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Manikantan MVL Fitness Enthusiast IMC Trading, Linkedin I abhor running. I absolutely do. Don’t get me wrong, but there is no single to take, goal to score, basket to net, no boundaries, or deuces. No cover drives, deceptions, tackles, steals, smashes, drops, or volleys. It is just you on the road, and the thrill is missing. Also getting up at 2:30 am for a 05:15 am start isn't very enticing. I signed up to run my first half marathon during the Tata Mumbai Marathon for a cause. If I ran, IMC would contribute money to charity. It was D-Day, and a broken bone in my hand didn’t stop me from seeing what the running fuss was all about. 1K - I was hoping not to crash with any over-enthusiastic runner, protecting my hand. 3K - just as we hopped on the sealink, I got bored. My mind was convincing me to get back home. 5K - I was wondering how I will finish the remaining 16 km, and started thinking about my work for the week ahead. 8K - I made a roadmap for what I will do at work over the next 4 months. 12K - on the coastal road, I thought about where my wife and I would spend our next three holidays. 13K - Kartik Karkera - the ortho surgeon who won the 42K Indian category, flew past me as we descended down the coastal road interchange. Slowly, self-doubts disappear... 14K - I am coasting, and my mind is exhausted from all the thinking as we enter heartbreak hill - the painful Pedder Road incline. 17K - I am in the moment, soaking in all the cheer from Mumbaikars. But suddenly I feel my calves tighten, it’s cramps! 19K - the run on Marine Drive was an internal battle. Mind is focused only on keeping the body up and running (ambling, actually). We didn’t come so far, only to fall short. 20K - turn into Veer Nariman Road, and the finish line is just there. New-found energy propels the legs towards the finish line. 21.097K - the sweet, happy feeling of crossing that finish line. Oh boy, the pain disappeared! If you are considering running, give the half marathon a shot. It is a test of mental fortitude over physical prowess. It crushes your doubts, makes you persist, and most importantly, helps you rediscover self-belief. I now look forward to recovering and playing my usual sports. But, will I do this again? Jury’s open! A huge thanks to  IMC Trading  and  Karolina Brzozowska  for this lovely opportunity.

Nandini Mathur Author, Blog - 'मेरी कलम से' English Summary The poem celebrates the arrival of the spring season, portraying it as a symbol of renewal, freshness, and new life in nature. It vividly describes how the pleasant fragrance of spring fills the air and brings joy to every direction. As winter recedes, the earth stretches comfortably under the warm rays of the sun, and dewdrops gently disappear. Nature comes alive with lush green foliage, blossoming branches, and cheerful birds flying freely in the sky. Mustard fields bloom brightly, mango blossoms spread their sweet aroma, and the cuckoo’s melodious song fills the environment with music. In its concluding imagery, the poem presents spring as the “king of seasons,” arriving like Krishna, beautifully adorned and carrying hopes of new love and joyful union. Overall, the poem is a lyrical celebration of nature’s beauty, harmony, and the promise of fresh beginnings. बसंत ऋतु, जो प्रकृति में पुनर्जन्म, नवीनीकरण और नवजीवन का प्रतीक है, उससे संबंधित हम अपनी एक रचना आप से साझा कर रहे हैं....... ॠतु बसंती रे आई बसंत की ऋतु है आई , मादक सुगंधित पवन चली आई, दिशाएं गूंजी , मन को भाईं, चारों ओर है खुशियां छाईं। शीतकालीन सुषुप्त धरा ने, शुरू किए अब पांव पसारने, हटी ओस की चादर तन से , खेल रहीं सूर्य की किरणें मुख पे। हरे-हरे नए पल्लव उमगे, डाली-डाली सजी फूलों से , गाते गुनगुनाते पंछी गगन में , पंख फैलाकर उड़े मस्ती में । खेतों में है सरसों फूली, आम्र मंजरी की ख़ुश्बू महकी , कोयलिया ने गाए मधुर गीत , धरती झूमी, बहा संगीत । राधा रानी सी, अनुपम छबि लिए, प्रकृति दुल्हन बनी सज धज कर , ऋतुराज आए हैं कान्हा बनकर , नवल किशोरी से मिलने कीआस लिए।

