The itch to write

We have grown bewitched with the art of looking young, Of flawless skin and faces untouched by time. We chase the glow, the smoothness, the perfect hue, As though beauty were a thing the years could undo. A thousand steps to preserve a youthful face, A thousand promises of beauty, youth and grace. Yet, in this endless pursuit of perfection, Have we forgotten beauty's true reflection? We worship the skin, the face, the fleeting glow, While neglecting all the things that help us grow. We tend to the surface, so carefully and well, But what of the deeper things that dwell? Care for your heart, your liver, your lungs, The words you speak, the songs you have sung. Your body is more than the face you show; There is so much more to nurture and know. For beyond the skin, beyond the face, Lies a beauty untouched by time's embrace. A beauty that no mirror can reveal, A quiet grace that only the heart can feel. Let the years pass; let the fine lines appear, Let silver strands replace the ...

 It has been 9 years since I married Rohit and became a part of this beautiful family, and in that time I came to know Amma as an all-rounder.  I remember once asking Appa about the collection of awards in the showcase, and he told me that most of them belonged to Amma. From writing to creative thinking, to receiving “Best Employee” awards at Cochin Refinery.. ( thats wher she worked) —she was always at the top in everything she did. I even came across her handwritten recipe book, filled with recipes for many dishes including doughnuts which was uncommon back then. Every page was written with neat handwriting and exact measurements. Rohit often told me how Saturdays at home were almost like a feast when Amma would prepare a variety of new dishes for the family. Food was her love language and she found joy in serving the family.  Amma had a way of finding cute coincidences. Amma told me soemthig she had figured out. she told that all the daughter in laws of the house....

  ​Losing a childhood friend feels like losing a piece of your own history. Our journey began in Baroda, Gujarat, where for three years we played together and our families grew close. Those years created a bond that time could never erase. I still vividly remember how my sister and I, along with Ansu and her little sister, Anju, would play together. We spent so much of our time trying to entertain Anju since she was the smallest among us. ​While life eventually took us on different paths, social media allowed us to find each other again. We exchanged messages and caught glimpses of each other’s lives, always assuming there would be more time to truly catch up. ​The sudden news of Ansu’s passing on December 31st has brought my world to a standstill. It was a heavy, silent shock to lose someone like her. Watching the funeral online broke my heart, especially seeing her parents, her sister Anju, and of course, her husband and child. ​I am holding onto those three years of laughter...

 As much as the holiday season can be beautiful, it can also feel incredibly complex for many people.  These days often arrive as quiet reminders of time moving forward, catching us off guard and stirring emotions we didn’t expect. Sitting at the table and noticing who is missing. Thinking back to last year, when life looked so different.  What begins as simple remembrance can easily drift into deep sadness, right in the middle of a season that’s supposed to feel cheerful and light. If this is something you’re feeling this year, I want you to know there is room for you here—and that you are far from alone. It’s completely natural for happiness and grief to exist side by side. Feeling joy doesn’t erase the sadness, and feeling sad doesn’t take away from the joy. Both can be true at once. And perhaps that’s one of the most important truths to hold onto during this season: it’s okay to feel both joy and sorrow together.  Welcome the moments of happiness without guilt, a...

My father’s brother — our dearest Lalu Uncle — went to be with the Lord in October 2025. He had travelled to Delhi to deliver this TEDx talk, but sadly, he never got the chance. He passed away before he could step onto that stage. If he had delivered this speech, it would have been one of the most inspiring and viral talks of all time. Take just 2 minutes to read through his incredible testimony — a journey of failure, faith, resilience, and destiny. The last speech Abraham Zachariah prepared – to deliver at TEDx I didn’t go to school. I was sent to school. Hence, for 10th standard, marks were very low and I could get admission only for Commerce group, as no one wanted (is 55 years ago) in my home state Kerala. My mother was very upset as my cousins and friends got into Science groups and she pushed me into Commerce Group. I was used to tell everyone that “Useless fellow, useless fellow, useless fellow are in Commerce Group and all the useless ones are in commerce group.” She was...

 "Not Lazy, Just Lost" — A poem for every parent wondering why their brilliant child struggles at school. They say: “My child is clever, sharp, and bright, A spark that glows with inner light. So why do grades not match the flame? Why does school feel more like shame?” It isn’t sloth, it isn’t pride, It’s a quiet storm they hold inside. The world applauds the neat and still— But not the child with thoughts that spill. We breathe relief when school begins, Uniforms on, routine kicks in. Yet many minds feel left behind, Their rhythm different, undefined. School asks for silence, rows, and rules, Suppressing hearts in crowded schools. Where feelings loud and minds that roam, Are told to "focus" or "go home." But look beneath what’s judged as slack, You’ll find a child under attack— By doubts, by noise, by social fear, By never quite belonging here. The day is long, the smiles are few, They mask, they shrink, they push on through. They come back home with wear...