To Betsy Ma'am, With Love!

 

It’s a matter of sheer happiness to share this picture of me holding Sustainable Subjectivities. What adds to my joy is seeing my award-winning research paper find its place in this wonderful compilation. My heartfelt thanks to my dearest Betsy Ma’am for sending the book so promptly. I truly cherish the beautiful friendship that has blossomed between us in such a short span of time. Sujeeth and I thank you honestly for making our rendezvous so special. Above all, this award and this book hold an even more special place in my heart because the very first book my little Anvik learned to recognise was none other than To Sir, with Love.
 
To Betsy Ma’am, with love. See you again!

When Happiness Happens!

 

On a topic like literature and happiness, especially at one’s most unhappy moments, creativity seems to flow more freely. It feels cathartic, a kind of escapism into worlds we may not even belong to. Thank you, I&PRD, Government of Kerala, for this opportunity. I miss my journalism days a lot. Writing is the only art that truly makes me feel alive.

A heartfelt thanks to my lovely family crew. Above all, love to my warrior and our little warrior for letting me wander in pursuit of my creative lunacies. I dedicate my “Literature and Happiness” to my cheerleaders, Sujeeth and Anvik Sujeeth!

PS: Posting it a bit late

TMYS Writing Talent Award!

Some things come as quiet surprises, brimming with the power to cheer and inspire. Thank you soooo much, TMYS Review, for honouring me with the Writing Talent Award. When many things and people tend to demotivate and disappoint us to the heights, we fail to follow the heights of our passions and creative pursuits. A budding writer is also an author in the making. I find myself thinking this often.  I take an instant to thank my utmost loving family members, my chivalrous Darcy, his friends, and my darling little Anvik for always inspiring me. Thank you for the love and faith! Honoured and humbled by this cute token of appreciation.

Saving Walden's World!

 

Jim Merkel Sir,

It is a matter of genuine pride to meet the American author, former military engineer, and award-winning documentary filmmaker, Mr. Jim Merkel. I consider it an honour to have been invited to deliver a review talk on his commendable documentary, # Saving Walden’s World. The nostalgic recollections of my IDSFFK and those action packed bygone Journalism days knocked my filmy scapes once again.Indeed, a change is taking place somewhere, perhaps too slow and small. Crisscrossing the thresholds of Kerala, Cuba, and Slovenia, the documentary powerfully unearths the vision of sustainable development, with a special emphasis on the progress and empowerment of women. It is truly worth watching. Many more laurels await you, Sir. Above all, I was deeply touched by the name Walden. Your son’s name took me back to my memorable days as a master’s student at the University of Hyderabad, where I was introduced to the renowned American Transcendentalist, Henry David Thoreau, and his Walden: “I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately.”I sincerely hope that your Walden’s fears will fade and that Walden’s World will indeed be saved. May this documentary enrich and enlighten young minds, inspiring them towards a sustainable future!

Praise for my Suitcases, Sandcastles, and Little Anvik by the Indian Author, Sheela Tomy

Finally, we met again. Two minutes of the Vande Bharat halt at Quilon railway station was capable of bestowing yet another red-letter moment for me. It was indeed a privilege to present my travelogue (printed version) to Sheela Tomy Madam. Thank you for being so supportive ever since the initial phase of my writing, my dearest Madam. Thank you a ton for revealing the cover page, along with yet another well-known writer, K.A. Beena Ma'am. Sharing the praise penned by this lovely Wayanadan soul in my Suitcases, Sandcastles and Little Anvik.

 

“Join a mother, her Navy husband, and their little bundle of joy, baby Anvik, as they journey through some of India’s most soulful landscapes; from the sun-kissed beaches of Andaman to the vibrant cities of Hyderabad, Kolkata, Bangalore and Goa, and we can join little Anvik’s pilgrimage to Dhanushkodi, Rameswaram & Palani. Told with tenderness, honesty, and an eye for life’s quiet wonders, this is not a travelogue, but it’s a heartfelt attempt to re-create and re-live the most treasured moments of life. With every turn of the page, we are invited into the warmth of shared laughter, the chaos of travelling with a toddler, and the deep love that binds this young family together. It is not just about destinations, but about the little in-between moments, the giggles, the wonder, the shared silences that make memories timeless. This is a journey of more than just miles; it is a celebration of love, parenthood, and the magic of being together.”  - Sheela Tomy, Indian Novelist and Short Story Writer.

