Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

A wellness guide for inner peace

A wellness guide for inner peace

AUTHOR SWETA VIKRAM DISCUSSES HER NEW BOOK

A LIFE-THREATENING health crisis led acclaimed author Sweta Vikram towards writing her latest book A Piece of Peace.


The autobiographical collection of inspiring essays documents her journey from a near fatal disease to recovery through mindfulness and Ayurvedic healing. She describes the wellness guide as a path to inner peace and personal power for those feeling overwhelmed by the pandemic. This latest literary offering adds to the impressive number of books from the prolific New York-based writer.

Eastern Eye caught up with Sweta to discuss A Piece of Peace, the key life lessons it offers and advice for those going through difficulties.

What led towards you writing A Piece of Peace?

I wrote it to share my story, create a safe space for those struggling with chronic illness and life's battles, and remind people about the power of positivity, the magic of showing up, and much more. I also want to remind women to stop relying on people to build you up or tell your stories. Unexpressed stories, trauma in the body, and lack of self-care can wreak havoc on the body and your life.

Who are you hoping connects with the book?

I hope this book reminds people that they aren’t alone in their struggles and suffering. I hope it connects with anyone who is looking for accessible ways to understand healing, interesting ways to enhance their productivity and creativity, and nourishing ways to sustain a balanced life. This book will connect deeply with women, creative professionals, chronic illness warriors, those in high-stress jobs, and people curious about the mind-body connection.

What was the biggest challenge of writing it? 

Writing certain parts of this book meant reliving the physical and emotional agony of those days. Forgiving people along the way wasn’t easy either.

How does writing an empowering book like this compare to a novel?

All of my writings include a deep essence of wellness and women’s empowerment. All these

years, through my books, I have given a voice to other women’s stories or highlighted social issues. With A Piece of Peace, I tell my story and work as a guide. Writing non-fiction is definitely more nerve-wracking because you don’t have the mask of fiction/novel to hide behind.

Is there one key life lesson in the book that's closest to your heart?

Listen to your body. It communicates and there are signs when things aren’t working. Look at yourself as a whole, where the mind-body is connected. For example, you can eat the best locally sourced and organically grown meals, and workout six days a week. But if you don’t address stress, trauma, or a plethora of other issues plaguing your life, you can’t expect to feel 100 per cent.

What advice would you give those going through a difficult time?

The truth is life will continue to throw difficult situations at us; it’s up to each one of us how we handle the crisis. Get practices and rituals in place to nurture your health, creativity and relationships. No matter what happens, choose to stay kind because it helps you. Make time for self-care because it works as a soothing balm on a deep wound. Know that the hard times shall pass, but be discerning about who you let into your life or share your problems with when you are vulnerable.

What helped you most during your lowest point?

I believe that every experience happens for a reason. No one has it all good or all bad in their life. Having a positive mindset helped tremendously. I talked to a trusted few people during my lowest point. I also learned to befriend stillness and silence. When you surrender, you conserve energy. I constantly reminded myself that things would get better. And eventually, the ‘teacher’ would reveal the lesson I was supposed to learn from the experience.

Lead inse A Piece Of Peace copy

What inspires you?

I believe that inspiration is everywhere; in people, nature, books, on walks, in a cup of chai, and daily living. You have to want to see it!

What books do you enjoy reading?

I am a big supporter of books written by women authors. My love for reading has never changed but my taste in books keeps evolving. It’s often reflective of what I am going through or perhaps, exploring internally. Of late, non-fiction books that enrich our emotional and mental well-being have kept me interested.

What can we expect next from you? 

I started working on a new novel last year. You can expect fierce characters with a purpose and passion.

Why do you love being a writer?

Writing is how I navigate the world. Writing is as intuitive as breathing for me. On some days, writing allows me to give other women and their stories a voice; on some days, being a writer helps me manage my conundrums.

Why should we pick up your new book?

You should pick up the book because why wouldn’t you want to learn simple, accessible, and relatable tips and tricks to enhance your well-being, productivity, creativity, quality of your relationships, and life overall.

