Meenakshi M. Singh's Blog

Women's day

I choose this day of “Happy Women’s day” especially to express my gratitude and love for the “MEN” as I believe this beautiful collaboration of equals i.e masculine and feminine can make this world a better place. Shiva&Shakti.I am a feminist. Being a feminist, feminism means equality to me. I do not seek any bias towards a particular gender as both are important. I truly respect and value the role of men and how both genders complement each other equally. Although, I do feel that at times the woman or girl child needs that extra support to be celebrated and accepted as equals. In the Indian context, for that to happen, we still need to elevate our consciousness.
And yes, there is more sensation than sensitization in our society with regard to the true spirit of feminism. I do not find it right that women are imitating men to prove equal to them. It’s not the correct approach to emulate their dress or life style. That doesn’t prove anything other than allowing and acknowledging the stereotype. There are some inherent qualities in both genders, and one can progress embracing those qualities, working in tandem rather than stereotyping the role of one gender. Both can co-exist and collaborate beautifully with respect for each other.
As Anais Nin quotes on the power of hers:
“I, with a deeper instinct, choose a man who compels my strength, who makes enormous demands on me, who does not doubt my courage or my toughness, who does not believe me naïve or innocent, who has the courage to treat me like a woman.”
So the aim is to be a happy, regardless of days and gender.
#SHEFORSHE #SHEFORHE #HEFORSHE #SHETHESHAKTI#MEENAKSHIMSINGH

And She kept dying happily everafter

I write to die,To die after pouring life on the paper,To let the creation be aliveAnd float, stay or flyIt’s a process of consumptionEmotion, resurrection, consummationBut I get reborn, anew, lighterIt’s a compulsive murderKilling of the wrath or exuberant joyA constant tussle between the heart and the penThe pen pulling out the words like mining something It’s a fight and my being looks forward to this struggleTo get churned, and after it flows entirelyI feel dead, neutral as ifThat poem never belonged to meI forget the wordsAnd read it like a narrator reciting someone else’s wordsI belong till its birthAnd cut off the umbilical just after itThe baby gets raised in other nestsOther heartsAnd I enjoy to die And my epitaph says
And she kept dying happily everafter

My Views On " A Forgotten Affair"

“Did you try love?” Kanchana Banerjee’s novel “A Forgotten affair” brings this question to the fore so beautifully and so enigmatically. Isn’t this trial, the very basis of leading a happy life? Trying love than anything else and how that becomes the anchor of your life! The pivot to which you can hold upon when all is gone.
“Sometimes…you need to forget everything to recognize what matters most”, quotes the author.

I really enjoyed reading this book, the setting based in my beloved city Gurgaon and it’s a woman centric story of finding oneself. I liked the end very much which states the choice of a woman and really respect the writer for that ending than having a fairy tale ending of uniting with love. This book, though based on marriage and love offers more than that. There were moments of reflection, self discovery and the purpose of one’s being. Also how it highlights the narcissism of a man and dynamics of marriage. Loved the subtle, poetic scenes weaved beautifully and how it highlights the beauty of rain, flowers and simple precious things. Keep shining Kanchana and I look forward to reading your work more.

I AM PINK

  #IAMPINK #PINKI was born as an unwanted guest, a failed attempt for a son. Son came after as my little brother but destiny meant it otherwise. We lost him after 17 years. We all learnt our lessons, grew stronger emotionally but still mostly on Rakhi days, I kept waiting for the so called brothers in relation to tie my Rakhi and eventually overcame that wait too but somewhere that void remains.
I got blessed by twin daughters. When they were around 6 months old, one of the old lady saw the pram with two babies and asked, “Congratulations, they are twins?”“Yes, aunty”."A Boy and a girl!"One of my daughter had less hair and extra chubby at that time.“No aunty, both girls”.“Oh!”….she paused. Her spark fizzled out. “Anyways beta, both are Lakshmis”, She said in a tone consoling me.I was quiet, dumbfounded and extremely angry.Another day, there was another old lady in neighbour, she just grabbed my hand one day and insistingly said,” I wanted to say something to you. You are like my daughter.”Yes aunty, I answered with whole heart.“Beta, you are young, not working now. You must go for a son. After all the sisters would need a brother to tie their rakhis.” She gave me her golden advice.I lost it then. I told that aunty specifically that we don’t want sons. We wanted daughters only and it’s a celebration and not a consolation.”And Rakhi. As a mother I took a decision when they turned four. I feel so good to share that every year onwards, my daughters tie Rakhi to each other with complete rituals defying the need of a gender to follow a tradition of love.I am happy to break this stereotype, this pattern defined by the patriarchical society that only a boy, the brother is meant to be tied Rakhi being capable of saving the sister. Now a sister will become the strength of another. And it feels so empowering. Let the system get stunned.




