The thought balcony

  Tiny Arms, Big Truths Because children remind us of the love we once carried without conditions. Of late, I find myself more and more drawn to the little ones—the toddlers, the five-year-olds, the children who come running without hesitation, their eyes bright and their arms wide open. They reach out with such warmth that it is impossible not to reach back. Their affection is effortless, their hugs unfiltered. Perhaps it is this stage of my life—my own children have grown up, they no longer need the cuddles of childhood, and I find myself yearning for that simplicity again. When a little one clings to me, when their laughter rings in my ears, I feel as though I am given a gift I didn’t even know I was missing. Of course, their unpredictability can be a nuisance at times, but even in that, there is a raw honesty that only children carry. In contrast, I often find the adult world exhausting. Our minds think too much. We compete, we compare, we measure ourselves against on...

  Caught Between Love and Discipline: A Parent-Teacher’s Dilemma There are moments when I feel torn between two identities—one as a parent and the other as a teacher. Both roles demand patience, understanding, and endless effort, yet the way children respond to each is strikingly different. At home, the exhaustion of daily life often makes it harder to step into the role of constant guide and controller. In truth, control is not what parents want. What we long for is that children begin to understand themselves, to learn from their own choices, and to grow stronger through their failures. Yet, watching this process unfold can feel difficult, because while we may have the ability to help, children are not always ready to accept it. In the classroom, the dynamics shift. Children listen more, respect more, and respond with greater readiness. Perhaps it is the structure, or perhaps it is the space created by a different kind of relationship—one not weighed down by daily routines ...

Loving Dogs, Living Safely: Finding a Balance If you had met me years ago, you’d know I was the one who crossed the road at the mere sight of a dog. My family couldn’t understand it—they were all dog lovers, while I stayed at a safe distance, heart pounding. Then I got married, moved into a home where dogs were part of the daily picture, and found myself surrounded by people—my husband, my son, my extended family—who couldn’t imagine life without them. Over the years, something in me shifted. I learned to pat them, spend time with them, and even smile when they came running. I still can’t hug them tight the way true dog lovers do, and yes, hygiene still makes me wary—but I’ve grown to appreciate their loyalty, playfulness, and the way they somehow make a house feel more alive. Dogs are among the most friendly and faithful beings we share this planet with. That’s why it’s heartbreaking to see them hungry, shivering, or limping on our streets. It’s not their fault when hunger and n...

  From Libraries to ChatGPT: Are We Gaining Speed or Losing Ourselves? By Nidhi Guglani Technology has become the silent backbone of our lives. It helps us, supports us, and makes the impossible seem effortless. Yet, in the same breath, it can make us dependent, complacent, and even a little lazy. We live in a progressive nation, moving forward with every innovation. But somewhere along the way, we’ve grown so reliant on certain gadgets and apps that living without them feels almost unthinkable. There was a time when research meant walking into a library, scanning shelves, flipping through indexes, and discovering books one after another. The choice was limited, but the experience was rich. You went in looking for one answer and often came out with ten new pieces of knowledge — some related, some not — but all valuable. Then came Google. Suddenly, the idea of not having to leave your desk to find information felt unreal. Just type your topic in the search bar, and the wor...

  Navigating Life’s Challenges: Step by Step with Faith and Patience Life’s storms have a way of shaping us, teaching us resilience, wisdom, and empathy. I’ve faced overwhelming seasons—work piling up, family needs pulling me in every direction—all because I struggled to say no. It felt like being tossed in a stormy sea, but I learned to navigate by tackling one task at a time, breathing deeply, and letting patience anchor me. Those chaotic moments built a quieter strength, helping me manage stress without breaking. Setting boundaries, even imperfectly, changed how I approach work and relationships, giving me space to show up fully for the people I care about. As a teacher, I’ve met students who test my values—some lacking a moral compass, acting out or disrespecting others. It’s tough, but I’ve learned change is slow, not instant. My role is to guide with patience and consistency, staying calm even when it’s hard. I remember one disruptive student who pushed every button. Inst...

  When Language meets literature by Nidhi Guglani Some truths are not spoken—they are felt. Literature carries these truths in its pages, inviting us to listen not just with our ears, but with our hearts. It speaks in every language of the world, yet always tells the same story—of being human. Literature—Sahitya, as we lovingly call it in Hindi—is not just words on paper. It is breath and heartbeat, silence and storm. It is the quiet whisper of a fleeting moment reminding us that even the briefest thing can hold eternal meaning. As a language teacher, I have walked through countless worlds built by words. I have stood with my students in the pages of poetry, watching grief and joy hold hands. I have seen a single line by Rumi open the doors to oceans of thought—oceans filled with happiness, sadness, misery, bliss, joy, anger, and even vengeance. The list of emotions is endless. And the deeper we feel them, the more alive our writing becomes. Literature is not for th...

  The Many Meanings of a Birthday By Nidhi Guglani Birthdays are often thought of as a universal celebration—but their meaning shifts as we move through life. I recently attended a first birthday celebration—balloons, games, cake, laughter. But the little one, oblivious to all of it, was simply watching the world go by. And it struck me: this day was more for the parents, the grandparents, the family—rejoicing in the miracle of life, not the memory of it. As the child grows—by age three or four—they begin to understand that this is their day. The excitement builds with decorations, party hats, gifts, and the presence of friends. The celebration starts to gain meaning for the one at the center of it. By the time children turn ten or enter their teens, birthdays become playful events—return gifts, themed parties, photos, endless planning. From 16 onwards, it slowly transitions into something more social—meetups, outings, surprises, with close friends taking the spotlight. The ...