Wordsmith at work

  Brring! Time to greet the day. Ha! The snooze button Is in the way. I look it in the eye And bid it a tearful goodbye.   Morning concoctions, And coffee bubbles away. I must not delay.   The doorbell rings. I hurry with the garbage bin. The breakfast menu I must decide: Paratha or dosa With chutney on the side.   Household chores Are a mighty bore. If not tackled, They’ll pile up. As tall as the door.   The maid’s on time. I thank the Lord Divine. She’s as quick as an arrow Much to my sorrow. Gone, before I could say hello!   Lunch and dinner: Clean and chop, Sizzle and pop, Sauce and gravy, Simmer away in the pot.   The afternoon arrives Singing a sweet lullaby Slowly, but surely, I succumb to a shut-eye.     Evening unfolds: Time to hit the jogging track. Temptation wins: I curl up with a book and snack.   The darkness of night Slowly co...

Life throws quite a few challenges at us, and many of those challenges require us to make decisions, but may leave us feeling overwhelmed. There are the minor decisions that we must make regarding what to wear or eat or how to spend the day, and then there are the big ones. The big ones are major life-transforming decisions. We are called to weigh the pros and the cons very carefully, and seek advice before saying the all-important yes or no. We are not bound by the advice. The big decisions may include opting for a certain line of medical treatment, the sale or purchase of property, marriage, academics, choosing a career, or making major financial commitments. They may call for greater thought and planning before they are executed. They involve risks, the outcomes of which are not guaranteed.     Being spiritually inclined, I first generally whisper a prayer before I have to make a decision on a really important matter. Then I may turn to family and friends for advice,...

    I watched the movie Bookclub a few years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it. The movie follows the lives of four women who have been meeting for forty years as book club members, bonding over the books they read and becoming friends. When they read Fifty Shades of Grey, they begin to view their lives from different perspectives. Well, this is not a review of the movie but about my foray into the world of book clubs. A friend recently started a book club but has slightly tweaked its format. I was quite reluctant to join at first because I don’t consider myself a serious reader, and I'm trying to read more. I declined the invitation but, on second thought decided to dive in, and I wasn’t disappointed. The tweaked version of the book club saw us not reading and discussing a single chosen book but instead following a topic or theme. This time, each member told a tale from Aesop’s Fables together with the moral, after which a short discussion on the moral ens...

Hey, Dad! I've been thinking about you. You’re always in my thoughts, Dad, but this letter is a special Father’s Day tribute to a special dad—you. Thirty-five years ago, you passed away on your wedding anniversary, leaving a big hole in our hearts. Now, you have Mom to keep you company. How I wish you had met your grandsons, Dad. You have six of them. They are all wonderful boys, shining and sparkling in their own right. One grandson shares your passion for music. I‘ve inherited your booming voice, Dad, but not your singing voice. I croak. It doesn’t matter. I sing anyway. You were too kind and generous for your own good, and despite being cheated, you never stopped being so. And the Lambretta scooter… you’ve helped so many avoid the inconvenience of public transport and helped folks get to their destinations on time. I can vividly recall the rides you gave me on that scooter—to school, college, here, there, and everywhere. You were quite the bookworm, and yes, your...

  Competitive Exams     Exams are a testing time for both students and parents. The word exam produces varied reactions. Some get goosebumps and turn into a bundle of nerves, while others take it in their stride. Competitive exams take that ‘testing time’ to a whole new level. Competitive exams are usually held for admission to premier institutions like the IITs and IIMs, which are scarce in the country and are considered to be the gateways to a better life. The preparation for these exams is a long and rigorous process, and they may not always bear the desired fruit. Kota in Rajasthan is considered to be the IITJEE coaching capital. Arohi Deshpande, the country’s highest-ranked girl candidate in the 2026 IITJEE advanced exam, enjoyed the whole-hearted support of her family when they too shifted base to Kota during those crucial preparation years. Again, not all candidates will have their entire families with them. They would have to rough it out on their own ...

 The Last Tree on Earth Tells Its Story Imagine a world, parched and barren, a silent world where you never hear the chirping of birds or the rustling of leaves, and in the midst of this depressing landscape stands a lone tree, weathered and wise. If it could speak, what would it say? The tree would tell a sorrowful tale.   “I once belonged to an endless grove of trees. Tall and sturdy, with thick woody, leafy branches and roots firmly grounded in the soil, our leaves were different shades of green, forming a magnificent sight. We were the lungs of the earth, the source of balance. Children climbed and swung from our branches and played in the shade we provided. We were home to the birds, and squirrels happily scampered up and down our trunks. Our wrinkled bark held the secrets of lovers.  We witnessed the changing seasons—the joys of spring, the warmth of the summer, the freshness and cleansing of the rain the golden splendour of autumn, and the quietude of winte...

