Uma'z Voice

I t all began in March 2024 , on what seemed like an ordinary workday. I was involved in a survey project that required home visits . It was there that I met someone — a woman full of warmth, strength, and something I couldn’t quite explain then. She had a deep and unwavering devotion to Hanuman Ji . I, on the other hand, wasn’t someone who deeply believed in any deity. I respected Shiv Ji and some others from a distance, but my real belief was in the power of the universe — nothing beyond, nothing specific. This woman, however, saw potential in me. She encouraged me to apply for the ICCR scholarship —something I hadn’t seriously considered before. She stayed beside me through the application process, offering her support while I filled in each detail. Her quiet encouragement meant more than she probably realized. As we continued the home visits, I started noticing something — in many of the homes , right at the entrance, there were photos or idols of Hanuman Ji . I saw it repeatedly,...

A few years ago, I became more concerned about health and fitness as part of my life because I realized that it’s essential to love myself first in order to be calm and strong. One incident made me start thinking seriously about weight loss when I noticed I had gained some weight. One day, I met a colleague at work who gently reminded me about it. That moment made me realize that I didn’t feel good about how I looked. Yes, I’m sorry to admit that I was affected by society’s views on appearance. I’m totally against body shaming, but I took it personally. I decided that staying fit would be good for my health — and of course, it would also help me feel more confident and stronger. After becoming more mindful about my health, I started exploring simple changes I could make in my everyday meals. One day, I came across oats — a food I had heard about many times but never really tried seriously. Out of curiosity, I started researching: What are oats? How are they processed? How can I eat ...