‘I am not scared / I am not alone': A young girl and a temple elephant become friends
When Amma died,
I became numb.
Now,
this new grief awakens me,
jerks me alive
like I have seen doctors do on TV
with two iron box–like things
shocking their patient's hearts into beating again.
Is it wrong to say
I have never felt so much grief before?
Even more than what I felt for Amma?
Guilt gnaws at my heart,
but it's true.
Maybe because Ganeshan has no one
to love him and care for him
the way Amma had.
Only a silly old man
claiming to be his carer.
Worried
My mind is like a sieve,
everything passes through it.
All it can hold
are the chunky, heavy thoughts
about Ganeshan.
Is he okay?
Was a doctor called in?
Is Chandu taking good care of him?
Last Day of School
The last few weeks drift by
in a blurry waste of time.
And the final exams are but a disaster.
I have a new worry to add to my list now.
My school report!
The class teacher hands out everyone's reports.
I chew on a nail.
What if I don't make it to next year?
I quickly scan the report
for any huge red letters across it
and let out a huge sigh.
I passed!
Trrriiiinnnggg …
There's a shout of Yaaaayyy!
even before the bell stops ringing.
And I am caught in a sea of Happy holidays!,
See you in eighth grade!
and Have a fab summer break!
I navigate through it all
and rush out
to the waiting school bus
so that I can be with my thoughts
alone
again.
Summer Holidays
Glorious
l o n g
days of nothingness.
Before.
Now
they are just
l o n g
days of nothingness.
Celebrations and Mourning
It's April and Vishu,
the new year today.
I wear my yellow skirt again.
It hangs above my ankles now.
But I don't want to
let go of it
yet.
At the temple ground,
the konna tree stands as bare as a Kerala bride
without her jewels.
The yellow flowers picked,
no doubt for Vishu Kanni,
the first auspicious glimpse of the day,
in the hope that the rest of the year
would be as lovely and golden
as the flowers offered at the altar.
Acha and I, we
don't celebrate Vishu,
don't burst crackers,
don't cook a feast.
Not even the vermicelli payasam
both of us love.
People say
'one year' of mourning.
My heart says
it will mourn forever.
Temple Elephant
Everyone calls Ganeshan
the temple elephant now.
They say the owner donated him
to the temple.
The whole town is glad
because it's a matter of pride
to own an elephant
and not have to rent one
anymore.
I am glad
because I can see him
every day now.
Born Again
Amma used to say
that souls get born and reborn.
Again and again.
I am not sure I believe
completely in rebirths.
But maybe it's true.
Maybe
Ganeshan was my brother or father,
sister or mother,
or even a close friend
in my last birth
because I feel like I already know him,
already love him,
like his pain is mine
his story is mine.
How else can I explain
the instant bond I feel with him?
Quiet Company
As soon as I hear
that he is ours now,
I rush over to see him.
He greets me with his trunk,
stroking me from head to toe
till I push it away, laughing.
Feeling better, my friend?
He replies with a rumble,
a deep sound
from somewhere inside his tummy.
Kind of like my neighbour's cat purring,
but much louder.
Snuggling by his neck,
I feed him the bananas
I bring from home,
enjoying his quiet company
like I hope he enjoys mine.
Sunshine
Meeting Ganeshan
is like a knock
on the door of my heart.
Gently inviting me outside
to feel the sunshine again.
My heart squints
at the brightness.
But
I am not scared.
I am not alone.
Anymore.
Curiosity
People are strange.
When they don't understand others
they probe and prod them.
Often roughly, unkindly,
like lab animals in cages.
People prod me
with cruel words.
But Ganeshan, poor Ganeshan
gets prodded
with nasty, pointy sticks.
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Time of India
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- Time of India
Children who lost parents show remarkable resilience under kinship foster care: Officials
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The Hindu
16-07-2025
- The Hindu
Books without Borders
Published : Jul 16, 2025 19:45 IST - 6 MINS READ Dear reader, Mayyil in Kerala's Kannur district is my favourite place for many reasons—and if you're expecting beaches or backwaters, you will be gently disappointed. It's my favourite because this tiny local panchayat has 35 public libraries. It's startling to see a community with around 20 schools and 20 temples have almost double the number of libraries: which is either a testament to Kerala's commitment to literacy or proof that the people have collectively decided that books are more reliable than Gods when it comes to life advice. My first visit in 2019 felt like coming home to a memory I hadn't known I had—a biblio-sojourn in the truest sense, where on every bend of the dusty road there stood a library, not a café, not a mall, not another temple. 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In New York City, when Mayor Eric Adams proposed a $58 million budget cut to the public library in 2024, authors, celebrities, neighbours, and strangers organised campaigns that restored many services. Similar to what civil society participation and the Library Council's support still do for the many libraries in Mayyil. If ever you find yourself there—or in any other town or village you visit—pay attention to the hush. Follow it like a curious cat. Turn the corner. There, under a low canopy of books, you may discover what I found: home. And with it, an entire world waiting for you, page by page, question by question, revelation by revelation, in the most democratic spaces that humanity has ever created. I was reminded of Mayyil and those many other libraries I have visited when I read this lovely photo essay by Nabeel Ahmad about how three community libraries are making a difference in Delhi, a city where I worked for nearly a decade but missed the libraries of my Kerala childhood. 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Be prepared to learn and teach Sanatana Dharma: Mata Amritanandamayi
Mata Amritanandamayi Devi stated that we should be prepared to learn and teach the Sanatana Dharma of India, which embodies culture and values. She emphasized that this is also the message from the life of Swami Vivekananda, and that peace will prevail in the world if we consider nature as belonging to everyone. Amma was delivering her benedictory address after receiving the Vivekananda International Peace Award, instituted by Vivekananda International Relations. Amma received the award at a ceremony held in the Amritapuri Ashram hall. The award recognizes Amma's public welfare activities at an international level. At the ceremony held at Mata Amritanandamayi Math in Amritapuri, Amma received the award, consisting of a plaque and a certificate of commendation, from Gagan Malhotra, Convener of Vivekananda International Relations Foundation, and Ravikumar Iyer, Chief Patron. Ravikumar Iyer, Chief Patron of Vivekananda International Relations, who spoke at the event, said that it is a truth that peace prevails wherever Amma travels in the world, and that Amma can also spread India's Sanatana message, rooted in Dharma and truth, to the world. Gagan Malhotra, Coordinator of Vivekananda International Relations, Sarika Panhalkar, CEO of Tarpan Foundation, Shreya Bharathiya, Managing Trustee of Swanath Foundation, A. Rajasekaran, Chairman of Chakra Foundation, and others spoke at the event. (This is a press release by the Mata Amritanandamayi Math)
