The Literature Lounge

This episode of The Literature Lounge is a quiet yet powerful reflection on work, leadership, and inner discipline.In a deeply thoughtful conversation, author Richa Tilokani opens up about her unexpected journey into writing—one that didn’t begin with ambition, but with self-doubt, curiosity, and handwritten notes as she tried to make sense of Karm Yoga for herself. What started as a personal search slowly grew into her book, 7 Lessons of Karm Yoga, shaped by real questions about pressure, conflict, and imbalance in modern life. The book speaks gently but directly to anyone trying to find clarity and purpose while navigating the chaos of today’s world.This is not a conversation about renunciation or retreat.It is about living fully in the world—while managing the mind that moves through it.A dialogue on ambition without hostility, leadership without ego, and success without burnout.What this episode is REALLY aboutNot motivation slogans.Not spiritual bypassing.Not productivity obsession.It’s about:* Writing by accident: How self-doubt delayed creativity, and curiosity unlocked it* Karma Yoga explained simply: Why managing the mind matters more than managing people* Mindset management: Befriending the mind instead of letting it dominate you* The three gunas: How excess ambition and inertia harm society* Unsustainable growth: When Rajoguna and Tamoguna overpower Satvaguna* Detachment redefined: Letting go of ego, greed, anger—not family or responsibility* Leadership with purpose: Why true leaders grow with their teams and communities* Work-life balance: Why overwork is as harmful as underwork* Ego-driven conflict: From workplaces to politics* Vasudeva Kutumbakam: Why collective success matters more than individual gain* Ancient wisdom for modern problems: Addressing harassment, abuse, and diversity issues* A timeless Gita shloka: Focusing on duty, not just outcomesIf you’ve ever felt torn between ambition and peace, effort and exhaustion, success and meaning—this episode offers a grounded way forward.Support the Podcast  If this conversation resonated with you, share it with someone navigating work, leadership, or burnout.Subscribe for more conversations rooted in clarity, wisdom, and lived experience.Music Credits:[https://pixabay.com/music/ambient-butterfly-113600/](https://pixabay.com/music/ambient-butterfly-113600/)✅ Subscribe To Our Channel: / theliteraturelounge Stay updated!🔔Follow Us OnThe Literature Lounge► Instagram: / litlounge_pod  ► LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-literature-lounge/Connect with the Host: Mohua Chinappa►Instagram: / mohua_chinappa  ►LinkedIn: / mohua-chinappa ►For any queries, EMAIL: hello@themohuashow.comCopyright ©2025 The Literature Lounge. All Rights ReservedDisclaimer: The views expressed by our guests are their own. We do not endorse and are not responsible for any opinions expressed by our guests on our Show and its associated platforms.

This episode of The Literature Lounge is a raw examination of duty, conflict, and conscience.Join us for an exclusive conversation with Shri Prakash Singh, a legendary officer of the Indian Police Service, as he shares insights from his memoir, Unforgettable Chapters: Memoirs of a Top Cop.A conversation about the line between order and justice, and the weight of the uniform.What this episode is REALLY aboutNot just war stories.Not political theory.Not abstract ideals of service.It’s about:The moral calculus of counter-insurgencyCommanding men in the “shoot-to-kill” zones of Nagaland and PunjabFighting enemies outside the border and inertia within the systemTaking the Union and State governments to court for the sake of reformThe solitude of the honest officer in a political stormLeadership when your authority is questioned and your credibility weaponizedThe lifelong burden of decisions made in secondsDefining victory beyond the battlefieldIf you’ve ever wondered what it truly costs to hold the line, this episode has answers.Support the Podcast  If this conversation moved you, share it with someone who needs to hear it today.  Subscribe for more voices that rewrite the rules with truth, heart and courage.✅ Subscribe To Our Channel: / theliteraturelounge Stay updated!🔔Follow Us OnThe Literature Lounge► Instagram: / litlounge_pod  ► LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-literature-lounge/Connect with the Host: Mohua Chinappa►Instagram: / mohua_chinappa  ►LinkedIn: / mohua-chinappa ►For any queries, EMAIL: hello@themohuashow.comCopyright ©2025 The Literature Lounge. All Rights ReservedDisclaimer: The views expressed by our guests are their own. We do not endorse and are not responsible for any opinions expressed by our guests on our Show and its associated platforms.#IndianPoliceService #PoliceReforms #TopCopMemoir #NationalSecurity #CounterInsurgency

