I’ve been familiar with Nora Fatehi and her journey for a long time. So her statements on feminism on the BeerBiceps interview didn’t come as a surprise at all. Nora has always been a highly sharp and ambitious woman. What I gather from her statements is the intent to appeal to a wider audience. She reaffirms the statement that she’s a practising Muslim many times in her interview. Nora is not just a celebrity in India alone, but also a highly popular figure in the Middle East. So, this statement of being religious is for her fans in the Middle East belt. But we really don’t know if her actio ..read more

There was an old interview of Nushrat Bharucha, Hindi film actress, where she said she was rejected for “Slumdog Millionaire” because she was considered too good looking to play the role of a slum girl.  Repeatedly, I see several biased and thoughtless comments from people stating that even their maid looks better than a certain celebrity. The latest celebrity to get trolled with such biased comments is Suhana Khan.  When did beauty have anything to do with poverty? More specifically, when did beauty have anything to do with skin colour?  Fair complexion is automatically associ ..read more

We live in a world that’s getting increasingly explicit in every sense of the word, and not just in the physical. Yes, that too! But everything’s all out there. The ‘If you’ve got it, flaunt it!’ philosophy, literally and metaphorically. And that’s the definition of sexy in the modern day world.  Whatever happened to good old modesty! Okay, do I hear you say F modesty? Okay then, whatever happened to some good old mystery? I’m no one to dictate what’s sexy and not. That’s a personal call in my opinion, which also makes it an exciting topic to explore. For some, sexy means great physical ..read more

I had envisioned a relatively cooler Easter as it fell on March 31 this year. But little did I know this Easter would be one of the hottest ones I’d ever experienced. Hyderabad is a roasting furnace already.  What was even more unpredictable was how a few days into April and I’m down with a viral infection. I asked the doctor in shock, “How did I even catch a cold and infection in this heat?” She replied it was usually the case in these transitional periods.  At first, I thought it was a normal cold which will subside in a few days. But when I wasn’t getting any better the second da ..read more

“Mummy! Why do you have to be so nice all the time? Why can’t you be like X’s mom and have a meanie expression on your face? “Mummy, why can’t we show-off too?” These are some questions my daughter asked over the last few years. She basically wanted us to throw some attitude. You know, like having our noses up in the air vibe. “Well, that’s not me!” has remained my standard answer. Before I explain my perspective, here’s the backdrop. This incident happened when my daughter was around nine years old. “Mummy, Y is spreading lies about me behind my back? Why is she doing that?” she said, about ..read more

Real-life Incident 1: 2016 Fellow lecturer: Politeness doesn’t work for our students. You’ve got to be strict and even rude. Also, what do you get by being kind to your students? None of them are going to help you in any way. Real-life Incident 2: 2024 Me: What do you want to eat? Do you want me to order a McDonald’s burger for you? Daughter: We’re no more going to order from McDonald’s. Or Zara.  Me: Why? Daughter: Because they support the Palestinian crime.  Now, you may wonder about the connection between the two incidents. Hear me out! The Myth About Kindness and Vulnerability I ..read more

We’ve grown up on an emotionally healthy diet of fables that’s ingrained with timeless wisdom. Such as this Aesop’s Fable, The Hare & the Tortoise. Who hasn’t escaped this gem of a tale? Yet, many of us, including me, have lost the plot like the hare in this modern-day hustle culture. We’re never ever satisfied with what we have, and are constantly losing sleep over the next achievement. Worse still, we overburden our children with our overachievement expectations from them. I hope we can break this unhealthy cycle of intergenerational trauma once and for all. To my horror, I discovered h ..read more

Welcome to our guide on stylish Ramadan outfit ideas for women in 2024! Ramadan holds profound significance for Muslims globally, serving as a period of spiritual reflection, community bonding, and celebration. For women, Ramadan offers a unique chance to showcase both their faith and personal style through their attire. In this blog, we’ll delve into a variety of chic and modest outfit ideas tailored to help you feel confident and elegant throughout this sacred month. Whether you’re attending prayers, iftars, or family gatherings, we’ve got you covered with versatile and fashionable options ..read more

Writers are usually solitary creatures. Okay, we can be social too, bordering even on the wild side.  But, hear me out!  To be a writer, you need to cut off from the world, go inside, and write till you bleed. There’s no other way out.  In many ways, writers are the odd ones out in the world. We’re the natural outcasts.  So, what happens when you meet up with like-minded maverick writers? There’s a lot of food (literally) for thought (literary in our case). Asian Literary Society Meet in Hyderabad I met the Asian Literary Society members at Hyderabad in December 2023 when ..read more

Immigration law is like a complex puzzle, and for many individuals facing the threat of deportation, a deportation defense lawyer serves as the guiding hand, helping them piece together a defense to protect their dreams and aspirations. In this blog post, let’s unravel the intricacies of what these legal advocates like deportation defense lawyer Robert Tsigler do, delving into how they tackle the challenges of immigration proceedings to ensure their clients’ rights are safeguarded. Understanding the High Stakes: Confronting Deportation Deportation isn’t just a legal battle; it’s a life-alterin ..read more