Faith, Insecurities, and Anchoring in Self

I have been in a somber mood for a while now.

Don’t believe anyone sees through that smile of mine until and unless I really down.

The thing is I do not want anyone to see it as well.

What do I say? How do I even explain?

Explain that life is good, I have nothing to complain and seemingly fulfilling, yet I would really like to withdraw from all responsibilities, just read write have coffee, visit numerous cafes, do my sadhana, complete my gym sessions and learn other things I have interest in.

I do not like people calling me and eating away my precious time during which I can sit and stare at a blank wall. That will be more fun to me than going through some conversations I have had lately.

What I despise most are people who do not take ‘no’ for an answer and more so the crowd around who enjoy gossiping at the expense of others. I treat people the way I want to be treated and believe in basic respect given our humanity (if any exists).

What I have come across many a times are energy leeches, friends (if they can be called that) who do not understand boundaries and people who have no business, link others in an imaginary relationship and cause gossip.

I have endured the situation very matured and very me ‘introverted’ like *cough* suffer in silence *cough*and kept my head high.

Come new phase in life, 2025 was a bang indeed and has fast forwarded with a speed which has left me grappling with some of the things I may not have worked on – within and without.

It will be foolish to describe myself by saying: I am overly optimistic, when I am so painfully aware of my inadequacies. The insecurities that come along with it, well lets just say my demons have a field day in my mind.

Faith:

The reason I mention faith here, is because I am lucky to have friends of some diverse thoughts and have had some look into their idea of faith.

There are some who classify as ‘atheist’, grew up in a believing family: However, with their experience / situations understood their standing on the subject. Some I know were believers of science and decided religion is not for them.

One of the reasons which a very good friend pointed out to me was there is no evidence of a ’divine being’ and they did not feel any connect. If you read Why Am I an atheist by “Shaheed Bhagat Singh” which is an eye opener in itself – a look into the great revolutionary’s mind (who shall miss that?).

He imparts his thought on the subject by saying, the idea of being dependent on a outer divine being or situations being responsible for his actions, is not something he understands. To him, he is independent in his actions and has no God to look up to, which means in adversity he stands alone. And for him that is the true test of character.

Truly a revolutionary: In thought and in action. I salute you sir.

Coming back, this is a field day for my demons as well I guess OR maybe I am actually doing something which has long been encouraged in my faith. Questioning my faith and why do I need it, is it an anchor, a way to ward off responsibility of my actions?

I have grown up with my faith, it is an intrinsic part of me. But I guess it is always good to look at the root cause of it and what you want out of it so as to understand where you stand.

To me, its been as natural as a river flowing starting from the glacier down to the mountains and making its way to the sea. Even if the river does not get a way, it makes its own way just by flowing, no matter how she changes her course, she knows she has to reach the sea.

My faith is the sea and I am but a flowing river going towards its destination. Don’t get me wrong, I have had bad and questionable days. When I was flooded river rather than a flowing one.

But during this time of going through my insecurities, one thing that I did notice is chanting, remembering the one I believe in, the lessons I have been imparted through satsang and life, that grounded me – in ME.

While growing up and being influenced by the movies you tend to look outward for miracles, but if you do the work on yourself, you realize that miracle is not somewhere outside, it is within me. It is ‘Me’ in the truest sense.

Inadequacies and subsequent insecurities:

This I believe all of us deal with it, however, it is our genuine belief that our problem is much larger than someone else.

If given a chance we would sit down and count our cards with each other, but since that is considered inappropriate, we resort to judge others and their life in our minds. And as rightly said: Grass is always greener on the other side. Also, humans love the idea of being victimized.

I have a sneaking suspicion most of us go through our life with Stockholm syndromes. Hear me out, we behave as if someone kidnapped our right to life and now there is no bigger victim than us. While for some it may hold true (extreme examples: People of Gaza, Afghanistan, tramatic childhood, bullying victims, etc.) some of us have gone through life with an in born melancholy – yes me.

And if I want to sit down and count my victim cards, I can bring some – no problem. But I refuse.

I refuse to go through my own life as a third person or live vicariously through someone else while I may be the last priority OR maybe NO priority at all. What’s needed for that? Not classifying as a victim. But what is the first response of a normal human being? I am a victim.

Is it easy to not play victim? To show up everyday even though your internal everything is screaming – you are not needed, go be somewhere else?

No, it’s not. Hell NOT. But have I ever made something easy for myself in this regard? Nope and I don’t plan to. Why oh why then I call myself a closeted lazy human?

My mind right now is a field play of my flaws physical, mental and spiritual. Yes, I have blamed everyone from my parents, my upbringing, my ancestors and of course – My God. And the conclusion?

