Author - Jui Purohit.

 I knew I would make it happen. But there was a time when I had doubts. Self-doubts can be injurious- not to your physical health purhaps, but to your mental well-being for sure. "Ahh! It's difficult. How will you manage? Your job, your kids, your joint family.....everything demands time. And there are only 24 hours in a day. Don't exert yourself. It'll take a toll on your health too. The day before, you couldn't sleep. Yesterday, you had acidity. A few days ago, it was an upset stomach. And for the past month, you've been struggling to meet deadlines....".  This voice sounds familiar because it is familiar. It is not the world speaking. It is your own mind- reminding you of your limits, your fears, your exhaustion. Whispering how weak you might be, how many obstacles lie ahead, and how fragile your body feels in those moments.  It builds walls with logic,  brick by brick,  until even your dreams start to feel distant. But beyond all this noise, there is a...

Writing vents all that is stagnant deep inside. Words become therapy and mind feels a certain comfort. You don't want to fight, you are weary of it. But you want to let it out, then what better a medium than writing can come to your aid! Scribble, even if it makes no sense to others. If it heals you, so be it. You don't write because there are readers, you write to feel at ease. The encumbrance just dwindles away, slowly with each word and line. From your dazed mind it just fades away, even if it stays on the paper, the effect it had is no more. It isn't as serious or hurting as it was when your heart was carrying it's burden. And it's there, to revisit and remember how calmly you fought your battles. "It's easy for a writer to say this", is this what you are thinking? I would like to differ. It's not a therapy for a writer alone. Try writing a journal or a diary. I bet you would feel the same. Once you decide to vent it out, the medium isn't p...

 "Why me? Why can't there be a smooth path ahead? Why do you do this to me?", I fight with Bhagwanji. I want answers from Him. I blame Him. I argue, I get upset, I take offence.  "You never listen to me, my prayers", I hold Him accountable, again and again. Yet I know he is listening. He gives back in unexpected ways. He is there up somewhere always listening. No matter how we talk back. No matter what we do. No matter how crudely we hold Him responsible for our deeds.  I know He has my back. He is the Almighty, however, feels like a friend. Sometimes a guide, a philosopher, somebody who is approachable yet not really. I question Him every now and then. I question His plans too. But deep down I know, His plans are always better. I trust Him.  "Just as love is a verb, so is faith" - Nannie Helen Burroughs. But I also am apprehensive, as a human being, who doesn't know what's in store for me. "Have faith", is what my mind keeps telling ...

 "Ahem! Ahem! Hmmm, hmmmm", a strange husky voice filled up the complete atmosphere.  "Such an irritating sound that is", I say to myself. "Why don't they gargle or take some lozenges (cough drops)?". "It wouldn't have been this bad if you had refrained from eating icecreams for consecutive 3 days. What lozenges, you may need antibiotics now!", the hoarse voice iterates. I look around to see who is taunting me. And how are my icecreams their culprits? "None of your business!", I murmur. "Okay then bear with it", the same hoarsely sound. "Who are you and if you've guts speak face to face", I dare the unknown.  But nobody pops out.  Instead the irritation continues, "Hey, ignorant female, it's me, your inner voice". I again look around to see if someone is pranking me. But when I hear this my eyes open wide, "This female keeps changing her mind. She doesn't follow her own set up routi...

 Dear future me, I know you will be in pink of your health. Well, I'm trying to keep you so, to my best efforts.  I try to be punctual with my exercise routine. Also eating properly, not every, but major of the times. You would be surprised to hear that I'm giving up things which are my favourite. Perhaps you won't be much amazed, as you already are in the state, where you've seen more seasons and lived through experiences that have matured you even more. But right now I'm amazed with me being able to leave what was once very dear to me.  As we grow older, things dawn upon us. We regret certain decisions, for being stubborn certain times. Ultimately, we don't yield enough but the time is already wasted. I've discovered that being impatient, adamant leaves you with only anxiety. Instead I'm trying to pacify myself, taking a small step towards that inner peace. You know what? I'm trying to figure out the purpose of my being. Well, I know I sound childi...

