Weekly Author Feature. 

Anurag Anand 

Anurag Anand is a popular Indian author, visual artist, and corporate professional known for his bestselling books, artwork, and creative storytelling. He was born on 2 November 1978 in Patna, Bihar, India. 

Anand writes in multiple genres, including self-help, general fiction, and historical fiction, and has published several widely read novels such as The Legend of Amrapali, The Quest for Nothing, Love on 3 Wheels, Reality Bites, and To Hell and Back. Many of his books have been praised for their engaging narratives and cultural depth. 

Besides writing, he is also a visual artist whose paintings have been exhibited in galleries and art shows across India. Anand often combines his artistic and literary talents to express human experiences and emotions. 

In his professional life, Anurag Anand has worked in the corporate world, especially in marketing and management roles, and has received recognition for his contributions, including the Lal Bahadur Shastri Award for Corporate Excellence.

He lives in Gurugram, India, with his family and continues to write, paint, and share his creative work. 

Sources: 

• Wikipedia
• Times of India
• Rupa Publications
• IUEMag
• Vitasta Publishing
• Gallery Silver Scapes

 “Guardians of Green: The Silent Companions of RBVRR Women’s College.” by K. Sharon Rose (BTCFS),  II year.

Walking through the gates of RBVRR Women’s College, one is greeted not just by the buzz of students and the hum of lectures, but a silent, timeless presence — the plants that adorn the campus. They stand like quiet sentinels, watching generations of young women step in with dreams and step out with determination. Let me introduce you to five such green companions that make our campus not only beautiful but alive with stories of their own.

(1) The Majestic Neem Tree:

Near the library, towering like an old wise guardian. It is renowned for its medicinal properties and environmental benefits. It is known for its ability to purify the air, repel insects and provide shade. The presence of Neem trees on campus contributes to improved air quality and offers students a healthy, shaded space for study and relaxation.

(2) Gulmohar Tree (Delonix regia):

It is commonly referred to as the “Flame Tree”. It is distinguished by its bright red and orange blossoms, particularly visible during the summer months. Found near the auditorium and along the main pathways, the Gulmohar enhances the visual appeal of the campus.

(3) The Ashoka Tree (Polyalthia longifolia):

Lining the entrance and perimeter of the college are the slender, upright Ashoka Trees, known for their symmetrical, evergreen foliage. Their name itself, “Ashoka”, meaning “without sorrow”, is a blessing that echoes through the corridors.

(4) The Hibiscus:

In the botanical corner near the science block, the Hibiscus shrubs bloom like bright, cheerful students themselves.

(5) Jasmine Plant:

It is often observed along the garden boundaries and is admired for its fragrant white flowers. On campus, the plant contributes to a serene and pleasant environment, with its evening fragrance offering a calming atmosphere conducive to mental relaxation and focus.

Conclusion:

At RBVRR Women’s College, these plants do more than decorate the campus — they teach resilience like the Neem, boldness like the Gulmohar, grace like the Ashoka, fragrance of simplicity like the Jasmine and cheerful energy like the Hibiscus. They are the green guardians and the eternal companions of every student who walks these grounds.

 "Do I love being a woman", A poem by, M. V. S. Neeharika from BSc BtCF.

Oh how I love being a woman when the moment I am born I am seen as a burden.

Oh how I love being a woman when I am expected to be perfect with no flaws just to be able to live.

Oh how I love being a woman when my whole existence is reduced to a single concept of taboo.

Oh how I love being a woman when everybody seems to hate me for what I am.

Oh how I love being a woman when all the predators eye me like a prey.

Oh how I love being a woman when people always assume my weakness.

Oh how I love being a woman when all the option I'm given are never mine to choose from.

Oh how I love being a woman when I work harder for the respect I never get.

Oh how I love being a woman when I am forced to lose anytime I win.

Oh how I love being a woman when I am burned if I don't come along with money.

Oh how I love being a woman when any house I live in is never mine.

Oh how I love being a woman as when my very worth is defined by a man.

Oh how I love being a woman when all of my capabilities are reduced to slavery.

Oh how I love being a woman when I'm forced to shut my mouth or lose my voice forever.

Oh how I love being a woman when my back hurts from bending all the way around just to exist.

Oh how I love being a woman when no matter who's fault, the blame and guilt are always mine.

Oh how I love being a woman when every living moment is torturing my very soul.

Oh how I love being a woman when I'm incapable of helping even myself.

Oh how I love being a woman when all I can do is silently pray to a God who never replies.

Oh how I love being a woman when no one realises, that before being woman, I am a human.

Oh how I love being a woman when it's a monumental task to get past each day.

Oh how I love being a woman when I am a woman.

