Karina Pandya

  Living with dignity means being valued, respected, and accepted for who you are—not defined or limited by a medical condition. For people living with epilepsy, dignity often becomes something they must actively fight for. Epilepsy is not just a medical challenge; it is frequently accompanied by social misunderstanding, fear, and stigma. These societal barriers can deeply affect a person’s confidence, opportunities, and sense of self-worth. This is where the slogan   “Jio Samman Se” – Live with Dignity   becomes profoundly meaningful and necessary. For many individuals with epilepsy, the idea of dignity is challenged every day—at school, in the workplace, within communities, and sometimes even within their own families. Myths and misconceptions surrounding epilepsy often give rise to fear, discrimination, and social exclusion. A lack of awareness can lead people to judge or underestimate those living with the condition, rather than understand and support them.   Jio...

Vietnam isn’t just a destination — it’s a whole mood. The moment you land, life becomes a game of Frogger: dodging scooters, following invisible crossing rules, and rewarding yourself with hot or iced coffee in tiny cafés tucked between chaos. One minute you’re lost in the city, and the next you’re standing on a beach, wondering how life suddenly looks like a postcard. Or maybe you’re cruising through Ha Long Bay, floating past giant limestone dragons rising from emerald waters. From Hanoi’s old-school charm to Da Nang’s breezy calm and Ho Chi Minh City’s nonstop buzz, Vietnam keeps switching personalities — and somehow, they all work. Vietnam isn’t just one place. It’s drama, culture, flavour, noise, beauty, and emotion — all served in a single trip. Hanoi, the capital in the north, felt like history put on sneakers and went for a walk! As Vietnam’s political and cultural heart, it carries the weight of the past while running straight into the present. The Old Quarter was alive: tangl...

Some people speak to release their emotions; others find relief in silence. I have always belonged to the latter. Speaking asks for pauses, filters, and courage. Writing asks only for honesty. From the time I was a shy young girl, writing became my safe space. I didn’t yet have the confidence to say what I felt, but the moment my pen touched paper, I felt a quiet power return to me. It was never just words—it was my soul spilling freely - my private refuge. There were no interruptions, no judgment, no pressure to explain myself. Even emotions that felt too heavy to carry found their way out through language.  Writing turned confusion into clarity. When anxiety or emotional overload made speaking impossible, Paper listened patiently. My thoughts could unfold slowly, truthfully. I learned to organise myself into words, to reflect instead of react. In moments of loneliness and sadness, writing became my companion—the one place where vulnerability felt safe. Over time, solace turned in...

  In the world of Indian indie music, very few artists manage to truly touch a chord in the listener’s heart.  Anuv Jain  is one such rare voice. His deeply personal music resonates with millions across the world, carrying a unique blend of genuineness, harmony, and rhythm. From quiet heartbreaks to expansive melodies, Anuv’s songs feel like pages from a diary—raw, intimate, and emotionally honest. A sleeper hit,  Baarishein  was his first-ever recorded song and went on to cross 200 million streams on Spotify. Interestingly, the first song he ever wrote was  Meri Baaton Mein Tu , penned when he was just 16 years old. Since then, his music has only spiralled upward, steadily drawing in listeners from across the globe. Inspired by real-life experiences, Anuv often takes months to write a song before releasing it, allowing emotions to fully take shape. Despite his undeniable talent, he chose to pursue music professionally only during the COVID-19 pandemic. Dur...

 Vietnam is surely going  to feel like one long story waiting to unfold as we travel from north to south, with every destination adding its own colour, flavour, and rhythm. and I JUST CAN'T WAIT! Hanoi – Where the Past Will Never Sleep Hanoi will immediately pull us in. Founded over  1,000 years ago , the city will feel deeply rooted in history while still buzzing with  đổi mới  (modern change). We will explore Hanoi on foot—wandering freely, getting a little lost, and letting the city guide us naturally. :) In the Old Quarter, motorbikes will buzz past as street vendors call out  “ăn đi!”  (Come eat!), and everyday life will spill onto the sidewalk. Around Hoan Kiem Lake, locals will practise tai chi at sunrise while others will sit quietly with a strong cup of Vietnamese coffee. Hanoi will feel calm, chaotic, and beautiful all at once. One of the most unforgettable moments - I'm sure will be visiting  Hanoi Train Street , where we will sit with ...

  On January 18, 2026, I participated in the Dream Run at the Tata Mumbai Marathon, a journey that began at CST and concluded along the iconic Marine Drive. This run was more than just a race for me—it was a way to represent a deeper purpose, one that lies close to my heart: raising awareness about epilepsy. As I gathered in the wee hours of the morning at Gate No. 7, I found myself in a space that carried both the rhythm of the city and the weight of its history. Runners surrounded me on all sides, and it was astonishing to see so many people assembled before dawn, united by a shared sense of anticipation. Each runner carried their own story, their own reason for being there, and the air was thick with quiet excitement. From CST, the route carried us through the beating heart of Mumbai—a city that, like the people running through it, never stops moving forward. This spirit of constant motion and resilience echoed the very essence captured in my book  Inside Mumbai: Stories fr...

There was a time when I believed that thinking deeply and caring a lot meant I was sincere, emotionally aware, and just… a good person. I used to replay conversations, imagine different scenarios, and analyse silences or distance between myself and others. Nothing went unquestioned. But the more I thought about everything, the more stuck I felt. What I once saw as caring slowly turned into rumination, and it drained my peace more than I realised. I eventually had to ask myself: did all this thinking actually matter? And the answer was no. What mattered was how it left me feeling. I used to overthink constantly—especially the small, trivial things that led nowhere. I wondered what people thought of me, read into gifts, silences, and distance, and replayed moments that were long over and completely out of my control. I imagined how things   could’ve   gone differently or wished they had. That’s when the mental loop really kicked in. Even though these thoughts felt important at t...