  Dreams....what are they made of? Ambitions or passion, How do you prove yourself? Subtly or with aggression? Every morning we get messages saying "Dream on". We read status and stories preaching how important it is to dream and achieve that goal. But what's the other side of the coin? "Dream big and succeed" everyone keeps saying. The dreams have become so big that people want to achieve them by hook or crook. Are dreams really worthwhile if fulfilled by inappropriate means? Chasing dreams does make your life rewarding. And yes, dreams are free. Having said this, following your dreams at the cost of everything else is preposterous. Different strokes for different folks! But life isn't worthy of malicious engagements. Leaving your family without a second thought because you want to achieve something in life and hoping that the accomplished dream will make you happy, not really! Who would be there to celebrate your success? In the end you could be on the top...

 "You've to score good grades at school!" "You've to do your Olympiads!" "You need to have a co-curricular activity or some sports activity!" "You should be able to dance or sing or play a musical instrument!" Oh my my! So much pressure on these little one's learning to adapt and traverse the lanes and by lanes of this complicated world. "But its a rat race! He/she needs to figure it out sooner. Studies, career, universities, the stress builds up as they advance into their grades (classes), isn't it?" Yes, true. It's a tough task for the coming generations. Population is ever increasing. Even though the colleges and courses are increasing in numbers but we have no say on the quality of education they impart. Also the leading universities and colleges are always the first priority, obviously. So the newbies are looked down upon. Also the reservations hinder the paths of many. Well, so what score is a good enough score...

  And 2024 ends..... What a roller coaster ride!  Every year passes by and the new year comes afore, leaving you with something and making you leave something.  It would be quite odd if time doesn't indoctrinate our minds. This year taught me so much, like the previous one and the prior ones too! I have learnt valuable lessons thanks to 2024. The year was challenging, demanding yet gratifying.  What I grasped this year would be exemplar for rest of my life!  The fear of losing your close ones, leaves you petrified. While the close ones are battling, struggling with all their mights, you feel helpless even when you have honest intentions of support. Mental support, yes that can be given in abundance, there's no ceiling to it. But the one you intend to support is going through so much that sometimes just being there, showing up is also helpful.  Sleepless nights, nightmares haunted me for days. But then when you see them valiantly striving and vanquishing the...

 Jaya never talked about it. She always thought that she would be made fun of. No one took her foreboding seriously. When ever she was with someone in a car she would get jolted at crossroads. Her feet hitting the floor of the car even in passenger seat, trying to brake urgently. When she drove herself, her heart would skip a beat while at the crossroads. It was the same even on a scooter or motorbike. When riding pillion she would grab her husband's back tightly and squeeze her eyes shut. "Kyun darti hai itna Jaya", "Arey, don't speed up, varna Jaya darr jayegi", "Yeh back seat driving band kar yaar Jaya", was what Jaya would often hear when travelling with friends. They took her phobia for her cowardice. Jaya took those comments as joke, not taking to her heart. They were Jaya's friends after all. The other day Jaya was driving alone, as usual she slowed down at the crossroads. As if crossing the road on foot, she glanced at both the sides fo...

  Woman, even if you are one, you would agree, cannot be put into a certain mould. She is different from you in many a ways yet similar to you in some or the other way. And when you travel with a bunch of such assorted ladies, its dire fun. Don't give grammar replete significance always. Yes I know that's irony right there....'dire' 'fun'? But you must experience it to understand. And if you haven't experienced yet, get together and plan an all women's tour.  It starts from shopping for the journey. Well yes, women plan a shopping tour, however they love to shop ahead of the tour too. Just another reason to meet and also to confirm what the counterpart is carrying along. She shouldn't miss what others are wearing...right? Moreover repeating costumes for every trip is a strict no! The unsaid rule is; you click pictures and they should look distinct, never redundant.  She tries several colours and multiple fits. Shorts shouldn't be too short and fu...

