust me,it takes guts. It is a very different world and someone stepping into it,especially from the so-called ‘civilian’ society can expect the shock of one’s life. Right here, I want to tell that I AM AN ARMY WIFE TOO(a proud one) and all I am trying to say here is that….you know,like that advertisement of tomato ketchup…. IT’S DIFFERENT! When I got married,I was clueless and I really wish someone gave me a few pointers as to what…