The Tangled Thoughts

  I never knew what love was. Is it falling for the same person again and again, even after they hurt you? Or is it like the months of a year repeating, yet returning with new experiences, fresh hopes, and hard-earned lessons? Is love about keeping promises, or about breaking them and calling it growth? Will they accept you as you are, or reject you like an interview panel searching for someone better? Is it living joyfully with the present girlfriend or boyfriend, or remaining trapped in the past even after finding someone new? Does choosing not to post her on social media mean you are unsure of the relationship, or afraid of losing attention from the opposite sex? If Ambani, a billionaire businessman, can make time for his spouse and family, what stops you from spending quality time? If the plan to marry belonged to two people, why does one execute the same plan with someone else? Possessiveness can be sweet but when does it become toxic...

  In the age of rapidly blooming technology, social media has occupied a significant position in human life. From grabbing attention to influencing minds, these platforms encourage users to spend long hours scrolling endlessly. This raises an important question: is the growth of social media platforms a boon or a bane? As a child, I was unaware of how technology functioned. Gradually, with the emergence of various applications and social media platforms, I began to understand how individuals are drawn into a digital bubble for different causes and reasons. WhatsApp initially served as a platform to exchange wishes and greetings—especially “good morning” and “good night” messages. Over time, it evolved into a medium for sharing news, which often includes both authentic and fake information. Many such messages appear convincing, leading people to assume they are true. As a result, misinformation is repeatedly reshared with numerous contacts, amplifying its impact. On the posit...

Beauty is admired, but never held long enough. Compliments fall soft, while silence roars between us. A hand is held— not tightly, not forever. Eyes meet, say what lips are too afraid to confess. Words are spoken, yet none stay. Cold coffee weeps, droplets bleeding down the glass, mirroring the tears I refuse to hide. The cut is plastered, pain dressed up as healing. Lipstick-stained napkins are folded like fragile memories, hidden inside a wallet meant to remember me. But the wallet is lost— and with it, every promise. Just as easily, he lost me.

  Privacy, in my opinion, is allowing individuals to have their own space and respecting their personal boundaries. Life often feels like smooth sailing when it is lived privately. In today’s world, people tend to be over the moon about their achievements—ranging from children scoring high marks in board examinations or competitive exams to adults celebrating promotions and career milestones. But do achievements in academics or professions truly teach one how to lead a private life? Sometimes, silence itself carries an aura more powerful than words. From the very day a child is born, parents experience immeasurable joy. Many feel an urge to show the world that their child is fortunate to have them. This is often expressed through grand celebrations, especially the first birthday. Today, the number of tiers on a cake seems to decide the wealth and status of the parents. Inviting relatives, friends, and colleagues is a joyful affair—but what about celebrations within the four walls...

As a child, every parent takes great care of their sons and daughters. Wherever they go, they ensure that the child feels loved and safe in their hands. Most children cling closely to their parents and are unwilling to go to anyone else—be it family members, relatives, or strangers. However, once they start going to school, children are surrounded by many others like them, stepping into a new world where they begin to meet new people and gradually feel safe in their presence. At the primary and secondary school levels, children mostly perceive things positively due to their abundant optimism towards people and situations. Even when hormonal changes begin during early adolescence, they try to understand and express their emotions, seeking connections with others and still finding people to be a source of excitement in their lives. For instance, they start prioritizing bonds and relationships—whether with friends or with someone they feel infatuated with—and this often leads to argumen...

  As a child, I always dreamt of becoming a teacher. I remember draping a shawl like a saree and pretending to teach in an empty hall, my voice echoing back as if an invisible classroom were listening. As I grew older, I was surrounded by images of celebrities, paparazzi flashes, airport looks, red carpets, and curated smiles. But somewhere along the way, a question began to trouble me:  who are the real actors and actresses of our society?  Are they the ones who perform well on screen and earn fame, or the ones who silently transform generations? Today, I see some of my friends as teachers, and they are nothing short of queens. They don’t run behind changing their own lives, but work tirelessly to bring change in the lives of students. Even when the pay is modest, their joy is immense. Their classrooms may be small, but their impact is vast. The pride I feel when I think of my seniors teaching in Arunachal Pradesh is indescribable. They endure extreme weather, cros...