Too #BadAss to be a conventional blogger - Interview

Too #BadAss to be a conventional blogger, featured in the list of top Indian bloggers fighting body shaming. A year back, I was told 'your blog is interesting, but different', which meant you won't survive. I fought fiercely to prove them wrong and this listing is a proof that women are redefining beauty for themselves, thank you for so much positivity.

I am proud to represent women who are unapologetic about their definition of self love, strong women empower each other.

Interview Link: Featured in the list of top Indian bloggers talking about body positivity.

30ish & No Kids Yet - An Uncomfortable Tag

This post was long overdue on 30ish, may be uncomfortable but important to be discussed. I write this blog completely unbiased with highest regard towards all women (single/married/mothers). We are endlessly discussed and spoken for, its time we speak for ourselves.

Women are gradually taking up new roles, being a mother is her ultimate calling no doubt but if she needs time then there shouldn't be a need to justify. Women in their 30's are being separated into two groups- mothers & childfree and surprisingly they are struggling to find a common ground. Some women are ready at 22 and some ain't ready until 32, too personal to be debated. 

Life Hack: Child, planning a child, no child - All these decisions belong to the couple and no one else.

All my work revolves around kids, I love them but every individual has a personal threshold for sharing their life and nurturing a child. Being a mother is a tough journey, I respect your struggle then why don't you respect my hustle?Every time you ask her ‘so when are you planning’ even before checking on ‘how is she doing’ it puts her on the back foot. 

Uncomfortable assumptions people make:

They mustn’t be getting along

She is too career minded

Something is surely wrong

They want to live like college students forever

The age old 'So whats the good news', could mean news things like you starting a new business, planning an adventure trip around  South America, helping our society live better. We belong to a very interesting millennium lets live and love more without putting each other down.

I respect all women who are unapologetic about their decisions, 30ish fights stereotypes and proudly promotes sisterhood, write to us if you would like to discuss anything on this forum.
  

11:00 PM Contractions Have Started - Birth Photography by #PhotoblogHER

Born : 4:33AM, In Labour: 5.30 hours, Birth: Natural - Captured by #PhotoblogHER

'Birth Photography' is the most stunning and misunderstood art/stream of photography. It is very subjective and not everyone would be fine with it, which is perfectly acceptable. If this is the first time you herd about this, please have an open mind. Birth is raw and empowering, there are very few couples in India who are as bold to let someone capture their most vulnerable moment. This experience reassured me that #PhotoblogHER is on the right path, I celebrate women through photography.

Life Hack: I couldn't hold my tears but that would ruin his' first photograph.

I am not writing this to offend anyone but sharing the power I saw which was the most glorious I ever experienced. There is so much trust in the room, the mother trusting her body, baby trusting the mother, the couple trusting each other.

You are one call away, there is no shoot set up, no extra lighting just an ocean of emotions, noise, anxiety, pain, joy, in the delivery room. 

Note: Couples document birth for themselves, we capture every aspect of our lives except birth because it seems intrusive but the truth is that there is nothing more magical than creating life. 

  

Fighting Body Shaming With PhotoblogHER

#PhotoblogHER, it is my attempt to talk about 'positive body image'. I combine art and activism to strike a conversation about body positivity. Take everything that is bright within you and introduce it someone. As privileged strong women we should take ownership and inspire the next generation to live fearlessly. Women are very focused when they are vulnerable because they anticipate fear, using this as the base I work on projects that actively manifest female embodiment and strength. 

PhotoblogHER disrupts the status quo, speaks the truth, ruffles stereotypes and encourages change. A woman should never have to apologise for her glory.

Life Hack: When a woman stands up for herself, she represents the entire race. 

Recently The Better India featured stories and photographs by PhotoblogHER, in a world where bloggers promote 'perfection' to take a stand against it and celebrate vulnerabilities is a tough call, but I am committed. 

  

Celles De La Terra features 30ish and PhotoblogHER - Beauty is fearless

"My purpose is bigger than me"

Thank you for embracing the power of young Indian women, Celles De La Terre a Paris based international women's group featured stories of exceptional women across the globe, my fight as a body positive activist has a global voice. 

Interview Link(French and English)

The reason why they feel ashamed, is probably because when they were a child they went through a lot of discrimination or kind of feeling of being judged. They felt this at the early age. If they want to fight against body shaming they have to tackle the true causes

  

Eves'dropping - The joy of making audacious plans

Women benefit from many changes in their life, work and beyond. We share our vulnerabilities and experiences to form support groups for each other. This is extremely personal, each one is an important member of the circle. Listen and inspire each other through experience and love.  Confidence gives us what we want, builds us, protects us, hold it tight like your life depends on it, because it does.

Life Hack: Eves'dropping is going to listen to you with a woman's sensibilities 

 Visit: poojakochar.in

 What is Eves'dropping?

Eves'dropping is an initiative that connects and empowers women entrepreneurs, it took a community to get here. Every start-up has its own struggles and path, but there is lots we can learn from each other. We unite women on their core strength of character and desire to disrupt boundaries. I am creating a space which allows you to experiment and grow your network through strong conversations and interesting workshops.

Our first workshop was hosted this March'2016, 

Eves'dropping is on a multi city tour, we are visiting Hyderabad on 29th April. I am in awe of women who look beyond themselves because my purpose is bigger than me. You can drop an email  at 30ish.blogging@gmail.com to be a part of our May workshop in Mumbai.

