Aruna Panday is a well known Neuro Linguistic Programing (NLP) expert and a Manifestation Coach In my journey as a Mindset and Manifestation coach, I have realised one thing very clearly, people spend a lot of time working on their goals, but very little time working on their emotional well-being. And yet, our emotions quietly shape everything.  Many people try to manifest success, abundance, or better relationships while carrying unprocessed stress, fear and self-doubt inside. When our inner world feels chaotic, it becomes difficult to create the desired reality. Emotional well-being is not about feeling positive all the time. It is about learning to understand and process your emotions instead of suppressing them.  Every emotion is simply an information that tells us what we need, what we value, and most importantly what we need to heal. So how can we work on our emotional well-being? It begins with awareness. Take a few moments every day to check in with yourself and ask, “What am I feeling right now?” Without judging the emotion, simply notice it.  Another powerful step is learning to pause before reacting. When something triggers you, give yourself a moment to breathe and respond consciously rather than reacting mindlessly. Practices like journaling, visualization, and reframing our thoughts can also help us process emotions in a healthier way.  These simple tools help us understand our patterns and gradually shift them. Over time, these small practices create emotional strength and clarity. You become calmer, more resilient and more aligned with yourself. I truly believe emotional well-being is the foundation of manifestation. When your inner world feels balanced and supported, your outer world begins to reflect that same harmony. So heal your emotions and transform your reality!

There was a time when mushairas were seen as the preserve of serious literary circles — elderly patrons in crisp achkans, scholars debating metaphors long after the event ended. But something has shifted. Today, the front rows are filled with college students. Young women record verses softly on their phones. Boys who grew up on reels and rap,  whisper “wah wah” with surprising sincerity. Winter evenings in Lucknow have a rosy hue to them, but now there’s a certain warmth in the air that has nothing to do with the weather. In a café tucked inside Hazratganj, in a college auditorium, in an old courtyard in Chowk, even on someone’s terrace under a shawl of fairy lights,  poetry is being recited again. And every time a poet pauses after a stirring line, the crowd responds almost instinctively: “Irshaad! Irshaad!” What wonder then that Gen Z today has discovered  poetry that hits differently when it’s spoken aloud. In a world of 15-second clips and endless scrolling, there’s something about sitting still and listening, really listening,  to a poet take their time with a thought.  A heartbreak sounds heavier when it echoes through a hall. A line about longing feels sharper when the audience falls silent before erupting into applause, nuances that remind you of yesteryears and the bygone era when the literati of Lucknow were frequent visitors to such gatherings. Social media, ironically, has helped bring this old-world format back into focus. Snippets of Urdu and Hindustani couplets go viral. A well-recited sher circulates on Instagram. Suddenly, words once confined to dusty books are being captioned under selfies and shared in stories. But the screen is only the beginning. Khushbir Singh Shaad, noted poet and writer, says that for a city long proud of its tehzeeb, the revival of the mushaira is not a passing trend but a true homecoming. He credits social media for taking shayari to the masses. “Today, verses are easily accessible online, simple to understand, pleasing to hear, and highly relatable for younger audiences. With many in Gen-Z unfamiliar with the Urdu script, publishers are increasingly printing Urdu poetry in Hindi, making it more accessible and instantly popular.” Shaad observes that much of the shayari trending online explores heartbreak, pain, escapism, and unfulfilled love themes that resonate deeply with young people. As many are still finding their footing in life and often feel uncertain about the future, they naturally gravitate toward poetry that echoes their emotions and lived experiences. But what truly draws them in is the live experience is the depth of the poet’s voice in a live poetry session, the deliberate pause before the final word, the collective gasp at a clever twist. It’s not just about literature; it’s about being present in a room where everyone feels the same line at the same time. In Lucknow, where culture is never really lost but simply waiting to be rediscovered, the mushaira’s revival feels natural. The younger generation isn’t just attending,  they’re participating, writing, performing and reclaiming. So as long as there’s someone in the crowd ready to say “Irshaad,” poetry here will never go out of style.

