On Womanhood

Girls do mature faster than boys. That being said, it is some women not all. I wouldn't be one to judge. I have been learning and still have a lot to learn, but I do feel I am getting there at my own pace. It is not a race.

I realized that I have grown through my travels... it is not the travels the have helped me grow, but "stepping up to the plate" and giving it my best shots; failing and falling with grace, and dealing with challenges life throws at me with calmness and certainty. It took years and everything I have experienced to get this far, and I have none other than me to thank, and of course the strong and lovely women in my life. I thank you and applaud you.

Strong female role models have helped me set my sights on becoming a stronger, wiser, and lovely woman. My mother, Indira, taught me always to love unconditionally, help others, be selfless, and utterly open minded. Her ability to be warm, polite, to never judge, criticize, condemn or complain about anyone, was something I wanted to learn and be too; it took a while but I got it eventually. I also learnt that it is so easy to forget the things I learn and revert back, so I learnt to be mindful. She taught me to eat all that was served to me whether I liked it or not. If I didn't like it I should learn to appreciate it. She taught me to never hate, be negative, to accept everyone, and be the one who includes everyone no matter what. Indira, also taught me to never expect but to always give, whether it was just a smile, or a helping hand.

My aunt, Mallika Dutt, taught me how to be strong, focused, driven, assertive, analytical, and entrepreneurial. She may be petite, but she stands tall in her steadfastness and achievements. She made me realize that women can be independent, not have to rely on men, and we don't need to take crap from them!

My grandmother, Maya Rani Ghosal, taught me how to appreciate beauty in everything, she loves endlessly, and in her quiet ways has different perspectives on things than most. She is intelligent and cooks the most wonderful Bengali food ever, I remember her every time I cook. Little things she told me. Her strength and ability to accept and face difficult and negative situations calmly, is something I learnt, if not inherited!

My sister, Piyali, is crazy, and lovely! She taught me to be mindful. Although she is younger than I, she has been to hell and back (a few times to say the least). She is learning, as am I. She taught me to be present, to get my own back, to love myself before others, and to be mindful to not forget these ever, and to become them. Watching her grow and watching me, we aren't perfect, but we try hard to learn, accept and face all challenges in life with positivity.

My grandmother, Mongala Bondhopadhyay, she has been strong, even in these dark days she face now with deteriorating health. From her I learned to be kind always, to love no matter what, to be determined and strong, and to never be dependent on any one despite age, health, finances. Even to this day she is kicking ass!

My other role models have been Jane Goodall (her dedication to the thing she was most passionate about), Steffi Graf (her outstanding legacy in Women's Tennis), Vanessa Paradis (her lovely voice, talent, and grace), The Spice Girls (they aren't perfect but they kicked butt big time), J.K. Rowling (for writing such an amazing series while being totally poor, but believing in her work!), Enid Blyton (for also writing amazing children stories), Jane Austen (for being so different from her time), Rosa Parks (for being standing up)... There are amazing women out there!

Mallika with my uncle and his grandmother.

My sister and I painting at MCRC

My mother

My Grandmother (Mongala) and I

Dida (Maya Rani) and Piyali

Strong Ladies here, beware!