If I am that victimized and was stopped from being great previously: WHAT THE HELL IS STOPPING ME NOW?

You guessed it: yours truly – ‘Moi’.

Confrontations:

The idea is to confront me for me, to better me.

There, first great point revealed – ability to generate tongue twisters. Thank you!

I have confronted people doing me wrong, who only left me wondering what the hell was I thinking. So that’s not ideal. But this time I decided to also confront an outside source of the much despicable gossip for me.

My only idea: Confront them as the best of me. Let me explain.

I do not accuse, I do not fight, it will end up with me in tears and guilt for doing wrong to the other. And trust me, someone has manipulated this very trait of mine, to suit their own fantasies.

As you can imagine: Living hell for me. Nah Ah.

I won’t say I am all relieved and on top of the world. It was meant to be a subtle warning to them and if they are wise, they will know.

Was this to satisfy my ego? No.

It was to let people know I am done with taking their garbage, even if its behind my back. I will not suffer silently no more and I am not available to take anyone’s S*** no more.

While I am not surprised, this was needed. But I can see how this came about. Meeting and speaking to certain people does bring about a change. You tend to pick up things you yourself are lacking.

Thanking my god now for this very change. If I am giving the responsibility to them for the bad, I should have no qualms in applauding for the good done.

But the fact of the matter is, the whole point is for me to learn and grow.

Anchoring in self:

In essence with my faith, the life lessons and facing the many demons, the point is to anchor myself to myself.

Titanic drowned not only due to hitting the iceberg but also due to an engineering and design fault. ‘Iceberg’ in life will come and go, it is your own design and engineering expertise on yourself that keeps you going. Not to forget the navigation misses.

Goodbye note:

I understand I may have bored you with a long article as such, but dear reader, it is only fair I share my experiences to the best of my ability. If it helps you or if you just find it interesting- I would be deeply delighted.

Chimamanda’s We Should All Be Feminists from a Cultural Lens

If you are not living under a rock (unlike me, who just read this book) you may have already read Chimamanda Ngozi’s beautiful essay We Should All Be Feminists.

Not that I did not know about the book, I kept seeing it everywhere, and at the time it really felt like a trend, with the multiple reels and 'bookstagram' recommendations.
Now that I have read it, I can understand the huge number of recommendations it has received.

There is something unsettling about seeing feminism and its meaning misunderstood in similar ways by so many, even as the experiences of discrimination differ widely.
But do we as women understand the essence of feminism as well, or is it another buzzword to get attention or a topic for discussion?

If you Google it, below is the answer:

Feminism is the belief in and advocacy for the full social, economic, and political equality of all people, particularly through efforts to achieve women's rights and interests, challenge gender inequality, and dismantle systems of discrimination based on gender, race, and other intersecting factors. It is a broad set of movements and ideologies that seek to create a society where all genders have equal opportunities, treatment, and respect.

Simply put through my lens: it is my right to be treated as a fellow human without discrimination based on gender.

Most of you who are readers and do not procrastinate just because you think something is a trend have already read this. Done and dusted, taken your lessons, and moved on.
To me, who just gave it a read this afternoon, it seemed so simple yet annoying and grudgingly so, and the essence of it felt distorted. Such a simple task, to respect and value someone based on personality and not gender. And yet such a distant idea, actually not even an idea, to many.

Disclaimer: Spiritual talk ahead. This would be a good time to check out if you are not interested.

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Spinning the Traditional and Cultural Lens

Since many of you have already read it, there is no need to repeat the same details mentioned in the book.
The main reason for this article is to highlight the different perspectives depending on culture. It is promising to know that the essence and definition of feminism remain mostly the same, and yet a shift in region, situation, and culture can provide so many different perspectives.

As a Hindu, when I read this, I sat for some time with Chimamanda’s idea that gender roles are deeply ingrained in us without our realizing it. We tend to act according to these unconscious learnings because we are not confident in our own value. However, once we recognize our value, that is when the shift truly occurs.

For me, this led me to the thought of Shiv Shakti: the supreme Hindu God and Goddess couple.
Anyone who is aware of the basics of Hinduism has carried them in mind as an ideal couple (literally). Beyond that, there are also philosophical and biological connotations. Shakti is the Kundalini asleep at the base of the spine. As she awakens, she makes her way through the spinal steps, activating each chakra, and finally unites with her Shiv at the topmost chakra.

In everyday life, we consider women to be a mirror image of the Goddess (though consideration does not mean this is applied much in real life, except in some homes), and men as an image of Shiv (again, not necessarily acting like him or learning from his stories).

