What body shaming does to a woman’s sense of self
Casually stated and disguised as concern, body shaming erodes one’s self-worth and casts a long shadow on the trajectory of a woman’s life and personal growth, writes author Aruna Joshi.
Tag: author
The Mughal queens who built Delhi’s monuments and influenced Indian history
Art historian Anoushka Jain’s new book ‘Badass Begums’ challenges stereotypes of Mughal women by featuring 10 influential figures who shaped Delhi’s history as political strategists and urban planners. In this interview, she shares their stories and impact.
This new book on interoception helped me make sense of my body’s mysteries
In a brilliant new book ‘Inner Sense’, science writer Caroline Williams explains how interoception works to connect mind and body. Aekta Kapoor dives in, and finds clues to her own midlife metamorphosis.
Holding up the sky, running on empty: a woman’s journey through burnout and back
You may be holding up your world, caring for everyone else, but losing yourself along the way. Mumbai author Aruna Joshi shares how she learnt to pause and unlearn the belief that a woman’s worth lies in her usefulness.
When overqualified isn’t enough: the cost of being an ‘insider-outsider’ in the West
US-based writer of Arab origin, Sara Yahia reflects on being an “insider-outsider”, navigating professional spaces that demand conformity and where – despite her qualifications – she confronts the exhaustion of constantly proving her worth.
“No woman should disbelieve herself; society does that enough” – Madhureeta Anand
Madhureeta Anand intertwines her writing, filmmaking and entrepreneurship with themes of gender equity and environmentalism. Here, she talks about patriarchy, purpose, and her debut superhero novel that features a female Krishna.
Unbeaten spirit: 2 priceless new memoirs by Andaleeb Wajid and Sangeetha Vallat
We review two new memoirs set in Karnataka – Andaleeb Wajid’s is a touching tale of healing after losing loved ones to Covid, while Sangeetha Vallat’s is a witty sketch of the folks who keep Indian railways running.
Hyphenated worlds: Marjan Kamali’s fiction and the real-life resistance of Iranian women
Marjan Kamali’s bestselling novels capture the struggles of Iranian women caught between their homeland and adopted countries, between past and present, emphasising both the power of memory and the pain of loss.
Sonali Bendre Behl’s ‘A Book of Books’ is a welcoming, friendly guide to reading
Film and television actor Sonali Bendre Behl’s second book invites new readers and especially parents of young children to cherish the joy of books, offering personal anecdotes, encouragement and guidance to ignite new literary journeys.
This mother challenged gender stereotypes in the toy industry with her own line of sports dolls
In her new book ‘More than a Doll’, US entrepreneur and author Jodi Bondi Norgaard shares her battle to launch a line of sports dolls for young girls, and why she set out to challenge gender norms in the toy industry.
My son inspired me to write books – I’m now inspiring young minds through stories
Forced to give up her career in Delhi after the Nirbhaya case, Komal Malhotra went from being an English teacher in Mathura to an award-winning children’s author and educator through the transformative power of storytelling.
How women in tech can help drive a more inclusive and ethical approach to AI
Technology consultant and author Falguni Desai shares an insider view of the systemic challenges women face in STEM and also the unique strengths that Indian women can bring to technology industries, particularly artificial intelligence.
32 women, 32 extraordinary stories of success against odds
Co-author of the new anthology ‘Sheroes Amongst Us’, Falguni Desai shares why she compiled these inspiring stories of Indian women who broke barriers with their resistance to patriarchal social structures and determination to push ahead.
Why I advocate for imperfect eating and intentional food choices over perfection
Diet culture promotes perfection in eating, but embracing imperfection fosters progress. Food scientist and eating behaviour psychologist Dr Kavita Bhatnagar tells us why mindful choices aligned with real-life needs make health goals achievable and sustainable.
“We must remove the taboo around putting parents in old-age homes” – doctor-novelist Amrinder Bajaj
Delhi gynaecologist Amrinder Bajaj’s new novel ‘Letting Go’ portrays a dysfunctional marriage set against the harsh realities of the Indian medical system. In this interview, she shares her views on modern families, parent-child relationships, and the freedom that comes with menopause.
Cellular biology freshman Harshita Jinaga on why she wrote a cookbook for children battling cancer
Harshita Jinaga’s debut cookbook ‘Cooking Hope’ offers easy, nutrient-rich recipes for children undergoing cancer treatment, emphasising the importance of nutrition in recovery and healing. The college student shares why she decided to compile this book of healthy Indian recipes.
“We must advocate for our special-needs children” – a mother’s brave story of struggle and growth
Insiya Shakir’s new memoir ‘Unplanned Journey’ is more than her experience of parenting a special-needs child. It’s a mother’s call for empathy, advocacy, and the importance of understanding and accepting neurodiversity.
Sri Lankan Tamil trans activist Thanuja Singam’s journey of transition and migration
Tamil LGBTQIA+ influencer Thanuja Singam’s autobiography, released in time for Transgender Awareness Month, reflects on her childhood struggles with gender identity, cultural challenges, migration from Sri Lanka to Germany, and her emergence as a social-media star.
Self-love isn’t vanity! Psychologist Damini Grover busts 9 misconceptions about loving oneself
Why is it so hard to love and accept ourselves exactly the way we are? Psychologist and author Damini Grover points to 9 common misconceptions about self-love that hold us back from healing and caring for ourselves.
eShe 