REKINDLING THE ROMANCE WITH LITERATURE            

The magic of words and passion for literature acted like magnets to lure me towards literary festivals where incredible minds share their ideas, wisdom, and creativity; whether it is the famous Jaipur Literary Festival or the Kasauli one or nearer home, the Chandigarh one or the AWWA Literary Festival which is in nascent stage or any other lit festival in the country. These enlightening events are where literature enthusiasts, book lovers, poets, and thinkers gather under one roof to share and celebrate their love for the written word. 

The Kasauli Lit Fest started in memory of the famous writer Khushwant Singh, spreads the values he stood by, thus continuing his legacy. Varied issues ranging from ecology, heritage, current affairs, girl child, and mental health, apart from poetry and fiction, find a place in the rich vibrance of the literature festival there. Words spark the fire of change through conversations on varied platforms and panel discussions. For literature enthusiasts, it is a much sought-after event to stimulate and fuel their senses and creativity, thus exploring the transformative power of literature. 

The famous Jaipur literary festival with an array of speakers is a star-studded event where subjects ranging from literature, arts, politics, etc are heartbeats of the literary community. It is an experience in itself where you breathe the same air as the famous writers you admire, listen to them, and enrich your world. It is a space to find your larger tribe and discover the charm, clarity, and passion of the galaxy of the greatest writers. 

The first-ever literary festival hosted by the army wives for the army wives, the initiative of the then Army Chief’s wife in Dec 2021, was a huge success. It was a delight to be amongst the published authors and poets. The panel discussions with the writers, authors, poets, and publishers were an enlightening and enriching experience. The published authors sharing their journey and the valuable inputs from publishers were inspiring for the budding authors. Cultural programs and discussions with celebrity authors and publishers were warming on a cold December morning. The energy of the place was gripping from the moment one entered the venue, and it stayed as one moved from one venue to the other, being part of the panel discussions, workshops, mesmerising poetry sessions, or book launches. The entertainment and cultural programs added to the vibrancy of the atmosphere of intellectual introspection. Army wives traveled the length and breadth of the country to be part of this festival that may be in its infancy but doing well into the third year of inception. The idea to get the literary talent of the army wives under one roof has become a resounding success. 

Literary festivals are not classrooms to learn creative writing to be an author or poet. It comes from our inner realms, as listening to other like-minded people can only stimulate your creative skills. New books, ideas, and stories take birth here, inspiring the joys of reading and writing in us. Spirit of literature is celebrated through the plethora of activities invoking ideas, inspiring, and engaging the audience. Established writers share their wisdom alongside emerging voices in an eclectic mix of talent and a symphony of ideas where the magic of the written word is celebrated. 

The events are intellectually stimulating, and the enthusiasm of the audience, whose passion and love for literature add to the charm of the events. It is empowering to meet like-minded people at the diverse set of sessions which are infused with infectious literary energy. Literature is not dying which is visible in a serious reading of people who swarm these places. The varied literary festivals have earned a name for our country on the global literary map. 

Pictures from Google

                VIBRANT  NATURE

 REVIVAL OF PUBLIC LIBRARIES…..A TREASURE TROVE OF KNOWLEDGE

I have a distinct and vivid memory of my first visit to a public library, an enormous place with unlimited books. My love for reading, instilled in my childhood by my father through varied picture books, evolved with the access to the library with its array of bookshelves full of books and magazines. The excitement of getting the books issued and reading in the stipulated period to get new ones continued my passion. We even created our library with comics at home, marking the books with our name rubber stamps to lend to friends, which was a disaster as they seldom returned the books, but that is another story. Nostalgia struck me when I revisited the same library with my young daughter. 

The first public library of the forces, which left an immense impression on me, was the one in BB Cantt Srinagar. Its vast collection and authorities  ensuring the latest collection in time for the families living in the Cantonment who could not visit the city due to security concerns was a blessing and a boon for a bookworm like me. This place, with its  collection of picture books, was the first introduction for my toddler to the vast work of books. She loved sitting on the tiny stools and going through those books while I scrolled the shelves.  When we moved to the peace station, I ensured we got the cards made for the local station library in the Cantonment as soon as we reached there. My daughter enjoyed getting hard-bound  ladybird books, thus imbibing a good habit at that young age. 

