by Ankush Bharti  In this exclusive interview, we delve into the remarkable journey of Sommya Jain, from being diagnosed with Haemangioma at a young age to overcoming countless obstacles and emerging as a successful social media influencer and dancer. Sommya shares her experiences, challenges, and triumphs, offering insights into her resilience, passion for dance, and commitment to inspiring others through her story. Join us as we explore the incredible transformation and unwavering spirit of this extraordinary individual. Can you share with us your journey from being diagnosed with Haemangioma to becoming a successful social media influencer and dancer? Well, to know the entire story, you need to read my autobiography book, which I am going to launch soon but to give you details in short:- I was just nine years old when I was diagnosed with a large Haemangioma on my right cheek, I was about to take part in the very famous show of the time named Boogie Boogie as I was born dan...

  Neha Kumari is a dynamic and accomplished individual who has excelled in multiple domains, from academia to public service. Holding a strong academic background with a Master of Arts in English Literature from Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Neha further pursued her scholarly pursuits by completing a PhD from BHU, specialising in British and Commonwealth literature. Her dedication to academic excellence is underscored by her achievements, including clearing the National Eligibility Test (NET) with Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and qualifying the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) in 2021.  Notably, Neha's intellectual curiosity extends beyond the realms of literature, as evidenced by her success in the competitive arena of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), where she attained Grade A in 2022. However, her journey doesn't end there. In 2023, Neha achieved a remarkable milestone by securing a coveted position in the Indian Administrative Service (I...

Mamatatai is the daughter of the renowned personality Padma Shri Dr. Sau Sindhutai Sapkal. In this interview I try to unearth her real struggles and get to know more about the great personality of Padma Shri Dr. Sau Sindhutai Sapkal. The Questions by Ankush Bharti are emboldened.    Goodafternoon Ma'am tell us about yourself? From the very beginning right? I am Mamata Tai daughter Padma Shri Dr Sindhu Tai’s daughter. I have done my graduation in psychology and masters in social work after pursuing my education, I started involving in my work. I have been active in social work for the past 26 years.I am in this social work field. It was like household work for me because I didn't have to go for any different organisation. I had been seeing social work as being a part of our family structure from the very beginning and it was not something new that I was seeing, it was like a part of everyday curriculum. I had seen Mai doing this work since I was small. I used to think that it i...

Hi, I'm Ankush Bharti, the Editor-in-Chief of The Holistic Pine.  First of all, let’s just say what a privilege it is to interview you, Meenakshi ma’am. Your name is iconic with being a female superstar in Indian cinema. Your disappearance from the large screen coincided with a new era in the cinema, where Indian cinema almost lost its footing. Gradually, only, it made a comeback with movies like Lagaan, Munnabhai series, and the recent pan-Indian movies from the South. 1. How do you perceive the role of female stars in present-day Indian cinema? Films like Damini are noticeable with their strong female leads. How do you look at today's Bollywood in terms of female representation? Today’s female stars are for the most part focused, talented and ambitious. There is so much more of a professional attitude. Subject matter for female roles appears to be more bold. In fact, many subjects, and topics are being tackled, which would never have been addressed in the p...

Valentine’s Day and a Love Crash Course By Bindu Unnikrishnan In my forties (okay, not specifying whether early or late), I decided to celebrate Rose Day. Why should the ‘love of my life' miss out on a romantic gesture that every young couple seems to indulge in these days? Besides, with our 25th wedding anniversary coming up next year, a little groundwork for a grand gift wouldn’t hurt. After enduring a never-ending wedding season—mehendi, pre-bridal showers, sangeet, and enough ceremonies to make me question if marriage had become a festival—I wondered if Valentine’s Day, too, had joined this madness. Chocolate day, hug day, kiss day, rose day, propose day, teddy day, promise day …..leading to Valentine's day. There was this grand florist ( dismissed always as beyond my budget kind) 'Roses and Lilies', right next to my favorite bookstore. Though my heart truly belonged to the bookstore, the breathtaking floral displays always caught my eye. Still, I had convinced myse...