Ammamozhi and the Sweet Reminiscence

It is a matter of profound delight to see my article alongside the renowned galaxy of creative intelligentsia. I feel privileged to receive a byline for my write-up on translation in the anthology of selected essays, "Ammamozhi: Madhurasmrithi" released on Kerala Piravi day by the respected Chief Minister of Kerala. Thanking I and PRD, Government of Kerala, profusely for yet another Kerala Piravi surprise. For me, it is so special to see my name and article with the great writers I adore and admire. Thanks a ton, Prof. Annakutty Chechy, for sharing your thoughts on translation and translating K. Satchidanandan Mash and Sugathakumari teacher. Truly blessed to have some cherishing moments in your creative Tower of Babel. Above all, I am immensely glad that the academic interaction flourished in a sincere friendship extending to my family, too. Last but not least, my chivalrous man, for planning and executing the trip to have a glimpse of our little Anvik's German Muthassi ( a Christmas friend who came all the way from Germany with a racing car toy for our darling boy). Thank you for the surprises ( as surprising as your annual leave, my Pathi Parameswar😃) Paapa and Unkil- kein problem, do give the article Chechy gave, you guys, for me (at least now😄😄). Yet another delayed post from me to my sweet blog!

Mobility, Motherhood, and Memory : Yet Another Review of my Suitcases, Sandcastles, and Little Anvik

“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one’s lifetime.”

~ Mark Twain, The Innocents Abroad (1869)

In her debut travelogue, Suitcases, Sandcastles, and Little Anvik: A Travelogue (Writers International Edition, 2024), Dr. Aparna Ajith reinterprets the transformative potential of travel articulated by Twain, framing it within the intimate confines of a young naval family’s relocations across India. Comprising twenty-two chapters over 244 pages, the work chronicles the journeys of the author, her navy husband, Sujeeth, whose postings drive the family’s mobility, and their young son Anvik, endearingly referred to as Kunjapp. Through vivid depictions of diverse Indian locales, from the serene hills of Kodaikanal to the vibrant islands of Andaman and Nicobar, Ajith weaves a narrative that transcends conventional travel writing by integrating personal reflections on motherhood, familial resilience, and the preservation of memory amid transience.

The structural framework of the book enhances its thematic coherence. Preceded by endorsements from prominent figures in literature, film, and academia, such as National Award-winning filmmaker Dr. Santwana Bardoloi and poet Johanna D.S. Chittranjan, the volume includes a foreword, biography, preface, and acknowledgements. These paratextual elements establish a scholarly and appreciative context, positioning the travelogue as a bridge between personal memoir and broader cultural discourse. Dr.Santwana Bardoloi, commends Dr. Aparna’s “inimitable style” and profound affection for places and people, while Chittranjan notes the author’s capacity to evoke unfamiliar territories through keen observation. Such accolades highlight the work’s interdisciplinary resonance, appealing to readers interested in pedagogy, cinema, and literary studies. Thank you, Literary Vibes for publishing my travelogue's review. To read more, please check Vibes website...

My Inheritance of Longing

“Some wishes are only there to teach us how to wait”, says the writer cum speaker, Mandy Hale. When you wait for someone or something, you can never measure the length of that ongoing phenomenon. Those profound yearnings teach us to fall and feel for the art of waiting. I, too, have experienced that rhythm of longing. I have already crisscrossed many waiting moments during the pages and stages of my life. I, too, have nurtured a plethora of wishes since my childhood, which have fashioned wings for me to soar across the fictional sky of longing. I do not know where or how to begin my affiliation with the wonderland of wishes. I am extremely flummoxed. So, let me take a walk down the shadow lane of the remembrance of things past.