"समाज नहीं है ये है डर तेरातुझे रखे निर्बल यह पिंजरातेरी प्रतिभा ही तेरे पंख हैंअब उड़ जा, छू ले आसमाँअब तोड़ दे सब बेड़ियाँतू द्रौपदी भी, और खुद कृष्ण भीतेरा साहस ही तेरा वस्त्र हैतेरी प्रतिभा ही तेरा अस्त्र है"
- मीनाक्षी एम सिंह

PINK is a statement, not just a movie. PINK is a mirror to the society, to show the bias to men and women in the society. PINK is not new, but has a fresh way of satire on the men still stuck in gauging the character of a woman through her dress or food/drink habits.PINK is a chapter to educate the boys to understand that “NO” being said by a girl. No means NO, period. NO is a sentence, not just a word.NO also educates girls to not shy away to admit of their likes/desires in public but claim their equal rights to live freely in the society. PINK empowers a woman to lead a lifestyle she wants, the clothes she wears or the drink she chooses.
I must congratulate Mr. Amitabh Bacchan to be the potent medium to bring forward this powerful performance for such a cause. It’s a milestone in his career, his legacy. That special scene wherein he quotes that “Poor boys, who get provoked and excited by the dress choices by girls, we must save the poor boys. If a girl smiles and talks to them in courteous manner, it’s hint for them of her loose character.” It’s a slap with humor and wit on the patriarchal society.
Though it’s just a movie, but if it could change the thinking of even 10 men or empower 10 women, it’s worth it. It’s coming from the same Bollywood where woman gets objectified or songs are made on her and she is just her body parts. This change is commendable and shows a sign of growth.
Most important, what stored and stayed is woman to woman compassion. How the three friends stuck together and stood for each other in the most adverse times. Normally, out of fear, humiliation, it’s difficult to withstand due to taboos in the society.
I really feel that more than men, it’s the women who need to change their consciousness. They don’t need to accept the subjugation instead stand up for each other. This woman to woman sadistic revengeful attitude or unnecessary rivalry is killing our society esxpecially in domestic context. If one woman rejoices for another woman’ freedom and empowerment then things could change for better. In the name of culture, moral values, the senior women fear change in the generation and feel that everything would be harmonius if the pattern is followed. It’s time to change the patterns. It’s time to claim the freedom. It’s time to be a woman and free. It’s time to wear PINK and be PROUD.

