Banyans a Powerhouse of Oxygen

Banyans are the world’s biggest trees in terms of the area they cover. The biggest one alive today is in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It covers 1.9 hectares (4.7 acres) and can shelter 20,000 people. Banyans are ecological linchpins. They produce vast crops of figs that sustain many species of birds, fruit bats,

What’s all the Hype around Anthologies

Being a writer I can understand when new writers are anxious to see and call themselves a published author, whether it’s a blog, a poem, an article or being part of an anthology. Maybe it’s the eagerness of writers to calling themselves as published authors that has seen a slew of ‘Call for Anthologies’. While

My Tryst with Self Publishing

I had self-published my debut book of poetry on KDP, but many of my friends said that they didn’t have a kindle and asked if there was a print version of the book, but I didn’t have any. So now after I finished writing my second book which is a collection of short stories, this time I wanted to

When You Can Why Not?

'When You Can Why Not?' is a collection of seventeen short stories, which talk about how many of us are ignorant about the various existing Indian Laws and Acts which are there to protect us from anyone flouting these rules. These stories are a fictional take on our daily life and each story tells us

Canteen

It was a hot summer afternoon in Barmer, the heat was intense with wind blowing sand into his face, the howling air gives an eerie feeling, but Manas was accustomed to the extreme weather conditions. Manas was the Patrol Officer for the Border Security Force guarding the border between India and Pakistan in Barmer, Rajasthan,

Black

It was like a dark gloomy cloud spreading itself all over the sky, the mood of elders rubbing off on the young ones too, kids making themselves inconspicuous to go with the elders actions not wanting to cause any trouble and see black Terrified at the sight, the black of his belt bringing out the

Bubble

I mused on the past forty days of Lockdown, when all of us were locked-in, we didn't get into fights, nor were kids at loggerheads, we all bonded as a family when each of us lent a hand in doing the household chores, played, ate and watched movies together. On the other hand migrant workers,

Water Conservation

The hot sun was merciless, but the daily walk to the common drinking water pump in the village was mandatory for daily drinking and household needs. For 12 year old Rohit it was a common sight to see his father daily carry two cans of water for their family of four. But today was different,

Moonlight

It was a picture perfect town with rolling hills, endless green meadows dotted with cosy homes and ancient stone buildings. It was the day of the much awaited annual Moon festival which was held on a full moon day and everyone was dressed in their best, and it was a perfect time for youngsters to

Widows of Vrindavan

The streets were filled with a sea of white saree clad women, dancing to the bhajans of Lord Krishna and smearing gulal on each other, this was the only bright spot in their otherwise colorless lives. Widows who were abandoned by their families at Vrindavan living in oblivion and poverty, singing and working as maids