BENEATH the weathered awning of a provision shop in our village, a sombre voice broke the late afternoon stillness. “I’m going to be a father, and I’m absolutely terrified,” declared Sutap, his words as heavy as the humid air. He was sitting cross-legged beside a friend, sharing a bottle of
IN our eyes, as children in the early 1960s, our fellow villager, Lunas, was an enigma wrapped in solitude. While other farmers returned to the village after each farming cycle, joining in the laughter and camaraderie of off-season life, Lunas chose the quiet company of the wetlands over the bustle
“In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks.” – John Muir (1838-1914), a Scottish American naturalist, author, and environmentalist, often referred to as the ‘Father of the National Parks’. He was instrumental in the establishment of several national parks in the United States, including Yosemite National
The Crackling ‘Keropok’ Symphony “YOU know you’re old when your body wakes up five minutes before you do, just to remind you that you’re no longer in charge,” Buja quipped, his tone tinged with mockery at his own expense. He grimaced as he lowered himself gingerly onto the rattan mat
IN the sprawling wetlands several miles from our village – where lush paddy fields stood tall for half the year in each farming cycle – there lived Beh Bijon: a farmer, a prankster, and, by his boastful accounts, a man who had cheated death so many times that even he
“The young do not know enough to be prudent, and therefore they attempt the impossible – and achieve it, generation after generation.” – Pearl S. Buck (1892-1973), an American author and Nobel Prize laureate known for her novels depicting life in China, where she spent much of her early life.
LAYA had once been a vibrant, lively woman. At least, that was what I’d heard from several village elders and her relatives who had known her before she got married to Buli. An amazing artisan, they said. She had a talent for weaving intricate rattan and bamboo baskets and mats.
THE topic of social welfare benefits stirs passionate debate across the political and social spectrum. Supporters argue that such benefits are a moral necessity and a vital safety net for the most vulnerable members of society. Critics, on the other hand, worry about the risk of dependency, potential abuse and
“Holding onto anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned.” – Buddha, meaning ‘The Enlightened One’, who lived in the 5th to 4th century BCE in ancient India. He founded Buddhism, a major world religion
IN a rapidly evolving world, the roles and expectations of women have undergone significant transformation, bringing the dynamics of power within and beyond the home into sharp focus. Women’s empowerment has become a cornerstone of societal progression, yet it is also a subject of intricate debate. This article examines the