Maithily's Scribblings

It’s been three weeks since we moved to Vadodara. Every morning since, I’ve unknowingly built a quiet ritual—coffee in hand, eyes on the sky, watching planes take off from Vadodara Airport, which I can see clearly from our balcony. There's something calming about it. Hopeful, even. A small moment of stillness as the world begins to move. But today… today was not like the other days. Around noon, news broke about the Air India crash at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Airport, Ahmedabad. And everything I felt in those quiet, breezy mornings shattered into something heavier, more fragile. It’s strange how suddenly a routine can take on new meaning and how quickly something comforting can start to feel ominous. My husband used to be a frequent flyer to Ahmedabad in the months before we settled down here. I was right there at that same airport with my dad and daughter, barely three weeks ago. I still remember my first visit to Ahmedabad and I wasn’t particularly excited. It felt temporary. ...

When I was in class 6, we had a weekly library period where we could pick any book to read. Simple, right? Well, not for me. The shelves were stacked with fiction books filled with words that looked like hieroglyphics to my young brain. I struggled to make sense of them, and honestly, I felt like a lost tourist in a foreign land. Desperate for a solution, I approached my librarian and poured out my book-related woes. She listened, nodded wisely, and handed me a few books she thought I would understand. And guess what? I actually did! That was the turning point in my reading journey, though at the time, I had no idea it would become a lifelong love affair. I don’t even remember her name now (sorry, ma’am!), but she always picked books for me, and I devoured them. That’s how reading became my hobby! From my grade 6 struggles to now, I’ve evolved into a much more mature reader. Just like my diary has been my best friend , books have been my ride-or-die companions, and I never miss a chanc...

Journaling has been an inseparable part of my life for over 20 years—almost as natural as brushing my teeth or taking a bath. It’s more than just a habit; it has become an obsession. Every day, I capture my thoughts, emotions, and moments, pouring them into the pages of my diary like an old friend who never judges. Growing up, I was an average student, often overlooked in school and college. My parents weren’t the most supportive, and humiliation became a constant companion, especially in front of family, friends, and neighbours. But amidst all of this, my diary remained my refuge, my safe space, and my most loyal friend. During my school and college days, my diary listened when no one else would. It never ridiculed or belittled me. It saw my laughter, my tears, my struggles—it even stopped me from making drastic decisions at times. If not for my diary, I don't know how I would have survived those years. Reliving the Past Through Old Journals Back then, my diary held stories of joy...

Childhood experiences shape us in ways we may not fully realize until much later in life. Incidents involving inappropriate behavior can leave lasting emotional scars, sometimes surfacing years or even decades later. As parents, our role is to create an environment where our children feel safe, heard, and protected. If a child expresses discomfort about a person or reports an incident of inappropriate touch, how we respond can make all the difference in their healing and trust in us. Here’s what you can do to support them: Believe them: Dismissing their words or doubting them can be more damaging than the incident itself. Let them know you trust them. Stay calm and supportive: Your child may already feel scared, confused, or ashamed. Your reaction should be one of reassurance, not panic or blame. Avoid shame or guilt: Never make them feel responsible for what happened. The focus should be on their safety and emotional well-being. Educate yourself: If you are unsure how to handle su...

After a long time, we embarked on a heartfelt journey to our native place for my daughter's fourth tonsuring ceremony at Tiruchendur, Tamil Nadu. The trip was unplanned, and since we hadn't booked train tickets, we decided to take a bus after finishing work on February 21, 2025. On the morning of February 22, we arrived at our usual lodging, Hotel Sivamurugan in Tiruchendur. Without wasting any time, we hired a taxi to visit our village and nearby places that held deep sentimental value for us. Our first stop was the Sathankulam Karaiyadi Sudalai Mada Swamy Temple , our family deity’s shrine. It was a moment of peace and devotion as we prayed. A wonderful surprise awaited us there—my Chittapa (uncle) unexpectedly joined us during the prayer. The joy of reuniting with him in such a sacred place made the moment even more special. From there, we headed to my husband’s native village, Pandarapuram. Visiting our ancestral home was an emotional experience, filling our hearts with n...

  February 2025. Today, I sat down with my cup of coffee, opened my laptop, and found myself on https://maithilyarulraja.blogspot.com/ —a place I hadn't visited in ages. As I scrolled through my old posts, I couldn't help but smile. Each post was a time capsule, taking me back to a simpler time when my only intention was to record life’s little moments and put my thoughts into words. It wasn’t planned, it wasn’t polished, but it was pure passion—words written for the joy of writing. The blog began in 2010. Back then, I was working as an IT analyst, with no clue that one-day writing would become my full-time career. I had no grand vision for the blog; I simply wanted a space to share my experiences, document daily events, and reflect on life. Little did I know that those casual posts would lay the foundation for something much bigger—a passion that would eventually turn into my profession. Looking back at the posts, I felt an overwhelming sense of nostalgia. Some posts were funn...