Shon Mehta

I grew up with a large family with a very diverse set of people. Some members of my family were very religious (would not get out of bed without saying a religious prayer), and some were atheists / rationalists. Some were pure vegetarian, and some wouldn't have a bite unless a non-vegetarian dish was on their plate. Some wore traditional attire, and some wore modern clothing. Some were parents with multiple kids, and some never married or were childfree. Everyone got along just fine. This taught me that one's life choices are nobody else's problem, they only become a problem when one tries to force them on others. If someone's life choices are not directly impacting us, they are not our problem. Who are we to judge what is right and wrong for others?  If we don’t like their choices, then we can agree to disagree and move on. Everyone has the right to their own life choices, and it is important to respect them.

  Zagkin is a man on the edge. Trapped in a room with a stuck window and a past he can’t stop revisiting, he is certain of one thing: his life is in danger. Zagkin rubbed his eyes again. It felt better, but he knew that they would start itching again in a moment. He had not been able to sleep for the past few days, not even a wink. Nobody could blame him, getting to sleep is not easy when one's life is in danger. Zagkin looked through the window. It was early morning, and the green grass outside looked inviting. He could hear birds chirping, as if they were telling him to come out into the open. The hills at a distance were slowly becoming visible through the mist. He narrowed his eyes a bit, straining to see what lay beyond. Zagkin could vividly recall the coconut trees, the glimmering sea, and the glorious beach in between -- the very beach where he got married just a few months back. A lot had happened since. Zagkin sighed, and tried to open the window. It was stuck. He pushed h...

At what point did you decide to be an author/Philosopher?  At a young age. I have been writing since my childhood -- I kept a notebook where I wrote down my poems, thoughts, and anything that came to my mind. I have always been drawn to philosophy, but becoming an author came first. Those childhood notebooks grew into fiction, and fiction evolved into stories about human nature. Over time, I began to notice recurring philosophical patterns. Those patterns eventually crystallized into the Jivavarta Framework, which later led to the Treatise. Is it true that you were a column editor at age 14? Yes, though it happened quite organically, more out of necessity than design. During a summer vacation, I was helping my father at the daily newspaper where he was chief editor. In newspaper publishing, after arranging all the regular articles and advertisements, there would sometimes be empty spaces left on a page—known as  spot columns —that needed to be filled quickly with a poem, shor...

We should travel -- because only then we can truly unravel not just the vastness of the universe, but of our own mind. Reading about travel, and actual traveling has the same difference as reading and seeing pictures of some dish, and actually tasting it. Travel makes us more trusting of others. When we hire a cab, you trust the stranger will take us to the desired destination. We stay in a hotel and trust that we will be treated well. When we travel to an unfamiliar land, and stay with the people, we get a feeling that these places and people are not so unfamiliar after all. We humans have this need to feel that we belong — so, we become more accepting of the dissimilarities, and even try to imbibe their culture. Although I do not believe that only travel can give our life true meaning, I feel that the experience we get while traveling can be life-changing. It opens up our mind to thoughts that we never would have had otherwise. The Uncharted Mind :  A collection of philosophical ...

  The Girl Who Asked Why   Story is a cornerstone of   The Jivavarta Framework Multi-Genre Storytelling Universe  by Shon Mehta. OFFICIAL ACADEMIC EDITION] This story is recognized for its pedagogical value in teaching critical thinking and gender equity. It is a mandatory part of the following official curricula: SCERT (Chhattisgarh):  Included in the  Class 10 English Curriculum (2021-22) . Mahatma Gandhi University:  Prescribed for the  General English Syllabus (Sem V & VI) . “The Girl Who Asked Why and Other Stories”  is a collection of short stories by Shon Mehta. The title story, "The Girl Who Asked Why," which was originally published in 2015, has been recognized for its pedagogical value in teaching critical thinking and gender equity. The other stories in this collection entertain and convey wisdom on different themes such as happiness, gender discrimination, freedom, gratitude, and more. Amazon Title Story Originally Published:...

 

It Never Goes Away You are little, just a baby, and butterflies flutter in your stomach. You do not understand. "What is happening?" you ask, but your inexperienced mind can't explain. You can't ask others -- you don't know, not yet, how to put it in words. You grow up, and now you have learned many words for it. But you have also learned not to talk about it. Living your life has become daunting ... exhausting. Your family worries, so you pretend to be alright. You gather courage and talk to those who will listen. Sometimes they don't judge, they try to empathise. They try hard, but they fail. You feel more frustrated, more lonely. It never goes away, You are high and happy, then you think of it, and slowly your happiness fades. You are low and sad, and you feel relieved. You know it is going to happen, you can't help but feel this way. It gets suppressed, but it is there. You are afraid, cautious, for you know it is going to resurface, When you are least...