Spotlight           

Chai: An Earthen Cup of Life by Ashima Syal | Creative Nonfiction

on


Chai, a cup brimming with emotions. That one sip makes us forget all our worries. The sip that makes us hoard memories a little longer for we find it in every other corner of the street. Having that one cup of tea by greeting the tea vendor, makes us realize the true essence of life. People from all different walks of life come and gather in oneness at the tea stall. After all, the tea stall does not differentiate between people, all are welcome with a smile for a flavorful cup of tea. The sense of belonging that tea imprints in us is irreplaceable.

While losing ourselves in the world of tea, we get to delve a little deeper into ourselves and reflect upon how we are always trying hard to belong to so many others out there. We want to belong to our friends, which is why we end up doing what they like. We are under pressure to feel a sense of belonging at our workplace, so we take up more responsibility, more than what is sufficient. We reach home at night, only to hear the voice ringing in our heads, shouting at us “we truly belong in the space we are in or are we just forced to belong? The morning cup of tea gave me a soothing answer which read “ you must belong to yourself”, just like the tea which belongs to its leaves and never refrains from molding itself with the vessel it is being served in, how then can we refrain from belonging to ourselves? We need to first be one with ourselves.
 
Ashima Syal is an Author. She authored two books of poetry titled Canopy and the Fragrant Fable. Ashima also conducts Creative Writing and Public Speaking Workshops for college students. Ashima draws inspiration from everyday incidents, which is reflected in her writing.

Comments

Post a Comment

Share your response



This Month's Top Stories

Image

Beneath the Soaring Canopy by Angel Mary | A Poem

The nature holds us close, like a mother's embrace, As though cocooned in the warmth of its serene arms, Nurturing us with the tenderness, Surrounded by green, we feel revitalized, A space that offers healing to a distressed mind, The zone we delve into the deepest, A spectrum of elegance wrapped in a circle, Relishing every miracle, unveiling that it belongs to us… Angel Mary born in Kasaragod,is an Assistant Professor of English and a dedicated poet with a deep passion for capturing the beauty of nature and the power of hope through her words. Her poetry reflects a profound connection to the natural world, often exploring themes of renewal, resilience, hope and the quiet strength found in everyday moments. Through her work, Angel strives to inspire readers to find light and hope, even in the darkest of times.
Image

A Scholar's Odyssey: Neha Kumari's Evolution into an IAS Officer | Interview by Ankush Bharti

  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...
Image

New Dawn, New Blooms by Angel Mary | A Poem

A sudden gleam appeared, as I wandered in vain, Feeling like solitude, a cool breeze stirred in the quiet air, As the tides rise and fall, I endure like a beacon of light, Trapped in silence, the bird longs for the sky, I yearn to fly, Each bud that blooms whispers a promise, a hope reborn in every petal's grace, As the night grows deeper, moon beams brightly with a gentle smile, With every step I take, I carry the spirit of resilience… Angel Mary born in Kasaragod, Kerala is a dedicated poet with a deep passion for capturing the beauty of nature and the power of hope through her words. Her poetry reflects a profound connection to the natural world, often exploring themes of renewal, resilience, and the quiet strength found in everyday moments. Through her work, Angel strives to inspire readers to find light and hope, even in the darkest of times.
Image

Finding Beauty in Resilience: Sommya Jain's Story of Success | Ankush Bharti

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...
Image

Hope is not a Losing Game by Amaan Khan | An essay

"Hope is not a losing game'' Amaan Khan Yesterday, I visited a stationary shop from where I used to get my school supplies often when I was in school. To put it in perspective, I went back there after six years to get a pack of ruled sheets for my little brother. I felt a strange sense of familiarity, Even though the shop's interior had been changed, I remembered how my eyes used to wander, scanning the whole shop, yearning for new pens, supplies, and other stuff that could be afforded with a note of fifty rupees or less because that was my financial ceiling. I would wait for opportunities to just get there, now looking back I realize, how my delight drive would have been fulfilled with a mere purchase of my cherished blue gel pen. The stationary part of my life is just one bit, there are several other pockets, which I filled back then with my curiosity, another memory I recall, the time when I saw an advertisement for martial arts classes which was somewhere in my loc...
Image

