Welcome to my weekly series documenting the countdown to my 50th birthday in April 2025.Each week, I’ll share my thoughts, fears, celebrations, and revelations as I approach this milestone. This is Week 1, where I confront my first visible nemesis: those persistent grey hairs. I am turning 50 in six months, and I’ve decided to…
As a cradle Catholic, my faith has been an integral part of my identity since birth. Baptized as Cecilia Maria Abraham in Hyderabad, Catholicism has been my anchor through the years, guiding me even when I wasn’t consciously aware of its influence. It’s the quiet voice in my heart, sometimes heeded, sometimes ignored, but always…
Many of you have asked about my daily routine – how I manage to balance family responsibilities, my writing career, and self-care. So today, I’m giving you a peek into a typical day in my life. Remember, every day is different, and flexibility is key! 5:30 AM: Wake up and Meditation 6:00 AM: Morning Pages…
As a woman, a wife, a mother, and a poet, I’ve often found myself navigating the complex landscape of societal expectations. Poetry, for me, has been both a shield and a sword – a means of protection and a tool for change. Today, I want to explore how poetry can be a powerful medium for…
Welcome to this month’s Reading Corner! As we settle into the heat of July, what better way to spend the long summer days than with a good book? Here are five diverse reads that have captivated me recently: These books offer a mix of styles and themes, from historical epics to contemporary social commentary. Each,…
As the wife of an army officer, I’ve had the privilege of calling many places home. Each new posting has been a chapter in our family’s story, but also a wellspring of inspiration for my poetry. Today, I want to share how travel and relocation have shaped my writing over the years. Travel, I’ve found,…
“Your voice would be perfect for a podcast,” a friend once told me. I laughed it off, but the idea took root. After months of planning, learning, and no small amount of self-doubt, I’m excited to announce that I’m launching my very own podcast! The journey from page to microphone has been both challenging and…
For over a decade, a project has been close to my heart: documenting the Anglo-Indian community of Hyderabad and Secunderabad. Today, I want to share a glimpse into this fascinating cultural legacy that has been an integral part of our twin cities for centuries. The Anglo-Indian community, born from the union of Europeans (mostly British)…
Welcome to the first installment of our “Hidden Gems of Indian Literature” series. Today, we’re diving into a book that, while not exactly hidden, certainly qualifies as a gem: “The God of Small Things” by Arundhati Roy. Published in 1997, this debut novel took the literary world by storm, earning Roy the prestigious Booker Prize.…
“How do you find time to write?” It’s a question I’m often asked, usually accompanied by a glance at my children or a nod towards my busy household. The truth is, nurturing creativity while managing family life is indeed a balancing act – but it’s one that’s entirely possible and immensely rewarding. Here are some…