Thank you TM your Story team for publishing my short story " The Inheritance of Longing". I am chuffed to say that I have penned the inheritance and the baton I have passed on to my darling Little Anvik. Those who wish to read my short story can access it online. The compulsive writer in me has written my confessions or calmness. I do not know how to decipher it.

Suitcases, Sandcastles, and Little Anvik : Kerala Tourism Magazine's Review

 

Thank you, Kerala Tourism Magazine, for featuring the review of my Suitcases, Sandcastles, and Little Anvik: A Travelogue. It is really an honour to have my maiden non-creative fiction acknowledged on such a respected platform. I am grateful to Prof. Irene Madam for writing this touching review. Those interested in reading the review of my book can check the Magazine.

Suitcases, Sandcastles, and Little Anvik : All the way from Nikhil's Pune

 

When I see you holding my Suitcases, Sandcastles, and Little Anvik, all the way from your IISER Pune lab, I really run short of words, my surrogate brother. I miss and cherish our sincere days and moments of togetherness in the royal desert. You were and are always kind to listen to my amateur dreams, my vision, and passion for the life I fantasised. Thank you for being honest and loyal in the way, you treat me as always. I do miss you, da. Still, we could connect online and offline despite all the hectic work schedules. I am really grateful that you managed to pay a visit to my home and lavish a great time for all of us. Above all, thank you for showing the affection and magnanimity to meet us at our Steak House. I am glad that I could sketch you in one of my stories. You remain extremely special in the pages and the stages of my life book. We look forward to meeting you with the prefix, my dearest Nikhil, my Kunjapp's Nikhil Unkil!

Certificate of Merit: An honour as well as a Surprise

 

I am extremely excited to see my name in the Certificate of Merit list of the 6th Chidananda Dasgupta Memorial Competition for Best Film Criticism. I am neither a film scholar nor a film researcher. I am an amateur author with all my flaws, too. I just love and fall for the flicks that resonate with my domains of expertise. Honoured and humbled! Thank you, FIPRESCI, for this surprise. It's truly a recognition for a person far away from the domains and spheres of film. Thanks and love to my darling husband, my sweet little Anvik, PaapaUnkil and Achan Amma for the support and motivation. Love and hugs to my crew!

My Travelogue's Review from the Andaman Islands

 Thank you sooo much, Preeth Ji, for this lovely review. I am profoundly delighted to share that my book review was published from the Andaman Islands. Preeth Ji writes

"The book opens with a structural elegance that mirrors the fluidity of travel itself. Following a series of endorsements from luminaries such as National Award-winning filmmaker Dr. Santwana Bardoloi and poet Johanna D.S. Chittranjan, Dr Aparna presents a foreword, biography, preface, and acknowledgements before plunging into the journeys. This paratextual apparatus serves not merely as formality but as a framing device, positioning the travelogue within a continuum of literary appreciation. Bardoloi praises the “inimitable style” and “overwhelming love and passion for people and their places.” At the same time, Chittranjan highlights the author’s ability to transport readers to “hitherto unknown territories” through vivid observation. Such commendations, drawn from a spectrum of artistic and academic voices, underscore the work’s interdisciplinary appeal, bridging literature, cinema, and pedagogy.

Dr Aparna’s narrative commences with “Flight at 0.8,” a chapter that captures the exhilaration and trepidation of air travel with an infant. The title alludes to the Mach speed of commercial aircraft, a clever nod to the family’s naval affiliations and the accelerated pace of modern mobility. Here, Dr. Aparna describes the sensory overload of airports and the quiet heroism of parental vigilance: the careful packing of suitcases, the construction of ephemeral sandcastles on distant beaches, and the anchoring presence of little Anvik amid constant upheaval."

To read the full review, check Andaman Chronicle https://andamanchronicle.net/ephemeral-itineraries-family-mobility-and-memory-in-dr-aparna-ajiths-suitcases-sandcastles-and-little-anvik/

A Strange Coincidence!!