This episode of The Literature Lounge is a sobering audit of the stories we are sold.Author Umesh Upadhyay, a veteran journalist with four decades across print, radio, TV, and digital, unpacks his book Western Media Narratives on India from Gandhi till now. He dissects the persistent lens of bias, born from his experience watching the skewed portrayal of India during the COVID-19 pandemic.A conversation about who controls the narrative, who inherits it, and the cost of a silent media.What this episode is REALLY aboutNot objectivity.Not neutrality.Not dry academic theory.It’s about:The hidden history behind today’s headlinesThe politics and racism embedded in Western coverageIndian media’s complicity in a flawed narrativeIsolation as inspiration: writing a book during a lockdownHow a legacy of bias stretches from Gandhi to the Ram MandirThe paradox of JNU: a past beacon vs. a present symbolWhy Indian success stories are often met with Western skepticismA practical toolkit for readers to challenge dominant narrativesThe future of India’s story and who gets to write itIf you’ve ever questioned why the world sees India the way it does, this episode has evidence.✅ Subscribe To Our Channel: / theliteraturelounge Stay updated!🔔Follow Us OnThe Literature Lounge► Instagram: / litlounge_pod  ► LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-literature-lounge/Connect with the Host: Mohua Chinappa►Instagram: / mohua_chinappa  ►LinkedIn: / mohua-chinappa ►For any queries, EMAIL: hello@themohuashow.comCopyright ©2025 The Literature Lounge. All Rights ReservedDisclaimer: The views expressed by our guests are their own. We do not endorse and are not responsible for any opinions expressed by our guests on our Show and its associated platforms.

This episode of The Literature Lounge is an archaeological dig into the deep, forgotten fabric of India.Author Zilka Joseph excavates the 2,000-year story of the Bene Israel Jews—from their ancient arrival on the Konkan coast to the sweet, shared rituals that bind communities—revealing a history that predates modern nations and lives on in a handful of flattened rice.A conversation about the flavors that outlast empires and the quiet matriarchs who cooked a culture into being.What this episode is REALLY aboutNot a single narrative.Not an isolated identity.Not just recipes.It’s about:A 2,000-year-old community living in India centuries before it was “India”The shock of ancient roots: arrival in 175 BCE, woven into the Konkan coastSweet Malida: a ceremonial dish that cools the body and connects the spiritFood as shared language: coconut, festivals, and common tables with all neighboursThe unthanked mothers and grandmothers who are the true archivistsA global family: finding kinship with Jamaican, African, and all Jews of ColourThe mission: to peel back layers and reveal histories older than Europe’sIf you believe a country’s soul is found in its oldest stories and shared meals, this episode is a revelation.✅ Subscribe To Our Channel:   / theliteraturelounge   Stay updated!🔔Follow Us OnThe Literature Lounge► Instagram:   / litlounge_pod  ► LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-literature-lounge/Connect with the Host: Mohua Chinappa►Instagram:   / mohua_chinappa  ►LinkedIn:   / mohua-chinappa  ►For any queries, EMAIL: hello@themohuashow.comCopyright ©2025 The Literature Lounge. All Rights ReservedDisclaimer: The views expressed by our guests are their own. We do not endorse and are not responsible for any opinions expressed by our guests on our Show and its associated platforms.#JewishHistory, #IndianCulture, #ForgottenHistory, #FoodMemories, #Diaspora

This episode is a profound shift in perspective on the mind itself.Neuropsychiatrist Dr. Pallavi Joshi reveals her journey from gynecology to psychiatry, a pivot sparked by personal crisis and a mentor's crucial question. She shares groundbreaking cases from her Mumbai residency and her mission to replace stigma with science and strength.A conversation about the courage to change, the myths that imprison us, and building resilience in a fast, fragmented world.What this episode is REALLY about:Not just illness.Not quick fixes.Not silent suffering.It’s about:A life-altering pivot: from delivering babies to healing mindsDebunking the dangerous myths around depression and medicationThe hidden epidemic: childhood depression and early traumaThe corporate mind: burnout, balance, and psychological safetyDigital dopamine: navigating social media addictionThe stories that redefine hope, from a former terrorist to everyday strugglesHer urgent book, Fast but Lost, diagnosing urban lonelinessThe foundational question: What does true mental wellness look like?If you’ve ever felt lost in the modern rush or wondered how to build a resilient mind, this episode offers a map and a lifeline.✅ Subscribe To Our Channel:   / theliteraturelounge   Stay updated!🔔Follow Us OnThe Literature Lounge► Instagram:   / litlounge_pod  ►Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-literature-lounge/Connect with the Host: Mohua Chinappa►Instagram:   / mohua_chinappa  ►LinkedIn:   / mohua-chinappa  ►For any queries, EMAIL: hello@themohuashow.comCopyright ©2025 The Literature Lounge. All Rights ReservedDisclaimer: The views expressed by our guests are their own. We do not endorse and are not responsible for any opinions expressed by our guests on our Show and its associated platforms.#MentalHealthAwareness, #PositivePsychology, #BreakTheStigma, #UrbanWellness, #MindfulnessMatters