Blue by Siljiya Francis | A Poem

Gliding through the whispers of the wind and wrestling with weather extremes beneath the shadowy canopy she stumbled upon a hidden gem. A soft glow of belonging enveloped her heart as she enveloped it, she breathed a single word :Blue For a whispered promise of time, it was hers to hold.. As she winged with happiness, whispers of Blue slipped her mind. The melody of her life skipped a beat she yearned for Blue . She scanned over the whispers of trees and lappy waves, the river's breeze carried echo's from the past, she stumbled upon Blue on a river bank....yet, it was altered. She bathed it in the river's golden light, the same whispered promise echoed in her. Yet, with the sense of rising tides a gentle breeze of feeling nestled in her Blue... where she found her missing pieces She is a holder of Degree and Masters in English Language and Literature. She loves to write poetry.
Image

The Holistic Pine Now Read in 30 Countries — Independent Media with a Global Soul

April 2025 — The Holistic Pine , an international independent lifestyle journal, is making waves around the world. With readers tuning in from 30 countries, the journal is proving that meaningful, mindful content knows no borders. Fresh data from Google Search shows a strong global footprint. While India leads with over 500 impressions in March alone, the journal is also drawing interest from the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and the Philippines. Readers from Malaysia, Canada, France, Germany, Nepal, Bangladesh, and several others are joining in, bringing The Holistic Pine’s words to screens across Europe, Asia, the Americas, and beyond. This expanding readership is a testament to the journal’s mission: to offer thoughtful, independent perspectives on holistic living, creative culture, and conscious storytelling. Whether through essays, interviews, or literary features, The Holistic Pine has become a quiet but steady voice for those seeking substance over noise in toda...
Image

Silent Reverie by Dr Nina Apra | A Poem

In the hush of twilight’s golden hue, lie whispers of words I never knew. Laughter unsung, tears unseen, stories lost in the space between. A hand half-raised, a glance held back, a love unspoken in the silent track. Smiles that trembled, afraid to stay, like fireflies lost in the break of day. The letters I wrote but never sent, folded in corners where memories went. Promises drowned in the weight of pride, hearts that knocked but stayed outside. In the hush of the quiet night, echoes of the unsaid burn so bright. For what was silent was never gone, it hums in the heart, it lingers on. It lingers on in the winds that sigh, in tear-streaked moons and a wistful sky. In the rustle of leaves, in the hush of rain, in melodies born from unshed pain. It hums in footsteps left behind, in empty rooms, in echoes blind. A touch imagined, a name half-spoke, a thread unbroken, yet never woke. The silence sings its part, a hidden verse in a weary heart. For though the words were left untold, their ...
Image

Mumbai Educator and Writer Ashima Syal Honoured for Using Words to Empower Women Across India

  Honouring Women Empowerment Through Literature & Education In a heartfelt celebration of women using education and literature as tools for empowerment, Ashima Syal has been nominated for the Special Recognition Category under the Tribute Global Digi Awards for Women 2025 , hosted by The Holistic Pine: International Independent Lifestyle Journal . Launched this month, the Special Recognition Category aims to honour extraordinary women whose contributions may transcend standard award labels—those who are creating meaningful change in their communities through unique paths. Whether it’s through education, writing, activism, or public service, these nominees represent voices that inspire and uplift. The recipients of this honour receive the same platform and recognition as the primary awardees, including media coverage, digital certificates, and a formal Prashastipatra (Letter of Citation). Ashima Syal is   a dedicated writer, educator, and researcher based in Mumbai...
Image

Signs of a Separated Man by Anu Lal | A Poem

His eyes look But they don’t see. They find neither heaven nor hell. Their vision is blurred by the ‘what ifs’- Of an incomplete marriage. The rumours of a raging volcano, Plastered on the face, The rage flowing through the veins unseen, Making his blood vessels taut, His belly a pot from overeating, A fatty liver condition, An explosion of triglycerides, Underneath his unkempt skin. One eye droops from overtime labour. The eyeball contorted from- High Blood Pressure: hypertension. His jokes often border quirky insanity. Laughters crushing his eyes, tearing up, Lips laugh with sound and without soul, Irritability reigns his humours, Yet it’s controlled, mostly bound by guilt: The guilt of being the root cause of problems, By choosing the wrong person, For the right reasons: Emotions, stupid emotions, stupid and zealous. A wrong choice made, A wrong choice, vindicated by life’s bitter moments, Spent with the dissatisfied partner. His eyes, the same ones that look yet not see, Searching...