“My children are my pillars of strength. They have been strong and supportive through everything life has thrown at us. Troubles came early in my life. The environment I grew up in was disruptive. My childhood was disturbed and stressful. My older sister passed away in an unfortunate fire accident, when I was merely 16. Within a couple of years, my family decided it was best for me to get married and settle down. It was an arranged marriage and I moved to the US, soon after. After having two children, and less than 7 years into the marriage, my then husband chose to abandon us. There was no explanation, no guilt, no apology, just a bunch of illogical excuses. We were left to be by ourselves. I moved back to India and single motherhood raised a lot of eyebrows here, back then. The society didn’t care for us either, they turned a blind eye to us. The society ignored the problem and couldn’t fathom the trauma I was going through. We were left to fight our battles ourselves. From providing for my children and bringing them up to answering unending questions, I was left to bear it all alone. Most people thought I was unmarried but when I would innocently mention something about my kids, the strings of questions would begin. I began to work hard to provide for our family of three. I believe that when one is sticking to their innate nature, they are completely honest to themselves and to the world. I think it is my nature to be willing to move on. To forgive and not carry baggage. Hence I was able to focus on my children, my work and my career. I worked relentlessly and hardly took any leaves. I faced gender bias and sometimes sexual harrasment in my professional journey. People questioned my ability and grudged the opportunities that my hardwork brought me. However, I chose to neglect all the negativity arising in my life. I took upon the path of spirituality and believed that the Lord will care for and look after my children and me. After long years of working in television news industry, I sang devotional songs for a TTD album. That experience changed me profoundly. Today I am well settled in a house of my own and my children are studying hard and making a niche for themselves. My children have always been there to help me get a grip on myself. Watching them grow, I’ve grown. My parents have played a monumental role in the right upbringing of my children. I will always be thankful to the Almighty for looking after us. Life has brought me this far and taught me so much, I believe I am ready to find love and seek companionship. I don’t have any qualms or regrets. Life chose me and has given me everything in it’s own way. I am grateful for my life and for how it held me all through. Today, like always, I wait with baited breath to see what’s next in store for me.”

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