I shifted from the Gulf to India in 2015. I found it hard to fit in at school as people were very modern in Muscat. I was brought up as a very traditional girl and I used to go to school oiling and braiding my hair with traditional Indian artefacts. People couldn’t accept me and I was bullied a lot there. When I moved to Chennai, I was bullied for a whole new reason – I would always speak my heart out without thinking too much.

I had bad friends and ended up with a lot of insecurities. Back in eleventh grade, I made a good friend who told me to be strong and open about things without submitting to anyone. I should have the courage to embrace my identity and speak about things that need to be spoken about without seeking validation. I am a Hindu who wants to show my identity on my forehead – it is okay to show people how you want to live and show your identity with pride.

Social media has changed the way we think and people show a different version of their lives online. In real life as well, we seek validation and think we need to live in a certain way. We always put our best foot forward and hide the difficulties we are going through. I am a victim of bullying and let me tell you, it is not the same as teasing. It has changed the way I perceive life – the way I think, the way I act, and the way I am.