STORY TELLERS

A page for readers to share their views, thoughts and stories.

MY GRANDMOTHER

Not only has my grandmother pampered me endlessly since I was a baby, she has selflessly devoted every minute to my wellbeing and taught me the virtues of giving, and kindness. She is the one person that can always comfort me and never fails to make my day brighter. Till this day she remains a huge inspiration to me. Prateeti Saran

GRANDMA

She lost her mother at the age of three and went through some tough childhood days with her stepmother. Yet my grandmother rose up from tragic days taking care of siblings along with managing her schooling and college days. With perseverance she got educated and found a job as a school teacher. Following the demise of her husband she was left alone to take care of four children. Her courage, determination and will power encouraged her to give her kids a good education. In her nineties, she still embodies all of those values. Harish RC

MICHELLE OBAMA

The former First Lady of the US has had an influential impact on my life. An African-American woman from South Side, Chicago, she battled racial discrimination and rose up to live her dream of becoming a lawyer. I aspire to be just as gracious and compassionate as her. Disha Baldawa

EMMA WATSON

Emma Watson is a woman who has had a great impact on me. I have looked up to her as an inspiration and she is a smart, talented compassionate woman who introduced me to feminism. Arathi Rajesh

ELLEN DEGENERES

A woman who brings happiness and positivity into our lives every day, Ellen fought for her rights and believed in herself. She has taught us to accept love in all its forms and that being kind to one another must be our first priority. I believe the world needs to hear that sometimes. Maria P Sharees

SUDHA MURTHY

A teacher and Indian author, she has been a great inspiration. Despite being the wife of a billionaire of India, she chooses to stay simple and down-toearth. Her lifestyle and her books have taught me to love, to be compassionate and to have empathy at a very subtle level. Niveditta A Kott

MY MOTHER

It would have to be my mother. She brought me up on her own and although she had just little, she worked hard to give me the best she could. She taught me to be kind, to share, to be respectful and humble. Above all she taught me to work hard. Everything I am today I owe to that one special lady who smiles down on me from above. Michael Guzder

WOMANHOOD

As a man, everything I do is impacted by the women in my life – be it my dear departed mother who ensured that I could have the best upbringing possible, to my sisters who kept me safe and protected, to my wife who ensures I keep my sanity and now my darling daughters who own the meaning of my life.

Womanhood rather than a single woman impacts us in all aspects of our being. Ahmed Anwar