I met my dearest Sheela Tomy Madam, finally! That was a true coincidence. In the words of my publisher, Preeth Ji -  

" In a moment of quiet grace and literary kinship, the COVER PAGE of SUITCASES, SANDCASTLES, AND LITTLE ANVIK: A TRAVELOGUE BY DR. APARNA AJITH was unveiled by two of India’s acclaimed authors—K.A. BEENA and SHEELA TOMY.

K.A. Beena, who has written the book’s enchanting foreword, and Sheela Tomy, who contributes a captivating blurb, came together to honour this deeply personal and evocative work. Their gesture added warmth to an already luminous occasion.

To mark the moment, both authors presented copies of their latest works to Dr. Aparna Ajith. K.A. Beena gifted Aa Kasera Aarudethanu, and Sheela Tomy offered Kilinochiyile Shalabhangal, a quiet exchange of words, wisdom, and mutual admiration.

SUITCASES, SANDCASTLES, AND LITTLE ANVIK is a travelogue unlike any other—interweaving journeys through sacred landscapes with the inner terrain of motherhood, memory, and quiet transformation. Across twenty-two stories, Dr Aparna Ajith captures life in motion: tender, uncertain, and filled with wonder."

This is not just a travelogue—it is a quiet awakening, a sacred serenade to the seen and unseen. Order your copy and step into a world where love travels in whispers, and time unfolds in the footsteps of a child.

Releasing the cover page of my book

Though my post is very late, I am glad that Preeth Ji, as usual, is prompt in posting all the updates about my travelogue. When I happened to come across both motivational authors together, I had no better plans other than arranging a small release of the cover page. My dream did work out. Thank you sooo much for this lovely pic and the touching words. Loads of love to Sheela Ma'am for the support and cheerful words. I am humbled!

In the Fading Shades of Goa

 

In the fading shades of Goa, my cutie lives,

A cornucopia of memories, he daily weaves

Unaware of the unexpected sojourn

Unmindful of the unruly moments in the pattern

All set to travel anytime

Kunjapp in the sweet memoirs of Goan time

The tiny one in the infant to toddler stage

Is unfurling a novel life’s page

Withering are the gone days

Blooming are the new ways

It is time to bid adieu

From the accustomed earth to something new

                                                                          The Portuguese city of beaches and sea waves

                                                                          Shacks and snacks, he often craves

                                                                         Will those days remain in his memory?

                                                                          My darling infant, I really worry

                                                                           It is going to be tomorrow’s history

                                                                           For me, it is his treasured newborn story.

To read my full poem, please check the Vibes Literary Website. Thanks a lot for publishing this ( yet another delayed post)

Praise for my Travelogue by Vinita Agrawal Madam

 

Suitcases, Sandcastles, and Little Anvik is a delightful work of non-fiction penned by a Navy wife and a new mother, stationed at fascinating places like Kodaikanal, Tilari Dam, Kolkata, Havelock Islands, and Port Blair, to name a few. Aparna Jeeth writes this memoir with infectious ardour and genuine fervour. There is a lovely innocence underlying the narration of incidents. This travelogue-cum-motherhood-cum-memoir is fun and relatable! She engages the reader with guileless forthrightness. A most cheerful and congenial read!’ – 

Vinita Agrawal, Indian Poet, Writer, and Editor

Thank you so much, Vinita Ma'am for this lovely blurb. Thanks a lot for sharing the pic holding my precious travelogue.

Turtledove's Sunrise Serenade and Me!

 My dearest Johanna Ma'am,

                                             It is an honour to be a part of your touching poetry anthology by writing a blurb for it. Thank you so much for giving a space for my words and photo in the cover page of your poignant poetry collection, Turtledove's Sunrise Serenade. We are beyond grateful to you for the love and affection, you always bestow on us. For the lovely presence, affectionate words and sincerest laughter of conversations, we love you so much, my loving little Anvi Chellam's Jonaa Aunty!

I am pretty sure, the readers will  definitely fall for your word smithy and your raw emotion. Long way to go. My sincere best wishes, my darling sister, friend and guide! Love you soooo so much, Jonaa Aunty!

My Travelogue is out now!

