"the world"

  O Radha Rani, Queen of my heart, as I bow before you on this auspicious Amla Navami, please grant me your divine grace and forgive this humble attempt to fathom and portray the ocean of your transcendent emotions. ✨ A Woman's Plight: The Unmarried Wife of Vrindavan ✨ The village sleeps, but the flute's call keeps a heart awake. In the cool darkness of the night, a woman walks a path laid out not by her own desire, but by the hands of fate and the weight of society. She is Radha, the very soul of divine love, yet bound by the most human of sorrows. The Knot of Duty, The Vow of the Heart She wears the sindoor and the bracelets of a wife, tied to a man—sometimes named Ayana, or Abhimanyu—whose presence in her life is but a shadow. The scriptures speak of him as a worldly husband, perhaps even one incapable of fulfilling his role, or a mere illusion created by a cosmic design (Yoga-Maya). This marriage, a necessary charade, seals her fate in the eyes of the world. She has a home,...

For many of us, the beginning of our relationship with money often feels disjointed. While I was fortunate to have an early habit of saving, I realized the deeper strategies of investing were something I came to much later. Growing up, there's often a reliance on family to guide us. You might have a parent who, like mine, built their life from the ground up—a remarkable achievement. Yet, sometimes, these generational perspectives don't quite align with our modern reality. There can be an underlying suggestion that financial complexity is something we're meant to defer, perhaps to a future partner. I remember asking about things like Mutual Funds after starting my first job and feeling subtly steered away, almost as if my independence was seen as temporary. In response, I did what felt safest and most immediate: I saved and accumulated assets like jewelry, a way to help my family financially while still making my own spending decisions. 💡 The Unsettling Discovery The true m...

 It's time to talk about the silent killer of female energy: The "Good Girl Syndrome." If you are a woman who is highly capable, the primary emotional caretaker, and finds herself constantly managing chaos instead of enjoying her life, you were likely raised on this outdated software. It’s the internal program that tells you your worth is conditional, that your job is to keep the peace, and that sacrificing yourself is the highest form of love. The problem is, this program is designed for your childhood home, not for your adult, complex life. When you run this software in your marriage, your finances, and your parenting, you don't attract good partners—you attract projects. The Core Lie: You Must Manage to Matter I spent years believing that if I just worked harder, fixed the problems better, managed the money smarter, or simply stayed silent during conflict, I would finally earn the peace and respect I craved. Sound familiar? The "Good Girl" code taught us ...

 I  took a trip down memory lane and revisited the SalarJung Museum in Hyderabad, but this time, the experience came with a welcome modern twist! To my total surprise, the museum now allows smartphone photography and videography! You need to purchase a separate, small ticket, but it's well worth it for the chance to document the stunning collections. I spent the afternoon snapping photos of the many fascinating artifacts, which I'm sharing a few of here! More importantly, it was a fantastic time spent with my son. He was absolutely delighted and excited by everything we saw. It was a great day out for both of us. If you're in Hyderabad, this iconic museum is an essential visit—and now you can leave with your own beautiful photo memories!

  I created this stunning Lipan artwork using almost entirely recycled materials ! You won't believe what this Lipan artwork is made of. No pricey MDF or pottery clay here! ​I built the entire thing from packing cardboard and made the textured "clay" myself using paper mache . It was decorated just like any beautiful mandala —mirrors and bright colors to bring it to life. ​I love using waste materials because home decor trends are always changing. Why spend a fortune and feel guilty later? Creating art this way is cheap, sustainable, and completely guilt-free. ​Need a mental reset? If you have a few hours, ditch the screen. Working on projects like this won't give you instant gratification, but the moment you see your final piece? That's a dopamine rush you earned.

