No part of this poetry may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations used in reviews, articles, or academic work, with proper attribution.
All rights reserved. No part of this poetry may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations used in reviews, articles, or academic work, with proper attribution.
An ode to my best friend Rahul on his birthday on 1st December 2025. I attempted to write in Marathi with help from the internet and my husband. The thoughts, words & feelings are all mine with some help in translation. It was well appreciated by Rahul 🙏
All rights reserved. No part of this poetry may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations used in reviews, articles, or academic work, with proper attribution.
All rights reserved. No part of this poetry may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations used in reviews, articles, or academic work, with proper attribution.
All rights reserved. No part of this poetry may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations used in reviews, articles, or academic work, with proper attribution.
All rights reserved. No part of this poetry may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations used in reviews, articles, or academic work, with proper attribution.
On 10th July, we celebrated Guru Purnima — a sacred day to honour the wisdom and grace of our Gurus.
As an offering of gratitude, I bow first to my Mother and Father, my very first Gurus who shaped my values.
I then offer my heartfelt pranams to all my spiritual Gurus —
Swami Chinmayanandaji, Sri Sri Ravi Shankarji, Avdhoot Shivanand Ji, Brahmakumari Shivaniji, Guru Premanandji Maharaj, Shri Aniruddhacharya Ji Maharaj, and most recently, Guru Satyendranathji of Nasik — each of whom has illuminated my life in unique and profound ways.
But Gurus come in many forms — our friends, strangers, even our children. Life constantly teaches us through every interaction. We only need the humility to learn.
As a humble offering, I wrote this poem 🙏🏻
(Inset Photo - A Guru blessing his disciple created by me on Studio Art Ghibli.)
All rights reserved. No part of this poetry may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations used in reviews, articles, or academic work, with proper attribution.
All rights reserved. No part of this poetry may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations used in reviews, articles, or academic work, with proper attribution.
I lost both my parents on the same date 2 year's apart. Appa(23rd June 2015), 10 year's today & my Amma (23rd June 2017), 8 year's today
Life has never been the same again. I'm orphaned 😢 and left to fend for myself without their guidance and support. I miss them each day everyday.
I penned my feelings in poetry
Inset Photo - A picture of My Parents and me and my brother on Studio Art Ghibli. The original picture was taken in a fair conducted at a school, where they had props.
My Guardian Angels (My Parents)
Ten years have flown, Appa, since your celestial flight,
Eight years since Amma joined you, bathed in eternal light.
June twenty-third, a date etched deep within my soul,
Two years apart you left me, leaving such a gaping hole.
Time's relentless passage, blurring months to years,
Leaves me wondering how I function, battling back the tears.
No one, nothing can replace the warmth of your embrace,
Your memory a poignant echo, in time's fleeting space
I long for your embrace, a comforting, healing hand,
Your presence, an absence, across this weary land.
I long for that sure anchor, that haven safe and deep,
Where unconditional love resided, secrets I could keep.
Each day, I reach for the phone, a familiar, empty space,
To share life's joys and sorrows, with your loving embrace.
My happiness feels incomplete, unspoken and unknown,
A joy dimmed by your absence, leaving me all alone.
A heart unmoored, adrift at sea, where shadows softly play,
No anchor strong, no guiding star, to light a lonely way.
A vast and empty ocean, where solace cannot bloom,
Lost in the icy silence, consumed by deepest gloom.
My heart yearns to see you, my guiding stars above,
The beauty of your presence, a beacon of unconditional and endless love.
Your wisdom lives on, a legacy bright,
In lessons learned, and values held tight.
My guardian angels, ever near, my constant, watchful guide,
Protecting me from harm and fear, forever by my side.
A tender, poignant memory, a love that will not fade,
A parent's bond, a child's deep love, beyond death's shadowed glade.
Though pain remains a whisper, a tender, haunting sting,
Love's melody continues, forever we will sing.
