I am not a victim!!

Not all of us are heroines. Not all of us have the courage to fight - the system, unfairness, a stronger person, injustice. It's often easier to accept the status quo and to justify our passivity by saying that we want to move on instead of wasting our time and energy in fighting what is almost certain to be a losing battle.

But some battles have to be fought - against an unfair fate, against tormentors and against our own weaknesses - so that we can live decently and the way we want to, with self-respect. So some of us choose to fight. We win some of these battles and lose others. But each time we choose to fight, even if we do not triumph, the very fact that we fought can bring us relief and be an example to others.

So, every time we choose not to accept problems or behavior that belittles us, not to put up with someone who is interfering with our right to free choice, not to take something that causes us pain lying down, not to tolerate injustice, not to accept convention just because society decrees that it has to be accepted, not to break under the burden of something bad that life has dished out to us - each of us is, in fact announcing, "I won't be a victim! I will fight!"

Happy Diwali!!!

It is that time of the year again - Diwali!! Time of festivities and cheer. A new year beckons us. Wonder what it holds. As I sit down to send Diwali greetings, I find myself pondering about days gone and those yet to dawn.

Diwali happens to be one of my favorite festivals - I love the lights and spakle around! It instantly cheers and perks up the mood. I started preparing for Diwali few days back - bought some earthen diyas and painted/decorated them....feels really nice to see your handiwork and then use it!

I am also reminded of my childhood days - Diwali used to be so much fun in the JNU campus where I grew up....there would be million of lights outside everyone's homes, and then the sound of crackers being bursted was deafening :-) Diwali evening also meant going to others' homes to wish them and eat lots of goodies - yummy sweets and namkeens - and of course there used a constant stream of people at my place too...all my dad's colleagues, mom's friends and mine too....coming to greet us.

Here's wishing you and your families be blessed with success, prosperity and happiness....on this day of lights and each day of the coming year!!!

Shubh Deepawali!!