  "In the end it doesn't even matter..." goes the famous song by Linkin Park band. They say that however hard you try, in the end its going to cease to be.  Well, yes! But does that mean you shouldn't be living at all? People strive their whole lives to be better, to earn more, to be happier, is it all in vain? I don't think so. The phase you are in, you need to enjoy that. Yes it will not be forever but the moment matters. To say it doesn't matter would be harsh.  People work hard to make a place for themselves, build a dream adobe, decorating it as and when they assimilate some wealth. They want to make sure that there are enough assets created for them to not become liability for others, in the future. Slogging and hustling, they try to move forward as far as they can and until they can endure. Premiums are paid, spending their precious youth, to be able to sustain the senescent years of their lives.  "Aging is just another word for living" - Cind...

 I am eager to reach the other side of the river. I cannot swim. I decide to row a boat. Yes, the boat is there at the shore, afloat, waiting for me. I land a gaze at the oars. Oars are in good condition, not worn out, blades are flat enough, for me to row. Now the question is "Have I rowed a boat before?". And wait, the question doesn't end here. "Do I have the strength to row a boat across the river?", "Can I overcome the currents that will obstruct my course?", "Can I row against the flow in case I need to?"....the questions keep popping and I stare at my hands, palms, arms, fingers.....And my brain goes, "Are you so fragile that you've given up even before getting on the boat? Even before taking the oars in your hands? Even before getting to know the river? You've a boat, you've hands and you've the courage, let's get started". Well, life is always like this, isn't it? It throws us in deep waters even bef...

  Goodbyes are difficult. Goodbyes are despairing. Goodbyes are sometimes contemptuous too. But some goodbyes are inevitable, obligatory.  Talking about deaths makes us uncomfortable. But mandatory events as these cannot be disregarded. Bidding goodbye to loved ones is the most difficult. But somethings you ought to do there's no option.  Likeso, every year we bid goodbye to the past year and welcome the coming one. We recapitulate the recently spent 12 months/365 days of our life as to what did we achieve? What difference did we make?  There's a flashback of the whole year in front of your eyes. All the ups and downs are limpid and you weigh everything done, your victories and debacles. Achievements may not essentially be winning prizes or awards, but may mean winning hearts or people. Or just overcoming your fear, or maybe running that extra mile or withal, advertence to self.   Even if you've made a tiny bit difference, you've contributed a diminutive sh...

All the non-marathi readers must be wondering what exactly the title is. It means 'Tadke wala rice', verbatim. We Indians usually don't like to waste food. We make sure the stale food that's edible is converted into something which is different from its original state or taste, to get a feeling of eating something interesting and diverse from the one we had yesterday. Well, mother's especially, have this unique ability to use and reuse everything till its last drop. And isn't it a great habit? Whether its food or clothes, there's so much of labour, effort, sweat and blood that goes into making them.  Starting from the farmer to the manufacturer, to the consumer, everyone in this chain has worked hard to create and utilise all of that. And we can't waste their efforts nor ours. Each house, I'm sure, has that piece of rag, used for cleaning, which was once an elegant garment, adorned by a person in that house. It transforms itself from ourdoor wear to ...

My maid is on leave. What? The title seems confusing? Are you saying I'm translating the phrase in a wrong manner? Absolutely not. The maids of honour are necessary to a bride for a wedding, ain't maids equally important for us ladies in our homes? You call her a house help, you call her didi, tai, maushi, bhabhi etc, etc. doesn't that mean you have some kind of relationship with her? The way you call your other relations by names, kaka, kaki or bhaiyya, maasi and so on and so forth. Why are we trying to initiate a relationship with a woman, working at our place? Why don't we call our subordinates at work, with same names? Why don't we call our bosses, uncles or aunties? Well, this house help is no doubt working for us for money, but she's making our life extremely easy. We don't have to do the tedious job of sweeping the entire house and wiping it clean. We don't have to wash our clothes or utensils daily. We don't have to carry on the laborious and...

