My Written Musings

 Food for fun! ‘Under the tree!’ comes the quick response when you ask the students of   Wesley College, where they like to hang out most. They gather in its shade and  munch on the tastiest samosa from the very famous samosa lady. For Rs 6/-  these samosas sell like hotcakes. Almost 300-400 samosas are being sold every day  for the past 15 to 20 years.  The samosa lady and her daughter come in the  morning and stay till they are sold out of all the tasty treats which happens very fast.  Garnished with mirchi and onions ‘for free,’ these stuffed  Indian   delights taste their very best. Apart from  the samosa and the ‘wisdom tree’ what’s famous in Wesley College is the  Anand Theatre bus stop right outside which is the hangout for all the degree  students .   Adjacent to it are Gyaneshwar Anna’s cigarette stall and  Laxmi Chat Bhandar. ‘Most of the guys come for a smoke. They  hang around and chitchat. I am good friends with a few of them too’ says  Gyaneshwar. There is always a stall

The mere mention of the word "anxiety" sends shivers down my spine. I often find myself frozen with overwhelming thoughts, struggling to calm down as people around me offer well-intentioned advice. It's just who I am, I thought - my eccentric self. The feeling of being overwhelmed engulfs me, leaving me restless and constantly fidgeting. I've dealt with this since forever, evident from my nonexistent fingernails. Perhaps you'd ask about my childhood. It was comfortable, but I was no easy child to handle. A defining aspect of my early years was the intense "people-pleasing" I engaged in. Being liked was my lifeline, and I went to great lengths to gain appreciation. Emotions consumed me, and they still do. Behind the facade of a writer, I wore a mask to hide my anxiety. I let it sabotage my relationships and dream opportunities, leaving me in disarray. My ambition to be a travel blog writer was curtailed by anxiety's relentless grip. I beli

We embarked on an unforgettable journey to the southern-most tip of India, where the radiant sun led our way along jasmine-infused streets lined with lush greens. After refreshing ourselves and paying homage at the Kanyakumari temple, we set sail for what would become a life-changing experience for me. Our destination was the renowned Vivekananda Rock, located in the heart of the Indian Ocean, accessible by boat. This sacred spot was where the great leader Swami Vivekananda attained enlightenment, and to my amazement, I felt a profound sense of awakening as well. Here, the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea embraced the Indian Ocean in a majestic dance of colors. The verdant shades of the Bay of Bengal intertwined with the azure hues of the Arabian Sea, while the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean shimmered like a peacock's feathers on an enormous stage, embellished by the setting sun. It was a mesmerizing kaleidoscope of colors that left me spellbound. As I stood by the rail

Indian Mythological Heroes in Olympics Our Indian mythologies - Mahabharatha and Ramayana Our Indian mythologies, Mahabharatha, and Ramayana, are rich with stories of great warriors, epic battles, and glorious triumphs. What if these legendary heroes magically reappeared in our modern time and space and represented us in the Olympics? With their extraordinary skills and abilities, we would undoubtedly secure all the gold medals! Archery: Arjuna Arjuna was an exceptionally talented archer, favored by his teacher Dronacharya. He won Princess Draupadi's hand in marriage by hitting the eye of a fish reflected in the water, showcasing his unmatched skills. With his precision and focus, he will hit the bullseye effortlessly, winning us the much-awaited GOLD! Wrestling: Bheema Bheema, the brother of Arjuna and one of the five Pandavas, possesses unmatched strength. He single-handedly defeated all 100 Kauravas during the Kurukshetra war, including t

Illustrator: Akanksha Thapa They say love happens to you when you least expect it and it couldn’t be truer than in my case. Little did I know on that fateful day of January 30th 2012, that my life was about to change forever. That’s the day I met my soul mate and this is my story. Love happened to me in the second year of my college. Let me recap: I was bored to death with the robotic routine of go to college, come back home, eat and sleep so I was desperately looking for something more to do. That’s when I saw an ad outside a small book store in my neighborhood. It read: “Librarian Wanted.” Mind you, for a hyper 19-year-old me, it sounded like music! I laughed to myself, “So they’re gonna pay me to just sit there and read books? That’s awesome!” And so it began, my sojourn of working as a part-time librarian in that private local library. All I had to do was make a note of who was borrowing which book and I was set! I was feeling great about my new job and I was over the

Scene 1: Ext/Day/A secluded road Alan anxiously waits for Amy, sitting on a raised pavement, constantly checking his watch. (Mid Long shot: Alan looking down at his fingers with a worried expression / Background music) (BG: He sits in front of a closed shutter near a Y junction adjacent to the road) As a blurred silhouette approaches him, Alan takes out his mobile phone and dials Amy's number. (Close up) Amy comes into view, walking towards Alan with a tear-stained face. (Shoulder shot of Amy) Alan stands up, looking at Amy, who appears distressed. (Medium Long shot with music playing in the background) (BG: Junction in the background) They walk together in silence. (Long shot) Alan attempts to speak, but Amy starts talking. "My mom kept me awake all night, Alan. She asked me to choose between you and my parents." (Medium shot) A worried expression crosses Alan's face as he wipes off a bead of sweat. (Medium Close up of Alan as he looks at Amy) Amy glances at t

