docs: add articles about a few more people

Description of the commit:
  - This commit introduces new articles about people who've helped me
    in the past.
  - Additions to this list were Madhavi, Shailesh and Shilpa.
  - Besides the new mentions, this commit also adds a few notes to the
    readers clarifying some points about the mentioned individuals.
  - A small refactoring is also performed in this commit. The
    refactoring includes the proper usage of quotation marks for the
    dialogs and global replacement of long hyphens in favor of commas.
  - The images now also have a complementary alternate text.

Signed-off-by: Akshay Mestry <[email protected]>

Author: xames3

docs/source/miscellany/guiding-stars.rst

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 .. Author: Akshay Mestry <[email protected]>
 .. Created on: Monday, February 24, 2025
-.. Last updated on: Wednesday, February 26 2025
+.. Last updated on: Thursday, February 27 2025
 
 :og:title: Guiding Stars
 :og:description: Expressing heartfelt gratitude to the heros who shaped my
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ Guiding Stars
     :avatar: https://avatars.githubusercontent.com/u/90549089?v=4
     :github: https://github.com/xames3
     :linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/xames3
-    :timestamp: Feb 25, 2025
+    :timestamp: Feb 27, 2025
 
 .. rst-class:: lead
 
@@ -29,13 +29,24 @@ Guiding Stars
 
 Blimey! While writing this article, I paused for a moment to reflect on my
 personal achievements and learnings. As I was thinking about most, if not all,
-of the significant milestones in my career |dash| from choosing a career path
-into the realm of Artificial Intelligence to building this platform |dash|
-stands a massive constellation of remarkable individuals who've shaped the
-person I'm today. To those prominent figures in my life, this article is more
-than an acknowledgment; it is a small tribute to those whose support, wisdom,
-and belief in me have fueled my passion for technology, teaching, and open
-source.
+of the significant milestones in my career, from choosing a career path into
+the realm of Artificial Intelligence to building this platform, stands a
+massive constellation of remarkable individuals who've shaped the person I'm
+today. To those prominent figures in my life, this article is more than an
+acknowledgment; it is a small tribute to those whose support, wisdom, and
+belief in me have fueled my passion for technology, teaching, and open source.
+
+.. admonition:: A note of gratitude
+
+    Like I mentioned, this article is merely a small reflection on my past and
+    the people who've critically influenced my academic, personal, and
+    professional journey. Although I've shared comprehensive reflections about
+    a select few individuals due to a more deeper and personal experience with
+    them, the impact of everyone mentioned here is of equal significance.
+
+    Each one of you has shaped the person I'm today, and this article stands
+    as a collective token of appreciation or tribute to all your guidance,
+    friendship, and support.
 
 .. _like-gaia-you-ground-me:
 
@@ -53,6 +64,7 @@ embracing my past.
 
 .. figure:: ../assets/me-and-mum.jpg
     :class: border-offset outline-offset
+    :alt: Me and Mum celebrating my admission into DePaul University
 
     My mum and I, back in September of 2022, right after my admission into
     DePaul University at our family home in Enfield
@@ -61,12 +73,12 @@ From the moments of comfort at my lowest to the greatest acts of selflessness
 at my peak, you have been there, guiding me through it all, keeping me
 grounded. I'm happy and content today with my life for the choices you helped
 me make. I still remember when I chose the career path to pursue Artificial
-Intelligence |dash| a field vast and complex at that time |dash| your
-encouragement was the anchor that kept me grounded and disciplined. All those
-late nights, sitting at the kitchen table with stacks of programming books,
-preparing for the certifications and interviews, you would bring a refreshing
-cup of `Masala chai`_, reminding me not to give up but at the same time
-reminding the importance of sleep and rest is something I dearly miss.
+Intelligence, a field vast and complex at that time, your encouragement was
+the anchor that kept me grounded and disciplined. All those late nights,
+sitting at the kitchen table with stacks of programming books, preparing for
+the certifications and interviews, you would bring a refreshing cup
+of `Masala chai`_, reminding me not to give up but at the same time reminding
+me of the importance of sleep and rest is something I dearly miss.
 
 Ever since Father passed, your love has been the very foundation upon which I
 stand, and I'm so grateful for every sacrifice you've made to see me grow and
@@ -80,7 +92,7 @@ Charlotte, my Uma
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 **Charlotte**, though you're no longer with us, your influence is an
-indispensible part of who I'm today. Much like `Uma`_'s love for `Shankar`_,
+indispensable part of who I'm today. Much like `Uma`_'s love for `Shankar`_,
 transformed him from a celibate hermit to a householder, your presence in my
 life catalyzed a profound change in me. You were the spark, my Uma that
 ignited my deeper fascination with technology. I vividly remember you helping
@@ -91,16 +103,16 @@ mathematics and logic behind them.
 