Author Feature :

Amish Tripathi 

Amish Tripathi is one of India’s most influential contemporary authors, best known for revitalising mythological fiction for the modern generation. Born in Mumbai in 1974, he studied at prestigious institutions such as The Lawrence School, Lovedale, St. Xavier’s College, and later completed his MBA from IIM-Calcutta. Before entering the literary world, he spent over a decade working in the financial sector, holding senior positions in banks and insurance companies. Writing began as a personal passion, but the success of his debut novel, The Immortals of Meluha, completely changed the course of his life and turned him into a full-time author.

His literary reputation rests mainly on two bestselling series: the Shiva Trilogy and the Ram Chandra Series. The Shiva Trilogy—The Immortals of Meluha, The Secret of the Nagas, and The Oath of the Vayuputras—reimagines the god Shiva as a human hero whose life and choices elevate him to divine status. The series became a publishing sensation and is credited with transforming interest in Indian mythological fiction. His second major work, the Ram Chandra Series, retells the Ramayana through multiple perspectives, including those of Rama, Sita, and Raavan. This unique narrative structure, along with his fast-paced and accessible writing style, helped these books become some of India’s fastest-selling novels.

Beyond fiction, Amish also writes non-fiction that explores Indian culture, civilisation, and philosophical ideas. Books like Immortal India and Dharma show his interest in understanding and interpreting ancient wisdom for the present day. His influence extends outside the literary world as well: he served as Director of the Nehru Centre in London, where he worked to promote Indian arts, culture, and diplomacy internationally.

Amish’s work stands out because he blends mythology, history, philosophy, and storytelling in a way that appeals to both young and mature readers. His ability to simplify complex ideas, create engaging narratives, and present ancient legends in a fresh light has made him a defining voice in modern Indian literature.

Sources : 

Wikipedia

IIM Calcutta website

The Indian Express

Times of India

World Economic Forum (WEF)

Scroll.in

 Anywhere, With you. A poem by O. Bhuvana Sri, Bsc ZCFS I Year. 

In the blinds of darkness,

I chose to be with you.

I chose to walk with you,

Though you never looked back.

In the closing curtains of fog,

My eyes found you walk alone.

My heartbeat dragged me to you,

And I chose to walk behind you.

All the time,

Even in dark blinds, thick fog curtains,

Even if it pains to bear,

I choose to walk along

AUTHOR FEATURE:

Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni 

Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni is an acclaimed Indian-American author, poet, and professor known for her deep, evocative storytelling that blends Indian culture with universal human emotions. She was born in 1956 in Kolkata, India, and later moved to the United States for her higher education. Currently, she teaches creative writing at the University of Houston. Her works often explore themes of identity, displacement, and the immigrant experience, reflecting the struggles and triumphs of people caught between two cultures.

Divakaruni’s writing is widely recognized for its lyrical style, rich imagery, and emotional depth. A significant aspect of her work is her focus on women’s lives — their challenges, relationships, and journeys toward empowerment. She often gives voice to female characters who have been overlooked in traditional narratives. Her use of magic realism, where elements of fantasy blend seamlessly with everyday reality, adds a unique charm and mysticism to her stories.

Some of her most celebrated works include The Palace of Illusions, a retelling of the Mahabharata from Draupadi’s perspective; The Forest of Enchantments, which reimagines the Ramayana through Sita’s eyes; and The Mistress of Spices, which portrays an immigrant woman’s magical connection with spices that heal people. Other notable novels like Sister of My Heart and Before We Visit the Goddess beautifully capture the emotional bonds between women across generations and cultures.

Her contribution to literature has been recognized through several awards, including the American Book Award, PEN Oakland Award, and Bay Area Book Reviewers Award. Her books have been translated into over 29 languages and some adapted into films and plays, proving her global appeal. Through her works, Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni continues to inspire readers worldwide by weaving together myth, magic, and the realities of modern life with a compassionate and empowering voice.

Sources : 

1. Official Website: www.chitradivakaruni.com

2. Poetry Foundation: poetryfoundation.org/poets/chitra-banerjee-divakaruni

3. Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chitra_Banerjee_Divakaruni

"Silent Chaos", a poem by Sharanya Jayachandran from BSc BTCFS I year

I cry, but the tears refuse to fall.
I scream, yet silence swallows me whole.

I ache to be unkind, to lash out,
but my own heart whispers no.

I long for eyes to find me,
yet I remain a stranger in my own skin.

I crave to be asked,
but not broken apart by questions.

I stand in the crowd,

smiles and voices surrounding me,
yet inside, I drift into empty space.

I reach for the ones I love,
but the distance between me and myself keeps growing.

I want to be honest,
but the lies I tell myself are easier to hold.

I am me,
but I am not myself.