The final look is complete! I’m absolutely thrilled to announce that I finished two more small Lipan art plates today. Truthfully, I wasn't even planning on making them, but my husband’s excitement was all the inspiration I needed! He was so amazed by the first piece that he insisted I complete two more so we could install the entire set on the wall outside our main door, perfectly themed for Diwali. Even though I was completely exhausted, I knew that if I put it off, that feeling of laziness would win. So, I started working on them late last night. Pushing through the tired hours was totally worth it. Seeing all three pieces together now, transforming a plain wall, is such a satisfying moment. That’s the difference between a few minutes of mindless scrolling and an hour of real creativity: no easy dopamine, just the deep satisfaction of seeing your effort come to life. What do you think of the complete set? Let me know in the comments!

 As Diwali approaches and mood is all set to decorate the house. I ended up decorating a small corner.  I did dot mandala art on two bottles with similar patterns to create a symmetrical look around the Buddha statue. I have used gold and silver metallic acrylic colour for the same. 

  ​हे जगत जननी, हे दिव्य शक्ति, सुन ले पुकार इस थके हुए मन की। जीवन की आधी राह चल चुकी हूँ, अब मोह और हठ से थक चुकी हूँ, बस तेरे इशारे पर चलना चाहती हूँ। ​जो मेरे भाग्य से अब मेल नहीं खाता, और बोझ बन मेरे मन को भरमाता, उस हर बंधन की बेड़ी काट दे माँ, मुझे मेरे सच्चे स्वरूप से छाँट दे माँ। ​जीवन पथ में जो भी बाधाएँ हैं, या रिश्तों की चुभती हवाएँ हैं, उन्हें मुझसे शांति से दूर करो, मेरे भीतर को अपने नूर से भरपूर करो। ​अब सही राह मुझको दिखाओ हे माँ, मन के कोलाहल को मिटाओ हे माँ। हिम्मत और स्पष्टता मिला देना, मुझे मेरी अपनी ही आवाज़ सुना देना। ​अपना शेष जीवन तुझको सौंपती हूँ, तेरे न्याय पर भरोसा करती हूँ। पूर्ण विश्वास है, तू ही साथ देगी, जो भी होगा, मेरे हित में ही होगा। ​मेरा आभार स्वीकार करो, हे माँ। ऐसा ही हो, तथास्तु। ॐ शांति। 🙏

 हे जग के नाथ, सुनो मेरी पुकार, इतने मासूम नयन न डालो बारंबार। जब क्षमा मुझे तुम देते ही नहीं, फिर क्यों यूँ करुणा से देखते वहीं। मुझे तो ज्ञात नहीं, किन कर्मों का ये दण्ड है, पर तुम तो जग के सृष्टा, जग माता अनंत। फिर भी क्यों नहीं बरसती कृपा तुम्हारी, किस कसौटी पर ठहरी है ये प्रार्थना हमारी? अरे, माता-पिता तो डाँटने के बाद, प्यार-दुलार भी करते हैं। रूठकर जब बच्चा उदास हो, उसे स्नेह से समझाते हैं। फिर तुम ऐसा क्यों नहीं करते, क्यों मेरी परेशानी बढ़ाते हो? जब मैं इतनी अच्छी नहीं थी, तो मन में मेरे इतने आस क्यों जगाते हो? समझ नहीं आता, अब क्या करूँ मैं, कैसे मान लूँ कि ये दर्द भी मेरे भले के लिए है? पीड़ा से तड़पती हूँ, रोती हूँ, पर मरहम लगाने तुम नहीं आते हो। अब बस करो हे ईश्वर, और मुझे, ले चलो मेरी मंज़िल की ओर। राह दिखाओ और साथ चलो  मेरे, मुझे अकेला न करो।

There's a special kind of magic in the air as Diwali approaches, isn't there? It’s that time of year when we sweep out the old and welcome the new, filling our homes with light, love, and a fresh sense of joy. Inspired by this spirit of renewal, I decided to start with a small project to brighten up a corner of my room. I’m so excited to share my first festive DIY: giving my old lampshade (plain off white shade)a glamorous golden makeover. It was such an easy project, and I'm absolutely in love with its new, warm glow. I hope this little project inspires you to add a personal touch to your own festive decor!

