The Thought Vault

Growing up in America with Indian roots means living between two worlds, one filled with the traditions my parents grew up with, and another shaped by the fast-paced, modern culture around me. Some days, it feels like I’m walking a tightrope between both. I listen to Bollywood music one minute and pop songs the next. I eat samosas after school and pizza for dinner. And when Diwali comes around, my house glows with diyas, while my friends talk about Halloween costumes. At firs

Every year, my family celebrates Navratri, and for me, it’s not just a festival. It’s a time to feel the rhythm of the universe, to...

A lot of people believe that if you focus on yourself, it means you are cutting yourself off from everyone else. They see personal growth...

Over the weekend, my family visited the aquarium to celebrate my older brother’s birthday. It was a joyful day, many amazing sights were...

Dignity isn’t always something you give someone, it's something you recognize. Too often, people who are different,  who may communicate...

I am painting this Gecko using the aboriginal dot method. Each dot alone is only a dot, but together, they form a picture. Some dots are...

Balance has never come easily to me. My mind tends to race, thoughts competing for attention, often all at once. As a writer, this can be...

For a long time, people looked at me and saw silence. They thought I didn’t have much to say just because I don’t speak with my mouth...

The journey toward independence for neurodivergent individuals is anything but linear. It twists and turns, shifting with each new...

Reflecting on holiday and birthday celebrations has prompted a realization that I am vastly different than Arjun from 2024, and 2023, and...

Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit, I rode this! I recently turned 14, and it was my best birthday yet. I feel this way every year, time that...

What do you want mainstream audiences to do with the information they are learning about you and your peers? Apply it. The deep sadness...

As the holidays come to an end, I find myself reflecting on what truly makes this time special. For me, the greatest gift isn’t wrapped...