The Tangled Thoughts

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...

  Every time someone questions my music taste—especially my fondness for Punjabi songs—I find myself wondering how anyone could resist the magic woven into their soulful lyrics. Music, after all, is not bound by language; it speaks directly to the heart. As a Tamizhachi , my love for Punjabi music might seem unexpected to some, but it feels completely natural to me. After becoming a Hindi Pandit in the 8th grade, I never imagined that I would one day understand and emotionally connect with songs in languages like Punjabi, Urdu, Odissi, and other Indian tongues. Yet here I am—not only comprehending the lyrics, but also relating them to my own life experiences. Of course, my playlist proudly carries a rich collection of Tamil songs as well, because my roots will always resonate through Tamil music. What primarily draws me toward Punjabi songs is their infectious energy. The fast beats, vibrant rhythms, and powerful vocals instantly lift my mood. While many people my age prefer me...

  Body shaming has, unfortunately, become all too common in the 21st century. It takes real courage to help someone feel good about themselves, and only a few people actually do it. Regardless of age, we can all feel numb at times. There are days when I question if I’m physically fit enough. People have body shamed me, asking, “Are you even intaking oxygen for your survival?” or saying, “You look like you could fly away with the breeze.” If my good nature, intentions, character, and generosity go unnoticed, what else could possibly matter?   Sometimes, I wish I had the same audacity as those who make mean comments about someone’s body—just so I could reply that I am stronger in all the ways that truly count. In any relationship, is it ever acceptable to make such comments in front of others? I remember how excited I once was to make friends in college, only to regret it because one gym-obsessed guy grabbed my hand and said, “Look how lean and thin you are, do eat.” I alway...

  I barely remember what I studied, but all I can visualize are my childhood days. As a kid, I had a lot of friends, and I still remember their faces. There have been days when I had no idea what loneliness is. The early days of my life were filled with joy and happiness.   Playing with my colony friends was part of my daily routine. Technology keeps advancing every second in many parts of the world, but I would still go back to the early 2010s, when outdoor games not only made me physically fit but also fostered a sense of companionship with everyone.   Nowadays, I find people busy with their gadgets and how they hardly notice the presence of others nearby them. But gone are the times when I spent quality time being with girls and boys of different age groups. I don’t know where Anna is now, who taught me how to play shuttle, but I know how to play it because of him. I played hide and seek with my friends. Every time I hid, I took a long breath before getting c...

  Have you ever thought your life is so tough and hard? Every morning of my day begins with the birds chirping and continues with the whizzling of the train sound. Getting freshen up and chasing the train is as equal to that of pursuing one’s goals in life.   My dad drops me at the station and I find the life is becoming so simple as I get to the station before the train arrives but there are days, I need to walk by myself for at least 2 kilometers in order to reach the railway station. I Don’t get exhausted by the long walks but rather feel unfortunate exactly to have witness the train already leaving from the station and I do hear the sound of the train about to leave while I walk through the streets. The platform number of the respective destinations will be announced some minutes back. The passengers moved To and Fro from platform number 2 and platform number 3 after mislead by the announcement for three times wrongly. I saw the group of working men yelling in the ticket c...