A mum's letters

So, like all once upon a time stories... There was a girl who fell in love despite her family's dinasaurous efforts of keeping her away from any boy. I was made to study in a girls' school, neighborhood boys were given bribery (I am sure, in form of Goldmohar tobacco pouches or cheap beedi) to ignore me completely, my father befriended strictly those who were blessed with girl child only. I am sure Lord Budhha's father didn't put such herculean efforts to keep her son away from worldly sorrows that my father put to keep me away from every male of my age who was not my brother in one simple or some complex way. But... But is a strong word. It opens the doors of opportunities in times as dark as our respected politician's heart. Sitting hundreds of miles away, my father was busy sipping his tea hot after throwing me in one of nation's best  "Girls' University" So, "but happened" in my life and I found that in this high-walled, h...

The minute I start scrolling through my social media account, I start seeing #metoo. And as if seeing stories of women who went through all the horrible things was not enough, people are creating jokes with the hashtag, sharing posts against the campaign that are full of lewd comments from equally insensitive people with sick mentality. Isn't it all, at the end, justifying women's decision to stay silent??? They knew that they wouldn't be believed, that they would be seen as gold-diggers and character less! First thing that all the people are asking is, "Why did they stay silent for so long?" I ask, how do YOU know that they stayed silent? May be they spoke but no one wanted to support them and they alone didn't have courage and resources to go against their predators. May be they spoke but their families hushed them. May be they spoke but they had no platform to make their voice audible. May be they spoke but they were threatened. May be.....

A few days back, me and my daughter both had an upset tummy. I just felt full as I had ate a lot of food the day before and my toddler didn't want to eat for God knows what reason which is very usual with her. So, I thought to skip breakfast. My girl also did not eat her usual amount of food. By noon also, my tummy wanted to continue the food strike but I '"wanted" to eat. My body did not need food yet I "craved" for food. Food was on the back of my mind all the time until i gave in and ate. I felt bloated and nauseated all day. On the other hand, my daughter had only few morsels for lunch, nothing for snacks and a very light dinner. she was happy, active and chirpy... her usual self. That day, I realized that I eat for so many other reasons than my hunger; I eat when I am sad. I eat extra when there is some favorite.   I eat when I can't sleep at night. I keep on munching when I am not actively doing something. I eat as I want to FINISH...

Ira and Maan were siblings and apple of their parent's eyes. Ira was 9 years and Maan was 7 years old. Today, they are going to their Nani's place as mummy needs to attend a conference in Delhi. So she will drop them at nani's place and pick them up on her way back. This is the first time when they would stay at nani's without mummy and that too for a good whole week.... Ira and Maan are so looking forward to spending their winter vacations at nani's place. Both the kids were too happy to be with their many many cousins. Days were filled with all sort of games and nights were peaceful.  But something was constantly bothering Ira. She was noticing that Nani always discriminates between girls and boys. No, it was not that she loved one child more or less than others but it was a subconscious thing. She will ask Ira to peel the peas and Maan was supposed to go out and bring things from nearby shop. Ira's duty was to help her aunts in serving food while Ma...

There was a fairy. No, not the one with long hair, floor length gowns or tiara on the head. But, a fairy....Like you and every other girl you know. She was a fairy because her parents named her Fairy and treated her like one. Fairy was a happy, helpful and jolly girl and her life was perfect. Perfect... until she started her new school and an ugly reality hit her hard. Her classmates started calling her names because she had braces in her teeth and pimples on her face. Fairy was dismayed because as far as she knew beauty had nothing to do with one's physical appearance. When Fairy's mother picked her up in the evening, she was sad and perplexed. She had many questions floating in her tiny head and tears in her eyes. Mumma understood that something was not right that day. When they got settled in the bed for their good night sleep. Mumma hugged her tight and asked the reason of her being so sad. "Kids in my school think that I am not beautiful." "Th...

Another new year is just another day.... Another day of you sleeping to the glory in the morning when I can't sleep And me watching and soaking in all your beauty and innocence. Another day of you achieving your toddler monster mission of taking this house down, And me slogging behind with my lazy mommy mind and tired mommy feet. Another day of you spitting that morsel loaded with ghee and made with all I knew, And me gobbling all the remaining food up ignoring my bulging tummy. Another day of you running around to fight my attempts to put some oil in your head, And me worrying that I didn't have the good hair genes to pass on to you. Another day of you looking at me with those petrified eyes when I try to bathe you, And me wondering if I am being hard on you if I wash that dirt ridden face of yours Another day of you sucking, biting and dangling from these mounds of flesh nurturing you, And me chalking out a strategy to wean you and failing at it every singl...

Dear baby, Today, I had a little argument with your mausi. She was asking me to buy you new clothes for Diwali. I was saying that we still have 4-5 new dresses and those are perfect for Diwali. She was not convinced. Then your nani also lectured me some for not buying new clothes for Diwali. I tried to tell them that in past people did not have the luxury of buying new clothes every other month, infact, going to the markets was a luxury in itself. So they used to wait for festivals to go to the market and splurge on shopping. The rarity of this was a charm in itself to mark the beginning of the festivities. But.. today, we go outside every other day. Malls are a place to hang out and if you see something CUTE for the kids, the temptation is too hard to resist. Even if you don't go outside then online shopping is there. Hardly goes a month or two when I am not buying some dress or some toys as you are outgrowing your stuff so quickly. Then why all this halla gulla about Diwali ...