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Vaishali Gandhi delves into her own experiences as a single mom to share meaningful ideas that resonate with other women.
Vaishali Gandhi delves into her own experiences as a single mom to share meaningful ideas that resonate with other women. Her chosen moniker, ‘Soul Mom’ is something that she surely lives up to!
Every month, here at Women’s Web, we recognise the work of three exceptional contributors, from the over 2000 women and men who share their ideas, experiences, and insights here. This October 2017, Vaishali Gandhi is one of our 3 Authors of the Month. You can find her writing at Women’s Web here, and on her own blog.
Authors are often asked this question, but everyone has their own reasons, very personal to them. So, why do you write?
Writing for me is a reflection of what goes on in my inner world. I like to share my thoughts, opinions, emotions, information – whenever there’s a strong urge to do so. The way I like to look at it – my words are an expression of what makes me, me.
What do you enjoy reading? Does any of it help your writing?
I enjoy reading across genres – non-fiction, fiction, parenting, finances, news, magazines, comics, to name a few. In fiction, I quite enjoy thrillers and crime. In non-fiction, personal and spiritual growth in particular have always captured my interest.
I believe reading and writing are two sides of the mirror. Everything I read expands my imagination and vocabulary, which translates in my writing. My first book as an author, ‘Small Servings of Wellness’, encapsulates many of my readings.
When it comes to writing on/for/about women, what questions and issues drive you the most?
Being a single mom and having put divorce behind me, the issues related to these life situations drive me the most. The strong urge to share my life experiences and reach out to women in similar situations led me to start my blog. Women empowerment is a subject close to heart. To live a life to our fullest potential and to enable others to do so, is something I’m passionate about.
Do you a consider yourself a feminist? Why/Why not?
I personally don’t believe in being labeled. But I do have a voice in support for equality of genders on all fronts – social, political, economic and personal.
Name 3 other writers or bloggers on Women’s Web whose writing you enjoy reading.
Though I haven’t read as many authors on Women’s Web as I would have liked to, the 3 names that come to mind – Editor Aparna Singh, Shailaja Vishwanath, and Pooja Sharma Rao.
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Neena was the sole caregiver of Amma and though one would think that Amma was dependent on her, Neena felt otherwise.
Neena inhaled the aroma that emanated from the pan and took a deep breath. The aroma of cumin interspersed with butter transported her back to the modest kitchen in her native village. She could picture her father standing in the kitchen wearing his white crisp kurta as he made delectable concoctions for his only daughter.
Neena grew up in a home where both her parents worked together in tandem to keep the house up and running. She had a blissful childhood in her modest two-room house. The house was small but every nook and cranny gave her memories of a lifetime. Neena’s young heart imagined that her life would follow the same cheerful course. But how wrong she was!
When she was sixteen, the catastrophic clutches of destiny snatched away her parents. They passed away in a road accident and Neena was devastated. Relatives thronged her now gloomy house and soon it was decided that she should be married off.
Women today don’t want to be in a partnership that complicates their lives further. They need an equal partner with whom they can figure out life as a team, playing by each other’s strengths.
We all are familiar with that one annoying aunty who is more interested in our marital status than in the dessert counter at a wedding. But these aunties have somehow become obsolete now. Now they are replaced by men we have in our lives. Friends, family, and even work colleagues. It’s the men who are worried about why we are not saying yes to one among their clans. What is wrong with us? Aren’t we scared of dying alone? Like them?
A recent interaction with a guy friend of mine turned sour when he lectured me about how I would regret not getting married at the right time. He lectured that every event in our lives needs to be completed within a certain timeframe set by society else we are doomed. I wasn’t angry. I was just disappointed to realize that annoying aunties are rapidly doubling in our society. And they don’t just appear at weddings or family functions anymore. They are everywhere. They are the real pandemic.
Let’s examine this a little closer.
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