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"Empowerment Beyond Sacrifice"

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This Deepawali was extra special, as my elder son was home from his Gurukul for a well-deserved vacation. Amid the warmth of family and festivities, he kept urging me to watch a movie called Panga. At first, I brushed it off—I was busy preparing for the holiday, managing the home, and catching up with him and his brother. But his insistence was gentle and consistent. Curious, I finally began the film, stitching away at a crochet project, thinking it might be background noise. Little did I know how deeply it would resonate with me. The film gripped me within its first moments, and the content of the first half was so powerful that it overwhelmed me. I couldn’t help but think: How did he know this movie would speak to me so profoundly? At just nine years old, he sensed something about my journey that perhaps I hadn’t even put into words myself. My heart swelled with gratitude—and a bit of awe. Watching Panga, I was struck by its portrayal of a woman’s journey, one that felt uncannily
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The Power of Self-Awareness Over False Affirmations - my 90 minutes with Gurukuli boys.

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Recently, I had the opportunity to conduct a poetry writing workshop for a group of Gurukuli boys. One of the activities was to create acrostics using their own names, a fun and engaging exercise to help them express their self-identity. What struck me the most during this activity was the contrast between what I had expected and what actually unfolded. When the younger children began, they chose adorable and positive adjectives—nothing surprising there. But as I moved on to the older boys, around 10 years and above, I noticed something quite remarkable. Instead of selecting grandiose or exaggerated words to describe themselves, they opted for words that reflected a sense of self-awareness. Some boys described themselves as "distracted" or "dutiful," and even one child chose "annoying" and "obnoxious" for his acrostic. What caught me off guard was how genuinely comfortable they were with these terms—not in a self-deprecating or negative way, but
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Peaceful Chaos: Lessons from a Crowded Mumbai Local

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Warning: This one is a lengthy blog, but I hope you'll take a moment to dive in—meaningful insights are waiting for you!  We often think of peace and stillness as something that can only be found in quiet, serene environments—far removed from the chaos of daily life. Yet, sometimes, peace finds us in the most unexpected places, like the midst of a crowded Mumbai local train. On my recent trip to Mumbai, I found my health and routine thrown off balance by erratic eating and sleeping patterns. It was becoming overwhelming, as some of us seem to age differently, and the fast pace was taking a toll. One afternoon, I decided to head back to the farm—my sanctuary—at any cost. Without much thought, I packed my bags with essentials: clothes, laptop, yarns, and a few snacks, and made my way to the station for a 4 PM train to Dahanu.   The scene at the station was chaotic: a bustling, overcrowded platform and a train filled to the brim. Yet, in that moment, fuelled by an adrenaline rush, I p
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The Lasting Impact of Childhood

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Childhood is often seen as the foundation of who we become. The experiences we encounter during these early years shape our outlook on life, influence our emotional responses, and mold our personality. From moments of pure joy to periods of challenge and even trauma, every experience leaves an imprint.  Happiness and Positive Personality Traits When children experience happiness, they are more likely to develop positive personality traits. Joyful memories, moments of love, and nurturing environments foster self-confidence, empathy, and kindness. For instance, a child who grows up in a home filled with affection and encouragement tends to internalize the belief that the world is a safe and supportive place. They approach life with optimism and an open heart, eager to connect with others. Small moments, like playing games with family, being praised for accomplishments, or simply feeling understood, all contribute to a child's sense of security and self-worth. These experiences shape
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Embracing the Joys and Challenges of Parenthood

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“Childhood is like waves in the ocean of time; they come and go, each moment a gentle reminder of how swiftly life evolves.”  Observing my children often fills me with a profound sense of gratitude. Their kindness, their ability to reason, and their willingness to express their opinions make me feel incredibly fortunate. It’s truly a blessing to witness these traits in them. Just today, my almost 4-year-old son demonstrated an unexpected sense of organization. After a delightful play session, he carefully packed all his toys and stored them away in his drawer, showing a level of thoughtfulness that surprised me. What’s more, he didn’t demand any screen time; instead, he played quietly, understanding my need to concentrate on my work. These moments of serenity remind me of how blessed I am to have such considerate children. Yet, parenthood is not without its challenges. There are days when I feel utterly exhausted. During these times, I make a conscious effort to remind myself that my c
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NOT Skin or Skills

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Women’s Day today, this afternoon I was sitting in the dining hall, and some local village kids were playing around.. I was looking at one particular little girl – dark hair, bright twinkling eyes, shiny white teeth, chubby cheeks, she was wearing a beautiful green frock with golden lace and running around happily. She must be around 5-6 yrs. old. I was enjoying their play until one lady next to me suggested, “that girl is so beautiful if only she was fair” and this kind of disturbed me. I remembered once when I was in school, they wanted someone to present flowers to the chief guest, and when I suggested I could do it, and my teacher replied that we need good looking   girls.” She joked.. but that was enough for me to believe till today. That I do not look good.. And no matter how much philosophy or talks on the beautiful soul and inner beauty I hear… 1% of me at least believe that I am not beautiful… That and many such memories reinforced the belief again and again.. I see the w
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T minus 1

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December has always been my favourite one. Because it’s Christmas and Winter and of course my Birthday.  While this year was a little disappointing in terms of temperature. (I still need the fans on ☹️ ) it was made perfect by so many different activities.  First half of the month was exhaustingly yet excitingly occupied in practising and preparing for the puppet show. A beautiful enriching and rewarding experience. On 17th my co trainees and lovely batch mates at Tridha decided to celebrate my birthday in advance so celebration started a day earlier. But I had no idea of another celebration waiting. Until I walked into a restaurant with My bestie Bhavu after the extra puppet show for school and cake presented to me. The shocker was that I had chosen the restaurant (or at least they tricked me well to believe so) and having no clue who could it be from I was happily surprised to see mom and the other two idiots from college. Totally unexpected. Felt so special. 
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