 कितनी प्यारी थीं वो हसरतें मेरी, न महलों की चाह थी, न गाड़ियों के घेरों की। उनमें बसता था बस ढेर सारा प्यार, एक छोटा सा संसार, मेरा अपना घर-बार। रोज़मर्रा की इस आम सी ज़िन्दगी में, एक प्यारा सा सुकून हो अपनी बंदगी में। कि हर सुबह जब भी अपनी आँखें खोलूँ, चंद ख़ास चेहरों को अपने सामने देखूँ। कुछ लम्हें ऐसे हों जो इस जीवन को, और भी हसीन और यादगार बना जाएँ। जैसे बर्फ की सुंदर वादियों के बीच, गर्म चाय की चुस्कियाँ मिल जाएँ। पर इन सपनों का क्या, इन्हें तो, बस तन्हाइयों में ही देखा है। कुछ हकीकतें सपनों से बड़ी हैं बेशक, पर वो सुकून कहाँ जो इनमें देखा है। काश मेरे सपने भी उन चीज़ों जैसे होते, जिन्हें दौलत से खरीदा जा सकता। तो मैं भी एक-एक कर के, अपना हर ख्वाब पूरा कर लेती। मेरे सपने तो बस अधूरे ही रह गए, ये किसी बाज़ार में बिकते नहीं। मुझे अब अकेले ही इन्हें ताउम्र देखना है, बस इस एहसास के  साथ, कि ये कभी पूरे होंगे नहीं।

 News from home usually brings a sense of comfort, a gentle reminder of where I come from. But the recent headlines from Cuttack during the Durga Puja immersion did the opposite; they sent a wave of sorrow through me. On a day meant for the heartfelt farewell of Maa Durga, the streets of my city, which should have echoed with chants and celebration, were silenced by clashes and a curfew. ​As someone born and raised in Cuttack, this is a reality I have never known. The Cuttack I carry in my heart is a city of profound harmony. It's a place where our Odia culture is so beautifully interwoven with respect for all. I've written before about our unique tradition of singing bhajans dedicated to devotees of other faiths—a testament to our inclusive spirit. This isn't just a story; it's our identity. ​We saw this identity shine brightly during the pandemic when the world watched Odisha. The sacred Rath Yatra was granted permission to proceed based on a heartfelt plea from a M...

 We are all told the story of the Jar , a simple and powerful lesson in priorities. A teacher fills an empty jar first with large rocks, then with pebbles, and finally with sand. The moral is clear: if you don’t put the big rocks—your family, health, and core values—in first, you’ll never fit them in. We are taught to build our lives around this principle. And so, a person begins their journey. They carefully place the big rocks in their jar. They add the pebbles of career, ambitions, and material security. They fill the remaining space with the sand of daily tasks and fleeting pleasures. From the outside, their jar looks full, a testament to a life built on sound principles. Yet, for many, a strange paradox emerges. The jar is full, but their spirit feels empty. A quiet hollowness begins to creep in, a sense that something is fundamentally wrong despite having done everything right. The joy, like fine sand, seems to be slipping away through some unseen crack. This is when the...

 Last night, I stepped out of the audience and into the heart of a tradition I had only ever witnessed through a screen. For the first time, I attended a "Mata ki Chowki," an event I had often associated with overwhelmingly loud music, wondering how devotion could flourish amidst such intensity. ​Yet, what I discovered was a profound and beautiful surprise. As I became a part of the vibrant gathering, the very loudness I had questioned began to work its magic. The rhythmic clapping and the powerful surge of the bhajans didn't distract; they focused. They created a space where the constant chatter of the mind had no room to exist. It was a kind of forceful, joyous meditation. My mind, usually a chaotic marketplace of thoughts, fell silent. In that shared energy, there was only the moment—a feeling of pure presence and devotion. ​The experience was a powerful reminder of a universal truth: we can never truly understand the core of something from the sidelines. We can obse...