                         

In the pre-internet times, library books were the storehouses of information and knowledge. However, the relevance of books has not diminished as children at the university and college level still need to refer to the books in the library for their higher studies. Free access to books for poor children in rural areas is a perfect way to widen their horizons through public libraries. When my father decided to open a library in his old school in a village in the name of my grandfather, the school authorities jumped to the idea, and with his blessings, the library is doing very well now. The success of the Ghoda library, which trots up to the remote hills of Uttarakhand with little access to roads or libraries, with books on horseback for children, initiated by a twenty-nine-year-old is a case in point of the revival of libraries. The efforts of many such people are a step to make books accessible for everyone. 

In today’s Internet times, public libraries offer access to the Internet to equip them with the happenings in the world and broaden their horizons. These are the places for personal growth and help people to navigate through the information age. The purpose of the library remains the same, personal growth, to inform, share, and gather information, even though the ways have changed due to the advent of technology. It is a place which preserves the culture in the form of ancient texts. It also gives access to a wide range of information and internet access which is as essential as electricity in today’s times to the people who cannot afford the access at home. Thus filling the gap between the classes in any society as libraries are places of democratic culture. 

The government is promoting the culture of the library, the temple of knowledge, and reviving it in the digital times through its Festivals of Libraries this year as thousands of people depend on public libraries for knowledge gathering. President of India, Draupadi Murmu, rightly said, libraries symbolise the progress of civilisation. 

Public libraries, considered a symbol of collective consciousness and intellect of a society, are also the centres for social interactions and contemplation, especially for older people in an era of social isolation. Recently,  I visited the local college library of my daughter, and the sight of young adults engrossed in books showed a glimmer of hope that this culture is here to stay. This culture has survived in the past and underwent radical change, despite all threats, will survive where the young ones will get the wings to fly anywhere as books connect us and language as quiet power. You do not need an invitation to go to a library or  a reservation ahead of time to appreciate the bounty. 

These liberating spaces, were the beating heart of our communities, are being revived by smaller but definitely growing groups to make this culture a success that is motivating for others who want to plunge into the same field to make a difference as everyone deserves to live, dream and read instead of gatekeeping knowledge for the elite few.

Pictures from Google

                        AGING GRACEFULLY

In today’s times of remaining forever young, there appears to be a war on aging, evident from the plethora of products and procedures available in the market. Why a frenzy to remain young forever? Is there a crime in looking your age? Why does only youth equate to capability, intelligence, and beauty for society? Our body changes, why not embrace it and learn to be fit and healthy instead of wasting time and money on expensive potions?  

When we were small children, growing older was like an achievement, so when did this change into not looking your age? I never quite understand the antipathy towards growing old. Negative stereotypes are present more than ever and social media adds fuel to the fire. Women are judged more harshly as society devalues them as they age. Why is aging a misogynistic concept? Why do women feel proud not to look their age or do not like to reveal their age? Why have we put them into a frame? Our culture and its directive are too loud in favour of not looking your age while indirectly giving the message that aging is not desirable. 

When we see the appearance of some grey strands and some fine lines on our faces in the mirror, we miss our younger selves. The desire to pick up the potions of youth is absolutely normal as there is nothing wrong with a youthful appearance. The problem starts when we start obsessing about it and feel small without it and go into denial mode. There is no need to go down the rabbit hole of sadness about gaining a few greys or lines on your face. When we accepted the changes of puberty in our bodies why not the greys and wrinkles?

Overcoming negative stereotypes about aging is important in our society which venerates youth. Healthy and radiant should be your aim instead of obsessing about not looking your age. The feeling of awe and a sense of wonder keep us young at heart which is more important than using all the potions to look young. 

Aging well is remaining a curious child at heart and constantly learning to keep the brain young. Social interactions not only reinforce the feeling of belongingness but also deepen our bond with our loved ones which is all the more important as we age in years in life. Enriching our environment with colours, plants bring us joy and enriches our life. Gardening can take you a notch higher toward your well-being in life. Staying connected with our loved ones through the internet is using it to our advantage which promotes cognitive functions and interpersonal relationships. It is up to us to cling to our past and youth or adapt to the new world youth are creating by remaining active and curious about life.  

Aging is a natural inevitable process so why not age gracefully and joyfully instead of treating it as an aberrant crisis? Accepting the physical changes which come with age with an optimistic perspective and adapting accordingly. Make the aging process look so good that everyone awaits and does not indulge in denial mode. Why not own the lines on the face like a badge of honour, be proud of the roads you have traveled and embrace the process of aging and be content with the wisdom which you have attained? 

