Ajit Varwandkar VOICES
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The last few days before NEET are so vital
April 21, 2026, 3:19 PM IST
With only a few days left for the NEET examination, an intense mix of anticipation and anxiety begins to build among aspirants. Thoughts become louder. Doubts creep in. “Am I fully prepared?” “Should I start…
April 21, 2026, 3:19 PM IST
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Success seeds
April 6, 2026, 9:16 PM IST
Will you agree with me if I say that there is no such thing as overnight success? Well, in my opinion, what we often call “sudden success” is usually the result of quiet, consistent effort…
April 6, 2026, 9:16 PM IST
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Choose your fights wisely
March 28, 2026, 6:32 PM IST
In today’s fast-moving world, it almost feels natural to react to everything. A comment on social media, a disagreement at work, a casual remark from a friend, or even a WhatsApp forwarded message that feels…
March 28, 2026, 6:32 PM IST
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Restarting without fear
March 15, 2026, 12:03 PM IST
“आरभ्यते न खलु विघ्नभयेन नीचैः, आरभ्य विघ्नविहता विरमन्ति मध्याः। विघ्नैः पुनः पुनरपि प्रतिहन्यमानाः, प्रारभ्य उत्तमजनाः न परित्यजन्ति॥” (The inferior never begins for fear of obstacles. The mediocre begin but stop when difficulties arise. The superior…
March 15, 2026, 12:03 PM IST
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Festivals deserve more than forwarded messages
March 5, 2026, 3:45 PM IST
As the festival season arrives, my warm greetings to every reader. Festivals in India are not just dates on a calendar. They are reminders to pause, reflect, forgive, and reconnect with others and with ourselves….
March 5, 2026, 3:45 PM IST
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Practice mindful sharing
February 6, 2026, 7:14 PM IST
In today’s digital age, social media invites us to document almost every moment of our lives. From morning coffee to emotional setbacks, the impulse to share has become almost automatic. While platforms promise connection and…
February 6, 2026, 7:14 PM IST
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The inspiring win over rejection
January 30, 2026, 10:12 PM IST
I grew up enduring asthma. As a child, I could rarely play on the field. Running (or even walking fast) made me breathless. By the time I was 10 years old, I had seen the…
January 30, 2026, 10:12 PM IST
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The power of being yourself
January 21, 2026, 6:55 PM IST
One morning, during my usual morning walk in the garden, I noticed a group of butterflies flying together. Each one was strikingly beautiful, yet distinctly unique in colour, pattern, and movement. As I watched them…
January 21, 2026, 6:55 PM IST
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The art of thinking for yourself
November 14, 2025, 8:13 PM IST
I was sitting with my friend Laddu Pinto over a cup of coffee at the Indian Coffee House in Bhopal one lazy afternoon. The place was alive with chatter, clinking cups, and the familiar whiff…
November 14, 2025, 8:13 PM IST
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Walk backwards
November 7, 2025, 7:19 PM IST
Laddu Pintu was the kind of charismatic person everyone loved to have around. He was seen always cheerful, full of ideas, and shining with optimism. He had an unusual dream to open a small cafe…
November 7, 2025, 7:19 PM IST
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What is the opposite of success?
October 25, 2025, 8:50 PM IST
Last week, a young professional walked into my office with a heavy heart. “Sir,” he said, “I have failed again. I guess I am the opposite of successful.” I smiled and asked, “Tell me, what…
October 25, 2025, 8:50 PM IST
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The opinion you did not ask for
October 6, 2025, 9:43 PM IST
Usually, people love to speak into each other’s lives. Sometimes it is a casual remark over tea, other times a firm suggestion during a meeting. Advice comes uninvited, like rain on a day you didn’t…
October 6, 2025, 9:43 PM IST
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Is the US education dream still alive?
September 29, 2025, 4:18 PM IST
You’ve worked hard through school and college, cleared competitive exams, sharpened your communication skills, and prepared yourself for the global stage. For years, your dream has been to study in the United States — the…
September 29, 2025, 4:18 PM IST
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The last meeting we never planned
September 21, 2025, 10:37 AM IST
Laddu Pinto had a strange yet fascinating habit. Whenever he heard about the passing away of someone in his circle, he would pause and rewind the memory reel of his last meeting with that person….
September 21, 2025, 10:37 AM IST
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Spot the gaps, ignore the maps
September 12, 2025, 10:56 PM IST
I have always had immense respect for cartographers because they are among the most curious and enterprising people in the world. Everyone else follows paths that others have laid out for them. But in life,…
September 12, 2025, 10:56 PM IST
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Is culture eating your growth?
August 29, 2025, 10:00 PM IST
Laddu Pinto, an IIM graduate, had always wanted to be an entrepreneur. After years of working as a small-town musician, he decided to open a café where travelers could enjoy food, music, and conversations. He…
August 29, 2025, 10:00 PM IST
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You are what you repeat
August 22, 2025, 9:38 PM IST
Laddu Pinto, a businessperson from Kolkata, had a peculiar routine. Every morning, as soon as he woke up, he would walk down to the tea stall near his house. Initially, it was an occasional visit;…
August 22, 2025, 9:38 PM IST
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The shorter, faster, and the unhappier
August 9, 2025, 12:44 AM IST
In today’s fast-paced digital world, patience is shrinking, especially among Gen Z, it exists in nano form! This lack of patience is quickly becoming one of the biggest reasons for rifts in parent–child relationships. Consider…
August 9, 2025, 12:44 AM IST
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The beauty of enough
August 2, 2025, 5:41 PM IST
As the sun rises on a new day, so does our ambition. We run for success, for wealth, for recognition, often forgetting to ask ourselves one simple question: “How much is enough?” The endless run…
August 2, 2025, 5:41 PM IST
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Be your own cheerleader
July 26, 2025, 2:41 PM IST
When the sun sets, even your shadow disappears. Life is like that. Bright and lively during the day, but at times lonely and quiet when night falls. Eventually, everyone reaches a point where they must…
July 26, 2025, 2:41 PM IST
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