December 16, 2022

A solo trip


 Finding Myself in the Snow: A Journey Beyond Marriage

Marriage brings change—and it brought change into my life, too.

Once a bubbly, free-spirited girl with a passion for travel, I slowly slipped into a routine of responsibilities. Fifteen years passed in the rhythm of caring for my family, one day blending into the next. Travel dreams faded. Spontaneity dimmed. Small arguments became normal. And somewhere in that blur, I began to disappear.

We women are often taught to forgive and forget, to sacrifice our desires quietly for the sake of harmony. I did the same. But something about the fight last night felt different—like a nail sealing a box I no longer wanted to live in.

Restless and caught in my thoughts, I found myself scrolling through Telegram. That’s when I stumbled upon a trekking group. Without thinking much, I joined. It felt like a tiny spark in the darkness—my thing, something just for me.

To my surprise, the group had a trek scheduled for the very next morning, and one spot was still available. In a moment of sheer instinct, I grabbed it.

That night, I packed in complete silence. At 5 a.m., I slipped out into the dark, my heart pounding wildly. My legs felt heavy, like Sunny Deol’s iconic ‘dhai kilo ka haath’, both nervous and scared. But I had made up my mind. I left behind a simple note:

“After 15 long years, I am going to meet myself once again.”


Hours of travel in a rental car followed by long stretches of walking eventually led us to our destination. The entire way, I remained quiet. Doubt whispered constantly: Was this the right decision? Are my kids okay? Is he missing me too?

More than once, I pulled out my phone to call home—but stopped myself. There was a war in my mind between guilt and longing. I had to remind myself: Buck up, girl. You’re here now. Live this moment.

And then… I looked around.

Snow blanketed the earth like a delicate white sheet. The silence was so pure, I could hear my own heartbeat. The view was not just scenic—it was soulful. For the first time in years, I wasn’t just breathing—I was feeling.


As dusk fell, rain turned to snow, and we hurried back to the hotel. I assumed the night would be spent alone in a quiet room. But the hotel had other plans.

The staff arranged dinner by the bonfire in the hall. Warm food, crackling flames, and soon… music. What began as a cozy meal transformed into an impromptu musical night.

Till then, I had only ever danced at family weddings, keeping it graceful and restrained. But that night? I danced like no one was watching. Freely. Fiercely. Joyfully.

Even those who once thought I was introverted joined in. Two middle-aged women from the hotel—Suzy and Jenny—couldn’t resist either. Together, we danced Bachata-style to full-on Bollywood beats. Western moves, Indian hearts.


I still hadn’t spoken to my children that day. The phone network didn’t help, but a part of me knew I needed this break. And somewhere between the music and the laughter, the guilt began to melt away.

We danced like it was the last day of our lives.

That trip changed everything.

The women I met became more than travel buddies—they became my sorority. We began traveling together often, healing pieces of ourselves with each journey.

Last year, I had the honor of visiting London as part of a government-sponsored celebration of Dr. Ambedkar Jayanti. And guess who I met there? Suzy and Jenny! Grannies now, but still full of spark—as if time had only added to their charm.


Just yesterday, I saw Kangana Ranaut’s video of snowfall in Himachal on Instagram, and it brought all those memories flooding back. That first solo trip, the strangers who became friends, the woman I met after 15 years—myself.

That journey didn’t just take me up a mountain.
It brought me home—to the girl I thought I’d lost.

And every time it snows, I remember…
The magic of that moment. The power of reclaiming your life. 💫



Spill. Stir. Stay tuned As Not all drama belongs in court.

November 27, 2022

Khakee vs Bihar diaries

🏀 From Basketball Courts to Bihar’s Crime Chronicles: A Real Talk Over Chai

A few years ago, I used to accompany my kids to their basketball coaching classes. Now, we weren’t allowed to watch the practice sessions inside the stadium, so we mothers would gather in the waiting lounge or corridors, chatting away to pass the time.

During one such typical chai-sipping conversation, a local friend suddenly leaned in and asked,
“Hey Anu, is it true that Bihar is full of criminals like they show in South Indian movies?”

I couldn’t help but smile.
My answer came in the form of a counter-question:

“Is it true that whenever South Indian coconut vendors get upset, they kill people with the same tool they use to peel coconuts?”
I mean seriously—real life isn’t Rakta Charitra!

We all laughed, but it did get me thinking. Stereotypes are powerful. And unfair.

If you're really curious about what Bihar was like around the year 2000—especially during and after the bifurcation when Jharkhand was carved out as the 28th state of India—then trust me, skip the stereotypes and check this out:


🎬 Khakee: The Bihar Chapter on Netflix

Watch here

This series is based on the real-life experiences of IPS officer Mr. Amit Lodha and adapted from his gripping book, Bihar Diaries: The True Story of How Bihar's Most Dangerous Criminal Was Caught.

So, like me,  who prefer the charm of pages over pixels—
Here’s the book:, "Bihar Diaries".  It is available on Amazon.






So what’s the story all about?


Bihar during the early 2000s was going through a political and economic upheaval. With Jharkhand taking away the mines and natural wealth, Bihar was left with minimal revenue sources. Crime rose, kidnappings for extortion became rampant, and law enforcement had to battle both politics and criminals to restore order.

I read Bihar Diaries about three years ago—and wow—it was gripping, raw, and at times surprisingly funny!


😂 Edit 1: A Little Laughter from the Pages (in my words, not verbatim)

One of the most dreaded criminals they were chasing was a guy named Horlicks (yes, you read that right). From Begusarai to Nalanda to Nawada, his terror knew no bounds.

And then—plot twist—he was finally found… hiding under a cot.

I kid you not, when he was pulled out, the officer stared in disbelief at the thin, scrawny figure before him and chuckled:

“Abe! Who is this sikiya-pehelwan? Who calls you Horlicks?”

To which the man replied with folded hands,

“Mai-baap, I’ve been thin since childhood. Everyone who saw me would say—‘Horlicks pila do ise!’ And well... the name stuck.”

The so-called "king of terror" turned out to be nothing but a malnourished man begging for mercy. Irony at its best!


So next time someone asks you about Bihar, don’t jump to assumptions made by cinema. Watch the real stories. Read the real voices. You’ll find a land full of resilience, courage, and people with stories far richer than any scripted drama.




From my thoughts to yours — see you next time.

– Anu



Spill. Stir. Stay tuned As Not all drama belongs in court.