Author: sreeyal

Being YOURSELF is BeYOUtiful!

Posted on by sreeyal

Women fought for women’s rights [alongside men]:

https://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/woman-suffrage for those of you who do not know the power behind.

Penning this with huge respect for those and the like.

Let’s see the other side of the coin.

About the women who destroy women- who tear women apart to satisfy their insecurities.

Do women always support women in day-to-day life? NO!

I say NO since that’s my experience. Is that a generalised NO? NO, it happens most of the time.

I’m getting into my experiences soon, but I’m more eager to discuss the public’s perspectives on women these days.

You are considered educated and modern solely on the basis of optics: the attire, the accessories, and the brands you adorn.

To those of you who are equally innocent, it means: a branded bag, high heels that kill your feet, chemicals outside, and silicone inside- that’s what I mean. The most abused word by women in this era is women’s empowerment.

If you don’t have either, what do people ask you? At:

Medical centers: Do you need a translator?

Female colleagues at work: Learn some fashion sense.

And these are the ones who scavenge around, with no major contributions at work. I wonder if they get paid for the work or for the extra fashion looks; if so, what do they actually do? Huh!

Acquaintances: Wouldn’t your family give you an option to upgrade your looks?

And since this is MY blog, I can write about MY journey alone: when you live abroad, outside of India, most of the “looks criticism” comes from your own ilk or those from the Sub-Continent, in my case. As such poor souls never heard about confidence in your work, thoughts, and being YOURSELF- being YOURSELF is BeYOUtiful! The West respects and accepts you as you are, or it will leave you alone, not to mess around; again, MY experience.

Here’s something we can do when someone gets asked why their looks haven’t changed? The answer is: we are busy building EQ (with IQ). Now don’t ask me what that is.

My family gives me time to upgrade my thought process. My family and my people- that’s my inner circle- and similar great minds respect me for what I am.

And to those this blog is aimed at– please know my inner circle is strong, diverse, and always growing. It’s time you change yourself for good. I’m writing this not in despair but in hope.

Learn to respect the grey hair, simple yet decent outlook, and wrinkles [when they arrive]- this is for the fortunate. Fortunate are those who take pride in and enjoy the privilege you are blessed with.

A hope where women would lift women.

PS: Again, this is not a generalised 100%- but the majority; I stress this forever.

My Journey with Titan: A Nostalgic Tribute

Posted on by sreeyal

Titan was my first watch when I was thirteen years old. Little did we know about globalisation or #madeinindia then.

{thank you, dad}

Watching #titanmadeinindia with kids is pure joy; a case study of resilience and determination.

Naseeruddin Shah Jim Sarbh Vaibhav Tatwawadi, and every character lived in their roles, bringing life as a tribute to the real legends.

It felt like we did a “certification” in management studies.

No better time than now, hinting that we stop #reelingmedia and #scrolling and start #manufacturing.

I was part of #tajgroupofhotels Taj, #vizag, for a brief period, and knowing that it was founded by #JRDTata Jamsetji Tata gave me goosebumps at the time, and the same gush of emotions even now.

DrAyalasomayajula GopalaRao

Thank you #almightymotionpicture1, #RobbieGrewal and Amazon Prime

Bindi– an Identity

Posted on by sreeyal

Often, I receive questions from non-Indians about the significance of bindis in various contexts, and they generally respect my appearance & choices. However, some NRI Hindus branded me “outdated” for my choices. It’s important to note that within India, an increasing number of women are choosing not to wear a bindi, which reflects a personal choice. Many of these women may still use other forms of makeup while consciously opting to forgo the bindi, showcasing a broader spectrum of individual expression. Many of my non-Hindu friends, including Muslims, Christians, and those who belong to other faiths or are atheists, sport bindis on many occasions– it’s their choice.

#lenskart went a step too far and banned the bindi/tilak —where? — in India itself.

 I have a few friends who are Hindus and name Hindus “Dirty Hindus”. 

They are quiet- not a surprise– we are dirty Hindus, and that’s fine.

Certain newspapers are always eager to highlight any communal issues in India on the world stage. They too ignore this– enjoying quietly, I believe.

A country that assimilates and celebrates more than 7 religions with over 5000 years of recorded history will have issues just like in a large, diverse family.

Nonetheless, members of the Hindu community, who find pride in their identity, will persist in advocating for their beliefs and fostering respect across all religions. The bindi represents an important aspect of religious identity, and those who uphold this tradition are committed to defending it.

#banlenskart #banpeyushbansal 

Bindi is my identity, and people like me who own it will fight for it.

Those who are human always fight for human rights; not all are #socialmediaheroes, but #realheroes, irrespective of their religion.

Banning any tradition that doesn’t pose a threat is an attempt to bring in communal conflict, to say the least.

DO We Need Women’s Day!

Posted on by sreeyal

I didn’t know Women’s Day existed until I left college.