On my spiritual path, I too have considered myself Shakti (since I am lucky to be born a woman), waiting to unite with her Shiv.
For the first time today, after reading this wonderful essay, it helped me switch my perspective.

What if I am Shiv waiting to unite with his Shakti? In Hindi there is a saying:
शिव है शव बिना शक्ति के — roughly, Shiva is a corpse without Shakti.

Shiv is withdrawn from the world, deep in meditation, unaware of and uncaring about the happenings of the world. When Shakti arrives, she breathes fire into him and brings him into participation with the world, keeping the universe intact and blessing it further.

Is this not a deep-seated gender-specific role that I have been carrying? Just because I am a woman, I think I am Shakti.

I know for some this may be a wasteful conversation, but it matters to me the most.
Did he not burn more than Sati in the fire she gave herself to, for the disrespect caused to her husband and to satisfy the ego of a man (her father)?
Did he not agonize over his beloved’s death and roam the universe as an ascetic burning in her absence?
Did Shiv not patiently wait for Parvati to come along while being in his sadhana?

When we think of this story, we think of Sati’s sacrifice and Parvati’s penance to obtain Shiv as her husband. But seldom do we think of Shiv’s patience, disguised as his inertia and unwillingness to participate in the world without his half.

Spiritually speaking, to consider myself “Shakti” when I may as well be “shav” waiting to become “Shiv” once united is giving into a gender-specific role.
Why is this important? Because a wrong diagnosis can only give incorrect consultation and medication, which can lead to further derailment rather than improvement.

But even to understand this, I must know myself not as a human born in a certain gender, but as a soul given the opportunity of this wonderful life as a human. Maybe then, I can tread my path carefully and reach my Shakti.

A thought to consider: Shiv and Shakti are within me.

Soch - Reflections of a Citizen | सोच — आवाज़ एक नागरिक की

 Soch-soch kar bhi kya sochun?

Kitna sochun?
Sochun ya phir na sochun?

Aji, chuppi toh sab bahar ki hai,
mann mein toh sochon ka bhawandar hai.

Palestine mein ho raha hai ghor apradh,
Israel kahe, maine nahi kiya koi paap.
India mein ghuskar atankwadi karte hain jaatiwaad ka kaand,
bhugatte hain Bharat ke insaan.

Koi kahe, paise ka khel hai, koi kahe, paise ka khel hai,
nahi hone dena hai logon ka mel.

Par yahan toh Hindu hi Hindu ke khilaaf,
yahan toh Hindu hi Hindu ke khilaaf.
Jaat-paat kam nahi tha, ab odh liya hai bhaasha ka livaaz.

Koi bahar ka kya maarega,
hamara jaanbaaz sarhad par jo khada hai.
Koi bahar ka kya maarega
jab ghar ka dushman ghar mein baitha hai.

Bhaasha, dharm, jaat-paat,
sara masla isi par atka hai.

Maarna-kaatna insaanon tak seemit nahi,
humne toh maa, jis dharti ko kehte hain,
maa, jis dharti ko kehte hain, ussi ko jhulas diya hai.

Jahan jaun, wahan plastic ka phailav,
kahin traffic lanes mein bikharav.
Signal to jaise hai hi nahi,
apni masti mein chalte jaana hai.
Koi tameez sikhaye to bolte hain, tumhare baap ka kya jaata hai?

Baap ka to pata nahi,
meri maa ka zaroor jaata hai.

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सोच–सोच कर भी क्या सोचूँ?
कितना सोचूँ?
सोचूँ या फिर न सोचूँ?

अजी, चुप्पी तो सब बाहर की है,
मन में तो सोचों का भँवर है।

फ़िलिस्तीन में हो रहा है घोर अपराध,
इज़राइल कहे — मैंने नहीं किया कोई पाप।
भारत में घुसकर आतंकवादी करते हैं जातिवाद का कांड,

भुगतते हैं भारत के इंसान।

कोई कहे — पैसों का खेल है, कोई कहे — पैसों का खेल है,
नहीं होने देना है लोगों का मेल।

पर यहाँ तो हिन्दू ही हिन्दू के ख़िलाफ़,
यहाँ तो हिन्दू ही हिन्दू के ख़िलाफ़।
जात-पात कम नहीं था, अब ओढ़ लिया है भाषा का लिबास।

कोई बाहर का क्या मारेगा,
हमारा जानबाज़ सरहद पर जो खड़ा है।
कोई बाहर का क्या मारेगा,
जब घर का दुश्मन घर में बैठा है।

भाषा, धर्म, जात-पात —
सारा मसला इसी पर अटका है।

मारना–काटना इंसानों तक सीमित नहीं,
हमने तो माँ, जिस धरती को कहते हैं,
माँ, जिस धरती को कहते हैं, उसी को झुलसा दिया है।

जहाँ जाऊँ वहाँ प्लास्टिक का फैलाव,
कहीं ट्रैफ़िक लेन्स में बिखराव।
सिग्नल तो जैसे है ही नहीं,
अपनी मस्ती में चलते जाना है।

कोई तमीज़ सिखाए तो बोलते हैं —
“तुम्हारे बाप का क्या जाता है?”