  Meet Marietta   I’m Marietta Pereira, 61, a homemaker, a trained primary school teacher, and mother of two boys, currently living in Mumbai with my better half and navigating the empty-nest phase and silver years of our lives.   Advancing age comes with its challenges, but you're also more at peace with yourself in many respects.  I love being around kids, and my brief six-year spell of teaching first and third graders was some of the most rewarding years. Raising kids, as I learned later, is quite another cup of tea. I am what I am… You get what you see. I’ve come a long way from a shy and awkward little girl that I was to a moderately talkative woman participating in activities that keep me in the public eye to a small extent.( I serve as lector in the church I attend.)  I’m no paragon of virtue, but those who know me would say I am the proverbial ‘good girl.’ I’ve come into my own late in life, but then, as they say, “better late than never. " I c...

    It’s the villain in me That sets me back, That forces me to give up Or give in.   I see the darkness, Not the light. I see hopelessness Not the flickering flame That may be in sight.   She steals my courage, Leaves me trembling with fear. How I wish I could put up a fight, But I choose to let the villain stay.   This villain She’s controlling, Not accepting, Resisting inevitable change. She introduced me to overthinking And negativity too. I can’t live my life Allowing this villain to rule; I’ve got to let her go.   She still visits, But I’m trying: Choosing to be the person I want to be. Writing my own shining story.   I 'm participating in the weekly Blogchatter Bloghop challenge. 

  The Jar of memories I will not visit   Like the stars in a galaxy My happy memories shine brightly.   The moments of despair and darkness I’ve imprisoned in a jar, sealed tightly.   I never want to remember. My encounters with Science or numbers.   Or the days I lost Ma and Pa And my dear friend Vibha.   The darkness of the day When a certain diagnosis was made.   I hated the call. That warned me of a financial squall.   Broken friendships Trust turned to rust. I hate them all.   As heavy as elephants As  dark as the night These are memories. I shall keep Out of my light. 

    Hello, Mr. Bond, Happy birthday and still happy writing. Congratulations on your new publications for early learners—ABC  and 123, and Laugh With Me.  It’s no mean feat that you, sir, continue to regale us with tales that are so endearing in their simplicity and relatability. My first read was the Book of Humour, which left me in good spirits and grinning at the antics of Uncle Ken, your lovable grandparents, and others. After that, I acquired quite a collection of your books. … Sir, you use no bombastic words, nor do you script elaborate dramas, yet we remain hooked from the very first line. You write a haiku, a limerick, and a spooky tale with equal ease! How wonderful is that? I remember asking for your books at a local book fair and being told they were all sold out. You bring us the magic of the mountains, trees, rivers, animals, and even a tiny moth or snail in words that linger long after we’ve finished reading. You’ve written a verse...

World Water Day 2026   In early January 2026, a severe water contamination crisis hit the Bhagithrathpura area in Indore, resulting in at least 15 deaths and approximately 270 hospitalizations due to vomiting and diarrhoea. A damaged pipeline causing sewage to mix with drinking water is said to have caused the tragedy. Incidentally, Indore is said to be one of the cleanest cities in India. This tragic incident only underscores how essential clean, fresh water is to us. Since 1993, the UN has been observing March 22 nd as World Water Day, focusing on the need for and importance of fresh and clean water for every human on planet Earth. Every year, the UN sets a theme for the day. This year, it is Water and Gender: “Where water flows, equality grows.” A global water crisis affects the entire global population, but women and girls bear the brunt of it, especially in India, where they must walk long distances to collect water and then manage the use of water at home, resulting in a los...

Hello there! I’m your humble zip, holding things together as you get on with your day. I’m but two rows of perfectly lined-up metal or plastic teeth waiting to meet. I’ve been tested quite a few times before I’m fitted with your clothes, bags, pouches, and other belongings. I’ve travelled the world stitched to your essentials. A jacket zipped against the cold, a dress fastened by someone for someone, and a suitcase packed and zipped (secured) before a journey. I hear you curse when I get stuck or rejoice when I slide smoothly on trousers, a bag, or a dress. I’ve been tugged in haste or yanked in frustration, or you’ve almost died of embarrassment when you realise that I’ve been left undone. After considerable use, I may get worn out. My teeth are misaligned, or my track comes loose. Then you choose to discard and replace me or repair me. Such is life. So the next time you tug my little head, remember, I’m holding on for you, one tooth at a time, giving you comfort and confi...