Pictures from Pinterest

                                       GRATITUDE 

               LIVE IT UP WITH YOGA

Acute gastric reflux with a heavy dose of medications turned my life upside down. My desire to find natural ways of healing made me research and try simple yoga techniques. The assurance from the teacher of complete recovery was enough for me to start practising yoga asanas, pranayama, and mindful meditation. I recovered from the disease and no longer use any medication. Improved quality of life is an added benefit for me. 

The yearning to be fit and healthy is on everyone’s agenda, and it is good to get motivated by famous personalities who are live examples of yoga as a form of keeping fit and healthy. Even though Patanjali I considered the father of Yoga and Yoga-Sutras. Shilpa Shetty’s yoga videos became a rage in the nineties. The contemporary form gets inspired and influenced by Patanjali’s ways, evident from the multi-billion dollar global wellness industry based on yoga. Consistent practice of a few minutes of yoga postures can bring calm and wellness into our stressed modern life. Yoga has moved from the realms of yogis to today’s youth, where some have made it into a profession. Whether the ancient practise or modern form, it is a synonym with health and fitness and will continue to evolve as a codified practise within the lucrative wellness business. 

Yoga has trained me to breathe accurately, honour my body, relinquish what no longer serves me, and stay present in the moment. It is where every cell of the body evolves to be wholesome and sings a melodious tune for the soul.  

Pre-determined notions about yoga stop many to derive its benefits. Working on yoga poses constantly gives you flexibility and strength. Concentrating on your breath and the yoga poses is the perfect cocktail for calmness and serenity. There is a sense of clarity that dawns on you to make the right decisions in any aspect of your life. Yoga requires discipline which soon becomes a habit and the discipline ebbs and flows in other spheres of life too. Once you start practising yoga and see the benefits, you want to eat healthy to remain fit thereby making a lifestyle change. Yoga brings flexibility to our body after a constant period of practising the asanas. Your lung power increases and gain stronger balance reducing the chance of injury from a fall. Along the way, you learn to be an observer who responds to a situation. So challenge yourself for a month and see the difference in yourself. It will transform you inside out. Go out there fit in what works for you in your schedule, keep it short and regular, create a ritual, and stay accountable and consistent to reap the benefits. 

Yoga has made me more disciplined, pursue my purpose in life and wake up happy even if I haven’t slept well. Mindful meditation helped me heal the pain of a broken wrist, and my creative skills have enhanced befog imagination. It was easier to overcome the grief of the loss of my father to make peace with the idea of a life without him and celebrate his life. It is also a great stress buster. A few minutes of breathing exercises followed by my favourite asanas never fail me. Vajra asana after a meal keeps my acidity at bay. Whenever indigestion bothers me, I do not go for an antacid, I sit down in Vajra asana and practise some anulom vilom and I can feel the acid moving down refreshing me completely. Some asanas before sleep, like yoga nidra ensure a good night's sleep anytime. Yoga nidra allows one access to deeper levels of consciousness and a pathway to mediation, a powerful tool for self-discovery and metamorphoses of our beings. 

Every day is a new day. Start with a few deep breaths and feel the magic as it unclogs your mind while stress flies out of the window. Lower heart rate and stable blood pressure are the visible physical benefits. So whether you are excited or hassled, pause,  take a deep breath, and persist for a while to see a difference. It is the beginning of getting into holistic well-being via yoga.

                    Fancy a Cuppa Tea!

In times of coffee breaks, tea break may seem an outdated concept, but tea drinking has not lost its charm. It is the second most consumed beverage in the world. Brewed in myriad ways, from an expensive and exotic drink of the elite to the famous Boston Tea Party to a popular drink of the masses.  Now a whole room at the Metropolitan Museum of Art is dedicated to Tea, the quintessential British symbol from the drink from China.

India is the second-highest tea producer next to China. While the exact origin of tea is unknown, it is believed to have originated in northeast India, north Myanmar, and southwest China according to the UN. The myriad variations of making it range from the Masala tea with lots of milk to the typical English brewed one to the green Matcha to the Turkish one and the varied other tea varieties.

In life, there is no trouble so grave it cannot be diminished with a nicely brewed hot cup of tea which brings people together bringing joy and happiness in our lives. There is also something unique in tea that leads us into the world of quiet contemplation. So sit down, sip your tea slowly without rushing, and let it soothe your being. When you are feeling low and at odds with the world around you, brew a cup of tea and enjoy the magical fragrance as it offers the solace of its kind. You will see your troubles vanishing away.