बाप का तो पता नहीं,
मेरी माँ का ज़रूर जाता है। 

Digging Deep and Random rants

 Learning to be alone…

A simple yet such a hard task to achieve.

I am supposed to be walking around my room, trying to contemplate my life – what I want.

And what do I do? Sit down and start this essay instead.

In today’s world being comfortable alone constitutes to going for a movie alone, dining / café alone, checking out new places all alone – all without any judgement OR embarrassment. That is your own judgement, because if you’re at this stage, you likely do not care about others any way. Plus, they will be too busy to anyway, take my word for it.

Every time, I feel a regret for what would have been and try to gauge why I do feel this way and what can be done to rectify this in the present, a veil drop. Suddenly I find myself thinking of a scene from a current favorite show / movie OR a rerun of certain favorite scene in the past. Then I want to get all nostalgic about the 90’s – my growing up years.

Let me be clear, while hate is a strong word for it, no love lost for me for those embarrassing years of mine. I am just thankful to have come this far. Touchwood. And look forward to going beyond. Nope – not a cry for help, I mean beyond in life. That beyond will come day and I am very happy to wait for it when it does come.

See, different stream of thoughts all catching a different road and leading me somewhere, then nowhere. I may as well be courage the cowardly dog in the middle of nowhere. And I had no love for him as well, much to my sister’s dismay.

This is supposed to be a learn to be alone thing not how to think and write no sense nonsense thing.

I want to dig deeper into my train of thoughts, don’t tell me there is so much nonsense to dig through much like the never-ending garbage mountain of Delhi / Mumbai. See – Random facts and rambling. When that does not work, self-deprecating humor is at its best.

So difficult to use em dashes so people don’t think you are having AI write this. FOCUS. BREATHE. THINK. DIG. DEEP. ALONE.

Annndddd nothing…………… Uff yaar!!!!!!!

Paracetamol and Annabelle - Curious case of my dreams

I think it is a rite of passage in your human life to at least once have been scared straight in your dreams.

We all go through it as far as I have observed, asked and read – all of it connected to whatever mental / physical stress you may be going through.

Of course, as a child we are unaware of these conditions that lead to some truly horrifying dreams which we then blame on the movies we have watched (which essentially can be true – I mean “IT” – come on) or someone told us a scary story.

In any case, it is a true test of strength, resilience and our faith (whichever we may follow) and growing up we start taking it as a matter of pride when these things do not shake us.

But then they do shake us, more than we let on, sometimes to ourselves as well.

I believe in the higher power and with that essentially comes the belief that everything everywhere exists and has the potential to either harm or take you forward. I believe in the name of my God and the power of his chant to help me rise above this.

As a grown up, we tend to believe we are above all this and continue with our lives. And then you dream a thing of nightmares and are paralyzed by the experience for a while. A full grown adult – scared shit in a dream. Not one, not two but many to come.

I experienced this at a time, being scared of the night, to sleep and yet I was determined to not let it hinder me. I would go to sleep, lights off with my God’s name. Yes, I had nightmares and I prayed to be free of them. After a while, I think I analyzed these nightmares to be something that they are trying to tell me.

I went in for some tests, I had hormonal imbalance before so I did suspect that and consulted my doctor. Lo and behold, a scary hormonal imbalance on the horizon it was. Detected on time and with a warning given to me to improve my lifestyle.

I guess I should be thanking the “Ghosts of my deams” then to show me the path I had been neglecting.

But years later, with where I am at I did not foresee this. I was left astounded at the thought of how could it be that I was this… well I will let you decide dear reader:

Here I am in my bed on a crisp Monday night reeling from the hold of viral that had taken over me over the weekend. With my trusty paracetamol and curi tea (herb tea) all ready to get cozy and rest.

Due to reasons I was unable to take a sick leave (no my manager is not a maniac wanting me to work through a fever – I am the maniac wanting to go through it) and had to wake up on time for y 6 am Shift (Work from home pros).

I am unable to sleep (thanks for nothing not so trusty paracetamol), toss and turn wanting to get some shut eye, worried if I will be able to make it to my shift time the next day or I will be declared absent due to unknown reasons (Oh, the horror – see what I did there).

And finally, some sleep – a world of Dubai and Pune in my dreams, suddenly a version of Annabelle (thank you Ms Unconscious mind) looking at me laughing.