Appa, Amma, forever, etched within our hearts,
In love's eternal embrace, where true devotion starts.
All rights reserved. No part of this poetry may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations used in reviews, articles, or academic work, with proper attribution.
All rights reserved. No part of this poetry may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations used in reviews, articles, or academic work, with proper attribution.
All rights reserved. No part of this poetry may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations used in reviews, articles, or academic work, with proper attribution.
All rights reserved. No part of this poetry may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations used in reviews, articles, or academic work, with proper attribution.
"Nowadays I'm making them watch one(1) episode of Ramanand Sagar's Ramayana and they try to escape as they find the pace too slow. Yet I'm keen they watch what we watched while growing up.
So a few more words with regards to that from Mahakaviyatri Sue😜😂"
Explaining Ramayana to my daughter's
My dearest girls, I understand the Ramayana's length may seem a trial,
A task that tests your patience, and makes you want to run and smile.
But even now, this ancient tale, holds truths we all should know,
Of goodness fighting darkness, a light that helps us grow.
It's more than just a story, it's of our Lord's might and grace,
The triumph of good over evil, a victory to embrace.
Though boredom whispers, trust my love and understand,
There's wisdom to be learned, from this ancient, sacred land.
I ask you now to listen, with hearts both open wide,
For in this ancient story, truths for your lives reside.
All rights reserved. No part of this poetry may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations used in reviews, articles, or academic work, with proper attribution.
Someone asked me that you are in so much pain yet you are always beaming.
I'd rather smile than lament on my pains. Anyways that's my personal battle and no one can help.
On a lighter note this inspired me to write a poem.
My father loved poetry and used to recite poetries by stalwart poets depending on the situation. He knew so many poetries by heart. He used to like poetries with alliteration. And I used to keep making poetries with alliteration to impress him.
NEVER LET YOUR PAIN BE IN VAIN
Pain is a part of my life and I'm a pain warrior
Let it build you up and not be a barrier.
When life throws the challenges use it to fortify
Do not bow down get defeated or Justify.
When times are tough & heated
Stand tall & refuse to stay seated.
When life feels grim, don't fret & frown
Be strong & refuse to back down.
Be happy, Enjoy and have a ball
Life is all about moments big and small.
Resurrect, Every time you fall
Be a proud warrior, Stand tall
You’re beautiful, you’re endless, Now spread your wings and fly,
Do everything you can, think of pain as an Ally.
Celebrate today and do what makes you feel alive.
Hold the hands of your loved one's and do a little jive.
Better to be a warrior than a worrier.
We all learn the hard way, whatever comes don't sway
All rights reserved. No part of this poetry may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations used in reviews, articles, or academic work, with proper attribution.
“Allow your passion to become your purpose and it will one day become
your profession”.
Brilliant in academics Prithvi got an admission into Dental college, but
she chose Physiotherapy, as she felt therapy had a direct and positive impact
on the wellness of a patient and she could help rehabilitate them and get them
back on their feet.
As a child she was fascinated when she saw marked improvement in the
progress of the health of a close relative with Rehabilitation which initiated
her interest in the field.
Prithvi has a clinical experience spanning almost 2 decades and has
worked in world renowned hospitals as well as community settings. With her
excellent clinical skills, exuberance and a friendly approach, she soon became
a very sought-after therapist and well respected by her fellow professionals
and doctor’s as well.
Prithvi, for me is one of the best therapists in Singapore, she has
worked her magic upon me a couple of times and helped me feel better with her
skills.
Her approach of looking at the body as a whole rather than focusing on
the individual factors of an injury or a problem sets her apart. She not only uses
Education, advice, Movement, exercise, manual therapy and other techniques but
understands the emotional and psychological needs of the patient and handles
them with sensitivity and tact. She’s empathetic yet encouraging and firm.
Physiotherapy can be quite strenuous for the therapist herself and
Prithvi has had her share of tough patients going through certain illnesses who
have bitten her, pulled at her necklace, kicked her or abused her but that
taught her patience she says.
