Founder of eShe magazine (eshe.in) and the peacebuilding initiative South Asia Union (southasiaunion.com). Features in and as 'The Unsuitable Girl', in episode 1 of 'Love Storiyaan' on Amazon Prime. Email: aekta@eshe.in
One of the most significant things about my Buddhist practice is ‘giving guidance’ through home visits. A senior practitioner visits a new one, showing him or her how to chant, and some theories and principles about Buddhism to apply to daily life. It’s a direct transmission of the Buddha’s teachings, from one’s heart to another, … More Giving, giving, gone
It never fails to astonish me how different we all are, and yet how alike; how varied our life circumstances and challenges, and yet how similar. Here are a few case studies of people I’ve met recently or know intimately: 1. She’s 19, earns Rs 9000 a month while studying part-time, lives with unemployed parents … More Many many, same same
I was cornered into trying out the Seacret body moisturiser on my last visit to Select Citywalk mall. When I admired its smell and texture, the saleswoman asked me if I’d like to try out a bit of magic. She then proceeded to buff my fingernails with a cuboid, using different coloured sides in succession. … More Product review: Seacret Nail Care Collection
I usually hate shopping in malls. There is something very draining about the whole process. Since I only go on weekends, I have this perception of malls being extremely crowded. Secondly, since I am usually shopping for clothes and there aren’t many options for people of my size and shape, I end up feeling very … More Shopping for surprises
Wishes are usually granted to me in twos and threes. Yesterday, it was a ‘two-wish-fulfilment’ day. I was in the mood to show some love to a junior colleague and sent out a sincere wish, with a hand on my heart, for a special international invitation to come my way, which I would gift to … More A wish in time
I went to the wealthy farmhouse area called Pushpanjali Farms near the airport to drop my teen for a birthday party this morning. The host child wasn’t home, so we sat in the car and chatted, enjoying the sun and each other’s company. Finally, I had to leave for an appointment so I decided to drop … More Unexpected luxuries
The month of February has been perhaps the most emotionally tumultous of my recent life. Within this time, three deaths confronted me one after the other; the first, a 42-year-old mother of my daughter’s best friend. She felt giddy, asked her husband for a glass of water, had a sip, put her head back and … More Three deaths, two births, a miscarriage and a divorce
When I first read Aravind Adiga’s The White Tiger, I was blown away by a feeling that can only be described as, “Wow, I have never ever read anything like this before. What a book.” It left me shaken and disturbed in all the wrong places, while also marvelling at the piece of true literary … More Book review: ‘Artist, Undone’ by V Sanjay Kumar
I really liked the song Dil toh bachcha hai ji when the Vidya Balan-starrer Ishqiya was released. I found it cute and would often hum along when it came on the radio: Dil toh bachcha hai ji. Haan, thoda kachcha hai ji. (The heart is just a child. Yes, it’s a bit unripe.) Today, though, … More Old and unripe
Today, I realised that I am a closet ‘clothes-folder’. I got an inkling of my ‘condition’ a few years ago when my niece, who was just beginning to talk then, pointed out to a bunch of folded clothes lying on a chair and said, “Bua.” Today, however, I realised how chronic my problem was. There … More The addiction
It’s surprising how different people can view the same situation with totally different eyes and opinions. Last week, my younger one hosted a surprise birthday party for her best friend at home. Some 13 kids came over directly from school (and how blessed we are to live right across from it) but due to a … More They made a noise
I read this news snippet today about a book by an Australian nurse, Bronnie Ware, called The Top Five Regrets of the Dying. The article ends with a prompt to ask yourself, what would you regret if you died today? I asked myself that just now, and the answer that came was, “I regret not living … More My dying regret
The1967 song Mast Bahaaron Ka Mein Ashiq has been on replay mode in my head for the past many weeks. Especially its refrain: Saara jahaan hai mere liye, mere liye (the whole world was made for me, for me). I don’t know where it came from but it stuck, and it pops up every time … More Rafi-esque moments
On some days, a wave of pointlessness washes over me. It’s rare, for sure, because I am otherwise an optimistic person who chooses to see the positive side of all situations. But for the past few days, there’s an existentialist sense of, “What’s the whole point of this?” 1. Am I in the right profession? … More Looking into the future
Having interviewed various high-profile women in my jobs, today I had a sudden realisation that came with a wave of gratitude: How blessed am I that I was not born into a well-connected political or wealthy business family. Their life sounds so envious from the outside but here’s what they trade in for being who … More Goldilocks and good fortune
100 Paths 