Suitcases, Sandcastles, and Little Anvik: A Travelogue is my humble and honest endeavour to re-create and re-live the best-loved moments of my life alongside my husband and our darling boy baby. My creative smithy has unfurled what I have sensed, felt, and experienced in my real life as the mother of my little marvel. Having called four Indian cities and a serene hamlet my home, my stories carry the echoes of our days, filled with laughter, wonder, and the silent rhyme of everyday life. Each story is a fragment of my tiny world, a reflection of the love especially I share with the tiny soul I was blessed to bring into this world. Through these pages, I tried to make the readers witness the remarkable phases and faces of the travelling experiences that shaped us. All the narratives in this travelogue portray my tiny world in words with my loving husband, M.N.Sujeeth, and our precious tiny human being, Anvik aka Kunjapp. It is time for my readers now to go through the remarkable phases and faces we have encountered in our lives. Hereby, I offer my Suitcases, Sandcastles, and Little Anvik to the passionate readers. Thanks for picking up my book. May you find warmth, love, and a piece of your own story within these pages. Enjoy reading!

Dear readers, grab your copies online via Amazon....

 

Suhasini, the Smiling Presence

 I am coming up with yet another delayed post. It is a matter of profound happiness to receive an invitation to be a part of the Kerala State Film Policy Conclave 2025. In the galaxy of filmy intelligentsia and the glory of auteur discourses, I was sooo so excited to meet and click a picture with the acting queen I have admired since my school days. The images of the loyal wife, lover and daughter have always inspired and instilled in me a longing to have a glimpse of that eternal smiling persona. Her 'nettiyil poovulla swarna chirakulla pakshi' always sings my sweetest songs capable of murmuring all my inner pangs. Thanks a lot for this pic, Madam. The lamp and the light in the images of wife allure me every now and then. The rainbow in search of the flower whistles umpteen aspiring dreams. I don't have a count for the repeat mode of all these emotions. I feel privileged to be a part of the Film Policy sessions as an invited person despite my humble background, far removed from the grandeur of the celluloid imageries and glossy spaces. A social media reclusive being like me never felt like celebrating this pic anywhere but my space of my own space remains solely for me. The venue turned up to be a gathering to meet and greet good old friends who bestowed grand moments worth remembering.  Good Day!

Travelling through the pages of my Suitcases, Sandcastles, and Little Anvik

The birth of a child marks the beginning of a mother as well. A new journey of life begins here. A mother’s aspirations and aims gradually shift toward the life of her darling baby held close to her. The child becomes the focus of her journeys. In this process, the mother often finds her own life taking a quieter, supporting role. The journey with a baby companion can feel more precious and meaningful than any trips enjoyed before. In the warmth of these moments, a mother experiences the world anew through her child. Suitcases, Sandcastles, and Little Anvik, published by Writers International Edition, is a book that captures the travel stories of one such mother and her adorable baby, Kunjapp, also known as Anvik Sujeeth.  

Thank you, The Aidem, for giving a space for my humble creative non-fiction. I express my gratitude to K.A. Beena Ma'am, Indian Author, Journalist, and Columnist, for this touching presentation. To read the full article, please check the link:

https://theaidem.com/travelling-through-the-pages-of-suitcases-sandcastles-and-little-anvi/

My Suitcases, Sandcastles, and Little Anvik!

 I am absolutely thrilled to announce the launch of my book, Suitcases, Sandcastles, and Little Anvik: A Travelogue! 

According to Writers International Edition, this book is “a masterpiece that blends the intimacy of travel with the universality of human experience.” Grateful for all the love and support that made this day a reality!

𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗠𝗠𝗘

• Release of the Book: G. R. Indugopan

Indian Author, Screenwriter, Director & Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award Winner

• Receiving the Book: Navamy Sudhish

Principal Correspondent, The Hindu, Kollam Bureau

• Introduction: Dr. Anakha Ajith

Content Writer & Former Guest Faculty, University of Hyderabad

Felicitations:

• T. Sathikumar – I&PRD, Government of Kerala

• Binu Edanad – State Committee Member, PuKaSa

Response Address: Dr. Aparna Ajith

Date: 13 September 2025

Venue: Press Club, Kollam