A quick guide to not sexually harass women

The media today is constantly turning out a crapstorm of men of power, woke men, pseudo feminist men et al at the center of sordid sexual encounters. By that I mean plain old sexual harassment. Earlier I used to read such news with disgust and indignation. Now all I have is frustration and impotent rage. …

Today

Today I witnessed history being made. Today I saw the judiciary in its full glory – trashing social mores and taking up for the persecuted. Today after a long time, I logged into a happy, positive, encouraging Twitter. Today I understood why many men and women in my India felt they could finally breathe free. …

The deepest red

"These highlights would look really pretty in your hair", he insisted. He probably didn't know she was a virgin. A hair colour virgin, that is. Over the years, these lovely locks had known a friendly pat, playful tugs and even passionate tussles. But they had to yet to even face a hair dryer, much less …

Strange friendships -1

It was a strange friendship. They had nothing in common. But they were so close. She adored him. He worshipped her since the day he saw her. She made him laugh. He taught her to smile. She loved to hear him sing. He would spend hours listening to her chatter. He used to bake brownies …

What will people say?

This question was the guiding principle of the Rajan family. All decisions, be it Appa buying a second hand car, Amma wearing nighties at home, or putting Kavita in veena classes, or letting Swati ride a Scooty to college, were made after putting it to the test of “what will people say?”. If the family …

Tell me a story

“Mummy, mummy, story, please!” Little Ritika hovered around tugging at Indira’s sari. “Not now, dear, I have a lot work to do”, she bustled about the kitchen chopping, frying and stirring. Rishi had invited his friends for drinks. Again.  He’d called her just as she was stepping out for her yoga class, and told her …

To my little girl

My dear little girl, I fell in love with you the moment I saw you. Your father, well, he thinks the sun rises when you open your eyes, and the best music in the world is your laughter. As parents, we have many hopes, dreams and wishes for you. And we also have our secret …