Sangeetha Rao Homechef @ Little Treats Instagram Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel both… The train hummed steadily as it sliced through the countryside, fields blurring into soft washes of green and gold. Sheetal rested her forehead against the cool glass of the window, watching the world pass her by. Robert Frost’s words played on a quiet loop in her mind, as insistent as the rhythm of the tracks beneath her feet. Thirty years ago. She could still see herself—fresh out of college in Pune, clutching her first appointment letter with equal parts excitement and fear. That first job had felt like a threshold, a doorway into adulthood. And it was there that she had met Varun. He hadn’t been striking in any conventional sense—average height, unremarkable features—but there was that cocky smile, softened by an unexpected sweetness. He welcomed her into his group as if she had always belonged there. For the first time at work, she felt at ease. Safe. Seen. It was just friendship, she told herself. She poured her energy into learning, growing, and excelling. And she did—so well that another opportunity soon pulled her away. It was only after she left that the absence began to ache. The silence of her phone felt louder than any office buzz. She missed the smile, the easy conversations, the attention she had pretended not to need. She waited for his calls. For weekends. For stolen hours where the world narrowed to just the two of them. When he held her hand for the first time, her heart skipped—an absurd, storybook cliché she had never believed in until it happened to her. But ambition has its own momentum. Promotions came. Cities changed. Life accelerated. Varun tried to keep up, but long days and longer expectations slowly eroded what they had built. Without drama or blame, the relationship thinned until it slipped quietly into memory. Then came Kaushal. He was everything Varun was not—charming, confident, dazzling in his attention. With him, she felt chosen. Extraordinary. Marriage followed swiftly, as did two beautiful children. For a while, she believed she was the luckiest woman alive. But time, relentless and honest, revealed the cracks. Kaushal’s charm turned conditional. His affection became transactional. He demanded attention, bent conversations to his will, measured people by their usefulness. As his career consumed him— deadlines , always deadlines—Sheetal’s world shrank. She stepped away from her own ambitions, telling herself it was temporary, necessary, noble. She stayed for the children. Years passed. The children grew, as children do—into independent adults with lives of their own, carrying both joy and heartbreak in equal measure. She had made her peace with Kaushal, the kind that settles not from forgiveness but from exhaustion. They shared the house the way strangers share a train compartment—polite, functional, brief. Words were replaced by chores, affection by efficiency. Outside, she began to stitch herself back together. She met friends, returned to long-abandoned hobbies, and discovered that the quiet she feared, had been waiting all along to save her. Somewhere along the way, Varun resurfaced —not dramatically, just gently. Birthday messages. Festival greetings. Polite, distant warmth. Over time, the messages grew longer. The conversations deeper. And without realizing it, Sheetal felt herself soften into the woman she had once been—someone who noticed the sky, who found beauty in small things. Now Varun was coming to Pune. Then Mumbai. She had glanced at Kaushal, absorbed in his own world, his screen glowing brighter than any shared moment between them. He wouldn’t miss her. Perhaps he wouldn’t even notice. Some might call her selfish. But what was a life without happiness? Without love? Her fingers hovered for a moment before she typed: Meet me at Casa’s. Same table. As the train slowed, another line from Frost surfaced, tender and unresolved: Yet knowing how way leads on to way,I doubted if I should ever come back. Sheetal smiled. It felt like half a lifetime had slipped away, but life—unpredictable, stubbornly kind—had offered her another crossing. Another choice. Perhaps the poem didn’t need to end where it once had. Some roads, she realized, wait patiently to be walked again.

