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Loneliness can strike anyone, even when surrounded by people; it is not necessarily because of our circumstances or because of who we are.
The room was brimming with euphoria. The guffaws seamlessly fused into the clanking of the glasses. Humourous anecdotes were shared – some new and some fond reminiscences.
As I stood up to fetch the bowl of nachos from the kitchen, I scanned the hall and let out a smile. It was amazing to witness how my girl squad had managed to sprawl together on the miniature sofa.
I turned around to proceed but something felt weird. I began to feel sick all of a sudden. My steps became heavier and I realized I was palpitating.
It was back!
That gnawing discomfort had gripped me again. I grappled with it, pulling out all my strength from within, and finally managed to set myself free of its grasp. Or so I thought. I stared at it in the face this time, and yelled.
“What the hell are you doing here? There is no place for you amidst this crowd.”
Loneliness smirked.
“You still don’t get it, do you?” it retorted.
I stood there in submission, still and clueless.
“All the people out there are around you. But, I am inside you.”
Author’s Note:
Loneliness can hit anyone, anytime. It is not lack of contact with people. A person living a life of a loner may not necessary feel lonely. It is a subjective experience that can creep inside due to various reasons.
We often form perceptions about our friends or family members or even acquaintances based on what we see on the surface. But, sometimes, upon scratching we discover a completely different layer lying underneath. If we can provide someone a shoulder to cry on or an intent ear to listen to them, let us do it. A few minutes from our life can mean the world to someone. And, most importantly, do not hesitate to get medical help if you are hit by loneliness and are struggling to deal with it.
If you or anyone you know is feeling suicidal, here are some of the helplines available in India. Please call.
Aasra, Mumbai: 022-27546669
Sneha, Chennai: 044-2464 0050
Lifeline, Kolkata: 033-2474 4704
Sahai, Bangalore: 080–25497777
Roshni, Hyderabad: 040-66202000, 040-66202001
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Multiple award winning blogger, influencer, author, multi-faceted entrepreneur, creative writing mentor, choreographer, social activist and a wanderer at heart read more...
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People say that women are the greatest enemies of women. I vehemently disagree. It is the patriarchal mindset that makes women believe in the wrong ideology.
The entire world celebrates International Women’s Day on March 8, 2024. It should be a joyful day, but unfortunately, not all women are entitled to this privilege, as violence against women is at its peak. The experience of oppression pushes many women to choose freedom. As far as patriotism is concerned, feminism is not a cup of tea in this society.
What happens when a woman decides to stand up for herself? Does this world easily accept the decisions of women in this society? What inspires them to be free of the clutches of the oppression that women have faced for ages? Most of the time, women do not get the chance to decide for themselves. Their lives are always at the mercy of someone, which can be their parents, siblings, husband, or children.
In some cases, women do not feel the need to make any decisions. They are taught to obey the patriarchal system, which makes them believe that they are right. In my family, I was never taught to make decisions on my own. It was always my parents who bought dresses and all that I needed.
14 years after her last feature film Dhobi Ghat, storyteller extraordinaire comes up with her new film, Laapataa Ladies, a must watch.
*Some spoilers alert*
Every religion around the world dictates terms to women. The onus is always on women to be ‘modest’ and cover their faces and bodies so men can’t be “tempted”, rather than on men to keep their eyes where they belong and behave like civilized beings. So much so that even rape has been excused on the grounds of women eating chowmein or ‘men will be men’. I think the best Hindi movie retort to this unwanted advice on ‘akeli ladki khuli tijori ki tarah hoti hai’ (an alone woman is like an open jewellery box) came from Geet in Jab We Met – Kya aap gyan dene ke paise lete hain kyonki chillar nahin hain mere paas.
The premise of Laapataa Ladies is beautifully simple – two brides clad in the ghunghat that covers their identity get mixed up on a train. Within this Russian Doll, you get a comedy of errors, a story of getting lost, a commentary on patriarchy’s attitude towards women, a mystery, and a tale of finding oneself, all in one. Done with a mostly light touch that has you laughing and nodding along.
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