Week 10/2026

2nd to 8th March 2026 (Mon to Sunday)

• Most of the weekdays were in office.

• Two evenings had calls for the Children’s Lit project.

The Children’s Lit project is draining my energy. Too much coordination with too many people — sharing expectations, handling theirs. I am feeling like I voluntarily chose suffering in this case.

It’s making me think about the equation between people before asking them to work together. Some want a professional approach, some need informality to get things done. And you need to be super secure in your position — because if you’re not, this becomes a massive emotional toll.

I am handling all of this alongside other family responsibilities, a full-time job, and a few smaller side projects. I am not complaining. I am reflecting and learning.

Me and B were laughing yesterday — one of the original intentions of this project was that we’d make new friends, but right now we seem to be breaking friendships over communication gaps, expectation gaps, and the insecurities of everyone involved — including our own. We were thinking that this is a spiritual process, one that asks us to set our egos aside and work with full involvement — no expectations, no “I”, no sense of being the doer.

This whole Hindi Children’s Lit scene is gatekept by a few organisations, funding bodies, and artists. I’m not feeling great about that anymore. I want to break the gatekeeping, make things more democratic, open, and accessible to more people who want to start something regional at a small scale. There should be a support system that helps new publishers, new writers, and new artists create original, culturally rooted work for children.

I am 30. I am married. My family depends on my income. The social sector is small — everyone knows everyone. All of this breeds insecurity. All of this breeds fear.

What if during the creative process we have a falling out? What if we can’t continue the work? What will people think of me? What if someone doesn’t like my approach, or can’t match my pace?

There are so many “ifs.” So much fear I need to sit with.

I am grateful to my team members and my partner for giving me hope and space. But I still feel a strong need for a support system. If we don’t find one, we’ll build one — for ourselves and for others. But right now, we just need to keep going.

• We are in the process of registering as a non-profit.

• It was Holi week. Nidhi was super excited (she gets excited for every festival). I, as always, wanted to slow down and process the whirlpool of emotions swirling inside me. She ordered colours, gujiya, and thandai — and we celebrated, a little bit. A very little bit. :)

• I had a Portfolio and Resume Making session with Sajhe Sapne students. I really, really enjoyed interacting with them.

Overall — a hectic, emotionally draining week. But I am grounding myself. Writing. Music. Sketching. Spending time with Nidhi.

Things are okay. I need to be calm and present.

धीरे धीरे रे मना, धीरे सब कुछ होय।