Swarnika Nimje

Since I can remember, trains and engines have held a special place in my heart. Even as a 25-year-old adult, the sight of an engine rolling into the platform fills me with a sense of joy that never wanes. But it wasn't until recently that I truly understood the reason behind this deep affection. As I waited for my train one day, another train passed by, triggering a profound realization within me. Each train I encounter serves as a reminder of my father's love and the sacrifices he made to support my dreams. Growing up near railway stations, I witnessed my father's dedication firsthand as he managed the hustle and bustle of trains using the latest gadgets, which always left me in awe. However, with time, technology evolved, and my father aged. The once-familiar gadgets now seemed daunting to him, and the toll of night shifts and physical discomfort became more evident. Yet, despite the challenges, he continued to fulfill his responsibilities without complaint, driven by his...

 प्रिय जबलपुर, जब मैं तुमसे मिली, तब तुम्हें जानती भी नहीं थी, मैंने तुम्हें खुद नहीं चुना, तुम मेरे माँ-पापा का सपना थे मेरे लिए। एक अच्छा स्कूल, एक नई ज़िन्दगी, एक उज्ज्वल भविष्य। तुम मुझे भाए नहीं, क्योंकि शायद मैं चार साल की बच्ची थी, जो अपने माँ-पापा को पीछे छोड़ तुमसे मिली थी।  कई दिन बीते, फिर माँ-पापा भी मुझे मिल गए।  और फिर देखते-देखते कब तुम मेरा घर बन गए, पता नहीं चला। तुमने मेरे बचपन की मस्ती देखी है, वयस्कता का विद्रोह देखा है, तुमने नसमझी देखी है, और समझदार बनाया है। तुम्हारी गोद में सारे सपने देखे,  जिन्हे तुमने सिचा, कभी सख्ती से तो कभी नर्मी से। तुमने बारिश की पहली बूंद का कोमल एहसास दिलाया, और कभी तेज हवा के साथ पानी के थपेड़े भी मारे । सर्दियों में अंगीठी की गर्मी का सुकून दिया, और सुबह की जमा देने वाली सर्दियों भी दिखाई । आम के रस से भरी गर्मियों के मज़े दिखाए,  और प्रत्येक वर्ष कूड़-फांद-उधम के नए पैमाने बनाए। तुम्हारे साथ दीवाली की मिठाइयाँ खाई, और बीमारी में बेस्वाद खिचड़ी भी। तुमने गुरु दिए, दोस्त दिए। जीवन के सबसे अनमोल तोहफे दिए। ...

 "This space breathes nostalgia, carrying echoes of a dream once lived, entwined with the vivid hues of today's awakened reality."

In the midst of a world consumed by the spectacle of themed weddings and extravagant displays, mine took a different path. While many weddings today seem to prioritize Instagram-worthy moments over genuine connection, mine was a celebration of authenticity and love in its purest form. As time passed, I came to realize that the authentic essence of our celebration emerged from the genuine contributions of those closest to me. Rather than being solely about my journey, it became a collective narrative—a mosaic of stories woven together by the love and efforts of my family. From the tender embrace of a mother's love to the beaming pride in a father's eyes, from the laughter shared between lifelong friends to the mischief of siblings, every relationship added its own unique flavor to the tapestry of my life. There were no pretenses, no rehearsals—just raw, unfiltered authenticity. It was a celebration of us—the imperfect, flawed, yet beautifully real individuals who make up my fami...