Vikas Miglani Market professional, fiction writer and poet LinkedIn ; Blog ; Amazon Writer's Page Full article can be accessed on my blog at below link: Investments – Lots of options available but – जाएँ तो जाएँ कहाँ An eventful year 2025 had come to an end with President Donald Trump of the United States hogging the limelight, in the comeback year of his presidency. A more lethal and vindictive, he started off with an aim to end the Russia Ukraine war and had successfully negotiated a short living peace deal between Israel and Hamas but on the economic front being on the loggerheads with his Central Bank chief had to negotiate a fledgling economy with a USD 38 trln deficit   One remedy he applied universally to all ailments was the tariffs, levying it at his own whims and fancies and continuing to use it as a tool of threat. The world had been turning aligned to his whims and fancies hoping for a positive 2026 but on the first weekend he not only got lifted the Venezuelan President out of his bed in early morning but also cleared his territorial ambitions setting up eye on Greenland and also issuing a threat to Canada to join the United States as 51 st province   Trump hoped to have a backing from the Euro zone but the idea of annexing Greenland from Denmark was strongly resisted, exposing the fault lines between the United States and Europe, in a way pushing back Donald Trump a bit, despite his effort to arm twist Europe with tariff threats   Markets across the globe have gone in for a tailspin leaving the world with a thought, what next and how to resist the antics of the POTUS for next 3 years. The dollar has started to wobble , the US treasuries seeing a sell off from global pension funds and sovereign states and though the capital markets are holding firm for now, there is an underlying worry of sorts   Gold  has rallied, and is at the cusp of USD 5k with the big question being on the future of the yellow metal. A Bank of America report suggests that by mid year 2026, USD 6k is possible but the way it has rallied from USD 3500 to USD 5k mark there is a need for a serious correction, since the element of speculation has set in, in a big way   Gold: last 5 year trend Silver  has far outpaced the gold in a big way having almost doubled in last 2 months to scale the USD 100 mark. There are two factors driving the silver, one the potential industrial demand and two some bit of global uncertainty being priced in, though Silver is not the reserve currency of the world   Given the silver’s volatile history, the current up move is always under the shadow of doubts that it can retrace anytime and hence calls for caution. Having said that, we are in a changed scenario from 1980s or 2010 and hence the retracement may not be as deep as it was in the past   Given the stellar run in both the metals there is a FOMO factor that is adding to the element of speculation as well and leaving us with the question. Is it the right time to invest in Gold and Silver . I think given the heightened global uncertainty gradual build up in Gold in a systematic manner can definitely be considered, given that Gold always has value, can be considered. Let me reiterate correction is bound to come, whether it comes in at USD 5k or 5500 or 6k is anybody’s guess   In Silver I feel some profit can be taken off the table and if you’ve missed out the silver rally in last 2 years consider yourself unlucky but avoid getting in at this level. My own sense is that a 15 – 20% correction in silver is possible and that can be a good entry point   What about Equities (in India) – It’s been 16 months now that we are still trading almost 1k points below on nifty, though in between we managed to break the previous high. The market PE is down below 22 and the economic growth is reasonably strong, though we have a concern on FII flows but DIIs are backing up in full. With the time correction having taken place, I carry the feeling that the coming year can be the year of equities, with the only exception being that the world heads into a war   ·       A chart on nifty move here as well The possible portfolio combination  – there isn’t a definite answer to what should be the composition as it is a function of individual financial goals, age and income factors but I must say that there has to be a mix of all asset classes. Have some bit of deposits to follow a discipline, and I think at this point in time one can have an equity heavy portfolio with a mix of large, mid and small cap stocks.   