   "Buy us Robux (currency in an online game - Roblox), mumma please, mumma please!", were the continuous chants of my sons. A teenager and a 9 year old, both of them love gaming. But the screen addiction makes me vexed. I am absolutely against playing online games and wasting childhood behind the monstrous screens. I kept ignoring their pleads. We finished dinner. Boys went to sleep in their room. And it started raining cats and dogs. Mr. Husband and me got worried, as there's always a waterlogging problem in our area. We live close to the creek, that makes it worse. Mr. Husband and me kept checking the water levels on the road, through our window. It was already 1A.M. The water levels kept rising. We shifted our important bags, some kitchen stuff and TV to our 1st floor. And eventually tired, went to sleep by 2. "Hush! It's Sunday tomorrow (already it was yet), I can get up late", I thought and switched off the alarm. When I woke up, it was already 9 A.M. ...

  The 7 wonders of the world... I wonder why 'Woman' isn't included in it? They say a woman's brain is complicated...they say her emotions are complicated.. yeah, true! But there could be N number of reasons for this! During the 'Early human Era' things were simple. Man was assigned the duty of hunting, while woman had to do the cooking, period. Then...She also had to give birth to children. She also had to raise them, look after them. See now, one is assigned with a specific duty and just a single one. While the other has to do all that remains to do. So now this other person starts multitasking! And here things start getting complicated. When you have so much to do, you have a lot of things going on in your mind, at a time. Your body is doing some work but may be your mind is preoccupied with something other, that has to be done too! You also attach your emotions to all this work. Specially, if its related to your family. Even after slogging for everybody, at ...

 Me: "Hello Doc, my son is suffering from meningitis. Have forwarded his reports to you on WhatsApp and....." Her: "Hey dear, calm down, he's going to be alright... and it isn't just the doc, but your friend saying this!" 'Relieved!!' Yeah that's what I felt. Dr. Priya, my childhood friend. Yes, my goto person in need and other times... We met in kindergarten. We were hardly four, when the saga of our friendship started. We both loved talking since childhood (and we still do). We chatted so much, that our teacher, used to make us sit far apart, in her class. But we would eventually keep shifting closer, (as if we were North and South poles of magnets) till we sat besides each other, again. We literally grew up together. Every other day we used to visit each others house, to play. As we both loved to dance, we prepared our own choreos for our annual functions. We used to be Partners for many of our dances and also 'Partners in crime'. We p...

  Happiness is to ride a bicycle and feel the wind...! I was seven and like every year, we were at Aaji's (granny) house for summer vacation. My Aba ( granpa) was a very active and lively person. That year he was keen on making me, learn to ride a bicycle. Next evening I was ready and equally thrilled to learn something new. Aba held my hand and we both walked down towards the shop that rented bicycles. It was a long walk but I was too fervent to take a halt. Those days parents dint buy a bicycle before their kids learnt how to ride. We had to rent one. It was Rs.2/- per hour with a Rs.100/- deposit. There were bicycles of varying sizes and colour. I picked up a small blue one. We paid a deposit and brought it to a playground near our house. Aba held the bicycle firmly and asked me to sit. I followed his instructions, pressed the paddle and Wohooooooooo! my bike started rolling. Oh! How elated I was! Aba dint let me go. He was pacing faster with each of my paddle. And I had co...

 "Hey! Mungerilal stop day dreaming and finish your homework"... my mom used to say when I dozed off while studying. Mungerilal, a funny character played by Raghubir Yadav from the sitcom 'Mungerilal ke haseen sapne"... he was a day dreamer. He used to build castles in the air and finally end goofed up or something and we all had a good laugh watching it. 90's was an era when the whole family used to finish dinner early and sit together to watch TV. There was no OTT, no online games and moreover no individual devices for entertainment. So it was kind of a happy family time. The series, sitcoms  aired were also clean family entertainers (unlike today's bold content with abusive language). The other sitcom which we enjoyed was 'Wagle ki duniya'... the middle class Wagle family had those down to earth values. Their money saving techniques, at times stingy behaviour, all presented humorously, was worth watching. They would stitch dresses and shirts, curta...