When I asked Prithvi what is it that keeps her driven?
She said, the drive to help someone get stronger by giving them the
tools and guidance that they need to achieve their goals is what keeps her
going.
She says, that as a physiotherapist, she’s not there to simply provide
care and have patients depend upon her, instead she wants them to be
independent and functional by themselves.
She humbly says, “I am an instrument that can help and encourage them along
the way, the patients are essentially the key to their own successes”.
Massage or Physiotherapy?
For those who think that going for a massage would help rather than
going to a Physiotherapist, one must understand that Massage therapy is
commonly used for immediate relaxation of pain and muscle spasms, whereas
physiotherapy is geared more towards rehabilitating muscle and joint function.
Prithvi says that she loves her profession because there is always a
chance to learn new things and helping people. She believes that there is an
infinite amount of opportunity and the profession is constantly developing. “You
can change a person’s life”.
Physiotherapists help patients in every aspect of their existence,
whether it be their health, confidence, or even overcoming obstacles that
seemed insurmountable.
As a physiotherapist, you can inspire the people you come in contact
with to live a healthier life and to persevere.
Every patient will become stronger in their own way. You can help them
mentally, physically or in their everyday environment.
She says, true satisfaction is when the patient gets better and doesn’t
need therapy anymore, he feels stronger and ready to take the world, that for
her is success.
Prithvi can balance her professional life so well thanks to her
supportive husband and son. She says their support has given her the wings to fly
solo and start her own clinic “Absolute Physio Care”, A venture she started so
she can reach out to as many people as possible.
Prithvi is also a Certified Lymphedema Therapist from
Klose Training, Lafeyette, CO, USA and is currently
working on developing a cancer rehabilitation programme.
She is a highly skilled professional who enjoys
working with clients requiring pre and post-surgical rehabilitation,
neurological rehabilitation, Geriatric rehabilitation and lymphedema management.
She holds a full registration under the Allied Health
Professional Council in Singapore.
She has been council member for Singapore
Physiotherapy Association and currently is a serving member on the National
Panel of the Transplant Ethics Committee.
(Paper Artist, Designer, Entrepreneur, Art/Craft Trainer at Just Love Crafts)
Priyanka
Gupta Sarvaiya has been a quiller for more than a decade and works with paper to
create everything from greeting cards, photo frames, pendants, and earrings to
designing artworks for reputed agencies. Her recent venture of DIY Quilling Kits designed and packed exclusively by her was a rage.
Introduction to the Art
“Do
not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a
trail.”
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
This
quote from Emerson aptly describes Priyanka.
I first noticed her brilliance as
an artist, when I saw her beautiful installation of a bounty of handcrafted
paper flowers strewn about creating an illusion of “spring with blooms” at
Tatini’s Art Show.
Priyanka
is the first and only Accredited quilling artist in Singapore to achieve an
accreditation from the prestigious Quilling Guild UK for paper quilling art in
the year 2018 and recently from the North American Quilling Guild (2020).
Art Calling....
Priyanka holds a Masters degree in Investment and Finance from London as she went on to pursue the path that everyone including herself thought would be right for her. But having an artistic flair since young she did not stop, even on a student’s budget, and discovered quilling purely by chance in one of the art shops in the UK.
Priyanka discovered that one does not need a lot to begin quilling. However, looking at Priyanka’s intricate work I would say it definitely needs loads of patience and creativity.
She says, “She loved the art of quilling so much that she kept going back to it as and when she got a moment whether happy or sad. Quilling made her the happiest and that’s how she realized that she had found her Calling.
Eventually, when she got married and moved to Singapore, she continued with this art and she started writing about her Journey with Quilling through her Blog, “Just Love Crafts”
From there began her journey…..