Had it been a year before one would have refrained from recommending  the mid and small caps but looks like there is more than enough correction and one can definitely look at them. Mid and small cap is generally a function of understanding the business and if you find it difficult to do so, no harm in going via the mutual fund route   A mix of deposits, equity (both large and mid & small caps) and Gold can be recommended at this point in time, with the caution being that if there is a war like scenario or tension escalates the equities may fall further and gold may rise. No harm in having a fine mix of gold and equities to hedge one another. Better to be equity heavy though   What is the right approach – long term investment or short term investment  – this has a mixed answer again. If you are investing for long there is always a cost rationalisation in terms of transaction expenses and tax incidence with value creation of course, but if you are in some volatile instruments, a slight fall can take the profit away from you. So follow a balanced approach – core portfolio that is more than 80% of your total investment has to be long term in nature while on 20% you may play around to derive the satisfaction of being a trader   Caution: All investment are subject to market risk. I am not an investment advisor and this write up is being shared just to highlight the prevailing trend in Gold and Silver with a generic perspective. The need, requirement and objective varies from individual to individual and hence it is a must that one carries out their own due diligence in consultation with their investment advisor. I’ve zero liability for any investment decision that is taken up basis this write up as this is just a product overview carried out as an academic exercise Link: Full article can be accessed on my blog

Arvind Pawar Co-founder of Hyperlink Health Linkedin Dr. Kavitha Madhuri Ph.D. in Gynaecological Oncology ; LinkedIn February often feels like a bridge month. The sharpness of winter softens, school exams loom, and Mumbai’s air begins to warm just enough to make evening walks pleasant again. But beyond seasonal shifts, February carries two powerful reminders about our health: World Cancer Day on 4 February and a global spotlight on heart health, often linked with Valentine’s Day. Together, they invite a simple but important question how can we protect both our hearts and our future by making smarter health choices now? World Cancer Day: United for Prevention Every year on 4 February, the world observes World Cancer Day, led by the Union for International Cancer Control. For 2025–2027, the theme “United by Unique” highlights a powerful truth: every person’s cancer journey is different, yet we are united in the desire for prevention, early detection and compassionate care. In India, cancers linked to tobacco, infections and lifestyle factors remain common. The hopeful reality is that many of these cancers are preventable or can be detected early often with simple, timely steps. This February, we can: Learn our family history for cancers where genetics matter and share it with our doctor. Ask which screenings suit our age and risk such as breast exams and mammography for women, oral checks for tobacco users, or colon screening at the right age. Encourage loved ones not to ignore warning signs like unexplained weight loss, a persistent cough, non-healing mouth ulcers, unusual bleeding or long-lasting fatigue. Cancer awareness does not begin in hospitals alone. It begins at home, in conversations, habits and everyday choices. Cancer Prevention and Heart Health: Two Sides of the Same Coin February is recognized internationally as both Cancer Prevention Month and a key time for heart health awareness. The advice overlaps more than we realize and applies strongly to urban India: Avoid tobacco in all forms. One of the most powerful steps to reduce the risk of multiple cancers and heart disease. Limit alcohol. Lower intake protects the heart, liver and reduces risk for certain cancers. Move more, sit less. Regular physical activity supports weight control, heart strength and lowers cancer risk. Eat a balanced diet. More fruits, vegetables, whole grains, pulses and healthy fats; fewer ultra-processed foods. Use vaccines wisely. Vaccines such as hepatitis B and HPV (for eligible groups) help prevent infection-related cancers. When families view cancer and heart disease through the same lifestyle lens, prevention feels simpler shared habits instead of separate rules. Valentine’s Day: From Romance to Real Heart Care February fills our feeds with hearts, chocolates and grand gestures. Increasingly, Indian health campaigns are using Valentine’s Day to talk about the real heart the one that keeps us alive. This Valentine’s Day, love can look practical: Instead of only gifting sweets or dinners, couples can gift each other a basic heart check blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol and a short consultation. Partners can make a shared promise to walk together, reduce fried snacks, or support each other in cutting down smoking and late-night junk food. Families may even discuss organ donation, seeing it as a long-lasting act of love beyond one