Here I am scared and worried looking at her, praying to my God and then I remembered something critical. Something truly truly unimaginable to me – I am going to miss my 6 am shift.

I look at Annabelle and go – I really do not have time for this haunted madness girl, I have a shift tomorrow and I need to rest. Get lost.

YES – the haunted looking at the entity and saying, sorry madam so busy with my 6 am to 3 pm shift. You want my afternoon naps? No can do – Its gym time baby.  You will need an appointment on the weekend to specifically haunt me.

Or maybe we just have some nightmarish goorish coffee, you pretend you haunted me and I pretend I was haunted.

Lets be on our way then.

Seriously… I MEAN SERIOUSLY… If this is the late 30’s and a corporate slave mindset I think I am here for it and going to go “ooh la la” with it – for sometime.

I am in utter disbelief of the power of focus for your life goals can lead to such ironic situations in my own dreams.

Well it will also be a kick in my own ass moment if similar to previous situation my body is actually trying to warn me of some underlying imbalance. And I am too busy yelling – No can do ma’am we have goals to achieve. Sit tight and lets take a flight.

Hopefully one that reaches it destination and has a smooth landing. Whew! 😉

To be or Not to be… Analyzing the idea of “Me”

I have grown up in Dubai, a secured and a silent childhood.

There have been times during childhood I felt And yet wanting to feel the zest for life.

For much of my childhood in Dubai I had an idea of the ideal person I wanted to become.

It helped that the ideal person was in front of me, I would copy all their moves and tried to be like them.

Everyone praised them, using them as an example on how should one be. I was starry-eyed, pretending to be them whenever they weren’t around stepping into their place, hoping to fill it.

Much of childhood and teens went with this ideology of mine. Until I failed in my 10^th grade and had to switch to open schooling since I could not work my way around with Math.

In hindsight, this was a blessing in disguise for I discovered Psychology. The book we had was basic of course.

But the idea of to know thyself and know the world aligned with my Satsang ideology (spiritual learnings). Though I did not pursue the subject as an area of study and was rather uninterested in the experiments or theories, I began observing the human behavior. The behavior of me.

It was at best rudimentary but a start nonetheless. I had just started discovering myself beyond this idea that I had to be like a certain person to have a happy life, the time came to shift to India.

The shift to Pune OR the shift within:

Without getting into details, this was a family decision and was one for getting me married as quickly as possible. Being the ever compliant elder daughter, I was with no sense of self and happily agreed a to the idea. Without much thought of consequences for myself.

Starting (Restarting) my life in Pune, a shift came about OR rather something within me began to rise. I was permanently with the person I idealized and the world they had here, was of their own with little space for me.

For me, my idea of self were the family and this person, whatever these people said had to be truth and my thoughts are just that – thoughts.

But observing that person continuously while still feeling the connect to them, you start realizing the hand you’re dealt. The fact stares you right at your face that you will always be second, third or maybe last option for everyone around, And while you copied them, you are not you.

When I am me, it may not align with many of the traits of that person.

This realization hits more, when you gather the teachings of Satsang: A rose has to be a rose, a sunflower cannot be a Rose.

I understood I had to build my own path, my own world. And when I joined a new environment like a new job, I realized my incapability’s. Because I was a shy awkward introvert who always was in a world created by others and was just orbiting there. I had led myself to a space where I had become dependent on others for friendships and many other things.

This led me to decide to bring the changes required and to break out of this shell. I did not want to change my core, but a shift in my approach that had till now been a hindrance to my own self.

It led to good decisions. And, of course a few questionable ones (one of which I’m still paying for... healing and letting go from that too… lol). The truth is, it hasn’t been easy.

Not being a shy, reserved introvert.

Not breaking out of that shell.

And certainly not facing the consequences of that transformation - embracing them fully and owning them.

NOW:

Now I find myself at a cross road of what I once was, fully realizing that I am where I prayed to once be.

Creating a world of mine, No longer a copy or a shadow of someone else. Finally, me.

My eyes are full of stars, my mind full of ideas.
I’m aware of my limitations but also of where I now want to go.

And yet, I am still pulled by two worlds: the what could have been in Dubai, and the life I’ve shaped in Pune. This duality is both interesting and, at times, frustrating.

This comes with a weight of awareness, also carrying hope of what can be.

With starry eyes and wonder for life, I go forward on this path – a future curated for me and lovingly supported by the one I believe in.

And when it all gets a little too much, I will close my eyes, breathe and believe:

If the idea exists, so does the path.
If I am where I am today with no clear roadmap of how I got here, it means I was guided.
And if I was guided then, I’ll be guided now.
I will go beyond what I think I’m capable of.
I can feel it... in my bones.

