Hey everyone! Welcome to this week's True Fiction Project. India's celebrating its 78th Independence Day, and we've got a treat for you. A few years back, Shukla Lal shared her Partition story (which we have linked to below). Today, I'm excited to continue that thread with her niece and my lifelong friend, Miel Sahgal.

Miel talks about growing up with her inspiring grandfather, his love for yoga, and how he influenced her essay "Balancing Act." At the end of the episode Miel shares her touching essay which hones into the story of her grandfather and her upbringing. Don’t miss it!

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [4:30 ] Miel shares how and why she wrote the essay Balancing Act. 
• [6:28 ] Why did Miel start with her grandfather as a starting point?
• [11:16 ] What changes or makes things different from where or how or who you descended from to where you grew up in? 
• [14:25 ] Miel and Reenita share their experiences around ritualistic living. 
• [17:49 ] Why did Miel’s grandfather promote independence with women in the family? 
• [19:31 ] How did yoga bring Miel further into her culture in a different way?
• [21:09 ] What was the connection her grandfather had with her son? 
• [22:48 ] Did her grandfather’s relationship with younger friends impact his long lifespan? 
• [24:20 ] Why is the essay called Balancing Act?
• [26:15 ] Where can you read more of Miel’s work? 
• [27:42 ] We hear the essay Balancing Act by Miel Sahgal.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Yoga, pronounced yog, means to yoke or unite, and wellness comes not just from contortions, but from the integration of mind, body, and spirit; the enduring ancient teachings apply to everyone. 
• Miel’s lesson from her grandfather was showing that where you live or what you leave behind is not nearly as important as what you carry inside. 
• Part of the fun of being alive is learning and growing. Spend your time listening to stories of those older and younger than you, learning from your culture and others, and continuing to experience all life has to offer.

Subscribe to Reenita’s Storytelling Den on Substack for free or become a paid subscriber to watch the video version of this episode and be eligible to receive other extras such as exclusive content from podcast guests, short stories, exclusive fiction and more! https://substack.com/@reenitahora 

Fiction Credits:

Written and read by Miel Sahgal

Balancing Act in the Hamilton Arts & Letters

RESOURCES:

Books by Miel Sahgal 

S2 EP 4 – India at 75: A special “Partition Story” with Shukla Lal, author of Rano & Phulo Episode

HOST RESOURCES

Website

LinkedIn 

Tiktok 

Instagram 

Facebook 

Twitter (X) 

Substack 

Threads 

LinkTree 

BIO:

Miel Sahgal writes about nature, education, and contemporary world society. She serves on the Advisory Board of the Sanctuary Nature Foundation, where she was previously Managing Editor of Sanctuary Asia and conducted events for children and educators. Miel was born in India, and has co-authored a children’s book on Mumbai as well as a travel book on Maharashtra. She now lives in Southern Ontario, Canada.

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