lifetime. Digital Support: Hyperlink and Helix As we move deeper into 2026, digital health is reshaping how we access care reducing long commutes, lost reports and delayed follow-ups. Hyperlink is a digital health platform that brings consultations, diagnostics, genetic testing, fitness and nutrition together in one secure space. Launching soon within the Hyperlink app, Helix is an intelligent AI healthcare companion designed to guide, remind and support individuals through their health journeys. A Simple February Action Plan for Mumbai Families To turn awareness into action, try this short checklist: By 4 February (World Cancer Day): Have one open conversation at home about cancer what it is, why early detection matters and which habits reduce risk. Around 14 February: Make Valentine’s week your “heart week” check blood pressure or sugar for one adult, start a joint walking routine, or book a heart-health tele consult. By month-end: Use a digital tool like Hyperlink to list pending screenings or vaccines for each family member and set reminders. The “United by Unique” message reminds us that while our bodies and risks differ, communities grow stronger when we share information, support one another and seek care early. This February, let love mean something deeper care for your heart, and protection for your future. Learn more at: https://www.hyperlink.health/  or reach us on arvind.pawar@hyperlink.health

Mrinalini Khetan 11-year-old , Author and Naturalist A colourful princess escapes her tyrant father to transform a lifeless grey city into something brilliantly alive. Where Colour Begins   She spent days trying to climb out of the sky. Her wings were small and useless, so she couldn’t fly. And her feathers were of brilliant hues, much to the Dull King’s rage.   The Dull King hated all shades, except for black, beige, and grey.   Although the little bird was his own daughter, he had been planning to throw her into the fiery thing which was called the sun.   It would have pleased him greatly to see the last speck of colour disappear from his grey-cloud city.    However, the little bird had made a stealthy escape on the day before the sacrifice.   She scrambled down from white cloud to white cloud, while her father smouldered on his charcoal throne.   When she landed, she was disappointed by another dull city.   There were grey metal buildings all over the place, and it stank of smoke.   She spotted some plump birds around the corner, but they didn’t seem to have a care in the world.   A grin played at her lips, as she watched the grey city.   She could make this  place better.        Written by - Mrinalini Khetan

Samiksha  Verma 8th grade. A mirror reveals more than one reflection—innocence and shadow, truth and disguise—inviting us to question which face we show, which we hide, and which quietly defines who we are. A mirror held, a story told, Of faces seen, both new and old. They say we're true, just one to view, But whispers hint, there might be two. A simple soul, an open book, A single face, a gentle look. No hidden depths, no mask to wear, Just honesty, beyond compare. Is it a gift, this single view? Or something missed, a world untrue? Then shadows dance, a change appears, A second smile, that hides the tears. A friendly word, a secret kept, A promise made, then softly wept. This double side, a puzzling game, Is fear it breeds, a burning flame? Which is the scarier, tell me true, The one you see, or hiding through? One plain and clear, the other deep, Which secrets do they safely keep? Perhaps the answer softly lies, In watching close with knowing eyes. To see the light, and feel the shade, And understand the roles we've played. For every face, a story sleeps, And gentle hearts, the answer reaps.                                 - Samiksha Verma.

Parv Dasani 9 years Bold beginnings shape destiny—start smart, embrace emotions, decide swiftly, and every new chapter will unfold with confident momentum. New Beginnings   You need to have a strong start Hence you have to be really smart It sets the tone, be it a competition or a new year A bad start with anything, and the loss will make you stir   New beginnings can be happy or sad They can make you feel great, or really mad You’ve got to pan, emotions will be there Ore else, you are going to have a scare   If it’s your first school day All your nervousness should shy away Take it lightly And you’ll be doing things smartly   When it’s new year, like now Use your brain and decide things right now That is all, no delays A bad start to the year always pays     These are the beginnings, really new And also my advice for you Follow it nicely And your beginnings will go greatly

Laisha Agarwal, 10 years old This is a poem about a refugees journey in search of safety. This poem captures the emotions of a refugee and how hope guides them like a bright light.