More For You

menstruation

The findings come from a UK survey of more than 12,000 women

iStock

Heavier bleeding and iron loss linked to long Covid in women, study finds

Highlights:

  • Survey of more than 12,000 UK women finds heavier, longer periods linked to long Covid
  • Symptom severity rises and falls across the menstrual cycle, worsening during periods
  • Tests reveal inflammation in womb lining and hormonal changes, but no damage to ovaries
  • Iron deficiency risk may exacerbate fatigue, dizziness and other common long Covid symptoms

Study highlights link between long Covid and menstrual changes

Women with long Covid are more likely to experience longer and heavier periods, putting them at increased risk of iron deficiency, researchers have found. The findings come from a UK survey of more than 12,000 women, which also showed that the severity of long Covid symptoms fluctuated across the menstrual cycle and often worsened during menstruation.

Findings from UK survey

Between March and May 2021, 12,187 women completed an online survey. Of these, more than 1,000 had long Covid, over 1,700 had recovered from the virus, and 9,400 had never tested positive. The study revealed that women with long Covid reported heavier and longer periods, as well as more frequent bleeding between cycles, compared with other groups.

Keep ReadingShow less
World Curry Festival 2025

The discovery coincides with Bradford’s City of Culture celebrations

World Curry Festival

Bradford’s first curry house traced back to 1942 ahead of World Curry Festival

Highlights:

  • Research for the World Curry Festival uncovered evidence of a curry house in Bradford in 1942.
  • Cafe Nasim, later called The Bengal Restaurant, is thought to be the city’s first.
  • The discovery coincides with Bradford’s City of Culture celebrations.
  • Festival events will include theatre, lectures, and a street food market.

Historic discovery in Bradford’s food heritage

Bradford’s claim as the curry capital of Britain has gained new historical depth. Organisers of the World Curry Festival have uncovered evidence that the city’s first curry house opened in 1942.

Documents revealed that Cafe Nasim, later renamed The Bengal Restaurant, once stood on the site of the current Kashmir Restaurant on Morley Street. Researcher David Pendleton identified an advert for the cafe in the Yorkshire Observer dated December 1942, describing it as “Bradford’s First Indian Restaurant”.

Keep ReadingShow less
​Dilemmas of dating in a digital world

We are living faster than ever before

AMG

​Dilemmas of dating in a digital world

Shiveena Haque

Finding romance today feels like trying to align stars in a night sky that refuses to stay still

When was the last time you stumbled into a conversation that made your heart skip? Or exchanged a sweet beginning to a love story - organically, without the buffer of screens, swipes, or curated profiles? In 2025, those moments feel rarer, swallowed up by the quickening pace of life.

Keep ReadingShow less
sugary drinks and ice cream

Researchers from the UK and US analysed data from American households between 2004 and 2019

iStock

Global warming may drive higher consumption of sugary drinks and ice cream, study warns

Highlights:

  • Hotter days linked to greater intake of sugary drinks and frozen desserts
  • Lower-income households most affected, research finds
  • Climate change could worsen health risks linked to sugar consumption
  • Study based on 15 years of US household food purchasing data

Sugary consumption rising with heat

People are more likely to consume sugary drinks and ice cream on warmer days, particularly in lower-income households, according to new research. The study warns that climate change could intensify this trend, adding to health risks as global temperatures continue to rise.

Sugar consumption is a major contributor to obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, and has surged worldwide in recent decades. The findings, published in Nature Climate Change, suggest that rising heat could be nudging more people towards high-sugar products such as soda, juice and ice cream.

Keep ReadingShow less
Camellia Panjabi's cookbook elevates
vegetables from sides to stars

Camellia Panjabi (Photo: Ursula Sierek)

Camellia Panjabi's cookbook elevates vegetables from sides to stars

RESTAURATEUR and writer Camellia Panjabi puts the spotlight on vegetables in her new book, as she said they were never given the status of a “hero” in the way fish, chicken or prawns are.

Panjabi’s Vegetables: The Indian Way features more than 120 recipes, with notes on nutrition, Ayurvedic insights and cooking methods that support digestion.

Keep ReadingShow less