Points of view

A space to share your feedback. Over to you.

WOMEN ON TOP (BEST LETTER)
It was quite amazing to read about women entrepreneurs Miss Malini and Nina Keneally (Apr 1), who are doing what they love and managing to make a living out of it too. That, in my book, is stupendous!
As much as we would like to deny, it is a given that most people are curious about the private lives of public figures. As American actor Will Rogers put it, "The only time people dislike gossip is when you gossip about them." Miss Malini, with her astute business sense, took advantage of the rapid burst of technology and social media, and the rest is history.
It also takes courage to chart one's own path in untrodden territories. Though Nina's career as 'mum-for-hire' sounds a bit strange, it makes perfect sense when you think about it. It is a sad reflection of our times that we are so caught up in the rat race, we neither have the time nor patience to reach out and be there for our family and friends. This 'Mum to all', with her previous experience as a counsellor, is a perfect fit in the scenario.
I wish these fabulous femmes oodles of luck. Let them not only reap success in their chosen professions, but also inspire us ordinary mortals to be courageous in treading off the beaten path - to create jobs that we love and ones the world needs. - Sreeja K! 
Congratulations on your winning entry, Sreeja K! We will BE IN TOUCH with you shortly. 
» MUM ADVICE TO GO, PLEASE
I couldn't stop myself from writing a little something about the wonderful feature on Nina Keneally (Mother-for-hire knows best, Apr 1). As a 22-year old living in this success-crazed world, facing rejection and failure is something I am well accustomed to.
No matter how supportive a family you have, there are moments when their love veils their ability to be rational, and they cannot look at the big picture or think beyond conventional ways. Can we blame them for this? Not at all. I guess that's when a mother-for-hire (however comical that may sound!) comes into the picture. As Nina says, sometimes all you need is a person who will listen. It's not the advice that we crave - it's someone who will lend us a sympathetic ear and a shoulder to cry on.
From having to decide between numerous degrees, to managing heartbreak and unemployment, youngsters usually have a lot going on in their lives. So, who better than a maternal figure to give us unbiased advice, and remind us not to take ourselves so seriously?
Thank you for this heart-warming feature. It certainly brightened my weekend! -Sruthi Premlal, by email
As we embark on new adventures, we tend to leave a part of ourselves behind. Most people who move away start missing home at some point, no matter how exciting their new lives may be. At times like these, it is not at all uncommon for people to break down. However, with the social stigma attached to mental illness, booking an innocuous visit to a psychiatrist is not always the best plan. I was pleasantly surprised by the article on Nina Keneally, who is doing an excellent job (Mother-for-hire knows best, Apr 1). Her service stands apart from psychiatry, self-help and general mentorship and it also gives people exactly what they want - someone to listen to their problems. After all, everybody needs someone to lean on. - Suhaila Shakiah, by email
» MISS BLOGGYWOOD
We always read about Bollywood stars, cricketers or the latest fashion trends, but rarely do we get a peek into the lives of those who bring us this news. MissMalini.com is a website that I regularly visit to find movie reviews and the latest gossip about the stars ("80% of the gossip I know, I could never tell you", Apr 1). But I rarely thought about the woman herself - someone who is young and getting so far ahead in her career. Not all movie buffs can turn their passion for writing into a feasible career, just like all bloggers - who seem to be a dime a dozen today - can't dish out relevant information. A huge shout out to Sujata Assomull for writing this inspiring article about a woman who converted her passion for Page Three activities to a profession so viable, she is now a part of the entertainment industry herself! - Tasneem Virpurwala, by email
» FASCINATING KENYA
Steeped in history, full of natural beauty and renowned for refining its rustic ambience, Kenya makes for a picture-perfect tourists' paradise (Kenya: The Africa of your dreams, Apr 1). After reading the article, it was clear why it came to be regarded as the 'Jewel of East Africa', and I absolutely cannot wait to go there and check out the 'greatest wildlife show on earth'. There's nothing quite like travel to keep the mind refreshed and the soul happy. - Jayashree Kulkarni, by email