From Storybooks to Stories of Our Own

 

From Reading to Writing – A Journey of Words

As a family, we have always loved books. This love began in our childhood. Our mother and mama kindled that spark early. They made sure we had the right reading material for our age - storybooks, comics, and magazines that fed both curiosity and imagination. But they were not alone in shaping this habit. Our English teachers in school encouraged us to read widely and express ourselves freely. They introduced us to classics, poems, and essays that opened new worlds. Librarians too played a quiet but important role, guiding us to the right shelves and saving new arrivals for us. And of course, our friends - many from similar backgrounds - shared and swapped books, discussed stories, and helped keep that reading spirit alive.

Over time, reading became more than just a pastime; it became part of who we were. It shaped our thoughts, our conversations, and even our dreams. Gradually, though this could have happened much earlier, this love for reading gave birth to writing. When you spend years soaking in words, you naturally begin to form your own. That’s how writing entered our lives - slowly, quietly, but with lasting joy.

Writing, like reading, is deeply rewarding. It helps you understand yourself better. When you put your thoughts on paper, you begin to see what you truly feel and believe. Writing becomes a mirror to your mind. It brings clarity and calm. Many times, it helps release worries that otherwise stay buried.

Writing also improves how you communicate. The habit of forming clear, simple sentences trains you to think and speak more effectively. You learn to express your ideas in a way that others can understand easily.

It is also a great stress reliever. When you write about your day, your challenges, or even your small joys, you feel lighter. Writing becomes therapy - a way to talk to yourself with honesty.

And of course, it makes you more creative. Words spark imagination. A simple observation can turn into a paragraph, a memory into a story. Each piece of writing makes you notice life more keenly.

Writing keeps the mind young too. You research, explore, and learn constantly. Every new topic opens another door of knowledge.

Looking back, we feel grateful - to our mother and mama, to our teachers and librarians, and to our friends who shared this journey. They gave us the greatest gift: the love of words. 

Today, that love lives on in our next generation. What started with reading turned into writing over time - and though the next generation hasn’t taken to writing yet, their love for books remains unshaken.

About the Author

Old Ritual, New Meaning

Every Diwali morning, long before sunrise, my mother would heat sesame oil on the gas stove. The smell filled the house as she called out, “Come, time for the oil bath!” She would rub warm oil on our heads and then apply nalang manjal - turmeric - over our legs. “It cleanses the body and mind,” she would say. The bath that followed felt like washing away not just dirt, but the weight of the year.

After she passed away, my wife took over this ritual. The same oil, the same fragrance, the same peace. It feels like a bridge - between generations, between memory and life.

That’s the power of tradition.

Tradition is more than an old custom. It’s the living thread that connects us to who we are. It carries the beliefs, values, and lessons passed down through families and communities. It tells us where we come from and why certain things matter.

Traditions appear in many forms - festivals, food, songs, prayers, ceremonies. They give color to our culture and rhythm to our lives. Whether ancient or newly formed, they remind us that we belong to something larger than ourselves.

Why do traditions matter?

Because they give us identity. They teach us values like respect, gratitude, and compassion. They bring joy during celebrations and comfort during change. They offer stability when the world feels uncertain.

Traditions also keep culture alive. Every festival we celebrate, every family custom we follow, keeps history breathing. They remind us that our lives are part of a longer story, one that began before us and will continue after.

They build community too. When people follow the same customs, they share experiences that bind them together. The simple act of lighting lamps or sharing sweets can unite people across time, distance, and differences.

Traditions nurture the soul. Rituals encourage reflection and gratitude. They remind us to pause, to connect, and to give. In a world rushing forward, traditions tell us to slow down and remember what truly matters.

But when traditions fade, something inside us weakens. Without them, we risk losing our roots, our values, our sense of belonging. We may move faster, but we drift further.

Traditions are not just habits of the past, they are anchors for the future.
They teach us who we are, remind us what we stand for, and guide us toward a meaningful life.

And every Diwali morning, as I pour that warm oil on my head, I know, tradition isn’t old. It’s alive.

About the Author

Do Celebrities Believe in what they Sell?

 

Do Celebrities Really Use the Products They Endorse?

In today’s advertising-driven world, celebrity endorsements remain one of the most powerful marketing tools. A film star’s face plastered inside a bus urging commuters to use public transport, a cricketer smiling next to a second-hand car, or a model holding a tube of lipstick - these images instantly influence millions of consumers.

But the obvious question is: do celebrities themselves actually use the products they endorse?

For some categories, the answer seems highly unlikely. A leading Bollywood star appearing in an ad campaign encouraging people to use public transport. The message may have been noble, but can we really imagine that star ditching their chauffeur-driven luxury sedans and personal security entourage to travel on a city bus or suburban train? Similarly, a top cricketer has fronted advertisements urging people to buy and sell used cars on digital platforms. Yet, in reality, one doubts whether he has ever personally negotiated the price of a second-hand hatchback when his garage is filled with luxury sports cars and SUVs.

The disconnect becomes sharper with mass-market FMCG products. A glamorous actor might promote a ₹100 fairness cream or a carbonated soft drink, but chances are their personal beauty and wellness regimen involves high-end brands and nutritionists’ recommendations. Expecting them to actually consume the same sugary sodas or snack foods as the average consumer is unrealistic.

This gap raises a critical ethical question: is it right for celebrities to imply personal use when they do not?

Advertising often blurs the line between performance and authenticity. If an actor plays a villain on screen, we know it’s fiction. But when the same actor looks into the camera and says, “I use this every day,” the claim is meant to be taken as fact, not performance. That’s where misrepresentation creeps in.

The matter is even more troubling with products known to be harmful - alcohol surrogates, or sugar-heavy aerated drinks. Even if celebrities privately consumed such items, should they encourage millions of impressionable fans to follow suit? Regulations in India have tried to clamp down on misleading endorsements, but brands often find loopholes, and celebrities rarely turn down a lucrative deal.

To be fair, there are positive examples too. Many sportspersons endorse fitness gear, health drinks, or equipment they genuinely use. Certain actors associate themselves with luxury labels, gadgets, or cosmetics that align with their lifestyle, making the endorsement more authentic.

Ultimately, the responsibility cuts both ways. Brands seek visibility, celebrities chase income. But when trust is placed in them by millions, the ethical obligation is heavier.

So the next time a smiling star urges you to buy something, pause and ask yourself: are they truly selling what they use - or just using their face or figure to sell?

About the Author