Our obsession with white skin comes from how we look at the west. We think they’re superior because they have white skin. But on the other hand people in those countries want a tan. A lot of girls growing up are often told not to play out in the sun because they’ll get darker. You’re restricting your girls from going out and having fun. But this restriction doesn’t apply to boys.
“I want to do something meaningful,” Shreenal says. “The older generation doesn’t understand that. How much do you get paid? Do you get a good salary? Something bigger than that drives our generation. You don’t always get buy-in from your family. You just have to state your own vision for your life. Understand their point of view and do what’s right for you.”
We don’t want the people we love to hurt us. When you’re vulnerable, you’re raw. Sensitive. Open. Bare. It’s terrifying. It scares me every time. But I’d rather give it my all than live in regret. It takes great strength to be vulnerable. It’s not weakness. It’s a conscious choice.
Two years ago, I came to Japan with a broken digestive system. My body was mad at me. What have you been eating? Why are you doing this to me? I’m in so much pain. Even my mother sat down and gave me a good telling off. I didn’t want to hear it, of course. (She was right, though.)
Mother India. Home to the second largest population in the world. But not all Indians live there or are even from there. According to a United Nations report, there are 16 million Indians living abroad. We make up the world’s largest diaspora. Swetha Raj and I sit down for a chat after a 7 month hiatus. She tells me how she wound up in the land down under.
The holidays are almost here. Have no doubt – I’m more excited about the winter…
“For what?” Charmaine Yam says. “Reproduction? Death? People who tell me that the clock is ticking are ignorant people. Their priorities are not my priorities. Especially if they don’t know me. Your kids are going to have Down Syndrome if you don’t have kids before you’re 30. Are you feeling the pressure?”