#1BookRead #100BooksPact2016 #FlightofHilsa

Meenakshi M Singh #1BookRead #100BooksPact2016 #FlightofHilsa


A satiating and beautiful read with the hangover.
Flight of Hilsa evokes the Hilsa within the reader in pursuit of purpose and happiness in one’s life.
Bringing forward the truth about love, be it with a lover, parents, friend or with life, weaved beautifully through the journey of Avantika, the protagonist , reader is compelled to introspect. “It’s easy to be Kabir than Buddha” pushed me to think and the “basis of love is Faith” is so reassuring.
Also it’s a story of an artist who faces the dilemma of choosing the path of heart or what the world preaches, to get tamed, a conflict between the idealism and materialism. Any artist can resonate and relate to the life story of Avantika and it builds the belief on staying true to the heart and earning love than sheer material.
Loved the mystic, romantic and philosophic exchange between the Captain and the woman.
How the story builds the bias strongly about a community and then towards the end breaks it too like a natural phenomenon, very interesting. Like one grows in life with prejudices and then how these melt with experience.
 I started the book on Jan 6, and had to the cancel all the engagements for the day, for the book is an unputdownable one and I kept glued till I journeyed with the protagonist Avantika till 2:00 am. Author’s writing is very descriptive and almost poetic when it comes to describing the splendor and beauty in a context. The most remarkable thing is how a man is able to successfully depict the struggle, the inner turmoil from a girl’s point of view. Amazing ability. Especially the satire and depth in Amit Shankar’s writing is commendable and I have become an admirer all the more of his pen. The poem by Gibran was aptly put and justified the dilemma. A satiating and beautiful read with the hangover. I really look forward to reading more of his work. Thanks.
- Meenakshi M Singh #1BookRead #100BooksPact2016 #FlightofHilsa

Khoon

खून

काश के खून भी पानी जैसा होता 
न जमता , न जलता , न काला पड़ जाता 

काश के खून भी पानी जैसा होता 
उन्माद सा बहता , उमड़ता 
बिना भेद भाव के , बिना रंग राग के 
बस अपने आगोश में ले लेता 
फिर एक रंग हो कर लहरों सा झूमता 

काश के खून भी पानी जैसा होता
काश...

- मीनाक्षी

Sunlit Hearts - Book Review

Book Title– Sunlit HeartsAuthor -  Meenu MehrotraPublisher - Vitasta Publishing Pvt LtdISBN - 978-93-80828-78-7Price -  Rs 295/-Pages –  238Genre – RomanceMy Rating  - 4 / 5Snapshot “ A wound is the place where light enters the heart” -  a quote from the bookMedha, an aspiring writer develops feelings for Nikhil in college but her feelings are not reciprocated. Forced to bury her feelings of true love, Medha agrees to an arranged marriage to Rishi. After sixteen years of sedate and lackluster marriage, she bumps into Nikhil again but this time she is a confident and successful writer and the glamour in her married life is amiss. She could not deny herself getting pulled towards Nikhil and moves with the flow into a passionate relationship with Nikhil. She stands on a threshold where she has to weigh and analyze her feelings as a lover, her loyalties and commitment as a wife, responsibilities and duties as a mother and a daughter. A difficult struggle she undergoes which shook her internally and externally, a tug of war, a tempest too strong to surmount. A woman’s emotions are so aesthetically and profoundly expressed without hinting an opinion of right and wrong, Meenu Mehrotra, the author takes the reader on a deep and intriguing journey of emotions, feelings which stirs the soul and provides an ending on creating peace and beauty with her self.My ReviewA tale of a contemporary woman, discovering herself through topsy turvy journey of love travelling as a one sided lover, a daughter, a wife in an arranged marriage, a mother and then completing the circle by communing with the passionate lover and the ultimate realization, story which covers a 360 degrees reflection of today’s woman.Medha is portrayed as a daughter and her well being in her marriage is a concern for her father, as a mother of a teenager and the responsibilities to be performed, as a perfect wife for her loving husband, as a lover for her long lost incomplete love, as a friend seeking approval from her friend and above all as a woman who is all of these and carving an identity and wandering for feeling complete within. I congratulate the author Meenu Mehrotra for portraying her woman character Medha, a contemporary woman with a successful career and a woman brave enough to take her decisions of life despite the stereotypical constraints of society and motherhood. In a typical viewpoint, there is infidelity in marriage that too by an Indian wife but even that is conveyed so beautifully and aesthetically as nothing wrong but a mandatory journey to complete herself and being at peace with herself. It’s a brave attempt and successful too, where like real life, everything is not black and white. The concept of open marriage is brought about and discussed in light and depth between the couples. A wonderful depiction of a woman’s inner thoughts and a brave expression by the writer Meenu Mehrotra who didn’t pollute the love outside marriage with moral rules and where protagonist does not feel guilty for infidelity. I loved travelling with Medha through her journey of discovering herself and connecting the dots towards a soulful marriage.In the end Medha finds a friend in her husband whom she always craved for and when Medha says coming back to her husband Rishi that “It had taken me sixteen years and a Nikhil to discover him. Rishi and Nikhil, both were a part of my seamless and sacred sky” reflects that Medha does not lessen the importance of her love and feelings for Nikhil as a casual temporary affair but as a needed and important milestone to reach to her destination. “You never leave someone behind; you take a part of them with you, and leave a part of yourself behind” - A quote from the book Through her story, a question is provoked in mind about the soul being satiated and happy despite possessing that happy family quotient. Meenu Mehrotra has done a wonderful job by switching to specific viewpoints from the character itself by dwelling into both a man’s psyche as well as woman’s , which comes difficult.Also I would like to add the story seems very relatable for a Delhite reader with Delhi’s locales and backdrop shown. The locales of NCR are beautified and found a new glamour for the readers since that was the forcing impetus of conflict for Medha being caged in Dubai. The intrigue is maintained so very well that reader gets glued to it, I could not put down the book and finished it all in a night. The entire journey of hers through travelling and living like a gypsy and coming back home, just like a mirror showed her the beauty lying within and she discovered herself, lost and found woman. I must congratulate the writer for this wonderful novel and look forward to future writing from Meenu Mehrotra.
Link to Buy “Sunlit Hearts” from Online  
Flipkart: http://www.flipkart.com/sunlit-hearts/p/itmd8yjxgaccxeeh?pid=9789380828787&ref=d2b9bfa3-0320-4e18-9ec4-0c8226686439&srno=s_1&otracker=from-search&query=sunlit+hearts 

