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Writing Marathon Week 3: Embracing Hope

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The Writing Marathon, a creative initiative by The Holistic Pine, has been gaining momentum as a vibrant platform where writers — both new and experienced — come together to share their voices. Each week, a new theme invites participants to explore meaningful ideas through poetry, short stories, essays, character sketches, quotes, and more.

A Journey So Far...

The Writing Marathon began with the theme Mothering, which deeply touched readers and writers alike. Heartfelt pieces celebrating the beauty, struggles, and emotions of nurturing children poured in, making the inaugural week a heartwarming success.

Writers such as Ayana Kuttampalli, Helan Jose, Dr. Ayushi Chirag Arora, and Vini Kunhappan stood out for their thoughtful contributions, earning recognition along with their Digital Certificates and other exciting rewards.

In Week 2, the theme shifted to Resilience, where powerful stories of courage and strength took center stage. Notable contributors like Ashima Syal, Angel Mary, and Dr. Khushboo Fatima shared inspiring works that reflected perseverance in the face of adversity. Ayana Kuttampalli and Helan Jose contributed in the second week as well.   

Now, as we enter Week 3, we’re stepping into a theme that offers warmth, comfort, and strength — Hope.

This Week’s Theme: Hope

Hope is the quiet belief that even in the darkest moments, better days are possible. It’s the light that keeps us moving forward when life feels overwhelming — something we’ve all felt at some point.

This week, we invite you to share your stories of hope — the moments when you or someone you know refused to give up, clung to positivity, or found strength in the belief that things could get better.

What Can You Write?

Your submission can take any form you choose:

✨ A poem about holding on to hope in difficult times
✨ A short story where a character finds light in the midst of darkness
✨ An essay reflecting on a personal moment when hope carried you through
✨ Quotes or reflections that inspire and uplift others

Your words can be drawn from your own life, your imagination, or what you see in the world around you — there are no limits.

How to Join the Writing Marathon:

📌 Who can submit? Anyone — no age limits, no experience required.
📌 What can you submit? Poetry, stories, essays, quotes — whatever feels right to you.
📌 How long should it be? As short or as long as you need.
📌 Theme: Hope — stories of belief, strength, and light.

Timeline:

🗓️ Starts: Monday, March 17
🗓️ Ends: Sunday, March 23

What’s in it for you?

Every participant will receive:
✅ A Digital Certificate of Publication
✅ A Digital Certificate of Participation
✅ A Custom Author Poster
✅ A Social Media Shoutout
✅ Your work published within 24 hours

Deadline:

🕛 March 23, 11:59 PM

Hope is a feeling we all understand — sometimes loud and fierce, other times soft and quiet. But no matter how it shows up, hope has the power to inspire and heal.

Your words could be the reminder someone needs to keep going.

So, take a deep breath, reflect on what hope means to you — and start writing. We can’t wait to read your story.

Submission Link

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She is Always There by Ayana Kuttampalli | A Poem

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...
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Mother by Helan Jose | A Poem

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.
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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...
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Art of Teaching: A Hope to Hear the Youth Communicate | Ashima Syal

Teaching is an Art, and to keep the artistry alive is the challenge which the current educational scenario brings. With the advent of AI and other technological hacks, knowledge seems to pronounce itself with the ease of availability and accessibility. This resorting to the quick arena of the internet, is what is keeping the GENZ’s of today away from using their creativity, their minds potential to the fullest. The teachers of today no longer embrace chalk and duster, they make use of white digitized boards. With a nominal attention span of students, activity-based learning is the requirement of skill-based teaching. The size of a class being of a giant eighty and with youth, which is only distracted, teachers find it the most challenging when they give an experiential classroom task to students, to gauge their learning, the students struggle hard to complete it, they find it challenging to put their own perspective in front, they at once become restless and resort to AI for answers. W...
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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.
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A Scholar's Odyssey: Neha Kumari's Evolution into an IAS Officer | Interview by Ankush Bharti

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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.
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Longing by Siljiya Francis | A Poem

With the darkened depths and wide sea She keeps her heart with spirit of light Through the shadowed trees and cloudy sky She still keeps her luminescence When the world described her as SHE A flame of fire flickered in her She named it as HOPE Which enabled her wings to fly high.... She is a holder of Degree and Masters in English Language and Literature. She loves to write poetry.
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Weeping Willow by Ayana Kuttampalli | A Poem

With the outer attire; comes the inner soul. It's the appearance of mine Which makes people think of me in their days of gloom. The dead shady leaves hanging down, Carrying the weight of people judging around. A moment then comes! Portraying the divine purity of nature, A strike of reaching cloud 9! Taking me apart from the worldly chaos; A cold breeze flows taking away all my sorrows. Fluttering my dead leaves; a beautiful hope it fills. Here comes another moment! Leaving nothing to lament Striking the garden clock 11:11 I realised The awakening was straight from heaven Wiping away my sorrows, Saying goodbye to my days of gloom A ray of delight began to bloom. People still think I'm weeping Little do they know Happiness is what I'm keeping. Ayana or in Latin we say 'Beautiful Flower' is a nature lover and an ardent admirer of human thoughts and emotions. Her poetic style is as unique as every existing star in the Universe. She believes embracing every existing and ...
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Hope is not a Losing Game by Amaan Khan | An essay

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