By Rajesh Rodricks- Motivational Coach & Youth Counsellor Procrastination is a state of inertia wherein the person unnecessarily postpones decisions or actions knowing fully well that there may be negative consequences due to these acts.   Factors may vary due to fear and anxiety, being unclear about what to do when the task is unfamiliar, negative belief, self-talk such as “I can’t do anything right”, unrealistic expectations or perfectionism, setting standards so high they are unobtainable, poor time management about ones priorities, goals and objectives, difficulty in concentrating, finding the task boring or personal problems at the moment. Though it may affect any age group but the majority affected involves young generation.   Nothing is as fatiguing as the eternal hanging on of an incomplete task or any excuse which may crop up in your mind not to do it at the moment. This lingering needs to be treated and the one who stops you from doing it is your mind itself. Therefore, before you face a loss or suffer by these habits you should face such walls of obstacles by imbibing discipline which shall help you either to navigate through it or cross over to achieve a better results oriented life. Discipline is not a punishment but empowerment and the more early you start you will find it rewarding as the early bird catches the worm. Effective Steps to overcome procrastination and developing discipline: Rule # 1: Start small and treat every decision as though it were moving you towards your goal to achievement however tiny steps it may be but it should be in the right direction. Rule # 2: You Don’t Have To Love It. Do It Anyways. The universe does not care how you feel. It cares about what you do. Rule # 3: Focus is the ability to resist distractions. Remove any temptations as it diverts you to meander away from your achievements. Rule # 4: He who cannot obey himself will be commanded. That is the nature of living creatures. Therefore master yourself rather than to be a slave. Rule # 5: Cultivate a deep emotional attachment to WHY you should do the hard thing. Remind yourself that you have to fuel yourself to strengthen your will and to pave your way to success. Discipline is a muscle which shall help in developing a Daily Discipline Practice, just like every other muscle in your body, the way you strengthen it is by regularly stressing it. So, Reclaim Your Intention and Boldness which has genius, magic, and power in it. Momentum is the cure to Procrastination. Begin it now!

CM Yogi Adityanath, with his deep-rooted commitment to Nari Shakti, launched Mission Shakti in 2022.  Far from bureaucratic jargon, it’s a heartfelt pledge to honour, protect, and empower every daughter, mother, and sister in the state. In the heart of Uttar Pradesh, amid vibrant markets and quiet villages, countless women have long lived lives shadowed by insecurity and limited opportunities. But not anymore. Mission Shakti, pillared on the ideology of Samman (dignity), Suraksha (safety), and Sashaktikaran (empowerment),  couples vision with practical action to ensure every woman and every girl is safe, empowered and protected.   Through the initiative, Samanvit Suraksha apps link women directly to emergency services, like 112, 1090, 181, etc., while Pink Booths stand as vigilant sentinels in streets and public spaces, ensuring rapid response to harassment or distress. Anti-Romeo squads patrol proactively, instilling a culture where safety is non-negotiable. Sashaktikaran takes on a whole new meaning when it comes to women’s safety under this mission, as women are taught to stand up for themselves. Through rigorous self-defence workshops, women are being trained in martial arts and street-smart awareness and techniques to defend themselves, fostering unshakeable confidence. To financially empower them,  under women’s livelihood missions, tools like sewing machines are being provided, as well as vocational training in tailoring, handicrafts, and digital skills, turning homemakers into entrepreneurs. Scholarships and hostels open doors to education, allowing girls to break cycles of poverty and create a better future for themselves. Under CM Yogi’s able guidance, over 1.5 lakh women have been trained until now, a statewide 24/7 women’s command centre is now operational, and community vigilance committees are ensuring safety and security for every woman and girl in their district.   Moving to the next level in 2026, Mission Shakti interventions have intensified with village-to-village chaupals in districts,  women’s beat officers host dialogues on self-defence, helplines, and schemes urging women to speak fearlessly against injustice. The impact is evident, as families thrive and women contribute economically, a new generation of girls is now emerging boldly to grow and thrive.  Mission Shakti isn’t policy on paper; it’s a living revolution. Under CM Yogi ji’s UP, women are not just surviving, they are thriving, unbreakable and confident.

 We catch up with Lucknowites living in the Gulf and Middle East who made it back just in time as air strikes rattled the region. When the first flight touched down at Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport, the relief inside the cabin was almost visible. As the wheels met the runway, passengers who had spent days in uncertainty finally exhaled. Some wiped quiet tears. Others folded their hands in prayer. “You don’t realise what home means till you’ve lived through fear together,” one returnee said, stepping into the arrivals hall where anxious families waited. Following US air strikes on Iran and retaliatory action across parts of the Middle East, airports shut without warning. Flights from cities like Dubai, Doha and Bahrain were cancelled or rerouted, leaving many stranded. Alisha and Rahul waited nearly two days at Dubai airport. “Every message felt like a heart-punch,” Rahul recalls. “It wasn’t just about cancelled flights. It was hearing distant blasts and wondering what tomorrow would look like.” In Doha, Adil had just finished a late shift when missile alerts flashed across his phone. “The sky was calm, but inside we were panicking,” he says, now back home in Alambagh. “Every call from their families in Lucknow was the same: ‘Please come back safe.’” For Shalini, it meant packing and unpacking her suitcase three times before finally securing a seat. “It wasn’t chaos,” she says softly. “It was the fear of the unknown.” Back in their neighbourhoods in Alambagh, Indira Nagar, and Chowk, stories spilt out over cups of steaming chai. Fragments of airport announcements. Screenshots of cancelled tickets, the strange stillness of cities bracing for the worst. But one thought echoed loud:  ambition may take you far, but in moments of uncertainty, it is home that steadies your heartbeat.