AHA TE AROHA

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What is Te Aroha?
Just another resort in Hills, well the answer is no.Beauty, luxury, aesthetics, modern amenities, soulful experience,a perfect combo offering all this...Te Aroha, is not just a resort but a pristine poem inked in hues of flowers, written in the lap of Himalayas rhymed on the music of rain and chirping birds  sung with clouds  dancing around..... simply breathtaking
Where is Te Aroha?

Feeling is the best memoir…and I had the opportunity to have a memoir there at Te AROHA..a boutique resort in Dhanachauli
located at an altitude of 2300 m with picturesque views of the surrounding Himalayan mountain ranges and valleys
A perfect refuge away from urban hum drums especially for romantics and artisans seeking solitude and tranquility, for a complete soulful experience.
Why Te Aroha Unique?

The flora and fauna, thoughtfully placed choicest pots in marble,terracotta and lime pots, some shaped as frogs, or folded hands in the steps seems like a red carpet to a pristine space. The creator and chairman, Sumant Batra has put his sheer artistry, appreciation for nature, art, literature through this labor of love, which originally was his summer house.


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Beautiful arrangements of flowers are floated around spreading joy, colors  and then while you are walking on the steps or a small turn, you will find apples, pears hanging over you head, too fresh and tempting to resist, its infotainment for urban kids generally over loaded with gadgets.


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The corporate lawyer, Sumant Batra creator of this beauty ....and a true gentleman has kept his  eclectic collection which takes you directly to your childhood and youth. Preserving the past so elegantly be it comics, matchboxes, typewriter, kettles or movie posters, sewing machines or Machine ke tel ki kuppi all that has a charm enthusing a sense of belonging there.
It’s a place to make a connection with universe, peaceful serene and beautiful.
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Quality of service
The staff is so prompt in service and always smiling, it was raining cats and dogs still a young smiling handsome boy came with an endearing smile and tray of hot pakodas and grilled sandwiches and lot of warmth.


Romantic RoomsNow the rooms, where every nook and corner is tastefully decorated and every artifact is placed with a romantic sensibilities. Generally rooms in good hotels are neatly and beautifully arranged but this one had the personal touch reflecting the aesthetic sensibilities of the creator…be it the bed or the smallest item as matchbox…designed uniquely beautiful.I found a table to keep knick knacks which was actually a musical instrument turned into a table which kept my 5 year old daughters intrigued, creatively engaged when they tried palying it producing various sounds. The room key did not have a number but the name MORNING SUN. How hopeful is that!
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The restaurant offers sumptuous and fresh food and healthy delicacies. The library possesses eclectic collection of books, coffee table books standing right in the middle. The prime attraction for kids and adults was the recreation hall, erected on the top with wide and clear view of the valley and landscape around and enough indoor games for all age groups. My daughters loved the antique swings and antique collection.

