Author: Janvi Sonaiya

30, Flirty and Thriving

I have clarity about what I want. I am more empathetic as I know how hard life can be.

The author, who comes from a small village in Saurashtra, writes about the reaction to her Kathiawadi accent when she shifted to Ahmedabad for work.

I spread my tiny feet in those 48 inches of legroom. My eyes glued to the space, then shifted to his face. Suddenly the guy didn’t seem so bad. …

'I know you want to fight, and shout and break my bones as deep within you is a wounded saffron warrior who doesn't know how to ask for balm'

An essay on a memorable train journey with heart-warming moments and grim political reminders.

'I want to write the truest sentence I’ll ever know, to tell you we all have the same sob story...'

'Call me by name as I have earned it. I don't want to be an obituary in a newspaper – I want to be the headline.'

The poet dedicates this poem to her younger brother and the dreams they forged together as children.

An ode to my uncle and his kirana shop in Saurashtra, where I spent much time as a child.