This  International Women’s Day,  we celebrate the spirit of giving back to society and making a difference.  FICCI- FLO Lucknow, a women-led forum has  brought together women from different walks of life including entrepreneurs, professionals, and grassroots changemakers under one roof, united by a common belief: when a woman rises, she lifts many others with her. Since its inception in 2015, FICCI FLO Lucknow has quietly built a reputation as more than just a networking forum. For aspiring entrepreneurs, it has become a launchpad, offering mentorship, skill-building workshops, market linkages, and access to seasoned industry leaders who guide them through the complexities of scaling a business. Young women entrepreneurs often speak about how a single introduction at a FLO event turned into funding support, collaborations, or invaluable business advice. But the impact does not stop at boardrooms and start-ups. The chapter has consistently reached out to women from low-income communities organising vocational training programmes, financial literacy sessions, digital awareness workshops, and self-employment initiatives. Whether it is helping women learn tailoring and handicraft skills, introducing them to e-commerce platforms, or connecting them with micro-financing opportunities, the focus remains clear: economic independence is the first step towards dignity. Says Vandita Agarwal, Founder Member and Chairperson, FICCI-FLO Lucknow, “FICCI FLO stands out for its ability to create a powerful platform where women entrepreneurs connect, collaborate, and grow together. By fostering meaningful networks, it enables women to access the right resources to strengthen their financial acumen, enhance digital literacy, and sharpen essential business skills. With 18 to19 focused verticals including startups, MSMEs, rural livelihoods, and skilling,  the organization offers structured pathways for learning, mentorship, and enterprise development.”. And as women engage with peers who have built successful business models, they begin to challenge traditional norms and reimagine their own potential. Inspired by real life examples of leadership and enterprise, they gain the confidence to scale their ventures and aspire to even greater impact. The theme this year for International Women’s Day in 2026 being- “Rights. Justice. Action for All Women and Girls’ small wonder that FICCI-FLO Lucknow is scripting a modern narrative based on that. The women who are part of it reflect a commitment,  where empowerment is practical, inclusive, and deeply rooted in community upliftment. Every woman, regardless of her background, has the chance not just to participate in society but to lead it.  Truly inspirational Flo-Ladies!

For 45-year-old lifestyle influencer Tarannum Hasan Naqvi, Ramzan isn’t just a month on the calendar, it’s a feeling that quietly settles into her home in Lucknow, bringing faith and family closer than ever. “Our day begins with Sehri together,” she says with a smile. “No matter how sleepy my kids are or how early the alarm rings, we make it a point to sit around the table as a family. There’s something special about starting the fast with prayer and shared laughter in those quiet pre-dawn moments.” As the day unfolds, the kitchen slowly becomes the heart of the home. Afternoons are spent preparing for Iftar, often with her children by her side, as she feels traditions must be carried on by the next generations, too. “I ask them to help set the table or arrange the dates,” she shares. “It may seem like a small thing, but it teaches them gratitude. They begin to understand that Ramzan is not just about food — it’s about patience, kindness, and being thankful for what we have.” Iftar at her home is simple yet soulful,  a comforting mix of traditional favourites and a few new-age recipes she enjoys experimenting with. “It’s never about putting out a lavish spread,” she says thoughtfully. “It’s about that beautiful moment when we all sit together and break our fast. That first sip of water, that first bite it all reminds you how blessed you are.” One tradition she holds especially close to her heart is hosting loved ones for Iftar. “We make it a point to host at least one family Iftar every year,” she says. “The house feels fuller, louder, warmer. Ramzan is about strengthening bonds, and sharing a meal does exactly that.” For Tarannum, the holy month goes far beyond abstaining from food. “Ramzan makes you pause,” she reflects. “It gives you the chance to slow down, to look inward, to reconnect not just with your faith, but with the people who matter most.” And in those quiet moments between Sehri and Iftar, that’s where the true essence of Ramzan lives for her in togetherness, gratitude, and love.

