Aswini Ashok

           I was waiting for the bus when a policeman came and started inspecting the platform 5 feet away from me. Only then I realized there was a man lying there motionless. I am not sure whether he spotted him on his usual rounds or someone called for the police. Initially I thought it was yet another drunkard scenario, which we are quite used to in Chennai, but, in Bangalore, I have never seen such scenes mostly. Thanks to their more liberal and streamlined ways of selling liquor. It turned out that the man could not waken up even after sprinkling water on his face. The police used the local boys and seized a small packet of something (possibly condom) from his pockets. The boys giggled and threw it. Meanwhile, he called someone and a police van reached there within minutes. All the people passing by stopped their vehicles and observed the scene, jamming the traffic in their own ways. I enquired a lady next to me and she said that the man was declar...

                Lately, there is a surge in the movies centered on women. Don’t ask why there is no such thing as men-centric anything. Men are by default everything. However, the more relevant phrase to describe the so-called women-centric has to be “women-body-centric politics”. The politics around women’s body have been done to death by men (in real and reel), yet, there seems to be no end to their impositions. Women across the world are still fighting for political control over their own bodies. From anti-abortion laws to marital rapes the politics around women’s body has always been at the receiving end of the arrogance of predominantly men lawmakers than the plight of fighting women. Cinema in the form of pop culture has always been adamant in infusing regressive (mostly about women) thoughts so much so that it has become a norm. Three movies I watched this week brought into picture 3 different aspects ...

People usually, ask why some like to travel alone, but, I would ask why most people don’t. There are few things in life that can be enjoyed only in absolute solitude. Solo trips are one of such kind. While traveling in a group has its own charm, solo travels fill the inner souls. As an active doer of both, I can easily say, one cannot be looked over the other. All of us deal with our crisis mostly by ourselves all the time, but we never acknowledge how brave we are for waging our own battles, but, in solo trips, one could instantly acknowledge their courage and presence of mind for dealing crisis in a minute-to-minute basis and nevertheless making the best out of it. From finding places to visit, stay, eat and having proper time management or addressing the lack of it, solo trips teach us life skills in the most intriguing way. There is a power in extending our boundaries by ourselves. So, if you haven’t been to one, get started already. You may not even need to have an elaborate i...

Prequel:  Touring Hampi: Day 1 at the temple side "To awaken alone in a strange town is one of the pleasant sensations in the world" -Anonymous Day 2: I woke up by 7 A.M and after a hot shower, packed my bags and checked out since I did not want to waste money on the hotel room unnecessarily as I was leaving the same night anyway. Again walked to the KSRTC Station. I have started knowing the routes like the back of my hand. Luckily found a cloakroom in the bus stand where I deposited my bag and carried only the essential things in a small bag. This time I was cautious to enquire H-A-M-P-I to get the correct bus, unlike the previous day fiasco. The city bus dropped me at Hampi near Virupaksha Temple. I switched on the maps and walked to the ferry point. Plus the tuk-tuk driver had already assured me the ferry point was at the backside of the temple only. The backside of the temple opened into a view of a beautiful river which I never thought was there initially. It ...

Travel clears the clutter in our minds. We always look up at people having something up their sleeves. The world may not be the same for everyone but everyone has their own ways approaching it, making it more beautiful and meaningful. At the end of every trip, there are some experiences that cease to escape us. Sometimes it looks so juvenile but that keeps pushing us, snowballing into more awesome experiences in the future. When I had my first solo trip to Mumbai, I was so proud that I could actually survive on my own anywhere. My recent solo trip for 2 days to Hampi gives me a sense of pride and satisfaction to love myself more which I will keep doing for the rest of my life. It all started out of nowhere, if I had thought too much, I would not have done so many things in my life. This is one such thing. I wanted to GO, I just booked the tickets for the next weekend, not even caring to check the CNF probability. My to and fro tickets were on the Waitlist until the chart prepa...

         Being a feminist in a society like India is like being one step away from landing in Jail. It is not just about dealing with jerks on a regular basis but controlling the urge to punch them right away. All my life I have been a feminist, knowingly or unknowingly. During my early years, I used to loathe the word ‘feminist’ believing it is indeed a problematic word to describe equality. I championed myself as anyone who battles for equality but feminist. Don’t blame me yaar. Even Indira Gandhi and Mamata Banerjee too refused to be referred to as feminists. Probably, now I have missed the chance to associate myself with them with my profound knowledge of understanding feminism is of course equality. Even with that understanding, I was a closet feminist for the next stages in my life. I have always believed that inequalities will die a natural death if we don’t acknowledge it and just mind our business believing there is no inequality. Just like Cancer cu...

Avni rolled on her bed, fighting to sleep, discarding the memories of the day for the umpteenth time. Sleep was a thousand miles away. She could not fathom the logic behind Ansh’s behaviour earlier that day. Avni recollected what just transpired between her and Ansh a few hours back. Ansh: I am allowing you to be with your friends however and wherever you wish, but, not allowing you go to this party late at night that too in Delhi. Avni: Excuse me! What do you think you are? Keep your ‘allowing’ business with yourself. I am neither asking your permission nor assistance. I just informed my plans out of habit. Don’t you dare come up with this allowing business anymore! By this time, both were fuming with rage. Ansh: But don’t you remember I am your fiancé. Avni: Yes. I remember very well, which is why I am trying to keep my temper. But that doesn’t mean I am letting you decide my life on my behalf. You may give your suggestions, but, I warn you your ‘allowing’ di...