ReflectionsOfPratibha

  • Look up…

    Travel makes you notice things which you wouldn’t otherwise but only if you look out of the window. Every time I’m in Mumbai, the long commutes give me that time. Four buses filled with children – probably heading to a… Continue reading

    Look up…
  • A silent longing…

    Behind the smiling DP and forwarded good morning messages… lies a silent longing. I recently spent a day in Mumbai with an elderly couple I’ve known for over two decades – both now in their 70s. We go back a… Continue reading

    A silent longing…
  • Mumbai and Me…

    Today’s rain reminded me of Mumbai. A city I first met as a newlywed… Many years ago, I arrived in this city – as a young bride, carrying joy, anxiety, hope, and a heart full of excitement. And in some… Continue reading

    Mumbai and Me…
  • Happy Birthday Bank…

    Every time someone mocks you, takes a jibe, or makes fun of you – a part of me feels hurt. The kind of connection I have with you; most people can’t understand. It isn’t just a name for me. It is… Continue reading

    Happy Birthday Bank…
  • Rain. Maati. Kannauj. A Childhood Connection..

    Yesterday, it rained.And as the first drop kissed the earth, the air filled with that familiar, soul-stirring scent. Petrichor, they call it – but to me, it has always smelled like childhood, like home, like memory. That scent – so… Continue reading

    Rain. Maati. Kannauj. A Childhood Connection..
  • Love you Honda Activa!

    It was the early 2000s. My first job. A sales role. And it required a two-wheeler.My father asked me to visit a few showrooms and pick what I liked.There weren’t many options back then – Just three models. But the moment I stepped into the first showroom, I saw her. A brand-new, shiny black two-wheeler getting prepared for delivery.That black beauty. I just loved it from the moment go.I booked her. Paid in full. All within 48 hours. My father gave me a quick tutorial, and soon enough, I was riding her everywhere – to the office, sales calls, weekend errands. I felt like a queen on her black steed.“Hawa se baatein karna” – I finally understood what it meant. From late-night family visits to last-minute Hazratganj plans, 20 km friend meetups to early morning flower runs for my parents’ anniversary – she was always by my side. Ready. Steady. Go. Sure, it wasn’t smooth for me at first. There were a few tumbles – her body took the bruises, but somehow, she never let me get hurt.I still remember that rainy day – when I hit a deep pothole. In that flicker of a second, I assumed the worst. But her balance saved me. I was a familiar face at the service centre – not because of months, but kilometers.Imagine a girl hitting service milestones by distance! I rode 50–60 km daily, with a personal record of 125 km in a single day – in Lucknow. And now, as you celebrate 25 years in India, just know this:Women love their vehicles just as deeply. Their expression may be different.Their attachment may be quieter. But their love?It runs just as deep. And for a girl in a tier 2… Continue reading

    Love you Honda Activa!
  • I will remember that Eidi for life…

    I think the kind of love and attention you get from your school and college friends’ parents is hard to come by later in life.And if you’re their best friend, they treat you like one of their own. It’s been… Continue reading

    I will remember that Eidi for life…
  • Fiery, feisty Palash….

    Childhood memories. They always find a way to come back, when you least expect them. When I was young, Holi and Diwali meant one thing – packing our bags and heading to my grandparents’ home. And the best part? Trains!… Continue reading

    Fiery, feisty Palash….
  • सुकून

    छोटे शहरों से आए हुए हम कुछ लोग,बड़े शहरों में बस तो गए हैं, पर दिल रह गया है कहीं और… कभी-कभी बहुत याद आता है,नानी के घर के लाल पेड़े का स्वाद,जो आज तक किसी मिठाई में मिला नहीं। चूल्हे… Continue reading

    सुकून
  • Motichoor Laddoos and DD National…

    26 January. Two memories stand out in my memory.  1st one from school where 15 – 20 days before Republic Day, the entire school braved the harsh winters for march past practice. While a few daring ones managed to skip by hiding… Continue reading

    Motichoor Laddoos and DD National…