42 Comments
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Deepika Khatri's avatar

Shreya, you speak for so many of us, of what this community has done for us and continues to do. 2024 was the first year since OSC started that I wasn't able to be a face in a zoom window and I feel that absence so strongly. Your essay reminded me that it doesn't matter, that we are all held, sometimes from afar, through writing like this. Thank you for your generosity of mentioning me in this and for the kindness with which you already read.

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Shreya's avatar

Thank you Deepika! Indeed, we are all held by OSC, irrespective of life getting in the way 💜

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Koyel Lahiri's avatar

Every word, Shreya <3 <3 <3

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Shreya's avatar

Koyel!!! Biggest hugs💙💙💙

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Sharmada's avatar

Shreya, this was so beautiful and very touching. With so much kind and gentle attention!! Keep writing and hope to write with you one day! The Ochre Sky Community is such a gift :)

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Shreya's avatar

Thank you Sharmada — always enlivened by fellow writers here, and especially those from Ochre Sky! 💕

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Khyati Parekh's avatar

Thank you Shreya, for writing for all of us....for your kind and gentle and generous reading and words....❤️❤️❤️

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Shreya's avatar

Thank you Khyati. Your kindness and generosity impel me forward — it was a joy to have shared the (virtual) space with you; responded to your evocative writing. ♥️♥️♥️

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Reema Ahmad's avatar

Reading this essay brought back so many memories and feelings. Like a mirror we look at, to remember who we are, what shapes we take as the light changes, a reflection really, of all our selves.

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Shreya's avatar

Truly. The capsule of the workshop will always be a precious container of moments and memories.... 💜

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Reema Ahmad's avatar

I am sure your presence is a shade vibrant and tender on our shared Ochre Sky. Thank you for reminding us all how we got here Shreya. And for reading me 🌻.

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Shreya's avatar

Thank you for your kindness and resonant words, Reema! 💗

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Charulatha Banerjee's avatar

Thank you Shreya for reading and writing with so much attention and affection. it is more than a writing workshop- I called it a gentle exorcism recently. I am so glad you found this space early and when you needed it.

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Shreya's avatar

Thank you Charulatha 💕 For your care and attention with your words. Your warmth. It really is a gentle exorcism of sorts. It came at just the right time, serendipitously so. 🌟

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Kanchan Balani's avatar

Thank you for sharing this, Shreya! Deeply touched. ‘Meeting’ you through Ochre Sky has been such a gift - truly a community that continues to give in unexpected ways ♥️

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Shreya's avatar

Likewise, Kanchan – it is a gift that never stops giving. ♥️

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Devika gayi ghum(ne)'s avatar

You wrote for all of us Shreya! How deeply are we indebted to this community 💜💜💜

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Shreya's avatar

Forever indebted and so much more. Thank you for your words Devika. Glad to know and share our writing here. 💙💙💙

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Nikita's avatar

I am at a loss for words. Your writing made me realise how the workshop has resulted in some fundamental, soul-stirring realisations for me. It has indeed been a gift. The workshop. Natasha and Raju. The community. Our vulnerabilities and how safe it felt to share them. All of it. Thank you so much for writing this. It is a blessing and serendipity to know you and share with you. <3

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Shreya's avatar

Yes Nikita. I echo your feelings completely. And the fact that it came at such an opportune time for me – alleviating that claustrophobic loneliness – makes it all the more special. Much love. 💕

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Mukta Naik's avatar

Thank you for writing what so many of us have felt Shreya!

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Shreya's avatar

I am glad you liked it, Mukta :)

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Meghna Singhee's avatar

For me it was like the guy you didn't know you needed. You wanted something else and you got what you needed. Fate works in the best ways sometimes. Got to hear and meet and be seen and held by Natasha and Raju and YOU! Your ability to be generous and moved is something special. Look forward to catching up in India.

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Shreya's avatar

It was serendipitous in the very best way – your kindness, and your astounding way witn words, is an inspiration for us all. 💕

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Raju Tai's avatar

I want to hug each paragraph separately!! Not only does it appreciate the long-brewing work of this writing community, it shows us the way forward, to keep passing the torch and extend psychological safety. Thank you for this gift. 🌈

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Shreya's avatar

Thank you!!!! 💙💙💙

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Alaknanda Sengupta's avatar

Love and Zoom windows! You have accomplished a mammoth task in putting down in words what most of us can only feel and wonder and wonder over. This is such a beautiful tribute to the magic of Natasha and Raju and the Ochre Sky space. Hugs and hugs🤗🤗🤗🤗 And thank you for reading with love! 🩷🩷🩷

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Shreya's avatar

All the hugs right back, Alaknanda💖💖💖🥰🥰🥰

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Shalini Puri's avatar

Shreya you write for each one of us in the magical ochre sky community, across cohorts. You have captured all that we feel too. The flow of your words beautiful.

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Shreya's avatar

Shalini, it really is such a wonderful community! 💖

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Doel's avatar

Such a lovely tribute to the magic of Ochre Sky! You have said it with such moving words, Shreya. And thank you for the generous mention, among writers I look up to so much! 💖 Ochre Sky has been life-changing for me too!

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Shreya's avatar

Thank you! Truly, I am glad to have found all of you here. It feels like a blessing 🥰

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