Her
work got noticed and she was invited to conduct her first quilling workshop at
NTU with the Staff Recreation department and it was a thoroughly enjoyable
experience for everyone involved and ‘we didn’t wanna stop for hours’.
There
was no turning back from there. She ran more workshops for NTU and many others,
people started noticing her works and before she realized she was a sought- after
Artist.
She
thanks her Husband Jatin Sarvaiya who encouraged her to pursue her dreams and
do what makes her happy.
Phenomenal Journey from A Master Quiller to a Paper
Artist
Priyanka
loves using paper in every possible form as it’s such a versatile medium. It's
colorful, widely available and we are surrounded by it. Though quilling is and will always be her first love, she went on to discover more paper crafts such as
decoupage, scrapbooking, paper cutting, origami, paper mache, etc.
Recycling & Upcycling
Recently
Priyanka has been doing a lot of upcycling using magazines, newspapers,
packaging, invitation cards, even Toilet paper rolls and she turns them into something
beautiful.
She speaks about conservatively using the wealth that nature has endowed us with.
She’s part of Various groups that believes in Freecycle, Recycle & resource sharing Art supplies, and other things.
Animal rights Activist
Priyanka
has a compassionate side to her. She cares a lot about the abuse that we humans
do to animals to satiate our gastronomic desires and decided to go Vegan.
Recently
she along with a few crafters helped crochet, knit, sew a range of items including
koala mittens for burned paws and pouches for infant "joey" kangaroos
who have lost their mothers in the Australian bushfires
The Evolution of Quilling
When you talk to Priyanka, you can feel the excitement in her voice when she talks passionately about quilling. She says, ‘I love testing my limits in Quilling’. She talks about how it has evolved over the years with newer and newer tools flooding the market though she maintains you only need paper and glue to begin.
The reason she likes to do quilling is she feels because it’s a
very simple craft, it’s therapeutic,
easy to take up, and has a lot of potentials.
Priyanka has taught thousands of people by means of workshops and public events
and believes it brings joy to not only those who learn but to herself too.
Achievements and Dreams come true....
Priyanka’s
achievements are parallel to none, her work - 'Kaleidoscopic
Singapore' was one of a kind Science meets Art project and the biggest display
of quilling in Singapore and possibly in South East Asia. It was her dream project as she always dreamt of doing Singapore
Landmarks in Quilling. It was done as a community project with over 200
participants and at least 20,000 quilling flowers had been used.
She was featured on Yahoo TV as a part of their Creators series, Straits Times, Home and Crown magazine, and several other media features.
She Offers paper art/science fusion programs and designs art classes for different
market segments.
She has worked on a number of private and Government commissioned projects as well as teaches different forms of crafts at various public and private venues including NLB, Science Centre, Community Centres, Schools, and corporate offices.
She has single-handedly managed and delivered many creative projects for the public and private sector organizations from start to finish with efficiency and accuracy.
Curated
the MakerFaire space for EarthFest for the last three occasions as a Director.
EarthFest is a leading sustainable festival and the MakerFaire aimed at
Inspiring and supporting people and organizations to make more environmentally
sustainable choices through art education and engagement.
Participated
in several Maker and art events on both national and international level by
means of installations, artworks, workshops, and seminars
She
has presented her artworks to PM Lee as well as the President of Singapore on public
occasions and believes she has been fortunate to get those opportunities as an
artist.
Recently
Priyanka was featured on Mediacorp Radio Class 95 for a quilling chit chat and
a demo to RJ Jean Danker trying her hands on quilling for the first time.
Do click on this Stunning videoshowcasing Priyanka's achievements
Priyanka aspires
To
get people to respect quilling as a mainstream art form rather than a hobby.
Priyanka
says that Quilling is an extremely fun, easy, and ‘addictive’ craft to take up
which can be practiced by people of all age groups and gender and requires no
special skills.
To
learn from the Master Quiller herself do get in touch with her and watch her
Facebook page Just Love Crafts for
upcoming workshops.