{There was no need for it when you were raised with pride by parents, teachers, and influential personalities. But when you take a global perspective, you need people who lift women – they won’t always be women.) Dedicating one day might not solve any deep-rooted issues. However, many inspiring women have been part of our school curriculum and our lifestyles. In the wake of upheaval in Bangladesh politics, I travelled through the timeline of world politics, and South Asia has been inspirational.

Such political figures who stood tall are:

Sirimavo Bandaranaike, Margaret Thatcher (though not from South Asia), Indira Gandhi, Benazir Bhutto, and Sheikh Hasina.

Ms Bandaranaike: The world’s first female Prime Minister, taking office in (now) Sri Lanka.

Ms. Thatcher’s powerful phrase, “the lady’s not for turning.” This statement still evokes the same excitement.

Ms Gandhi: Commanding a vast, diverse nation through war, economic upheaval, and state emergencies.

Ms Butto: Came to be regarded as an icon for women’s rights due to her political success in a male-dominated society.

Ms. Hasina: Striving to lift her nation out of poverty and political instability through sustained development.

I’m not a politician, and I’m not here to dissect their political decisions or careers.

However, it’s disheartening to see the final wicket (about to) fall in Bangladesh.

I take a bow, ladies! Living in the same era is a blessing.

After this inspiring pep-visit, let’s rethink, do we need a Women’s Day?

Yes, despite those pockets of women’s growth in places, can you believe there are phone numbers for women to call if in an abusive situation in the bathrooms of a maternity ward in one of the most advanced nations in the West?

Not just culturally, but women need that support from the more equal men to show their mettle. Women don’t always lift women. Can we guarantee that, within a family, daughters and daughters-in-law are treated equally? So, it should be the responsibility of every human to treat everyone with respect and equality.

Women are still forced to have make-up outside and silicone/plastic inside- no one is forcing them perse, but that’s the mindset we are moving into. Women are judged on the careers they are in by their own women circles, groups, and treatment is not the same among women. Where are we heading?

Not one day, but every day, yes- the women I mentioned above are from influential families, and more women fought their way through from nothing- they are an inspiration; there is still hope.

Kudos to men who think and act like humans should. Until then, Women’s Day is just one day of celebration that helps the retail sector generate more sales: events for women, selling flowers at triple the price, and cards for that genre. And roll on until the next year.

Happy Women’s Day.

Dreams and Destiny

Posted on by sreeyal

Unlearning the learning, I’m trying to redefine what success could mean to me. Maybe this could give solace to my lifelong ambition followed by a beatdown feeling of being unable to study medicine, or should I say missing it by a whisker that made it an even worse episode that aghast my life?

My husband did offer me the chance to pursue that line of education even now, being a mother, which I don’t think is the right time- but to my utter surprise and divine intervention, I happened to chat with my favourite Botany teacher, Kumar Raja, sir, who taught me botany for over five years and mentored me the whole time, shared the fact that he and his family expected I would come round holding a stethoscope and emerge as a fabulous doctor. He was shocked to hear otherwise and offered to train me NOW- even after two decades; he has the confidence that I could do it– That confidence my teacher had in me makes me feel content, and all those tears that recently have been hiding have flown, releasing me of this defeated attitude that I assumed I could never overcome.

That’s destiny. Failures don’t always depict a lack of sincere attempt but may result from destiny. This failure taught me perseverance, to understand human behaviour, and that life is not a bed of roses– everything always comes with a fight to me- I’m a proud fighter.

 At this juncture, I have to take a moment to express my gratitude for the stature of our Kumar Raja sir, who hailed from a middle-class family and offered free tuition to aspiring students and, at times, his family sharing some delicacies they cooked with all the students. This was when education had become a complete business product in India. Watching a mentor be so full of morals and ethics has imprinted the same values in me. My parents offered free meals to students who couldn’t afford two meals a day, but that was when human values and empathy were still at their peak. Again, taking me by surprise, my parents still offer the same for students in need to date. I consider the age I grew up as golden- a true amalgamation of rich family & cultural values and those baby steps toward the e-world.

Those who know me as a teenager remember me as a sole fighter who sincerely tried to clear one entrance test that could have blessed me with stepping foot in the college of my dreams – Andhra Medical College. This college is not far- 50 km away from my parents and the place I travelled to every day for my master’s internship or to visit friends and relatives even now. But, to date, never could I embrace the ambience of the prestigious medical college, which produced wonderful doctors who are saving lives day in and out all over the world. 

Foolish, I was not to accept other branches of medicine on other campuses but kept my vain eye on medicine at AMC. Or that was the fate, and I had to accept it unwillingly.

Unwavering support from my parents and family rebuilt me. They were never disappointed or expressed displeasure with my choices. But they accepted me as I am. Many insults came in the face of revenge from unknowns, but those silent hearts in the form of friends and acquaintances that prayed for my success, whether I knew them or not, is what I have achieved in my life- That’s my life summed up. 

I wouldn’t have known the beauty of life and struggles had my plate been full of what I wished for. I have learnt to appreciate life for what it is, not for what I aspired of it.