Gulmohar: Ek Dastaan

 #Gulmoharimages

Aankhon ko sukoon deta hai,

Rooh ko gad-gad karta hai,

Grishm ritu ke aane par,

Jiske phoolon ke aane ka aabhas ho, (2)

Nazron ko uski talaash ho,

Phool voh aate hain (2)

Utni hi jaldi Varsha ritu ke aate hi bichadh jaate hain,

Maano yeh batate hain, (2)

Aisa jatate hain, (2)

Jeevan to hai samay ka khel, (2)

Kuch palon ka hai yeh mel, (2)

Toh khilne se…puri tarah khilne se,

Kaisa ghabraana? (2)

Chaar palon ka muskaraana, chaar palon ka khilkhilaahatein baantna,

Yuhin toh hai yahan iss waqt ko bitaana.

Om Sai Ram

गुलमोहर: एक दास्तान

 

#गुलमोहरडायरीज़

आँखों को सुकून देता है,

रूह को गद्गद करता है,

ग्रीष्म ऋतु के आने पर,

जिसके फूलों के आने का आभास हो, (2)

नज़रों को उसकी तलाश हो,

फूल वो आते हैं (2)

उतनी ही जल्दी वर्षा ऋतु के आते ही बिछड़ जाते हैं,

मानो ये बताते हैं,(2)

ऐसा जताते हैं,(2)

जीवन तो है समय का खेल,(2)

कुछ पलों का है ये मेल,(2)

तो खिलने से… पूरी तरह खिलने से,

कैसा घबराना?(2)

चार पलों का मुस्कराना, चार पलों की खिलखिलाहटें बाँटना,

यही तो है यहाँ इस वक़्त को बिताना।

ॐ साई राम

Of Cafe, Kharcha and Inspirations - Musings come at a price

 Is there such a thing as space-driven motivation to write?

To find this I came to a café near my place. Well I have been to other cafes too in Mumbai – it’s research after all … and coffee.

What did these spaces have in common? Soft jazz music, crowd that is not chattering away like its end of the world, solitude in a khopcha (corner) if you’re lucky to find one 😉

But can this not be found at home? I definitely am lucky to have such a space and blessed with the ability to make good coffee.

Well that and my trusty frother. My room, my work desk is a place for inspiration.

Why am I here instead of being at that godly desk which is a true inspiration? Well for one, any space that is your own, used for your day work tends to be over utilized. Then you either are doom scrolling or just staring away at nothingness, or the best (ahem…) of all TV / Netflix.

Let’s just say “ghar ki murgi dal barabar”. Sometimes, you need some external stimulation and the extra kharch to ignite your mind. No pain no gain (The walk here was painful – don’t ask). The money that I spend on coffee – lets call it worth it – fuel costs, you see. Hehe.

Does it work? Well, with the costs – It better.

I am here writing this piece sipping on my fancy pour over medium dark roast iced, not to take away from the taro bubble tea prior to this.

Conclusion: Some places carry a spark that inspire you to create something new. But are they the ultimate motivation – no!

You’re your own inspiration, where you are and how you act when the inspiration comes matters.

Spaces change, Inspiration fades, But if you don’t light the match when the idea comes, no café, no khopcha, no pour-over can save you.

So now that I have given my two cents and the place has finally started to feel like a date place for couples to chatter away, time for me to leave. Ciao!

Side side note: Try the medium dark roast pour over iced at third wave. Thank me later.

#pouroverandpondering

I am not fine – Main theek nahi huin

Chaar shabd hindi mein, Four words in English – a simple sentence and yet so difficult to say, that I am writing it instead of saying it to someone I want to.

I want to cry but my tears come to the fore and dry,

I want to complain but before I can, their complaint reaches me first,

I want to empathize with myself but I can only think of them,

The blow I felt did not break anything but has gotten hold of something,

The attack I made, broke a system in them – I could see it so clearly.

And yet, I am not guilty of where I stand, I somehow knew this was to be, one day maybe.

The one day turned out to be the other day for me.

I am not sure of what I should console myself?

Breaking a heart, but mine was broken too!

Crossing a boundary head high with respect, but my boundary was crossed too with no respect.

I see clearly and yet there is a fog that dampens the heart.

For what should I shed these tears? The question boggles me and stops me from a release.

And here I am writing it down, because I won’t say it out loud – I am not fine, Main theek nahi huin.

Singham made me feel at home

Moving to Pune was a culture shock i had not expected.

Being an Indian who grew up outside India, returning here and trying to adjust to new life was not easy.

