ANOU’S BLOG

ANOU’S BLOG ARCHIVES

bye bye brother

The name on the cell screen made me jump. It had to be bad news. And it was. Another death in the family. This time a cousin brother, the youngest of us all. Life had blown us in different directions following some family issues between elders. These sadly affect the...

That hunger can make you angry

That hunger can make you angry

A friend sent me a link to an article. It is entitled: barefoot - the other side of life! Do read it. It brings to light many of the issues I have ranted about time and again. Two friends both Indians, both from swanky US universities decided to come home and do...

Milk for the Gods, why not for a child

Milk for the Gods, why not for a child

Today is Shivratri. Millions of devotees will pour millions of gallons of milk on Shiv Lingas across the country. I have always found the ritual of pouring milk over stone deities deplorable particularly in a land where millions go to bed hungry every night and...

Shocking but true

Shocking but true

This picture was sent to me this morning. Look at it well. The picture was taken in a Government run school in, hold your breath: Delhi! You may recall the fact many schools are bereft of desks. This school is not. But the desks provided to the little ones are too big...

another form of gender bias

another form of gender bias

Strange but gender bias has hit me hard. Perhaps it was because of a recent invitation urging women to 'look pretty'. I must confess it did bring the point home. I was in combat mode. The anger had barely subsided when another aberration was heard on the news. Women...

All ladies to look pretty..

All ladies to look pretty..

All ladies to look pretty were the words inscribed on the bottom of an invitation to dinner next to the usual 'dress code'. Needless to say it made me see red. The invite in question was from highly respectable, well educated etc people. To many it may seem innocuous....

A valentine day surprise

A valentine day surprise

Valentine Day has never meant much to me. I have not been one to be swayed by hearts and red roses. I have fond memories of making cards for my father as a little girl but that is where it ended.  The rank commercialisation of the event has led me to shun it and...

Say a little prayer for her

Say a little prayer for her

We heard some terrible news. Meher's father is on his death bed. Too many years of drinking hooch have had their toll on him. He is in his village and everyone has given up hope. He wants to see Meher one last time and in a few hours Meher will make the journey to bid...

victims of our defeaning silence

victims of our defeaning silence

Little Falak is still battling for her life, her battered body stubbornly fighting infections and fevers. She is holding on as the sinister series of events that brought her to this scary hospital bed enfolds. She is holding on as best she can so that we hear the...

Congratulations, your kid’s name is….

Congratulations, your kid’s name is….

  Congratulations, your kid’s name is in the shortlist. You will have to pay Rs 1 lakh in cash. This is what many parents seeking nursery admissions for their children were told in school after school. The words and sum sought may have varied but the essence...

popotamus and boman

popotamus and boman

Thanks to the wonder of Skype I get to see and talk to my grandson every day. Never mind that the 12 hour time difference muddles our good mornings and good nights! Anyway we get to live a few moments together and that is nothing short of wonderful. Agastya treats me...

Nobody’s child

Nobody’s child

She is battling alone for her life. She is just 2! She was named Falak. It means star. Wonder who gave her that name. But it was the right one as this little girl refuses to stop shining. Her story is nothing short of barbaric. She has been abused in the most inhuman...