In recent years, the Uttar Pradesh government has set out to reimagine some of India’s most sacred spaces through the development of expansive religious corridors. These projects are designed not only to beautify temple surroundings but also to make pilgrimage safer, smoother, and more accessible for millions of devotees. Faith has always been the heartbeat of Uttar Pradesh,  and now, that faith is finding new pathways. As pilgrim footfall rises across the state, devotees travelling to sacred cities will experience not only spiritual solace but also thoughtfully upgraded infrastructure designed to make their journeys easier, safer and more comfortable. In the wake of the 2025 Mahakumbh, five major spiritual corridors have been developed with Prayagraj at the centre, connecting revered destinations like Varanasi, Ayodhya, Chitrakoot, Naimisharanya and Mathura. Wider roads, smoother expressways, better crowd management and improved pilgrim amenities are quietly transforming the way people undertake these sacred journeys. This initiative is more than a facelift for temple towns. It reflects a larger vision — one that blends devotion with development. By restoring heritage spots and adding modern facilities such as guesthouses and visitor services, the state is ensuring that centuries-old traditions continue in spaces that feel welcoming and well cared for Religious tourism has also become a powerful double engine for local economies, particularly in Ayodhya, where visitor numbers have surged.  Supporting this push, the Uttar Pradesh Budget 2025–26 has earmarked ₹400 crore for religious tourism and infrastructure, including ₹150 crore for the Banke Bihari corridor in Mathura–Vrindavan. Alongside this, a broader ₹4,560 crore connectivity plan aims to strengthen roads linking major pilgrimage sites,  reinforcing Uttar Pradesh’s aspiration to emerge as a global spiritual destination. Key Religious Corridors being Developed in Uttar Pradesh: Prayagraj-Vindhyachal-Kashi Corridor: Connects the Vindyavasini Temple in Mirzapur to Kashi Vishwanath in Varanasi. Prayagraj-Ayodhya-Gorakhpur Corridor: Connects Triveni Sangam, Ramjanambhoomi and Gorakhnath Math Prayagraj-Lucknow-Naimisharanya Corridor: Connects to Naimisharanya Dham in Sitapur. Prayagraj- Rajapur-Chitakoot Corridor: Connects to the birthplace of Tulsidas and some spots of Lord Ram’s exile. Prayagraj- Mathura-Vrindavan-Shukh Teerth Corridor: Connects to birthplace of Lord Krishna. Kashi Vishwanath Corridor: Connecting Ganga Laitha Ghat to Kashiwishwanath Temple  Buddhist Circuit: Connects some spots of Sarnath with Kushinagar

By: Divya Malik In the sacred journey of partnership, especially between husband and wife, the bond is never just emotional,it is karmic, energetic, and profoundly psychological. Two souls do not meet by chance. They are drawn to each other by resonance, by unfinished lessons, and by the deeper healing their union has the power to activate. From a spiritual perspective, our spouse is often the soul mirror we resisted the most.From a psychological perspective, they become the trigger that brings our subconscious wounds into the light. And this is why marriage can feel intense, confusing, or emotionally charged not because the relationship is wrong, but because the inner child, the shadow self, and the unhealed emotional body finally feel safe enough to surface.Whatever we dislike or resist in our partner is rarely about them.It is the echo of an unprocessed memory… an unmet need… an unacknowledged fear.Our spouse becomes the reflector of the parts within us that we have not yet honored.When their words or actions stir something painful in us, it is the psyche whispering: “This wound is ready.”“This part of you needs presence.”“This emotion is your teacher. Spiritually, this is karma revealing itself not as punishment, but as an opportunity to dissolve old patterns carried through lifetimes. Psychologically, this is projection where our mind places unresolved inner material onto the person standing closest to us.Marriage becomes the divine intersection of both worlds:karma meeting psychology, soul meeting subconscious. Until we pause and genuinely introspect:• Why did this trigger me?• Which old wound is being reopened?• Where in my history does this emotion belong?• Is this truly about my partner, or is it a reflection of my own unhealed story?…we continue reliving the same cycles, not because our spouse fails us, but because our inner work remains unfinished.Every conflict is a doorway.Every irritation is a guidepost.Every emotional reaction is an unhealed part of the self asking to be integrated.Spiritually, this is how the universe gently pushes us toward awakening.Psychologically, this is how the shadow asks to be seen.Your partner is not here to break you they are here to reveal you.When you embrace this, marriage transforms from a battlefield into a healing temple.Triggers become teachers.Pain becomes purification.And the connection evolves into a sanctuary where both souls rise.This is the deeper purpose of sacred partnership not perfection, but consciousness… not agreement, but evolution… not comfort, but healing into wholeness.