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...

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...

Celebrating Poetic Storytelling and Social Realism Renowned poet, teacher, and storyteller Bhavya Shree V has been nominated for the Tribute Global Digi Awards for Women 2025 in the category of Excellence in Poetic Storytelling & Social Realism . The prestigious award, presented by The Holistic Pine International Independent Lifestyle Journal , recognizes women who have made significant contributions in their respective fields, and Bhavya’s nomination highlights her remarkable impact in literature and education. A poet whose works reflect the rawness of human experience , Bhavya Shree V writes in both English and Malayalam , embracing a minimalist style that conveys profound emotions and social truths. Her poetry gives voice to marginalized communities and explores themes of identity, womanhood, and societal norms . Notably, her poems "Funeral" and "Labour Room" were published in the Holistic Pine journal, with "Labour Room" earning the Readers’...

Even in the cold windy nights, when you feel all alone When nothing seems to be right and you just wanna hold tight. A voice comes asking for you; A voice you wanna hear When you're all in fear and she calls you; dear, Indeed heaven falls there! No matter how far you go, No matter the people all around, the one person you would run back to, even in the midst of all storm; Yes! that's your mom! Fading away the darkness, a soft touch leading towards the brightness. She might not always be fun, but truly she loves you more than anyone. A million more you would find but not anyone so kind. When nothing seems to be at place, an inner strength arise just by looking at her face. A thousand more to say, but it'd take an entire day. God has provided more than one could ask for, she is the one who would love you to the core. If you ever think anyone would care, remember; MOM is always there! Ayana or in Latin we say 'Beautiful Flower' is a nature lover and an ardent admirer o...

Fractured bones, trembling lips, Her heart stood still—just for a glimpse. Eyes cried out, a silent wail, Breath unraveled, fragile! Within her, a breathing wonder Crossed the threshold, life tore apart. Sleepless nights, love unbound, Selflessness mirrored all around. Cracked nipples, bloodred pain, Yet in her arms, the world moves. Helan Jose holds a UG and PG degree in English Literature. Pursuing B.Ed from Pondicherry University, she nurtures a passion for literature and teaching. With a keen interest in literary studies,she aspires to inspire young minds through education.

  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...

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...

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...

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...

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...