Some books wait for the right moment—and then arrive like a storm. The Lion Women of Tehran is one such story: of friendship divided by class, of women stitched together by courage, and of freedoms we casually wear, while others fight, bleed, and rise—again and again.
Bengali winters may be harsh, but they bloom with warmth through pithas, dudh pulis, nolen gur, and lively melas. Rooted in childhood memories, family rituals, and festive aromas, these seasonal delights turn cold days into celebrations of nostalgia, joy, and togetherness—comforting the heart long after winter fades.
Makar Sankranti marks the Sun’s northward journey, symbolising renewal, warmth, and gratitude. Celebrated across India with diverse names and rituals, it honours harvest, family, and nature. Rooted in mythology and memory, the festival gently reminds us of cyclical time, small beginnings, shared traditions, and the comfort of belonging.
A personal reflection on everyday misogyny, consent, and misplaced progressiveness—revisiting a conversation that revealed how deeply patriarchy survives beneath the mask of modern thinking.
A counselor reflects on her own struggles while answering a friend’s mental-wellness prompt. She shares 10 practical, universal tips she’d give a client—accepting unpredictability, choosing possible over perfect, scheduling emotions, building routines, avoiding comparison, and honoring individual paths. A humane reminder that even psychologists wobble, but still rise.
Christmas is more than a date—it’s emotion, nostalgia, and tradition shaped by childhood carols, bakeries, bazaars, family visits, books, malls, and friends. It influences identity, sparks joy across borders, rewinds memories, embraces togetherness, indulgent treats, and quiet reflections. The real magic lies in kindness, warmth, and presence shared with loved ones.
Working mothers juggle two full-time roles — paid work and invisible caregiving — while battling guilt, burnout, and unrealistic expectations. With limited workplace support and unequal gender roles, their load intensifies. Support systems, flexibility, and changing attitudes help, but true balance comes from shared responsibility, empathy, and valuing every mother’s labour.
Men are expected to be strong, responsible, and unshaken, but beneath these expectations lie silent emotional struggles. Conditioned to hide vulnerability, they carry pressure, conflict, and self-doubt without complaint. On Men’s Day, we honour their unseen battles and remind them that vulnerability, rest, and emotional honesty are human — and deeply valid.
Lung Cancer Awareness Month urges us to recognise rising global and Indian lung cancer rates driven by smoking, pollution, and environmental risks. With Delhi’s hazardous AQI highlighting the crisis, the article stresses prevention, cleaner air, and early detection. Awareness becomes a responsibility—our choices today shape the quality of every future breath.
An encounter with Nepal’s Kumari makes the author delve deep into the ancient tradition. She explores the contradictions – an isolated child revered as a divine vessel of Devi Taleju Bhawani, chosen through ancient, terrifying trials. The article examines the stringent rules, the powerful omens her smallest actions predict, and the challenges of her temporary reign and difficult transition back to ordinary life.
