Experiences

TOI calls her Nirbhaya—the Fearless One. 12 days on, she’s putting up one of the most inspiring fights I have seen in recent times. One thought, in the beginning, presumptuously, that the nation was behind her, with its prayers and encouragement. Now I feel humbled and think that perhaps the nation is drawing strength from this 23-year old girl, this epitome of indomitable spirit, who survived a bloodcurdling assault, is fighting intestinal gangrene, sepsis, breathing difficulties and psychological trauma, and who is alert enough to give statement not once, but twice. Shame on the powers-that-be that put her through this ordeal twice; for putting her in the cross fire of accusations and counter accusations that only brings the corruptness and ineptness of the establishment and administration into sharp focus. The swell of protesters in Delhi asking for justice and safety for women is heartening on a couple of accounts. As a friend put it, the tree is being shaken up. Today’s yo...

Is traveling about getting somewhere or getting away from it all? Is it about finding something or getting lost? Is it about progress or taking a detour? Or is it simply about moments—magical, gastronomical, funny, poignant or adventurous? Moments were aplenty during this winter trip to Rajasthan: Walking through the enchanted woods of Keoladeo National Park, feeling like an Alice who’s just slid down the rabbit hole; Standing stunned before the exquisite but uniquely individualistic monuments at Fatehpur Sikri, hearing a voice of an extraordinary man across 400 years;  Staring at a ceiling painted in a style that can be only described as Moghul-kitsch with horrid fascination, unable to sleep in an overwhelmingly garish hotel in Jaipur; Marveling at the effortless and steady-footed way the camel negotiated sand dunes, even with a payload such as me… And in the middle of these moments, I think I did manage to get away, get lost, get somewhere and find something. I lost the st...