Vignettes by Vrinda

Just like the colours of a kaleidoscope blend and twist to reveal new formations, my mind has lately started to swim through flashes of colours at the far end of its memory, shifting from clear to blurred images. Today, I am going to revisit some aspects of my early childhood as far as I can recollect. These memories hold a very, very special place in my heart as you will find 'Him ' in them: My Baba. My dear Baba. For as long as I can remember, as a child, he would always keep me with him and love me. Always and at all times. I was barely one or two years old when he would pick me up in his arms and take me wherever he went - be it at a friend's house, his meetings at Bharat Vikas Parishad, bua's college to drop her and even at the events where he was invited as the chief guest! If you happen to pick any of my photo albums from those times, you would find him with me and me with him in almost every picture. My mom often tells me that even before I learned to walk, s...

October is here. A month that welcomes the cool months ahead with open arms. The air is chiller, the breeze that brushes off my skin in mornings and evenings carries a certain calmness. I have started to know myself more after realizing that there wasn't much that I knew before. I am loving this season of fall and am enthralled by its captivating embrace that soothes me, somehow, and I have started to slow down my pace to look around a bit and appreciate life. I really have done that.  Among many other perspectives about this season, I have identified with two of my own. I remember that during this time some years ago, I was not exactly in the brightest of my moods, but now I cannot even recall why! I was just sifting through some of my older poems and this one from October 2018 caught my eye. It's a bit childish but as I look at it today, I can make out my feeble attempts to dodge a rattle by the way of channeling it through ink and paper. That habit has probably withered away...

A whole lot of things have taken place in the past few days that have melted away into weeks and months. High school has been going on smoothly since May (albeit virtually). I’ve had online exams and all along there has been a constant juggle between so many things that are literally 'happening.' The online classes go on for the better part of all my mornings and afternoons, then there are some fellowships to attend, case study competitions, tests, coaching class, editorial board’s work and I can add a hundred other things to this list. The twenty-four hours of a day are over just at the bat of an eyelid. The exciting part is that I am finally getting to live this life that I have always wanted – the one that brings something new and challenging to my doorstep every single day. But the sad part is that I have very little to no time left for my family, no matter how much I try. What ensue are my parents’ ever increasing (genuine) concerns and claims about how I lack ma...

how fortunate and blessed I am to know that you’re my lamp of guidance when the barb of obscure uncertainty clings I don’t know how to thank you enough for always being the wind beneath my wings had I pinned a shining star in the sky each time you brightened up my day I’d be holding a galaxy by now this is all I can say you’re the hardest working person I know I see determination dancing in your eyes an apostle of unwavering courage you are tirelessly working to paint our skies you are that wind which sails my boat whenever I’m stuck in a web of commotion I have always admired your humble patience your footsteps are my grace of devotion your efforts and endeavours inspire me to build my own path and hit a homerun while others perspire in their own little world you, my dearest papa help me dance on the golden sun   This one's for you, papa! 'I am' because 'you are.' Happy Father's Day!   Also, I wish a very happy ...

Trying to understand the spectrum of emotions I have felt so far as a 17 year old. Just Another Day of Happiness I go on jumping with joy like an overexcited kid and my outbursts of laughter ring in the air around and travel as far as they can, even to the turrets above. A copious amount of enthusiasm and happiness fills me to the brim as I beam like a stark white flashlight, right in front of your eyes. My energy level shoots up to a bar so high that a normal person like isn’t be able to look at it only.      When the Nerves Attack I don’t get nervous easily, but when I do, goodness, it is but another cynical attack that I beat upon myself. My throat goes dry but I stay away from water, my legs try to shake but my brain doesn’t let them, knowing how much I get irritated by the mere act of doing so. I move my neck in awkward ways- I know it sounds funny but it actually isn’t . And then my foot falls asleep all of a sudden and those pins and needles prick my skin li...

When the gush of soft winds carrying realism and practicality brush across my being, I often contemplate: Where would they lead me to? The things that I am doing? Why am I doing them? And then the answers that I receive from the voice within me, speak volumes about where and how and replaces ‘why’ with ‘why not…’ It’s good to be able to see where we are going. But it’s also fine if one hasn’t figured it out yet. Life won’t stop at any moment and will go on and on without any halt, regardless of whether we catch up with its pace or not. So, it’s always better to be in charge of it and not let it be otherwise. Because firstly, only we alone have to tread upon the paths that our choices and actions build and secondly, we completely owe it to ourselves to execute the feat that will get us closer to wherever we want to reach. We can more often than not ‘choose’ what happens in our life. There’s no definition of perfect: It’s just the way we see it. But here’s the thing, I’m not ...

When I looked at that magnificent blue sky, All my pains and troubles flew by. I loved to see a twinkling star In the murky midnight sky.   When the day of a new hope dawned, Heavenly light shone through the wispy clouds. A glorious new day was signified then, And a bright blue sky was gracefully endowed. It was mesmerizing! How simple it looked Yet, it seemed to hold each of our thoughts and treads. The awe-inspiring sky blushed a shade of light pink And stretched out for everlasting infinity over our heads. It was lovingly affectionate! Seeming as if it will swallow up you a whole… And then warmly whisper ten words of a salubrious secret To your ear, asking you to never let it disclosed. It was incredibly magical! Soulfully smiling in the first rays of dawn It showed off its eternal beauty in the night, When the glittering stars came and the sun had gone. It conversed with me like a best friend, And also grumbled some of its complaints, It d...

Today I got a chance to be a part of an enlightening conversation with Mr. Rahul Inamdar, a mechanical engineer by profession, who had successfully scaled the high and the mighty Mount Everest last year. I extend my thanks to Pulkit Datta uncle for giving me this once in a lifetime opportunity to interact with such a motivational and humble person. During our interaction, Mr Rahul touched upon some very wise and cardinal things that we all must incorporate in ourselves if we really want to achieve our wildest dreams. Only we have the power to defeat our own demons. We need to be passionate to achieve our goals and be infatuated with our dreams, turning our ears deaf and eyes blind to anything and everything that tries to divert our focus from the path. Every hinderance shall be surpassed, every storm shall be conquered, if and only if we embark upon our own journey independently with no reliance on anyone for anything. Switching off everything external is not a piece ...

A faint little crevice like that on your palm  and mine Isolates I choose to from I have to I could let the spectre of uncertainty and precarious perch of missing out Smother me unto despair But I choose to wear the silver lining Like a diadem on my head And bless my soul With hides of harmony instead I have watered the garden of my fears With the tears of acceptance I have let my mind wander; Adrift in the heart of nowhere Yet when I think about its retreat A million stars explode in my veins I thank the divinity in heavens above For the truth of me being in control Which has empowered me so far To overcome  the empty fears of my soul