Is Masculinity in crisis? Or is it the old script of masculinity that’s collapsing? Why is the global suicide rate more than twice as high among men than women? What is the psychological impact of gender equality on men and the way they perceive their role? How do men and women experience, and express emotions differently? What quietly stops men from seeking help? How do we raise boys who can be steady and sensitive without being shamed for either? What does a balanced, healthy male role model look like today? These are just few of the many questions we addressed in the International Men’s Day Webinar - Overcoming Stigmas: Men Seeking Help, Therapy & Self-Care. Throughout the session, we explored the emotional realities many men live with but rarely speak about: Men don’t lack emotions, but many grew up never being taught the words for what they feel, nor healthy tools to express them. Hurt might show up as anger. Fear might show up as silence. Sadness might show up as withdrawal. These are learned patterns, not a lack of emotional depth. The pressure to provide, perform, protect, and never pause quietly shapes men’s mental health. Traditional talk therapy might not always meet men where they are. When vulnerability is defined only as talking, men who process through action, humour, problem-solving, or quiet presence feel misunderstood. Raising boys differently begins here. It's not about "softening" them, but about expanding their emotional range. Allowing them to feel without shame. Teaching them that strength is not the absence of emotion, but the ability to hold emotion with awareness. A healthy male role model today isn’t someone who has all the answers. He’s someone who can say: “I’m overwhelmed.” “I need a break.” “I’m learning.” without feeling less worthy. If you’re a man reading this, I hope you know: Your inner world is not a weakness to hide. It’s a language you’re allowed to learn - slowly, steadily and safely And if you work with men, lead teams, raise boys, or love men in your life, I hope you continue creating spaces where this learning feels welcome. Here’s to a broader, kinder, more human definition of masculinity.

Honorable Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Bharat Puraskar, 2025 by Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam International Foundation, supported by the Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Agriculture (MACCIA) and presented by Swadeshi India Runway Truly humbled to be in the legendary company of Padma Shri Ramesh Sippy, Padma Bhushan Udit Narayan, Maestro Taufiq Qureshi, the Architect of Modern Indian Percussion, and Dr. Arshi Ayub Mohamed Zaveri, CEO of Trust With Trade Group, alongwith APJMJ Sheikh Salim, nephew of Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam. A heartfelt tribute to Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, the People’s President, the Missile Man of India, and an eternal teacher whose life was a symphony of science, spirituality, and service. @uditnarayanmusic @rameshsippy47 @taufiqdjembe

Descartes × Rumi × Damasio × Budddha × Vagus Nerve A philosopher, a poet, a neuroscientist, a sage and a nerve that connects them all! What am I talking about? A webinar I facilitated for World Mental Health Month, titled “Understanding Emotional Storms: How Stress Shows Up in Our Mind and Body,” for around 250 professionals from the banking industry. We explored stress not as something that “just happens in the mind,” but as a living, physical experience that moves through the mind and body - understood through philosophical, psychological, and physiological lenses. From Descartes’ separation of mind and body, to Rumi’s flowing metaphors for emotion, to Damasio’s neuroscience of embodied feeling, and the Buddha’s reminder that calm comes from awareness, not control. We learned that emotions and feelings are embodied truths - real physiological experiences reflected in breath, posture, and heartbeat. We explored body maps, understood the layers of emotion, feeling, and mood, and discovered practical ways to regulate through the vagus nerve - the biological bridge between mind and body. 🟢 Ventral Vagal (Safety & Connection) 🟡 Sympathetic (Fight / Flight) 🔴 Dorsal Vagal (Shutdown / Immobilization) Balancing these states deepens calm, connection, and presence. Grateful to everyone who joined for the thoughtful interaction and honest reflections throughout the session, your openness made the conversation come alive. And a big thank you to Clove - Emotional Wellbeing Partner for the continued partnership and for creating spaces where conversations about mental health feel real, relevant, and accessible. [Mental Health, Mind-Body Connection, Psychology, Wellbeing, Workplace Wellness, Vagus Nerve]

