Toilet – An Uncomfortable Love Story

Like most of the Indian villages at that time, the general plan of a house was a common sitting area or baithak which was used to entertain outsiders mainly males, an inner courtyard having chulha, cattle area and play area reserved for women and children. The better-off houses had a room without windows that was used to store limited valuables and harvest, and additional shed or converted room used both as shelter for cattle and storage of hay. A toilet in this scheme, was entirely an alien concept and the fields were used for relieving as well as recreational purpose when women took break from the daily chores to connect with fellow females and crib about their in-laws or husbands.

May We Come In – A Dilemma in Social Integration

Writer's note: During my association with the community of females in sex work, I became aware of the root issues. The root issue is not sex work, or non-recognition. It is the oppertunity to choose and before that developing the skills to grab that oppertunity. This essay brings forward this point of view. Also bringing …

The Love That Everyone Fears

Foreword: The spate of dogbite, human-animal conflict have brought an inevitable division of the society where animal rights have come in conflict with human right. This essay, based on my first-hand experiences, attempts to bring out an alternate perspective on a lighter note. I will give a headsup to the readers... life in cantonements comes …

The Tale of Friendship in the Hajj Pilgrimage

A tale of women's solidarity is the most inspiring story that will fit so well in the theme of Friendship Day.  A news article published in a newspaper spoke of experiences of women who had gone on the Hajj pilgrimage without mahram, a male companion from the bloodline.  In Quran, Hajj is given great importance and requires …

Memories of Manipur Before We Watched it Burn: A not-so travel tale

I had packed my bags for a second trip to Manipur when just four hours before I had to board the flight on May 4th, 2023, I got a call from friends in Manipur to delay the plans. My friend warned, ‘There are hardly any taxis running from the Airport to Thoubal, and every vehicle is being stopped and searched for the rival party. There are even reports of rape of some women.’

When Mediation is used as a tool to serve the powerful

There is a famous story written by legendary writer Munshi Premchand. The story tells about two fast friends, Algu Choudhary and Jumman Sheikh. In a twist of events, Algu Choudhary is asked to head as a Sarpanch, local judge, to arbitrate a matter involving his dear friend. Keeping his friendship with Jumman aside, Algu gives …

Only Men

The Apollo-11 mission is forever entrenched in the history as the Human conquest of Moon. But very few know the major and historic blunder that the mission committed. The landing module of the spaceflight was left on the moon with a plaque that reads -  “Here men from the planet Earth first set foot upon the moon, July 1969 AD. We came in peace for all mankind.” In one stroke, this plaque has deleted existence of women not only from the Earth but the whole Universe.

Consent in the age of internet

Couple of weeks back, I had watched a video of the candid moments of an old couple, recorded on Metro-rail and posted by someone with a tagline ‘This sweet video made my day.’ The video showed the couple trying to capture the perfect selfie. I came across another video which was shared with various tags …

Is Rape Just Trespass – Exploring Marital Rape Issue

As a common woman it is beyond my reasonable mind and logic -  Why a forced sex that has happened without consent is rape under Indian Penal Code but not a rape if done by a husband. The paradox is like selling poison by changing its packaging.

Shoot the Bitch

how opinionated women (like me) cope with sexism in everyday life with a pinch of salt