Surprisingly though, it was not the big things but the little things, everyday things which seemed so out of proportion. It felt like walking a line between being an outsider and an insider all at once.

And then I saw Singham in a theatre near me 😉

The only real reason for me to watch this movie was Ajay Devgan who had previously impressed me with his range in The Legend of Bhagat Singh and of course, Golmaal.

Sitting in that theatre, while the crowd hooted, whistled at the dialogues and clapped at the action scenes. And that climax. First time I was privy to this part of the culture, did not feel alone and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

Singham wasn’t just a film. It was a welcome.

It was loud, dramatic, unapologetically masala and full of intention. Ajay Devgan’s performance struck a balance between strength and sincerity, and I saw a versatility in him that I hadn’t noticed before. This wasn’t about logic or subtlety, it was about emotion, power, and justice all delivered with raw energy. It was comforting. It made sense that it wasn’t just a film.

People often dismiss masala cinema as brain rot. But when made with heart, these films speak directly to the emotional core. They offer belonging. They let you surrender for two hours and feel part of something familiar. Something deeply Indian.

Give me Singham, Singham Returns, Chennai Express, or Golmaal 3 and you’ll find me seated, popcorn in hand, ready to laugh, cheer, and forget for a while that I ever felt like a stranger here.

Just as I am here now sitting with Mom watching the movie for the umpteenth time.

These films are the stress buster needed when life gets all too real. 

The Journey Within: My reflections on Kafka on the shore

 

Kafka Tamura, the strongest 15-year-old in the world.

If you know and are here, chances are you already know him and have read his story OR are wanting to know about him. If it’s the latter, I would suggest stop here and go read Kafka on the shore by Haruki Murakami first. I have not read other works of Murakami yet, however, for this one I can say it is meant to be read and interpreted with a fresh perspective without external bias.

While the book in itself is a whole world, I would like to shift my focus and bring my observation for the three characters I enjoyed very much:

Kafka Tamura – The conscious thinker:

We are introduced to his world with the boy named Crow (his imaginary friend).

Growing up under his father’s menacing shadow, Kafka lived with a constant reminder of his supposed fate - a prophecy etched into him from childhood: that he would fall in love with his mother and sleep with his sister.

He decides on running away on turning 15 with his imaginary friend Crow by his side. This is not just some rebellious fantasy, but a resolve to escape his supposed fate.

Kafka is on a journey to free himself from this supposed fate, in this journey he meets Sakura who is older to him and treats him as a younger brother. However, he is instantly attracted to her and this makes him believe she is his long-lost sister. Nevertheless, she helps him on his way and provides much needed advice.

He then meets Oshima at the prestigious library who is perceptive of his situation and offers him a helping hand.

Kafka begins living and helping out in Komura Memorial Library which becomes a place of refuge, introspection and quite transformation for Kafka gradually. Kafka alternates between the library and Oshimas secluded cabin in the mountains to avoid too much attention from the police.

He is intrigued by the dense forest behind it, however, stays away from the entrance to the forest due to Oshimas warning. When push comes to shove, he decides to venture in the jungle, ready with necessities.

Kafka in the middle of the jungle, fighting hard to breathe, to find his way and finally giving up his material possessions (water canteen, ruck sack, with essential items) symbolizing his surrender to the jungle becoming a part of it. His journey to the edge of the world, where time dissolves into abstraction, becomes a powerful symbol of his inner struggle against deeply buried demons.

Kafka’s journey to the edge of the world yet being trapped within his mind, nevertheless the awareness of the action to be taken, this moment is one of transcendence. To hold onto your sense of self while you have only been groomed to turn into a monster. This awareness does not erase struggle but illuminates the path forward.

Kafka at 15 years old is an epitome of a conscious thinker, someone whose outward journey mirrors the journey within, a quite determination of holding onto his sense of self. To recognize right from wrong, to knowingly step into what feels wrong, and still emerge on the other side with a deeper understanding of the change that is needed, this is real awareness.

Mr Hoshino – The unconscious seeker:

One of the best character development arcs I have come across in a novel. A seemingly aimless and shady young truck driver who for reasons even he cannot explain, decides to help this gentle cat talking old man (Mr Nakata) on his strange journey.

What had begun as a random act of kindness takes Hoshino on a journey of transformation. Hoshino who once drifted through life without direction and was an example of unconscious living. His transformation is subtle, here Murakami’ music sensibility is revealed when Hoshino comes across Archduke trio in a jazz café, when he is awakened to the subtle changes within him.

Rather than being anxious he welcomes the change in his thought, in his action, grateful even for the awakening due to his acquaintance with Mr Nakata. He decides to see it through to the end.

