🫖 Sips of Reality: A Reflective Series Index Page 

My Journey Through the Layers of Casteism

A quiet cup inviting reflection - each sip revealing a deeper social truth.

Introduction

Casteism is not just a social system.

It is an experience - slowly tasted, silently endured, deeply remembered.

Some call it tradition.

Some call it identity.

Some call it unavoidable.

But for those who have lived through its many layers,

it becomes a series of bitter, sweet, confusing, and awakening sips.

This series is not written from books, statistics, or borrowed opinions.

It flows from lived reality - from my eyes, ears, memories, and reflections.

From remote villages to South Mumbai,

from district boards to international universities,

from childhood innocence to adult self-realisation.

These six writings are six sips of the same cup - 

each revealing a different taste of casteism: raw, mixed, filtered, sugar-coated, and finally, diluted.

This is not a series to accuse or divide.

It is a series to observe, understand, and introspect.

A gentle mirror placed before society - 

and also before myself.

Index of the Series

(Links will be active as each part is polished and republished)

🫖 Sip 1 - The Bitter Beginning

Where Caste First Touched Humanity

Untouchability, separate wells, separate utensils, temple restrictions,

and the silent acceptance of inequality.

The root where the poison first entered social life.

Link: https://mathivationhub.blogspot.com/2026/01/sip-1-bitter-beginning.html

🫖 Sip 2 - The Raw Aftertaste

Power, Politics & Silent Humiliation

Developed villages, elections, public equality, private discrimination.

Caste softens for votes and hardens for daily life.

🫖 Sip 3 - The Sweetened Poison

When Convenience Softens Conscience

Tea shops serve all, homes don’t.

Children play together, families remain divided.

Change appears - but only when convenient.

🫖 Sip 4 - The Filtered Cup

Urban Life, Surnames & Silent Profiling

Cities promise freedom, yet caste travels quietly through introductions,

education, workplaces, and surnames.

🫖 Sip 5 - The Flavoured Identity

Language Above Caste — Until It Isn’t

Outside the state, language defines you.

Inside the state, caste returns.

A layered identity wrapped in sugar.

🫖 Sip 6 - The Clear Water

Where Character Replaces Caste

Beyond borders, caste dissolves.

Skill speaks. Character matters.

A liberating realisation.

Special Note

“This series presents reflective insights distilled from lived experiences.

Readers seeking detailed narratives may refer to the original archived writings, created with care and context.”

Link: https://mathivationhub.blogspot.com/2025/11/a-poisonous-poison-casteism-boon-or.html

Why This Series Matters

Because casteism still lives in:

• our questions

• our habits

• our introductions

• our tone

• our comfort zones

And healing begins with awareness, reflection, courage, and compassion.

If even one reader pauses, reflects, or questions inherited beliefs,

this journey finds its meaning.

Disclaimer

This series is purely educational and reflective.

Its intention is not to blame, target, or hurt anyone,

but to share lived experiences for deeper social understanding.

With Gratitude

To the Universe -

for clarity, courage, and calm.

To the reader -

for walking with me, sip by sip.

— Rakesh Kushwaha

Educator | Writer | Lifelong Learner

This reflective series is part of an ongoing journey of self-realisation and social understanding.

The views shared are personal reflections based on lived experiences, written with the intent of awareness, empathy, and dialogue.

© Rakesh Kushwaha | Mathivation HUB