By Ankush Bharti  In the vast sea of social media, where countless stories flicker across screens, some tales stand out, capturing hearts and attention in unexpected ways. Such is the story of a soft-spoken, humble artist from Amritsar, the land of the Golden Temple in India, whose life took an extraordinary turn when her work caught the eye of none other than Hollywood icon Will Smith. It all began on a casual scroll through Instagram reels, where amidst the flurry of content, a particular deal shared by Will Smith piqued curiosity. To the astonishment of many, the artwork featured was crafted by an Indian artist. Intrigued, deeper exploration revealed the viral sensation behind the masterpiece. Meet Kawaljeet Kaur, a God-gifted talent who hadn't received formal training in her craft initially. From a tender age, she found solace and expression through art, a passion that burned brightly within her. Despite her innate talent, she chose to pursue higher education, obtaining a maste...

The literary world is shaped by individuals who weave powerful narratives, challenge perspectives, and inspire generations through their work. This year, we celebrate 9 exceptional authors whose contributions have left an indelible mark on contemporary literature. From thought-provoking philosophy to empowering storytelling, these luminaries continue to redefine the literary landscape. 1. Bharat Thakker: Bridging Ancient Wisdom with Modern Thought Bharat Thakker, a retired Chartered Accountant based in London, has emerged as a profound thinker in the literary space. His debut book, Mahabharata - Relevance and Application to Contemporary Thought, offers a fresh lens on one of India’s most revered epics. By seamlessly intertwining the Mahabharata’s wisdom with modern-day realities, he presents a compelling exploration of karma, dharma, and divine interventions. Thakker’s ability to distill ancient teachings into relatable narratives makes him a guiding force for contemporary readers seek...

 By Marian Grace The Face of the Faceless is a Malayalam movie released on 17 November 2023, which portrays the true life story of Sister Rani Maria, a Franciscan religious sister from Kerala. The movie is receiving high acclaim from theatregoers. It would be apt to shed light upon the blessed life of Sister Rani Maria who chose a life for the poor people of India and sacrificed her life for them.  Sr. Rani Maria's Remarkable Journey Born on January 29, 1954, as the second child in an ordinary peasant family, Sr. Rani Maria's life was steeped in Christian faith and charity from the start. Raised alongside her six siblings, she exhibited a devout inclination from an early age. Early Life and Education Her upbringing nurtured her spiritual side, marked by regular attendance at Holy Mass, active participation in devotions, and a commitment to catechism lessons. Even during her schooling, she balanced academics with assisting her parents in their agricultural endeavors and domest...

In a world where literature serves as both a mirror and a catalyst for societal change, certain individuals emerge as beacons of inspiration, illuminating paths for future generations. Among them are women whose literary prowess, resilience, and commitment to social impact have set remarkable benchmarks. Deepti Menon,Bindu Unnikrishnan,Tanmayee Deshmukh, Mayaa SH, and Ashreeta stand out as exemplary figures who have transformed the literary landscape while inspiring countless individuals with their journeys. Each of these remarkable women has redefined storytelling, education, and social change, leaving an indelible mark on their respective fields. 1)Deepti Menon: A Literary Visionary Bridging Eras Deepti Menon exemplifies literary excellence through her remarkable versatility and sustained contributions to literature. Her recent works, including Classic Tales from the Panchatantra , Classic Tales from Shakespeare , The Dance and the Trance , and The Web of Shadows , showcase her abi...

Regional Literatures in India by Snehal Parmar The Gujarati literary tradition has come a long way since its inception. Yet, in the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, we often forget to take a step back and appreciate the various Gujarati novels that have enriched our culture. Gujarati literature is a treasure trove of wisdom and knowledge. It offers us an invaluable insight into our culture and values. Not only does it provide us with a greater understanding of our Gujarati heritage, but it also helps us to better appreciate our relationships with one another. My name is Snehal Parmar and I have been doing voice recordings for the last five years in Akashvani radio station, Ahmedabad on a contract basis and I am still working there. I was thrilled when I was assigned to review a book about Gujarati literature as I am a huge fan of romantic Gujarati novels. I decided to review a novel I particularly enjoyed and shared my opinion about it in my first recording. I am writing this boo...