His transformation is not loud or heroic - it is subtle, steady, and deeply human. What Nakata’s educated family could not understand, Hoshino embraces instinctively. And even after Nakata’s passing, Hoshino chooses to continue what they started, patiently waiting for a sign, trusting something beyond reason.

Hoshino symbolizes you can drift through life without direction just being alive but not living. However, life at any given opportunity may find you. And when it does, what matters is you grab the chance and make the most of it.

Sada (Oshima’s elder brother) – The silent witness, Steady support:

The only one, apart from Kafka who has experienced the forest for what it truly is, has been to the edge of the world and returned.

A silent yet assuring presence, who does not impose any suggestions / ideas. Instead he provides the space to Kafka to absorb his experiences and find his way through it. A quite friend, who after his journey to the edge of the world, facing his demons and has found peace. He chooses to live freely, on his own terms without explanation or intervention.

Since we do not have a backstory for him, we can interpret his journey as once a unconscious human who dared to break through the dense forest of his inner demons and journey to the edge of his world coming out the other side.

The closure conundrum:

While there are many questions remain unanswered by the end of the book, you do not feel the need for closure. Because in life may not everything offers a closure, instead you learn to work your way through its inconsistencies and create your own sense of closure.

If you have read Kafka on the shore by Haruki Murakami, I would love to hear your thoughts and interpretations. The book is rich with content to be interpreted and reads like an incomplete poem.

A Letter from a Theist to an Atheist: In Devotion to Shaheed Bhagat Singh

I just finished reading “Why I Am an Atheist” by Shaheed Bhagat Singh.

When writing this, I feel at the time many would have thought the personality of this man is so very different from his name “Bhagat”.

The name Bhagat typically evokes the image of a devoted soul—one who serves God with deep emotion and unwavering faith. However, there is this very contrasting personality of Bhagat Singh, questioning the very existence of God and a view point rooted in clarity, courage and integrity, often hard earned through doubt.

Essence of Bhagat:

To me, if you look closely, he represents what the name “Bhagat” truly stands for. Devotion, Servitude and courage.

Devotion to the cause of freedom which best termed as “Swaraj”. Servitude to the people of the country and Courage to fight for their rights.

A true devotee who sacrificed his life to ignite revolution in the minds of the masses.

Revolution, not just freedom:

“Swaraj” an idea rooted in the legacy of great leaders like Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj; was given a radical and revolutionary edge by Shaheed Bhagat Singh and his comrades, who envisioned not just political freedom but a complete transformation of society. At a time when many within the Congress were negotiating for Dominion Status, they called for true independence - of both thought and nation.

Greats such as Bhagat Singh (I put his name in front as he is the inspiration for this article), Shaheed Shivaram Rajguru, Shaheed Sukhdev Thapar, Shaheed Chandrashekhar Azad (most commonly known names) worked hard to promote revolutionary ideals among the youth of the time and encourage the idea of “Swaraj”.

Atheism and Clarity:

Bhagat Singh calls himself an atheist through out the essay, after all Atheism finds freedom in questioning, in doubting and finding the answers yourself, it is a lonely, however, a clear-sighted path as he describes.

My Letter to Shaheed Bhagat Singh:

Dear Sir, allow me to refute you on this point and put forth my argument. This is my personal view only based on the limited understanding of history, politics and religion that I hold.

To me, despite the claims of being an atheist, you are a theist in his truest form.

Theism signifies comfort through belonging to a tradition, a god, exploring the mystery of the universe. A theist believes in their god and works tirelessly to appease their beloved deity.

Your devotion to the revolution:

Tell me, is there a greater devotion than the devotion to your motherland, a greater emotion of service than the will to serve all your people without discrimination and courage to stand upon your belief come what may. The only difference – their belief in God while you believed in a bright future of our great nation and worked tirelessly for your ideal.

My final argument:

You sir were a believer and a strong proponent of Swaraj. Swaraj to you was not just passing on the baton from the British imperialists to Indian elites, you championed the ideas of a socialist economy and equality for all.

It was this belief for which you put forth your life and attained martyrdom. Your struggles whilst in Jail, in the face of adversity to stand true to your ideals is this not truly a “Bhagat’s” duty?

So dear sir, forgive me for saying so but in my eyes, you are the essence of the name Bhagat and its meaning.

As a person who identifies as a theist, I believe we can learn a lot from your life and the devotion to achieve your goals. It is my sincere wish that we as an individual and as a country we can one day truly be worthy of you and your comrades sacrifice.

A Revolution, a Hope within:

To me Shaheed Bhagat Singh symbolizes the revolution needed within, a radical change for personal growth to achieve one’s goal. Only through individual hard work and integrity can we expect to contribute to the collective consciousness and

Inquilaab Zindabad!