Conduct
art/craft/upcycling/mixed media workshops for both kids and adults via multiple
platforms.
Her "DIY
Quilling Kits "to encourage more people to quill turned out to be
best sellers.
Her
message to all those who wish to pursue art is, “Never give up, if you have the
passion in you and you are dedicated, you will surely get noticed for your
works”.
She feels sad that many people who are talented give up.
“Do
not be afraid to travel a new path; It may be the way to find what you’ve been
looking for all along.”
If
you want Priyanka to conduct a workshop, learn the art or get an artistic
arrangement made by Priyanka…..
THE
PHOTOGRAPHS, TEXT AND VIDEOS OF SUKANYA'S HOBBIES AND CRAFTS CANNOT BE REPRODUCED
WITHOUT PERMISSION AND WOULD BE CONSIDERED A COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT.
Chocolate is happiness that you can eat. Chocolate is love without Words. Chocolate has been a gift that could never go wrong. Be it a gift on a first date, for valentines, For an anniversary or to make up after a fight. There are millions of reasons to gift chocolates. Chocolates from time immemorial have been associated with happiness. Chocolate contains the chemicals phenethylamine and serotonin, which are thought to be stress busters, mood boosters and even said to have aphrodisiac properties. Eating chocolate makes you feel good, even euphoric. And nothing can beat the pleasure of how it melts in your mouth and instantly manages to change your mood. When chocolate can do so much for you why not indulge in the delights from Kanchan Sharma's chocolate boutique "Mishtii".
Mishti means sweet in Hindi and it means a sweet person in Sanskrit. What an apt name for my childhood friend who's as sweet as her sweet venture. After getting married, having kids, managing her hearth and home and balancing a career in tutoring kids for 18 years successfully, Kanchan finally found her calling in Chocolates.
Something that she loved to indulge in since she was a child. She decided to follow her calling and learnt to make chocolates 5 years ago. Armed with the skill, she started to perfect this art and made chocolates as gifts.
She started getting rave reviews for her chocolates.
This year she decided to name her brand.
Her husband, Mr. Sanjiv Sharma, who's an ace in his business of "Sign boards making" since the last 25 years and very supportive towards Kanchan's venture suggested her, the name "Mishtii".
When I asked Kanchan, "Why would people want to buy Homemade chocolates when there are so many big brands available in the shops?"
Pat came the reply, Can the brands customise to the person’s needs?, they are churned out in factories, lying in shelves, sometimes not stored properly even. Mishtii chocolates are made fresh upon order. Kanchan insists upon personally handpicked ingredients that are fused into exotic combinations. She crafts them with love, they can be made into different shapes and sizes, she can make chocolates for vegans and diabetic friendly as well. They can be personalized for occasions/events.
She has made beautiful chocolate gifts for Milestone Wedding Anniversaries.
She can design them uniquely depending on the occasion.
She excitedly shares with me about how they surprised a relative with the unique gift of her husband's specially crafted signage board and a beautiful chocolate box from Mishtii.
Her husband's business compliments her business in creating many unique and innovative gifts and together they can cater to many a corporate events and functions.
Kanchan is constantly evolving and now she has a range in liqueur chocolates. She says it's a rage among the New Generation chocolate lovers. Rum and raisins is the most popular flavor she quips. Her Caramel & Butterscotch flavors are to die for. Be it dark chocolate, white chocolate, exotic nuts, center filled delights or truffles, she can make them in her home boutique. Her chocolate fudge loaded with walnuts is another jewel from her chocolate boutique that should not be missed. Her daughters are her strength and the pillars to her success story. They support her and continue to help her with the E-commerce requirements and marketing through social media handles and logistics. With the support of family and friends and such rave reviews from customers, Mishtii has made a niche for herself with the likes of Master chef Ripu daman Handa appreciating her chocolates and sharing it on his social media handle. Currently Kanchan serves customers only in Delhi NCR region, but she’s having a demand from other states in India and her customers settled abroad as well.