Vikas Miglani Market professional, fiction writer and poet LinkedIn ; Blog ; Amazon Writer's Page English Summary The poem reflects on the warmth of a large joint family in the past—filled with grandparents, relatives, home-cooked food, open courtyards, shared studies, and simple village comforts. Life was modest but deeply connected, and relationships were natural and close, untouched by modern labels like “cousin.” Over time, driven by ego, comparison, and the desire for independence, the family fragmented. The narrator eventually achieves what seemed like progress: a modern house with separate rooms, appliances, and personal space. Yet the emotional core is missing. The new home feels less like a home and more like a temporary inn (“sarai”)—a place of transactions rather than relationships. Visitors come not out of belonging but for business. Traditional flavors, shared spaces, and living bonds have been replaced by convenience, fast food, and artificial surroundings. In the end, the narrator realizes the painful truth: in the pride of becoming “just me,” the price paid was the quiet disintegration of the family. What was gained in comfort was lost in belonging. वो दादी का चूल्हा, आँगन में माँ की तुलसी वो दादा की छड़ी और बाबा का स्कूटर, सब था    थी एक गाय और एक मिट्ठु तोता गंगाराम भी    वो चाचा चाची, ताऊ ताई, बुआ बहन भाई थे रहते कभी एक बड़े महल में लोग क़रीब तीस   अनजान बेख़बर शब्द कज़िन से, थे बच्चे सभी  सिर्फ़ भाई बहन, क्या चाचा के क्या ताऊ के   खुला आँगन खेलना जहां दिन भर थक के, फिर सो जाना तारों के आँचल तले रात में चौबारे पर   सुनते कहानी और करते गुफ़्तगू भाई बहन से एक चारपाई पे एक तकिए पे दो इधर दो उधर   करना पढ़ाई साथ, एक सलेट, एक तख्ती पे जमात एक से बारह तक सभी भाई बहन का   थे नहीं बर्गर पिज़्ज़ा और तले चावल चीन वाले था मगर भंडार लड़ू पंजीरि देसी घी मक्खन का    थी क्यारियाँ बगीचे में गाजर गोभी टमाटर की  तो थे दरख़्त पपीते अनार के, बेलें अंगूर की,  पेड़ जामुन शहतूत के लदे फलों से भी तो थे   सर्द मौसम की धूप में पिसते थे मसाले  हमाम दस्ते में, और चटनी सिलबट्टे पे    सिकते थे नाश्ते में पराठे मूली गोभी पालक के तो रात में भुने बेसन दूध का द्रव्य हल्वा मीठा   कैसे भूलें वो स्वाद में खट्टी मटके में रखी कांजी गर्मी में बनती शिकंजी और शर्बत रूफ़ज़ा का   बने नहीं काबिल लिख पढ़ के, हुए मगर बाग़ी, लगे सदस्य परिवार के पिछड़े और बढ़ाई कलह हमने ही   हुई ईर्ष्या उनसे थे जो कभी भाई बहन और  हुई ख्वाहिश होने की लेहदा भी उन राज़दारों से   करके तकसीम एक संयुक्त परिवार चला  खोज में मुसाफ़िर मैं एक स्थायी पते अपने की   मिला मुझे मकान था जहां कमरा मेरा अपना बनवाया भी मैंने कमरा एक मेहमानो के लिए   थी एक बैठक भी बैठ सकें जहां लोग चार  सोफ़े पे, और मेज़ एक, खा सकें जहां लोग छह   था नहीं दादी का चूल्हा, मिट्टी पीतल के बर्तन थे मगर संयन्त्र अनेक, जैसे सूक्ष्मलहरी तंदूर   क्या नहीं था उस एक सराय में, सब कुछ तो था क्या लिखा मैंने - सराय में, सच ही तो लिखा है   सराय ही थी, था जहां कमरा मेरा अपना अलग और तो और मेरे बच्चों का भी अपना कमरा    था एक कमरा मेरे मेहमानो का, मेहमान कहाँ  मेरे मिलने वालों का, आते थे जो उस सराय में   महज़ करने व्यापार साथ मेरे, था जो मैं  व्यापारी रिश्तों का और ख़ुद एक मेहमान   सराय उसमें जिसमें थी ना ज़मीन अपनी ना आसमान अपना और तो और रिश्तेदार भी   थी ना क्यारियाँ सब्ज़ियों की और पेड़ फलों के था तो महज़ एक छज्जा, नक़ली घास और बेल   क्या कांजी क्या शिकंजी और क्या पराठे, अब तो चाय नाश्ता सब है पिज़्ज़ा बर्गर चाऊमीन ही   की खर्च उम्र भर की पूँजी मैंने सौदे में घाटे के कर के तक़सीम परिवार मैं आ बसा सराय में   था जहां कल कोई और होगा भी कल कोई  जीवन से थका हारा मेरे जैसा मुसाफ़िर एक   सोचता होगा वो भी गुम सुम मेरी तरह यही क्यों पाया मैंने एक (अ)स्थायी पता करके    तक़सीम सारा परिवार सिर्फ़ मैं के गुमान में

Neha Suradkar Co- Founder of YOGEE Beauty   & Wellness Pvt Ltd Assistant Professor (Fashion History, Styling) LinkedIn Fashion and Design Educator, Entrepreneur, Style Coach™ and Advocate of Timeless Thinking Have you ever noticed how you automatically sit a little straighter when you are dressed well? Or how staying in nightclothes till noon somehow convinces your brain that answering emails is… optional?   This isn’t about impressing anyone. This is psychology. And I am not here to shame anyone for loving pyjamas. Pyjamas play a very important role in human happiness!   