What a joy it was to facilitate the current cohort of the Post Graduate Diploma in Counselling at Tata Institute of Social Sciences I honestly feel like I learned just as much as I offered, from the diversity in the room: diverse age groups, diverse approaches, diverse ways of holding care. Our module was called “Developing Personal and Professional Self,” and we spent time really looking at our own patterns, how we listen, how we hold space, how we react, and why that self-awareness matters in counselling. Across our time together we explored: • Creativity as a therapeutic tool • Storytelling and narrative practices • Dance/Movement Therapy and rhythm work • Visual arts and pattern-finding in imagery • Expressive arts as a way to feel, not just talk … and much more. What I loved most was watching future counsellors and therapists lean into the work, not just intellectually, but with their bodies, their voices, their stories, their presence. This group showed so much curiosity, honesty, and care ❤️ [psychology, mental health, counselling, expressive arts, dance movement therapy]

POV : Met two locals who completely stole the show ❤️ #sikkimdiaries #pawsome #doggos #traveldiaries

What happens when a cohort of bright minds, curious hearts, and playful spirits from across the country comes together for an experiential retreat? It’s less about the plan and more about: 🌱 Deep discussions that open new perspectives 💭 Reflections that make you pause and look inward 🎉 Moments of laughter & lightness and 💫 Memories that stay with you long after Through The Hero’s Journey – An Experiential Narrative Workshop, we honored our own stories, where we’ve been, what we’ve navigated, and where we are heading. Stories became mirrors, and personal narratives unfolded as gentle pathways for growth. Here’s to learning, laughter, and friendships that remind us that we’re not walking alone. 🌍❤️ [Psychology, Stories, Narrative, Wellness, Retreat, Residency, Travel, Immersive, Play, Games, Motivation]

7 Things Nobody Tells You About Growth🌱 😣 It’s messy: real growth comes with mistakes, detours, and moments that feel chaotic. 🌿 It’s invisible at first: most progress happens quietly, before anyone (including you) notices. 🔄 It’s inconsistent: some days leap forward, others feel stuck - both are part of the process. 🚶 It can be lonely: not everyone will understand or walk with you on the same path. 🍂 It demands letting go: growth often means shedding habits, roles, or even people you’ve outgrown. ⏳ It tests your patience: progress may feel painfully slow, but roots take time to hold firm. 👀 It reshapes your perspective: the lessons you learn change how you see yourself, others, and the world. Growth is rarely pretty, but it is always powerful. Trust the roots you’re building even when you can’t see them yet. 🌳 #healthandwellbeing #growth #emotionalwellness #patience #mentalhealth #psychology #healing

Grief isn’t just about death. It’s about the many ways we lose pieces of ourselves, our dreams, or the people we love. Some grief arrives before the loss even happens, such as watching an illness progress or sensing the end of a relationship. Some grief is invisible because the world doesn’t acknowledge it, such as the pain of miscarriage, the end of a friendship, or the loss of a beloved pet. There’s the grief that comes without closure, when someone is physically here but psychologically absent, as in dementia or estrangement. There’s also the grief of losing who we thought we were: a career, a role, an identity we no longer carry. And then there are the ripple effects: the companionship, security, and futures we imagined that vanish alongside the primary loss. Communities grieve as well, after disasters, violence, pandemics, or cultural erasure. And in quieter ways, we all grieve the everyday heartbreaks: the shift in our health, the loss of safety, even the futures we once pictured for ourselves but may never live. The truth is that grief doesn’t follow a neat timeline. It doesn’t always look like tears. Sometimes it looks like exhaustion, withdrawal, or even a smile worn as armor. If you’re carrying grief today, in any form, you’re not broken and you’re not alone. And if someone you love is grieving, remember that your quiet presence is often the most healing thing you can offer. #GriefAwarenessDay #MentalHealth #Compassion #Wellbeing

Yutori, Obuitori, Wabi-sabi - and many more… ✨🌿 At our recent retreat, I had the privilege of facilitating an experience that drew inspiration from Shinrin-yoku (Japanese for forest bathing) - the practice of slowing down and immersing ourselves in nature. We walked gently, breathed deeply, and allowed the forest to remind us of presence. Through moments of mindfulness and pause, we reconnected with a quieter rhythm of life. Other Japanese ways of seeing reminded us to value imperfection, to honor our own timing, and to hold space for what truly matters. It wasn’t about doing more. It was about noticing more. In stillness, clarity returns. In slowing down, connection deepens. [Mindfulness, wellbeing, retreat, wellness, wabi sabi, forest, nature, art] #mindfulness #retreat #wellness #forest #nature