My Grandmom

When I muse over my childhood days, every situation finds myself with one person and that's my maternal grandmom....I call her 'bhai'. Till date I haven't come across a lady with so many lady-like characters yet with a firmness not even found in many gentlemen of her age. She had been the iron-lady of the house supporting each member in her own way. Her poise, beauty and dignity always fascinated me. Even now, when she's 87, she keeps herself active in whatever way she can. She taught me one good lesson of life, to respect oneself. Till now I like to visualise her as the beautiful lady in white and the vermillions intact..love her like I've loved no-one else in my life.My childhood stll thrives with her........see you through your centuries Bhai..love you.

Ayan Hirsi Ali

For me feminism doesn't mean criticising men but standing for the rights of women..how small it may be. But most of us do not possess the required strength to be the voice one needs to be. The other day I was reading 'Infidel' by Ayan Hirsi Ali...She dared to do just that. It is real,moving,strong and unnerving at times but the courage she has shown to swim against the tide is more than applaudable. Her determination to reach her goal in adverse situations, which most of us cannot even think in our remotest dream, is real inspiring. It's not because she dared to speak against the derogatory laws of Islam, which are often used against Muslim women makes her impressive,its her courage to speak the truths publicly and demanding solutions for the same was awe inspiring. Hats off to her....not only women but every person should take lessons from her courage to stand for the truth.

The determination and the courage simply oozes out from the photo on the cover page...I was so impressed I tried an acrylic on canvas of it.