The Unabridged Version of a Rational Emotional Mind

It is 11 am on Friday the 15 th of March, 2024. About an hour ago, I got a call from someone completely unexpected. It was an employee from my former organization. I wondered, ‘Why is she calling me?’ I picked up the call. We exchanged pleasantries. And then she told me why she had called. About a year and a half ago, during my initial months as a new employee, I had a field visit to her centre. I recognised the need for something to be executed which would prove useful and with her support, I developed a training program and that region became the pilot for it. Cut to a year later, the core team appreciated the initiative and it was implemented across the program. I had to leave the organization before I could see the fruits of our labour. But when she called today, all she had to say to me was thank you for helping her with it and paving the way for better representation of her work when accounted for. Now, I am not writing this to toot my own horn. This is more of a gratitude t...

Three weeks ago, I finished reading JK Rowling’s Harry Potter series for the first time in my life. I am not sure what circumstances prevented me from picking up this series growing up, but I am so glad I finally did it. And in doing so, I learnt a very important lesson for life. But first, let me share how I felt immediately after finishing the series: “ It is 7.52 pm on a cool February evening in 2024. I am sitting here typing my heart out, although my brain is quite blank. I have done it! I finally entered the world of Wizardry and Witchcraft, but I can’t say that I have left it unscathed. There is an indelible mark on my chest now, maybe a little too late given my age, but finally, it is here. When I was a kid, I didn’t have access to fiction like most of my counterparts did. The library was my only hope! I remember finishing every bit of folklore and fairytales I could find while I was young. But the world of JK Rowling somehow was left untouched, that is till the beginning of...

A random thursday (2.43 am) I wake up to the sound of a child wailing her guts out. I am travelling east for the first time, on a train I have never travelled in before.  "The child has been crying for a while", someone said. I haven't gotten up from my berth yet, half asleep, I listen. An elderly man is talking to the child now, the TT I conclude. I remember his voice. Last night, he had kindly offered us to continue finishing our dinner as he checked through the validity of our reservations.  "Aapka naam kya hai?" (What is your name?), he asked.  "Preeti"* I hear the faint, and feeble voice of the child.  "Aapki mumma kahaan hai?" (Where is your mother?) "Pata nahi" (I don't know) The child continues to wail and sob in loud voices. Nobody moves, including me! The TT continues to speak, in a stern yet soothing tone, "Acha chalo, abhi aap yahaan so jao," pointing to an empty berth, "kal subah aapko hum biscuit aur...