In this compelling episode, host Mohua Chinappa sits down with Richa Mukherjee — an accomplished author and storyteller who has navigated journalism, advertising, and literature.From forging a path through diverse storytelling mediums to championing the raw, real voices of women in fiction, Richa's perspective challenges stereotypes and sparks essential dialogue.What you’ll hear in this conversation:Her journey from journalism and advertising to becoming an authorThe critical reason why women's fiction is a necessary genreWhy "Deification of women is Destruction" — a powerful argument against putting women on pedestals in storiesA provocative take on the future: "In five years, people won't need writers"The isolating, yet deeply individual, truth of the writing processHer firm professional stance: "Don't write for free"About the perspective – Real Stories Over PerfectionRicha’s insight isn’t about creating flawless female icons — It’s about writing human women with complexity and truth.It's a call to move beyond stereotypes and explore authentic narratives.If you're a creator or consumer of storiesHere’s what Richa’s conversation reminds us:True connection comes from authenticity, not idealisation.Support the Podcast  If this conversation moved you, share it with someone who needs to hear it today.  Subscribe for more voices that rewrite the rules with **truth, heart and courage**.✅ Subscribe To Our Channel: / themohuashow Stay updated!🔔Follow Us OnThe Mohua Show►Website: www.themohuashow.com►Instagram: / themohuashow  ►LinkedIn: / themohuashow  Connect with the Host: Mohua Chinappa►Instagram: / mohua_chinappa  ►LinkedIn: / mohua-chinappa ►For any queries EMAIL: hello@themohuashow.comCopyright ©2025 The Literature Lounge. All Rights ReservedDisclaimer: The views expressed by our guests are their own. We do not endorse and are not responsible for any opinions expressed by our guests on our Show and its associated platforms.#RichaInterview #WomensFiction #AuthorTalk #WritingAdvice #IndianAuthor #StorytellingPodcast

In this captivating episode, renowned author and feminist Kiran Manral shares her multifaceted writing career, from her early days as a blogger to becoming one of India's distinguished literary voices. Kiran delves into her experiences in advertising and journalism, which have enriched her storytelling across various genres. She also provides an exclusive peek into her book, "Rising 2.0: 20 More Women Who Changed India," emphasizing the importance of preserving women's legacies. The conversation explores the necessity of women celebrating their professional milestones, building a supportive sisterhood, and the joys and challenges of genre diversity in writing. This episode is a treasure trove of insights for anyone passionate about literature, feminism, and professional growth.What You Will Learn in This Episode:Join host Mohua Chinappa for a profound conversation with author Kiran Manral, where you will gain invaluable insights into the world of writing, feminism, and personal growth. In this episode, you will learn:The Art of Literary Evolution: Discover Kiran Manral's personal journey from the early, intimate world of blogging to establishing herself as a formidable voice in Indian literature, and how her backgrounds in advertising and journalism uniquely shape her storytelling.The Mission Behind "Rising 2.0": Understand the meticulous inspiration and selection process for her book, "Rising 2.0," and why documenting the legacies of trailblazing women is a critical act of feminist preservation.Firsthand Accounts of Resilience: Hear the most memorable and inspirational moments from Kiran's interviews with extraordinary women, and the powerful stories that left a lasting impact on her.This episode is a treasure trove of motivation for aspiring writers, professionals, and anyone who believes in the power of women's stories to change the world.✅ Subscribe To Our Channel:  / thelitlounge Stay updated!🔔Follow Us On:Mohua Chinappa► Instagram: /mohua_chinappa► LinkedIn: /mohua-chinappaThe Literature Lounge► Instagram: / litlounge_pod Connect with the GuestKiran Manral:  ► Instagram: / kiranmanral ► For any queries EMAIL: hello@themohuashow.comCopyright ©2025 The Literature Lounge. All Rights Reserved.Disclaimer: The views expressed by our guests are their own. We do not endorse and are not responsible for any views expressed by our guests on our Show and its associated platforms.

Is there really a "right age" to start something meaningful? How do ancient concepts of Dharma guide modern business ethics?In this inspiring episode of TLL, we sit down with Ashutosh, a pioneer who transformed India's pharmaceutical retail landscape. Defying those who said he was "too late in life," Ashutosh shares his remarkable journey from starting with just 100 rupees in the 1980s to revolutionizing how medicines reach people. He opens up about why age is no barrier to innovation, the personal nature of ethics in business, and how the timeless wisdom of Dharma remains deeply relevant in today's corporate world. What You'll Discover: How he built a retail pharmacy empire despite starting "late"The revolutionary idea that changed medicine access in India Why he disagrees that "if you're young, you won't know"The role of Dharma in modern business ethicsWhy we tend to become judgmental and how to overcome itThe importance of community in entrepreneurship References:Junior Statesman: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JS_(magazine)ITC: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Information_and_communications_technologyHanuman Chalisa: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanuman_ChalisaNiti Shastra: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neeti_Sastra ✅ Subscribe To Our Channel:** /@theliteraturelounge_tllStay updated! 🔔 Follow Us On:Mohua Chinappa► Instagram: /mohua_chinappa► LinkedIn: /mohua-chinappa The Literature Lounge► Instagram: / litlounge_pod Connect with the Guest: Ashutosh Garg►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashutoshgarg56/  Copyright ©2025 The Literature Lounge. All Rights Reserved. Disclaimer: The views expressed by our guests are their own. We do not endorse and are not responsible for any views expressed by our guests on our Show and its associated platforms.