  

Catcall is not a compliment

“If you insult me within 5 seconds of calling me beautiful you are violating my space”

Do you remember the first time someone came so close, that it made you sink within. Did you go home angry and want to punch him for touching you in a crowded bus? or on your way back from school?

Life Hack: You expect it to happen but it doesn't stop you from getting angry. We have a burden to protect ourselves all the time

No matter how confident and outgoing a woman is, thinking about her first encounter with street harassment will always get her unsettled. I asked women on twitter to leave a comment about their first uncomfortable touch and it was surprising to see how much anger they held within even after so many years.

During catcalls, the harasser encroaches the personal space of the woman and forces her to be apprehensive about every stranger. There are surprisingly high number of people who do not see the distinction between a compliment and a catcall, this will only get worse if we remain silent about such issues.

Problems without names tend to stay inadequately addressed, street harassment always starts with something verbal, an uncomfortable word or gesture is the beginning of an unpleasant experience. I wish we treated our women and trees with more dignity, after all they do have an equal right to public spaces.
  

CrossFit, Raise The Bar.

Lift like a girl, translates as 'lift like a beast'. First rule of CrossFit is to never have a routine, every WOD (workout of the day) is a blend of strength, endurance and agility training. The first time I stepped into the box (gym) it was sweaty, intense and loud, you will be intimated by how complicated it seems to an outsider. Everybody who joins CrossFit seems to be obsessed with it, I tried it a couple of years back but my body wasn't ready for such a strict regime, so this time when I decided to give it try I was much more prepared to enjoy the soreness. 

Life Hack: Raise the bar for yourself, raise the bar for a stronger you. Hard is not bad, hard is just hard and requires more discipline.

Personally I have never put myself through anything so physically challenging, it is my attempt to increase my threshold for pain.You are, what you repeatedly do when things get hard.

CrossFit is extremely rigorous, it takes time for your body to adjust to the new regime but if you are persistent it will start getting you stubborn about your workout goals. Hard work and the way your body looks is directly proportionate to each other, as women we need to give more importance to mobility, strength and intelligence. 

Beauty is measured in joy and pride, every time I walk out with all that sweat and soreness, I feel beautiful.  I am recognising and accepting my body's gifts and shortcomings, I understand my body much better now.

"I can do that, may be not that fast, may be not that heavy but I can do it.. and I will”.

I train with RudeBox Fitness @BeatNBounce, incase you are interested.

  

Shakti - Dear Women, I apologise

As a woman, “I apologise for calling you beautiful before brave” the images actively manifest female embodiment and strength.You are beautiful not like the magazines, but because of the way you think, the way focus, the way you love and stand strong. Shakti is a visual narrative showcasing women being strong in their daily lives.

Life Hack: True Shakti is disruptive.

I have been working since 6 months on project ‘Shakti’, collecting stories of women that epitomise strength in their daily lives. Every photograph holds a story of her background and struggle. It has been very overwhelming for me as a photographer, every time a woman shared  her vulnerability and fears, Shakti grew stronger. I will be continuing to work on this series, and capture stories of women across the globe because some emotions are universal and beyond barriers. There’s no rational reason for me to explore such stories, but I feel very connected with women who need a voice. 

This story has been featured by #Homegrown as a tribute to women on International Women's Day

True Shakti is disruptive

  

Mumbai Fire Brigade: Do you have the fire within?

The stage burst into flames during the “Make In India” flagship event. There were around 25000 people including artists, horses along with top political leaders and film stars in the line of fire. No casualties but a massive loss of reputation for our government. When everyone was running out and being escorted to safer enclosures, the only team that ran inside to face the flames was the ‘Mumbai Fire Brigade’. Fire fighters go through hours of training and rigorous drills to anticipate danger but their real gut is visible when you watch them lead a rescue operation.

Life Hack: When fire ruins a house the most precious things lost are memories. 
Beware, be aware.

This blog is officially endorsed by the Mumbai Chief Fire Officer Prabhat Rahangdale, the Vlog collaboration has been shot at the Mumbai Fire Brigade head quarters in Byculla. 

Safe rescue of trapped people is the first task assigned to the fire fighters, this is extremely risky and life threatening. They stand for courage and sacrifice, 30ish wanted to bring out their story and understand what goes on inside the mind of a fire fighter. We as citizens take fire safety for granted, its time we get more alert.

This video is a part of Mohit Rao’s series on mind reading, in collaboration with 30ish #WhoseMindNext

Great leadership flows from the top, Mr. Rahangdale is a man with a vision and a very progressive outlook towards public service. He has initiated the fire volunteer training with a goal to train 6000 citizens by mid 2016 ensuring that each fire station will have 200 volunteers raring to go. You can also enrol for this initiative, all the details are available on the official site of the Mumbai Fire Brigade.

Special Thanks to Mumbai Fire Department for keeping us safe

  

Rangilo Rajasthan

Every city in Rajasthan holds a colour within Jaipur is pink, Udaipur is white, Jodhpur is blue and Jhalawar is purple. Rangilo Rajasthan captures the vibe of a hidden jewel, Nawalgarh. There is so much drama in rustic backdrops and timeless art. 

Life Hack: Every wall has 2 stories, a story they tell and a story they hide

I am fascinated by arches, doors, floors and wall paintings. Rajasthani architecture is a blend of Hindu and Mughal cultures, this photoblog is a visual narrative of my travelogue.  I am taking a risk by introducing a hidden shade of Rajasthani heritage through their frescos. They are gorgeous and full of life, you just need to have a “bawli”(crazy) imagination. 

Welcome to Rangilo Rajasthan - Watch Photoblog