Imagine studying for 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 whole years for the JEE exam only to find out that there’s only a very, very slim chance of getting into an IIT. It is a fact widely acknowledged that the IIT-JEE is one of the toughest exams not just in India but in the whole world. Apart from IITs, the NITs and IIITs of India also accept the JEE scores for admission. There are said to be a total of 23 IITs, 31 NITs and 25 IIITs across the country. Now, let’s first get a few facts about the IITs right. First, according to the NIRF rankings of 2023, only 17 IITs rank in the top 50 engineering colleges of ..read more

It is amazing when a person turns personal adversity into a calling, and extends empathy to make a significant impact in the lives of other people. This has been the life’s journey of Dr Nalini Parthasarathi. April 17 is World Hemophilia Day. Dr Nalini Parthasarathi, 79, based in Puducherry has dedicated 30 years of her life caring for people suffering from hemophilia. She was honoured with the Padma Shri in 2023. Hemophilia is a condition where one or more clotting factor is absent leading to bleeding. Severe cases can be life-threatening. It was her poor health during her childhood and grow ..read more

Picture this: A seasoned executive at the peak of her career suddenly grapples with hot flashes and sleep disturbances during important meetings. She also battles mood swings and cognitive changes, affecting her productivity and confidence. Eventually, she resigns from her job. Fiction? Not really. The scenario above is a reality many women face as they navigate menopause while meeting their work responsibilities. Menopause is the time when a woman stops menstruating. This natural condition marks the end of a woman’s reproductive years. The transition brings unique physical, emotional, and ps ..read more

“I usually write during night”, says author Nivedita Louis during our conversation. Chuckling she continues,” It’s easier then to focus solely on writing.  Nivedita Louis is a writer, with varied interests and one of the founders of Her Stories, a feminist publishing house, based in Chennai. In a candid conversation she shared her journey from small-town Tamil Nadu to becoming a history buff, an award-winning author and now a publisher. From working in railways to curating heritage walks Nivedita was born and raised in a small town in Tamil Nadu. It was for schooling that she first arriv ..read more

We all are familiar with that one annoying aunty who is more interested in our marital status than in the dessert counter at a wedding. But these aunties have somehow become obsolete now. Now they are replaced by men we have in our lives. Friends, family, and even work colleagues. It’s the men who are worried about why we are not saying yes to one among their clans. What is wrong with us? Aren’t we scared of dying alone? Like them? A recent interaction with a guy friend of mine turned sour when he lectured me about how I would regret not getting married at the right time. He lectured that eve ..read more

Trigger Warning: This speaks of rape and violence against women, and may be triggering to survivors. Multiple conflicts are going on all over the world at present. Besides various historical and political justifications, violation of human rights is the biggest issue that is often being overlooked. It majorly and severely affects those who are the innocent, poor and helpless. There is no ethnic or territorial issue more important than that of people’s lives. And as for the issues of war victims, women and children have remained the worst sufferers at all times. Men are believed to be the one ..read more

As a child, growing up in different cities was a wonderful experience. Different cultures, languages, cuisines, festivals were all so great. But one thing was common!  Yes of course, the happy and unique memories. But the ubiquitous question, “How many brothers and sisters do you have?” always surfaced, prompting my consistent response: “We are three sisters!” This declaration left every Sharmaji and pados wali aunty baffled. And a deep sigh and all sympathy for my parents accompany their response: “sirf teen behene ho, bhai nahi hai!” (Only three sisters, no brother!) If I had, wouldn’t ..read more

As a parent, one should understand that your child and child’s happiness are far more important than any possible ‘ideal career path’ you have chosen or is in your mind. Whether your child wants to be a singer, a teacher, a choreographer, an editor, a writer, a painter, an actor, a videographer, a photographer, a pilot, a potter, a psychologist, a musician, a chef, a designer, a songwriter, a sportsperson, a journalist, a poet, a filmmaker, a researcher, a flight attendant or something else, your responsibility as a parent is to support the dreams of your child. Parents shouldn’t force their ..read more

Only the other day while I was carrying a casserole full chapattis from the stove to the dinner table it slipped from my grip, spilling the contents on the floor. As I picked up the rotis and tried to wipe them clean with kitchen tissues my husband fumed, ‘Throw them away; I won’t have any! Do you think I am a house pet?” Mind you, the floor was pretty clean since all of us walk barefoot indoors. So ultimately I had to eat them myself (it’s sinful to waste food, isn’t it?) after rolling out fresh ones for him and the daughter. There are more such instances: he grumbles if there is excess salt ..read more

Not too long ago, the issue of period leave was being discussed by our politicians. While, in today’s world, everyone is sympathetic, the idea rarely seems feasible. Women worry that institutions and organizations will be less likely to hire them, if period leave is mandated by the government. I have been blessed with relatively benign periods. As a result, in my teenage years, I never understood what the fuss was about. It’s normal right, so what’s the big deal? No need to be wimpy and give into the societal stereotype that women are weak, I used to quip. Well, I learned that periods are not ..read more