Today is a really special day. Five years ago this day I unveiled my first published book – Parent By Chance to the world.

It is incredible how beautifully my journey as a storyteller and writer took shape organically over the past decade or so. I feel thrilled about the experiences I have had, thanks to this unique journey.

It is time to express my gratitude to each and every person and experience who has been responsible for encouraging me to choose myself and my unfiltered voice, no matter what the situation in life was. I am grateful to have the courage to be me. And to be able to choose the right even when public opinion seems otherwise.

Today, five years later, I stand with my second book, a first fiction. Something I never thought possible, ever! Writing this book has been an immersive experience and an eye opener, never to judge ourselves or put ourselves in a box. Everything in life is fluid. Change is the only constant. We are ever evolving and we can never be sure where our highest potential lay.

True, if we follow our heart, the path is not fool proof. It is the road less taken. It is infested with self doubt. The temptation to join the known path is tremendous. And if we choose to follow our hearts, we will fail way more than others. We will fall more than others. But when we rise, we will find unmatched contentment.

P.S. As the festival continues, and work progresses towards making my second book a reality, all I can say is thank you to every single experience that has brought me where I stand today!