Spotlight           

Editorial Board

"Teams are built for permanence." Sahayaraj John Stanley SJ

Ms Ankush Bharti
(Editor-in-Chief)             
Chief Operations Officer, Writers' Kalam Publishing, Lal Bhavan, Edayannur PO, Chalode - 670595, Kannur (Dt) Kerala, India.
Office Email: help@writerskalam.com


Dr Jaishree Jaikrishnan         
Assistant Professor (Senior Grade 1), Department of English, School of Social Sciences and Languages, VIT, Vellore - 632014 Office Email: jaishree.jaikrishnan@vit.ac.in
Profile Link: https://vit.ac.in/school/allfaculty/ssl/english

Dr. Subin Scaria

Assistant Professor, School of Technology, Woxsen University, Kamkole, Sadasivpet, Sangareddy District, Hyderabad - 502 345, Telangana, India. Office Email: scaria.subin@woxsen.edu.in
Profile Link: https://woxsen.edu.in/faculty/

Dr Sarah Mariam Roy          

Assistant Professor, School of Technology, Woxsen University, Kamkole, Sadasivpet, Sangareddy District, Hyderabad - 502 345, Telangana, India. Office Email: sarah.mariam@woxsen.edu.in
Profile Link: https://woxsen.edu.in/faculty/

Dr. Eldhose A Y

Assistant Professor
Department of English
Mar Athanasius College (Autonomous), Kothamangalam-686666
Office Email: eldhoseay@macollege.in
Profile Link:
Ms Susan Rayner
(Columnist)                    
Social Worker, former journalist, writer, and freelancer, United Kingdom. 
Ms Neha Arora
(Copy Editor)                       
Project Head, Writers' Kalam Publishing, Lal Bhavan, Edayannur PO, Chalode - 670595, Kannur (Dt) Kerala, India.
Profile Link: https://www.writerskalam.com/p/project-head.html

Bhavleen Kaur Sethi
(Fashion and Lifestyle Editor)            
Staff Writer, Writers' Kalam Publishing, Lal Bhavan, Edayannur PO, Chalode - 670595, Kannur (Dt) Kerala, India. 
Profile Link: https://www.theholisticpine.com/p/bhavleen-kaur-sethi.html



This Month's Top Stories

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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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Dancing in the Face of Trolling: Aditya’s Inspiring Story

An Exclusive conversation with Ankush Bharti  In a world that often celebrates conformity, Aditya stands as a rare and inspiring figure, breaking stereotypes and daring to pursue his passion for dance, no matter the obstacles. When I first came across his Instagram reel, I was captivated not only by his graceful, powerful movements but also by the courage it took for him to stay true to his art. It was particularly striking to see him face a flood of trolling and negativity—simply because he was following his calling in a field where societal norms have tried to set limits. Coming from a small town in Himachal Pradesh, Aditya has faced unique challenges on his journey. Yet, rather than allowing others’ narrow perceptions to hold him back, he’s transformed them into fuel for his creative fire. Through his performances, he not only celebrates classical and semi-classical dance but also redefines what it means to be a male dancer in India. Inspired by icons like Madhuri Dixit and Saro...
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Books, Opinions, and Beyond: A Talk with Sameer Gudhate on the Art of Review

Sameer Gudhate is a multifaceted individual from Mumbai, India, known for his contributions in literature, sports, and digital content creation. He is also an author, ghostwriter, poet, proofreader, and beta reader, actively sharing his writings on platforms like Medium. An Exclusive conversation with Sameer Gudhate.   What first sparked your passion for book reviewing, and how has the journey shaped you ? I’ve been a bookworm for as long as I can remember, losing myself in stories and letting them shape my imagination. Growing up, books were my constant companions, sparking ideas and dreams. At one point, I had this big idea of selling books online—it felt like the perfect way to turn my love for reading into something tangible. But life had other plans, and that dream didn’t quite take off. Then came the pandemic, a time that shifted so much for all of us. Like many, I found myself searching for connection and purpose in a world that felt suddenly disconnected. That’s when I deci...
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Legacy: An interview with Mamatatai, daughter of Padma Shri Dr. Sau Sindhutai Sapkal by Ankush Bharti

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...
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A Conversation with Iconic Star Meenakshi Seshadri | Ankush Bharti

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...
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From Amritsar to Hollywood: The Inspiring Journey that Caught Will Smith's Eye

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...
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Editor-in-Chief of The Holistic Pine Receives Prestigious Kalki Gaurav Award

Ankush, Editor-in-Chief of The Holistic Pine International Lifestyle Journal, has been honoured with the esteemed Kalki Gaurav Award by the Kalki Foundation and Kalki News, marking a significant recognition of his leadership and contributions to lifestyle journalism. Mr. Varun Rastogi, representing the Kalki Foundation, presented the award, acknowledging Ankush's pioneering work in transforming The Holistic Pine into a respected international lifestyle publication. Upon receiving the honour, Ankush expressed profound gratitude, stating, "This award is not just a personal achievement; I dedicate it to my wonderful team at The Holistic Pine and all my amazing friends, family, and well-wishers who have supported me along the way." The Kalki Gaurav Award, known for recognizing individuals who demonstrate outstanding commitment to excellence and innovation, celebrates Ankush's vision in steering The Holistic Pine International Lifestyle Journal to new heights of journalist...
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The Estuary by Dr Babitha M. M. | A Poem

The Estuary At a point of breathtaking beauty, they meet, The river, sea, and shore, in perfect retreat. Freshwater upon saltwater, an estuary's birth, Visibly green, a haven of gentle mirth. They never hugged, yet kept a loving space, Respecting each other's gentle, flowing pace. The river showed her speed, her eagerness to share, To meet the sea's vast greatness, beyond compare. The sea showered blessings, with winds that caress, The waves displayed their strength, in gentle address. Dancing to the shore's edge, where green and blue entwine, Their harmony enhanced, by sunlight's divine. The clouds, with moon, enjoyed the twilight's hush, As bright stars twinkled, in the evening's rush. Day and night passed, seasons changed their hue, Yet the estuary's charm, remained forever true. With grace and glory, she stands through time, A testament to nature's sublime. About the Author Dr. Babitha M. M. combines her veterinary profession with her passion for...
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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...
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The New Year by Kirti V | A Poem

The canvas is empty, And our hues are fresh.Let's paint the colour of hope, In the canvas of the new year. Hope of peace and brotherhood, Hope of a world sans wars. Hope of smiles all over and Hope of being optimistic throughout. The canvas of the new year, It is in our hands. We need to decide what it holds, For us and the whole world to rejoice. About the Author A teacher by profession and an accidental poet, Kirti hails from the God's Own Country and has made Bangalore her home. She is a voracious reader, confident orator and a multilinguist who loves public speaking, reciting poems and quizzing She writes across three languages and her words have been published in over 50 anthologies. She believes in the fact that Learning never ends and continues to learn nuances of poetry and prose. She has authored three solo poetry collections - Tides of Life (2022), From My Pen (2024) and Poetic Pearls (2024). She is the recipient of several awards for her contributions through words. ...