Karina Pandya

Every year, May 3rd arrives quietly, without announcement, yet the message it carries is powerful: no matter where you are in life, you can always begin again. Celebrated as Soka Gakkai Day—and also as Soka Gakkai Mother’s Day—this day symbolises a renewed commitment to world peace, human revolution, and the worldwide propagation of Buddhism. This day is more than a commemoration; it represents a living spirit of renewal, courage, and an ongoing journey of human revolution—an inner transformation that leads to lasting peace and happiness. As the year gathers momentum, this message feels especially relevant. Life is moving quickly, and change is happening all around us in rapid and dynamic ways. But what happens when we feel stuck, discouraged, or unsure of our next step? May 3rd reminds us that every day—every moment—is an opportunity to reset and begin anew. As championed by   Daisaku Ikeda , the concept of human revolution teaches us that transformation doesn’t require perfect co...

There is something deeply ironic about living alone in   Mumbai. Everywhere you look, people are fighting for space—on trains, in small apartments, in crowded cafés where conversations overlap and chairs almost touch. Space here is currency, and it isn’t always easy to come by. People crave it. They work for it, wait for it, even dream about it. And yet, I have it. Freely. No one is waiting outside my door. No background noise of a television—just four cats occasionally breaking the silence. No interruptions mid-thought… except the ones created by my own mind. It sounds like freedom. And in many ways, it is. But space isn’t always something you choose. Sometimes, it’s something that quietly chooses you. Because space is not just physical. It’s also the absence of shared moments—the quiet comfort of someone else being there, even when nothing is being said. The in-between pauses that feel fuller when they’re shared. There are nights when the city is unbearably loud, yet my room feel...

 Punita has spent over a decade shaping impactful educational and social initiatives through her work with Angel Xpress and other grassroots programs.  From teaching entrepreneurship to young students to leading large-scale programs, her journey reflects commitment, innovation and purpose.  Karina Pandya gets candid with Punita Singh Q1. You’ve been associated with Angel Xpress Foundation for over a decade. How did your  journey with the organisation begin ? I started volunteering with AXF in 2013. Honestly, it feels like AXF found me - that it was just waiting to happen. For almost 2-3 months before I joined, I kept hearing of their work through friends who were associated with them. And then one day, a post on one of our community WhatsApp groups made it click - it was stories of AXF children, small wins, big smiles—and it stayed with me. I was looking for something more meaningful with more time on my hands, and I decided to just show up. I began as a maths t...

The Illusion of Forever in a Finite Life In this never-ending cycle of life, we all know—at least on some level—that nothing lasts forever. Nothing is permanent. We take nothing with us when we leave, if there is anything beyond this life at all. And yet, we live as if everything is here to stay. We love as if it will last forever. We chase happiness as if it can be secured permanently. We hold onto people, moments, and emotions as if they define something eternal within us. Why do we do this? This contradiction between what we  know  and how we  behave  is perhaps one of life’s most subtle ironies.   The Awareness of an Ending We are the only beings, perhaps, who live with the awareness of our own ending. We know that one day, everything will stop—our thoughts, our memories, our relationships. And still, we choose to feel deeply. Take love, for example. We enter it knowing—whether consciously or not—that it may not last. That circumstances change, people change...

A modern dating phenomenon, situationships are among the most emotionally complex experiences people navigate today. Defined by their non-committal and ambiguous nature, these relationships exist in a space where emotional intimacy is present, but clarity is absent. Particularly common among Gen Z, they reflect a growing reluctance to formally commit while still seeking connection. Often emerging from dating apps, hook-ups, or friendships with blurred boundaries, situationships may resemble casual dating—but the emotions involved are far from casual. Many individuals find themselves in this undefined middle ground: sharing daily conversations, meaningful moments, and emotional closeness, yet lacking the security of a clearly defined relationship. This imbalance is often rooted in poor communication, where expectations remain unspoken. As a result, one person may become deeply invested while the other remains detached, creating a quiet but persistent emotional disconnect. The song  ...

Friendships —the one bond we believe will remain constant in our lives—quietly transform over time. Not because we make sudden changes, but because we ourselves grow and evolve. It’s a gentle shift we’re rarely prepared for. Some people stay, some fade, but each of them shapes who we become. Friendships rarely remain the same—and maybe they aren’t meant to. The people who once felt like your entire world slowly become names you smile at on your phone screen. Some drift away silently, while others stay and grow alongside you. Friendships aren’t fixed; they are living, changing parts of our lives. In childhood, everything feels simple. We don’t overthink compatibility, values, or long-term alignment. We become friends with almost anyone who crosses our path. A best friend is someone you sit next to in school, sharing laughter and small, sweet moments. You promise to be friends forever—but how long is forever? Life moves on. Different schools, different environments—and suddenly, that “fo...