It happened 7 years ago, but the memories are as vivid as if it were yesterday. That year was undoubtedly the best of my life, as I experienced the magic of falling in love. Deeply enamored by the feeling, I was eager to explore this emotion. However, my heart and mind were in constant conflict. Being an emotional person, my heart led the way, unbeknownst to me at the time. It was a cold winter night, and I, a college student working part-time at a library, was wrapped in layers of warm clothing. Little did I know that on January 30th, 2012, my life would take an unexpected turn. I laid eyes on a stranger who would later become my best friend, soul mate, lover, and husband. Our connection blossomed rapidly as we chatted through the night. The adrenaline rushed through me, and I felt alive and happy. However, doubt and fear crept in as I questioned my intense feelings for someone I just met. Despite the societal taboo against dating in my community, I couldn't resist the magnet

No, I am not a fashion designer or the fashion police, nor am I a fashion diva. I simply believe in comfort, and I've worn mismatched and unflattering clothes for years, not caring about how I looked. To me, it was about being carefree, but to others, it seemed careless. I used to believe that it shouldn't matter what others think of you, but I've come to realize that certain situations in life require you to be taken seriously, and if you don't care about your appearance, no one else will either. Recently, I landed a job in the fashion world, which made me reflect on my hidden passion for fashion. I've always wanted to work for a fashion and lifestyle magazine, and it seems that my choice of Mass Communication as my field of study was aligned with this passion. I've always been drawn to fashionable things, from style and lifestyle to trends, makeup, and beauty. I admire women who carry themselves with grace and style, and I constantly read article

I need you I need love in my heart My heart is lonely and alone My love is pure, so true My heart is vacant just for you I've been waiting for so long I kept singing this solitude song My heart keeps weeping then and now That I can never reach To your heart and your beautiful soul and then Your smile, your love, and your faith Can nothing be done to get things back I can't stay regretting all my life I need you to give me some space in your heart I need you to give me your love You always have all my true love But you never realized... What do I do to make you believe? My tears will tell you all that you need I'm in scarcity of tears to weep Without you, my heart is pounded deep I'm really tired of staying awake with you In my mind hurting every time There can be no other solution We've got to understand each other better and I need you to give me some space in your heart I need you to give me your love Can you forgive me for the whole thing in the past And start ov

In the past few days, there have been numerous short films, debates, discussions, and videos highlighting our increasing dependency on technology. Whether it's the addiction to selfies, social networking sites, games, or news in general, technology has become an inseparable part of our lives. The ongoing debate questions whether we can survive without this technology and still consider ourselves developed or developing. EFLUites, the students and lecturers of EFL University, share their perspectives on the matter. Spandana, an EFLU student, observes people walking into her on campus, engrossed in their phones, and even her classmates browse their mobiles during class. She believes that we are becoming slaves to technology, which will have consequences in the near future. However, she acknowledges that technology is a boon for handling assignments and research, but emphasizes the importance of setting  limits. EFLU lecturers also share similar concerns, as technology has led to an

Delhi is synonymous with all things that describe and make India. Not only because it is the capital city of the heterogeneous nation but because it is an amalgamation of culture, tradition, colour, grandeur, vibrance and festivity. Through its amazing aura, radiates the spirit, soul and love of Delhiites for living larger than life. One defining factor of the magnanimous Delhi city is the gut roaring aromas that engulf its scanty streets. One cannot help but drool over the magical madness of its varied cuisines. Here are some popular eat outs in the Delhi NCR region you cannot afford to miss: The Uber-Famous Chandni Chowk: If you want to show a foreigner the absolute essence of India, take them to the streets of Chandni Chowk in Delhi where the treats at Paranthe Wali Gali are almost equivalent to a king's feast. Aloo Parantha, Gobi and Mattar will make your tongue sweat while you will be boggled by choices and varieties that range from paneer parantha to dry fruit pa

I recently read an amazing article that changed my perspective on life. The article was written by Celestine Chua and she talks about having a bucketlist.   The author's encounter with someone else's bucket list sparked their own desire to create one and share their insights in a post. A bucket list is a collection of goals, dreams, and life experiences one wishes to accomplish before passing away.  By living without clear objectives, we risk being consumed by mundane daily tasks. The bucket list serves as a reminder of what truly matters, encouraging us to seize every moment and make our lives meaningful.  Creating a personal bucket list is a cost-free and invaluable exercise that provides clarity and direction in life. It opens up possibilities beyond societal norms, allowing us to plan and relish every highlight of our unique journey. The objective isn't fear of death, but rather the desire to maximize our existence and focus on what truly brings fulfillment.  So, if you

In the modern age, where progress and enlightenment are celebrated, it's disheartening to witness the persistent struggles faced by women. A recent incident on television, as I was channel surfing, left me questioning the plight of women in our society. I stumbled upon a scene of a saas (mother-in-law) berating her bahuraani (daughter-in-law) for a seemingly trivial act - adding onions to a curry. The young woman, in her delicate saree, wept profusely, her tears tarnishing the beauty of her jewel-studded attire. Why does such injustice persist? This portrayal on television, while seemingly dramatic, reflects the bitter reality of many women's lives. The issue of dowry, which may not have been about onions in this case, has been a longstanding menace. Mother-in-laws tormenting their son's wives is not an uncommon story. Countless women face abuse, both emotional and physical, when they fail to meet unreasonable dowry demands set by their husbands' families. Records illus