Let’s explore a fascinating concept called enclothed cognition - the idea that what we wear quietly influences how we think, feel, and behave. How clothes turn into characters Actors understand this better than most of us. When someone wears a costume, they don’t just look different, they become different. The posture shifts. The walk changes. The energy transforms. This is why costumes are never an afterthought in theatre or films; they help actors slip into character. A striking real-life example often discussed is Ranveer Singh after portraying Khilji in Padmavat . He openly spoke about how the role affected him mentally and emotionally, and how it took time to detach himself from that intense character. The costume, the body language, the constant immersion- all played a role. When you dress for a role, your mind starts playing along. Everyday life, everyday roles As Shakespeare rightly said, “All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players!” We all play different roles throughout the day; it’s just that there is no literal screen or stage. We dress differently for work than for a morning walk. Sportswear makes us feel more athletic, and sleepwear helps to calm our minds. Wedding clothes instantly put us in celebration mode, and donning the colour of the national flag makes us feel patriotic, even if it is for a day. That is also one of the reasons why many people who work from home admit that productivity drops when they stay in sleepwear all day. It’s not laziness; it’s the confusion. Your mind thinks it’s rest time, while your calendar says otherwise. Clothing aligned with the moment helps our minds switch gears with much less effort.   “My work needs my skills, not my clothes” I am sure quite a few of you have seen a trending reel (or something similar) where a young woman wears a very short skirt to work. When her husband objects, she responds by calling out his mentality and stating firmly, “My work requires my skills, not my clothes.” And she is not wrong! At least not entirely… Skills, intelligence, competence, and ethics do not come stitched into an outfit. A person’s capability does not change with a skirt, a sari, a suit, or a pair of jeans. Reducing someone’s professional worth to clothing is neither fair nor progressive. But this is where the conversation often stops. While clothes do not decide capability, they do influence context, perception, and presence, for others, and sometimes even for ourselves. Think of clothes like language. Your thoughts may be equally intelligent, but you still choose different words when speaking to a child, a friend, or a boardroom. Not because you are pretending, but because context matters. Clothes work the same way. They quietly tell our minds, and the spaces we enter, about the role we are stepping into. When our attire goes with the environment we are in, it becomes easier to feel confident, be taken seriously, and remain fully present in that moment. Dressing is Communication There is an uncomfortable truth we sometimes don’t want to believe- even if we do not want our clothes to communicate, they do! Uniforms signal responsibility. Sportswear signals movement. Formal wear signals a setting. Comfort wear signals rest. None of this is about judgment; it is about visual language. This is what enclothed cognition also explains- when external cues align with the internal role, performance improves. The performance may be professional, social, or emotional. Dressing for the occasion, not for approval Dressing “right” doesn’t mean dressing fancy. It means dressing mindfully. Clothes that let you move when movement is required Clothes that help you relax when rest is the goal Clothes that respect shared spaces like workplaces, classrooms, places of worship, and social gatherings With social media everywhere, there is pressure to dress for pictures rather than for the occasion. But an outfit that looks great on social media may not always serve the moment you are actually living in. When clothing supports the activity, you are free to experience it, rather than constantly adjusting, tugging, or feeling out of place. Not rules. Just awareness. The intention here is not to engage in moral policing or to discuss rigid dress codes. Fashion should still be expressive, and personal style should remain personal. But it is worth pausing occasionally to ask: What role am I stepping into today? And dress up accordingly. Whether you are heading to work, attending a celebration, playing a sport, or simply stepping out for errands, what you wear helps you show up as a more present version of yourself.   And if all else fails, remember: even superheroes have different outfits for different missions. So, the next time you get dressed, think of it as setting the tone for the day. Your brain gets the memo… no cape required!