Tea has been a cure for a long time in history encouraging us to steep and sip our way to good health in life. It has numerous health benefits. Even though many of the therapeutic benefits are yet not substantiated by science, it is high in antioxidants, flavonoids, and polyphenols which help neutralise free radicals in the body, speed up metabolism, boosts the immune system, and have the ability to calm us down and refresh us. When you get your kind of tea when you are out of your home, it makes your day especially when life feels stormy and topsy-turvy, the hot brew will bring tranquility of its kind. It is a therapy for me, I enjoy turmeric tea in the early morning as it is anti-inflammatory, a cup of nicely brewed long-leaf darjeeling one refreshes my being, and a green one in the mid-morning boosts the metabolism while black tea in the afternoon improves the focus and chamomile before bed ensures good sleep at night. Tea with lemon and ginger soothes cold and flu, ginger tea settles the stomach and peppermint helps with digestion. With so many benefits in its kitty, it is truly the elixir of life. There are numerous ways to consume it and each household will have its unique one. The antioxidant levels of both green and black tea make it a popular drink with health-conscious people. 

UN may have its reasons to dedicate 21 May as an International Tea Day. The delectable ritual of preparing the tea, the sound of water bubbling, tea brewing, seeping, and pouring the champagne-coloured drink is therapeutic and meditative for me. In monsoons, Chai and pakora become a quintessential combination while you enjoy the pitter-platter of the rainfall. Cold winter mornings get enlivened as you sip the hot brew while warming your hands while holding the cup. 

When you have found someone to sit with and enjoy your tea, you have found a friend for life. At times, a cup of tea and the company of a good friend is the only therapy we need to take us out of distress as it makes everything better. Sometimes all you need is a cup of tea. 

Ek Garam Chai Ki Payali Ho……..

              AH! THE SPRING IS FINALLY HERE!

The warmth of the rising sun on a spring day awakens our beings as we watch for the signs of spring, the fragrance, growing hours of light, the increasing vibrancy of nature, shrinking of shadows, bluer skies, and get a feeling of renewal and rejuvenation. The dewdrops on the lush green grass, the clear blue spotless sky, and the sun shining bright enough to wake  everyone. The vibrant petunias, smiling pansies, and the summer periwinkle welcome the day with their brightness. The sparkling carpet of wild yellow oxalis blooming amongst the tender grass is inviting humming bees and butterflies to drink the nectar and rejoice.  I slowly hum the Poem by William Wordsworth,

I wandered lonely as a cloud

That floats on high o'er vales and hills,

When all at once I saw a crowd,

A host, of golden daffodils;

Beside the lake, beneath the trees,

Fluttering and dancing in the breeze………..

…….For oft, when on my couch I lie

In vacant or in pensive mood,

They flash upon that inward eye

Which is the bliss of solitude;

And then my heart with pleasure fills,

And dances with the daffodils.

You know spring is unfurling its magic when you wake up to the days full of light, the warm air emanating through the powdery white clouds, the sweet fragrance of the flowers brimming with the dew drops filling the air, and the sweet songs of the birds creating a symphony of music. The scattered burst of colour is all around to welcome the season offering steadiness in these uncertain times. So go out and get some daylight and enjoy the warm sunshine amongst the bountiful and colourful nature. Nature is an unmatched mood enhancer for humans, who love being in her company. Bright light is known to be as effective for depression as medicines, and light exposure during the day is good for our sleep too.

But the climate-troubled days have transposed the weather pattern. Spring was waking up at the end of the winter when it swiftly moved to summer with the temperature rise, and the sudden outburst of rain in the plains and snow in the mountains cooled the temperatures pushing it further away from it. This is terrifying and a stark reminder of the threat to the environment. One wonders why this is not an extensional threat enough to work on climate change. The resilience of nature has a lesson or two for humans as there is no sign of remorse anywhere amongst nature while the lush green trees are swaying in the morning breeze. 

 The Crocus flower, a harbinger of spring is a reminder that no matter how harsh is the winter, spring always returns to the new beginnings of new greens and fragrant air. It rejuvenates our hearts and refreshes our being. We are full of freshness with a heart full of hope and spring in our steps in the cool sunshine of this weather. The world around us is alive with the sweet fragrance and freshness of nature. The heart heals and begins anew when amongst the freshness of nature in springtime.