From the Pen of Lopa

We see ambassadors,   diplomats and expats from different countries working day in and day out, representing their respective countries in a different nation altogether. For all they do and act, they complete their official duties, but do they have any social duty towards the nation they are living in? A general wonderment would reflect answers towards ‘no’, while they are not a citizen to the country they are currently in During the last visit of our late President of India, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, to Athens, Greece in 2007, I was lucky enough to meet him in person and discuss about different issues persisting in the societies of India and Greece. I clearly remember his response, when I asked him about the social duties of an expatriate towards the nation they are currently living in. For the noble figure he was and loved for, he said: “It is your moral and social duty to give all of your efforts to bring a wave of changes in the country you are living in. This is the...

"I dreamt of flying, when the winds resisted. I dreamt to rise, while the quicksand tried to pull me in. I planned, I failed, I strived, I fell, but, I never stopped standing up again. It surely took some time to check mark my goals, but it still is a long way to cover, before I say that I won." Year 1976, a child takes birth in a well-educated upper middle class Oriya family, second girl child of that family. As per the society, she wouldn't get to study much, as she won't need it much and get married, being the only forced-fed goal for women of the society. She is given a name, ironically, inspired by an ancient female philosopher & scholar from the Southern India. A determined being, she carries her education breaking the shackles and stigmas of societies. She promises herself for offering the best of education to her, no matter what troubles she may face. If you are determined, you make your own ways and achieve, and sometimes, the stars help you...