Dr. Devyani Rozario Website “Be like salt” – It is a deceptively simple command, yet it carries a profound weight . In our modern, attention-driven world, where success is often measured by volume, visibility, and viral reach, this ancient metaphor suggests an entirely different metric for meaningful contribution: indispensability achieved through quiet enhancement . Think about the essence of salt. It is small, inexpensive, and utterly unremarkable in appearance. Yet, it possesses a transformative power that few other substances can claim. Without it, the most beautifully prepared cuisine can be reduced to a bland, tasteless experience. Salt doesn’t try to be the star; it is the essential catalyst that unlocks and amplifies the inherent flavour of everything it touches. It is the subtle alchemist in the kitchen, ensuring that the ultimate result is rich, satisfying, and memorable. The Anatomy of Quiet Influence The individuals who embody the “salt” philosophy are often the unsung heroes of our lives and communities. Their presence is a steady, stabilizing force that brings richness and depth, often without seeking or receiving obvious recognition. They are the human equivalent of that perfect pinch added just before serving. Their influence isn’t loud; it’s fundamental . At workplace, in  team meetings, they are the ones who listen intently, then offer the single, gentle observation that clarifies the confusion and moves the project forward. They are the reliable keepers of connection In a friendship circle, they remember the small details that make others feel truly  valued. In a community organization, they are the tireless volunteers who handle the logistics, the paperwork, and the necessary but tedious details that prevent the whole structure from collapsing into chaos. These contributions are rarely splashy. They don’t generate headlines. They are simply necessary . They oil the gears, connect the wires, and provide the moral and operational foundation upon which genuine success is built. They are the leaven in the bread, making the whole loaf rise without drawing attention to their own tiny granules. The Absence is Palpable The true power of salt is revealed not by its presence, but by its absence . If someone who chases the spotlight takes a day off, the meeting might be a little quieter. If someone who dominates the conversation isn’t there, the dynamic shifts, but the core function remains. But when the person who operates like salt is missing – when their quiet reliability or essential warmth is withdrawn, the whole experience subtly, yet significantly, degrades. The interactions feel hollow. The communication becomes less honest. The collective effort loses its fundamental flavour. You find yourself feeling a strange, persistent lack of vibrancy and meaning , and you instinctively know that something vital is missing. Just as a diner immediately recognizes a dish lacking seasoning, a perceptive community recognizes the void left by such an individual. It is the profound realization that the value of certain elements lie not in their volume or visibility, but in their transformative, binding, and essential quality . An Invitation to Indispensability The call to “be like salt” is not about shrinking yourself; it is about focusing your energy on the areas where you can have the deepest, most positive leverage . It is an invitation to shift your goal from being merely appreciated to being truly indispensable . This means adopting a posture of genuine service and enhancement: Prioritize Quality over Credit: Seek to make things fundamentally better, regardless of who receives the praise. Let your success be found in the improved texture and taste of the whole, not just your personal plating. Be the Stabilizer: In times of conflict or uncertainty, be the element that brings consistency, clarity, and calm. Your steady presence can anchor an entire group tossed about by storms. Find Your Essential Niche: Identify the specific, often subtle, ways your unique skills and temperament can enrich your immediate surroundings – whether it’s through meticulous organization, radical empathy, or consistent follow-through. Embracing the role of salt means cultivating a reputation for reliability and warmth, ensuring that your every interaction adds a subtle yet significant layer of flavour and integrity . It means moving through the world with the quiet confidence that your presence is a gift, and your absence is a loss. Be the quiet force that brings out the best in everything around you. Add value. Add warmth. Be essential. Be the salt.   What is the one small, consistent action you can take to be the salt – the essential ingredient in your family, community and at workplace?