By: Mohnish Singh
Known for her praise-worthy performances in such notable Hindi films as Dev D (2009), Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011), and Waiting (2015), actress Kalki Koechlin is set to add a new feather to her cap. Publisher Penguin Random House India announced on the eve of International Mother’s Day on May 9 Koechlin’s debut as a writer with The Elephant In The Womb, a memoir on motherhood.
Commenting on the experience and inspiration, Koechlin said, “While I was struggling with my pregnancy and my new role as a mother, it was my friends who helped me. They shared their rough times and dark phases and how they got through it with laughter and contemplation, and that helped me more than those who spoke only of the glorious, blessed babe in arms that brought light into their lives.”
The Elephant In The Womb is a combination of personal essays and think-pieces. Illustrated by Ukrainian artist Valeriya Polyanychko, it is a book on pregnancy and parenting that is going to help a lot of mothers, expectant mothers, and anyone even thinking about motherhood.
Illustrator Valeriya Polyanychko said, “We often take motherhood for granted and assume that it is something that just happens. Kalki's book uses quick wit and a sense of humour to take the reader down the long and winding road of parenting. Not only did Kalki's emotional journey deeply resonate with me, but illustrating this book has also been one of the most profound and enriching experiences I have ever had.”
Kalki Koechlin was last seen in the Tamil-language anthology film Paava Kadhaigal, which had its direct-to-digital premiere on Netflix. It marked her debut in Kollywood. Keep visiting this space over and again for more updates and reveals from the world of entertainment.
FILE PHOTO: A general view shows British Steel's Scunthorpe plant, in Scunthorpe, northern England, Britain, March 31, 2025. REUTERS/Dominic Lipinski
The FBU is planning to introduce new internal policies and wants the TUC to take action as well. (Representational image: iStock)
FBU chief raises concern over rise in racist online posts by union members
THE FIRE Brigades Union (FBU) and other trade unions are increasingly concerned about a rise in racist and bigoted online comments by their own members and officials, according to Steve Wright, the FBU’s new general secretary, speaking to the Guardian.
Wright said internal inquiries have revealed dozens of cases involving members using racist slurs or stereotypes, often aimed at asylum seekers.
He said similar issues were reported in other unions, prompting a joint campaign to counter false narratives around immigration and race promoted by far-right groups online.
“People with far-right views are becoming more brazen in what they do on social media, and I’ve witnessed it with my own union around disciplinary cases and the rhetoric of some of our own members,” Wright said to the newspaper.
He added, “Some of our members and sometimes our reps have openly made comments which are racist and bigoted. In my time in the fire service, that has gone up.”
The FBU is planning to introduce new internal policies and wants the TUC to take action as well. A formal statement addressing far-right narratives will be launched at the union’s annual conference in Blackpool next month.
Wright cited the influence of social media and figures like Donald Trump and Nigel Farage as factors contributing to these incidents. “It feels like an itch that we’ve got to scratch,” he said.
The FBU barred a former official last year for allegedly endorsing racist content on X, including posts from Britain First and Tommy Robinson.
Wright also warned that the union could strike if the government moves to cut frontline fire services.