[image error] I want to thank wonderful literary angels ,Butterfly and the Bee founded by Sumit Sehgal, Meenu Mehrotra ,Sumant Batra  for choosing me the winner for Sunlit Hearts Crusade and being instrumental for this trip and my husband and my daughters being with me there and the reasons of my happiness.
[image error] [image error] I was keen to visit Te Aroha this summer and completely forgotten my participation in the competition....so unexpectedly I get a prize to stay there. This strengthens my belief of the bond between the seeker and the manifesting Universe. This winning means a lot not for its material value but for its empowering reason that it came out of a passion of my heart “Writing” which I followed despite the odds (being a core technical IT professional ) . I am happy to receive this and thank Meenu Mehrotra for writing such a soul engaging, deep, inspiring to follow individual's own path yet relatable book...Sunlit Hearts. Keep writing Meenu Di and keep inspiring. 

Let's celebrate this Life with wisdom and compassion.

I would recommend the place to bring tranquility and beauty in your hearts and would love to witness the beauty again.... I know The universe is listening.
AHA TE AROHA





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Meenaxi's Magic Mantras Series 1-8

It's your choice to feel low or laugh it off thinking others' behaviour lowly! - Meenaxi's Magic Mantra # 1 Perseverance is the greatest talent Complete forgiveness is the only remedy and the best revenge - Meenaxi's Magic Mantra # 3Being in love doesn't mean being tamed; instead those arms around you become your wings to fly - Meenaxi's Magic Mantra # 4Let love be the answer to all the questions - Meenaxi Magic Mantra # 5 Shed all the fear, the next moment is Cheer - Meenaxi's Magic mantra # 6 Why crawl when you can fly, When you can do it, why try ? - Meenaxi's Magic mantra # 7 OLD friends keep you young - Meenaxi's Magic Mantra # 8

What���s your Legacy.. Material or Memories?

 What is our legacy for our children���Material or Memories?
Childhood stays as the most cherished and beautiful phase in anyone���s life. What our kids would reminisce most about their childhood? How our kids would remember us eventually? Let us take a moment to ask ourselves and reflect?
We are struggling day and night for securing a better future for our children. In the process of facilitating them a luxurious lifestyle, pacing up with peer pressure, somewhere, securing in the future , the present itself is getting missed.

Children will not remember you for the material things you provided but for the feeling that you cherished them.���     Richard L. Evans 

The early years are the formative years, casting an impression of living a life. Are we setting the right example? These formative years develop a strong foundation of a kid, cultivate into an emotionally secure human being. So the involvement and the attention required from the parents is the most in these years. When we remember our childhood, the most endearing moments are our happy times with our parents���Hence the most precious thing we can give to our children is our time���quality time. We are sacrificing the together time fulfilling the demands of our children with their favorite branded toys, gadgets, video games. Of course high life, better education and secure future is important but where is the limit? Parents are the school for life for children. If we are mentally absent translating our love with material assets, we might not be their idols, friendly mentors than just being their financiers. The balance is important to maintain and actually live a quality life.

As somebody has profoundly quoted:
To be in your children���s memories tomorrow, you have to be in their lives today. Anonymous

Life is unpredictable, and for any reason, we leave this world earlier than expected, then all memories our child is left behind with is the time we have spent with them and developed long lasting memoirs.

Shower your love, and valuable time to let them miss your absence even when you are alive and away. For some grownup teenagers, parents are just walking ATMs, and it���s not merely their fault.
It���s a choice to make, be their financier or be their lifelong mentor, friend and a loved parent. It���s time to get mentally, emotionally and physically involved with your child, , sculpting your tomorrow. That���s the best investment in your kid���s future and one step ahead towards Holistic parenting.