Kindness in Her Eyes, Fire in Her Soul – The Story of Chandrakala

She remembers every game, every moment. A sweet 70-year journey of strengths, kindness and quiet bravery. This is the story of Chandrakala—a 70-year-old woman whose life is as warm and comforting as the weather around her.

It is a breezy day in Nizamabad, the wind whistles gently through the trees, and light drizzle, bringing with it fresh, earthy scent of rain. The cold breeze makes everything feel peaceful and alive. Sitting by the window, wrapped in a soft shawl, is Chandrakala—a 70-year-old woman whose life story is as warm and comforting as the weather around her.

Born and raised in Nizamabad, a town in Telangana, Chandrakala has spent her life rooted in the soil of tradition, hard work, and deep respect for others. Her childhood was spent in the arms of nature, surrounded by green fields, tall trees, and the melody of birds. Back then, there were no big buildings or busy roads—only the quiet beauty of village life and the loving voices of family.

Chandrakala remembers her early days with great fondness. Life was simple, yet full of joy. She and her friends would spend hours playing games like hopscotch, skipping rope, four stones, and pachees - a traditional form of Ludo. These games brought endless fun and laughter.

“There was no homework, no pressure,” she smiles. “We just played from morning till evening, ran barefoot in the mud, and came home tired but happy.”

But life wasn’t always easy. One of the biggest challenges Chandrakala faced was in her education. During her childhood, all learning was in Telugu, and English was rarely taught. As she grew older, understanding English became a difficult task.

“I struggled a lot with English,” she says. “We didn’t have guides or help. Everything was in Telugu, so English felt like a different world.”

Despite these difficulties, she never gave up. Her strength came from the values her parents and grandparents had passed on—work hard, be respectful, and never lose your kindness.

Those teachings helped shape who she is. Even now, Chandrakala speaks softly but with confidence. Her life was built on patience, steady effort, and treating everyone with humanity. “My parents always said, be kind to everyone, no matter what,” she recalls.

Over the decades, she has seen the world change in ways she never imagined. From no electricity to having smartphones, from small mud homes to tall apartments—technology and buildings have transformed everything around her.

“In our days, we had only one television,” she says, laughing. “All family members would gather around it, share food, and watch together. It felt like a celebration every night.”

Today, what fills Chandrakala’s heart with the most joy is her granddaughter. Her eyes light up when she talks about her. “She is my happiness. Just being with her, talking to her, holding her hand—it means the world to me.” Chandrakala is deeply grateful for this special

bond, which brings her love, laughter, and purpose.

Now in her 70s, Chandrakala has learned the value of being calm, steady, and content. She no longer chases after what she doesn’t have. Instead, she cherishes what life has given her. “I don’t want to change anything in my life,” she says simply. “I am happy with what I have. I have love, memories, and peace—and that is enough.”

Her life is not made of grand events, but of small, meaningful moments: playing as a child, learning through challenges, gathering with family, and loving deeply. In a world that moves too fast, Chandrakala is a reminder of the beauty of living slow, staying true to one’s values, and finding joy in the little things.

As the wind continues to blow and the soft rain falls outside her window, Chandrakala sits quietly, smiling at the memories that fill her heart - and the love that still surrounds her.

Written by Ayushi

Ayushi wrote this article as a participant of the Media-Makers Fellowship's May'25 cohort.