The Convicts

In mathematics, there is a dependent variable and an independent variable.  y=f(x) Here, y is defined by the relationship it has with x. When the value of x changes, value of y changes; y depends on x.   In life, it is pretty much the same. You are defined by the relationship you share with people in your life. How you react to their actions defines you as a person. So when one of the x’s that defines you, changes, you change as a person. Sometimes, people change so much, it becomes difficult for you to relate to them. You don’t recognize them anymore. And still, their actions provoke spontaneous reactions from you. Unless you are ready to let go of that ‘x’, you are now dependent on a complete stranger (who until some time ago was very close to you.) You may see the person, you may talk to the person but you simply don’t know that person anymore!

(This article was written on 1st of May, 2014) Recently I visited the tiger reserve at Pench, close to Nagpur. Pench was a pleasant surprise- It is summer and Nagpur is known to be ruthless during summer with temperature that goes up to 45 degrees Celsius. But pench was- excuse my poor vocabulary- simple and beautiful. I felt exactly the way I did when I was a school-going kid. Like every school-going kid, summer vacations were my favorite. I loved the smell of summer, I loved it when the day would be open for all the possibilities in the world, and I loved reading books on mango trees right outside my aunt’s house. Pench stirred the very same carefree, happy emotions inside me. It smelled of summer, of dust, of trees! I really wanted to stay in Pench forever. For a brief moment, I flirted with the idea of building a house in Pench. Living in wilderness- what wonderful life it will be! The next minute I was jolted back to reality- I want to achieve certain things in life; ...

Dear Women, There is so much to speak. I wonder where to begin. I feel it will be appropriate to begin by telling you the reason for this letter.  We talk a lot about feminism these days, we talk of gender equality. These terms may seem nebulous to some of you. Some of you may look at it as something distant, something that is not related to you. At this point, I cannot help digressing a little. Bear with me. When I was a kid, I once a read a story- this story is one of the many stories of India’s struggle for independence. In some small town of India, people had gathered to listen to a great freedom fighter (I apologize, I cannot recall the freedom fighter’s name.). The freedom fighter seemed very pleased with himself after delivering a rather passionate, inspiring speech! There was a thunderous applause and loud cheers of “Bharat Mata ki Jai!” boomed everywhere. Something crossed the freedom fighter’s mind and he thought of asking an innocent question. “Who is bha...