Writing

The underbelly of fashion

This weekend, my column First Principles, in Hindustan Times, dipped into the world of sustainable fashion. I got to know how even the most expensive, branded clothing have surprisingly short lifespans. And that the term 'sustainable' in the fashion businesss is thrown around loosely. While there is an increase in eco-friendly practices and a growing consumer base for sustainable fashion brands, challenges persist. This includes the high costs of sustainable garments and the significant carbon footprint of India's textile industry.

A shout-out to KL Mukesh for helping me think this through.

Hope is the thing with feathers...

by Emily Dickinson

“Hope” is the thing with feathers -

That perches in the soul -

And sings the tune without the words -

And never stops - at all -

And sweetest - in the Gale - is heard -

And sore must be the storm -

That could abash the little Bird

That kept so many warm -

I’ve heard it in the chillest land -

And on the strangest Sea -

Yet - never - in Extremity,

It asked a crumb - of me.

On Writing

Writing is thinking, distilled.

Everyone has ideas that hit every other second. And ideas are a dime a dozen. But when those ideas are written down, gaps in thinking are exposed and as the idea through emerges on paper, tough questions stare at the writer. There is no running away from it.

A good writer use the many tools of the craft to can fool the world, but not for long. More importantly still, you cannot fool yourself. That is also why, writing is pure meditation as well.