Do Try Mishtii's fresh homemade chocolates prepared hygienically with love. Satisfaction guaranteed👍👍👍👍👍
To order from Kanchan's chocolate boutique You can contact -: MISHTII (Chocolate Boutique) Kanchan Sharma
FLOWER POWER -
SEEMA IYER (A PASSIONATE IKEBANA ARTIST)
SEEMA IYER
Coming from a military background and armed with a degree in
Geology from the reputed FergussonCollege, Pune & an
MBA in marketing,
Seema is a woman with grit and determination.
She loves travelling, has varied interests in trekking, rock
climbing, a self confessed exercise enthusiast, she maintains a disciplined
lifestyle and enjoys Ikebana with a passion unsurpassed.
Being a nature lover, she was always fascinated by flowers,
leaves and rocks.
Studying geology further enhanced and deepened her interest
in this subject.
She proudly shares with me that she was given the first
prize in the inter school rock climbing competition by Ms.Bachendri Pal, the
famous Indian mountaineer (the first Indian woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest).
Introduction to the Art……
She chanced upon getting to watch an ongoing Ikebana class
at the Community centre while dropping her son for a class, she was so
fascinated that she decided to enroll to learn the art.
From there began her journey……
Seema started to learn the Ikebana art of the Sogetsu School
of Japan, which believes Ikebana can be created “Anytime, anywhere, by anyone,
using any material”.
Since young, she used to love arranging fresh flowers in a
vase at home, but Ikebana gave wings to her creative mind, as it allowed her to
play with more materials and the freedom to express her innermost feelings and
beliefs through materials that she always loved.
SOME NOTABLE WORKS
Ikebana is about tradition, serenity and the appreciation of
nature.
According to one of Japan’s most influential modern
ikebana practitioners, the reclusive 69-year-old artist Toshiro Kawase, that is
precisely the point: to see that “the whole universe is contained within a
single flower” — for one small thing to open our minds to so much more.
In our living environment where more and more artificial and
inorganic substances are being used, flowers bring peace of mind to us.
Seema says, “Ikebana to her is like meditation, it’s a
meditation on Nature’s unique gifts to mankind, even dried and withered
materials grace an arrangement with pride.
The beauty is in the process and it is very personal.
SOME NOTABLE WORKS, THE LAST ONE IS A GRASSHOPPER MADE FROM COCONUT LEAVES
Seema finished her course, but she wanted to pursue it more,
so she kept on going to the next level and the next.
She started excelling at class and her teacher appreciated
her “Unique style of arranging flowers”
Receiving a certificate in Ikebana
Seema innocently quips, “I didn’t know that I had a hidden
talent waiting to be discovered”
Ikebana is a form of art, making an ikebana arrangement is
no less than a work of art, it involves meticulous planning, arranging and
oodles of creativity.
Arranging flowers has always been considered a way of
harmonizing humanity and the natural world.
Recently, she joined a group on Facebook called “Ikebana
Passion” which is a group of ikebana lovers from all over the world. She
started sharing her creative works online and she received rave reviews from
people on the platform encouraging her further.
Learning this ancient art over the past few years has taught
me that simplicity and minimalism are the hallmark of classic Ikebana.
Ikebana arrangements can be used to decorate weddings,
banquets, events, corporate events, alcoves, entrances, centre table and coffee
table arrangements etc.
It can be customized based on themes as well with freedom to
the artist’s expression.
Now, a certified teacher of Ikebana from the Sogetsu School
of Japan, Seema runs workshops for Ikebana.
Seema conducting a workshop
Pictures from the workshop
Pictures from the workshop
Ikebana Workshop group
If you want to learn from a person who truly and
passionately loves the art, you must contact her.
If you want to get an
artistic arrangement made by her…..
You can Contact-:
Seema Iyer
Singapore
Handphone No. +65
83078977
Different Strokes
Segment featuring and honoring local & International Talents.