 It was because of you, my interest in technology grew with time, and while it
 was growing, you reminded me that these technologies aren't just about
-algorithms and problem-solving |dash| it is about impact. I remember how you
-would listen patiently as I rambled about new technologies or tools, always
-asking the right questions that made me think harder and dig deeper. Your
-encouragement pushed me to think how technology could transform lives, and
-more importantly, how I could share that knowledge with others. It was your
-faith in my ability as a teacher that made me realize the joy of sharing
-knowledge. You often said, "*Akshay, the best way to learn is to teach.*"
-Those words still echo in my heart every time I stand before a classroom or
-mentor someone. In every student I mentor, I see you and it reminds me of our
-last conversation...
+algorithms and problem-solving, it is about **impact** they have on our lives.
+I remember how you would listen patiently as I rambled about new technologies
+or tools, always asking the right questions that made me think harder and dig
+deeper. Your encouragement pushed me to think how technology could transform
+lives, and more importantly, how I could share that knowledge with others. It
+was your faith in my ability as a teacher that made me realize the joy of
+sharing knowledge. You often said, *"Akshay, the best way to learn is to
+teach."* Those words still echo in my heart every time I stand before a
+classroom or mentor someone. In every student I mentor, I see you and it
+reminds me of our last conversation...
 
 .. epigraph::
 
@@ -110,7 +122,7 @@ last conversation...
 
     -- Charlotte Parks
 
-Just as Uma's love shaped and transformed Shankar, your love shaped and
+Like I said, as Uma's love shaped and transformed Shankar, your love shaped and
 transformed me, guiding me into my truest form. It was your belief in me as a
 teacher that planted the seed for this very platform. Your spirit lives on in
 every tutorial I write, every student I mentor, and every piece of knowledge I
@@ -124,36 +136,130 @@ Sajith's guidance, Krishna's wisdom
 
 Back in 2017, my professional career took off at `Accenture`_. Accenture, the
 company, will always hold a special place in my heart. This is where I was
-fortunate to work under the mentorship of **Sajith Malayath**. Sajith was the
-first person who truly believed in me |dash| not just as a worker, but as
-someone capable of achieving great things in AI and Machine Learning. It's
-been quite a while since I worked at Accenture, but I remember when I first
-started, I was still figuring out my place in the cut-throat corporate world.
-I was nervous and frustrated at the same time. But you, Sajith, you saw
-something in me that I wasn't sure even existed.
+fortunate to work under **Sajith**'s mentorship. Sajith was the first person
+who truly believed in me, not just as a worker, but as someone capable of
+achieving great things in AI and Machine Learning. Well, it's been quite a
+while since I worked at Accenture, but I remember when I first started, I was
+still figuring out my place in the cut-throat corporate world. I was nervous
+and frustrated at the same time. But you, Sajith, you saw something in me that
+I wasn't sure even existed.
 
 I'll never forget the day you took me for a walk and explained how to look at
 the bigger picture, about my life, my career, and relationships. I was indeed
 overwhelmed, unsure of myself. But you never gave up on me but pushed me to
 grow in ways I hadn't imagined. Although you were my manager, much senior in
 the career level, you never treated me any differently. Your approach was
-unlike any I had experienced before. I do remember you telling me, "*It's never
-about doing things perfectly; it is about learning and evolving along the
-way.*"
+unlike any I had experienced before. I do remember you telling me, *"It's
+never about doing things perfectly; it is about learning and evolving along
+the way."*
 
 .. figure:: ../assets/krishna-and-arjuna.jpeg
     :class: border-offset outline-offset
+    :alt: An AI generated image of Krishna and Arjuna in anime style
 
     Image generated with `Flux-Animex-v2-LoRA
     <https://huggingface.co/spaces/Neaty/anime>`_ model
 
 Those simple words taught me a lesson that stayed with me ever since. You
 always encouraged me to dive into the deep end, to question things, to
-understand the "why" behind every decision. And when I struggled, as I
+understand the **"why"** behind every decision. And when I struggled, as I
 inevitably did, you didn't just offer solutions. You guided me like a mentor,
 always patient, always present, but never hovering. Sajith, you were more than
-a mentor to me |dash| you were my guide, my `Krishna`_. That guidance is what
-has carried me forward in my academic and professional pursuits to this day.
+a mentor to me, you were my guide, my `Krishna`_. That guidance is what has
+carried me forward in my academic and professional pursuits to this day.
+
+.. _my-supporting-cast:
+
+-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+My Supporting Cast
+-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+People who are extremely close to me know how much of a cinephile I am. In my
+opinion, life, much like a cinema, is not a **solo** thing. Quite often the
+spotlight shines on the lead cast, the actors, directors, etc.; the names we
+usually tend to remember. But the true magic of cinema lies in the collective
+effort of countless individuals who work behind the scenes. Just like a
+cinema, with its unsung heroes, the editors, sound designers, VFX artists, and
+other crew members who together make a story come alive, my journey has been
+shaped by an extraordinary cast of mentors, friends, and supporters.
+
+Whatever you're seeing here on this website, be it my projects, ideas, the
+teachings, all of it is a summation of the invaluable contributions and
+influence of those who stood besides me, guiding me, and sometimes pushing me
+to go beyond my comfort zone. This section of this article is my version of
+the end credits. A tribute to all the people whose names may not always be in
+the spotlight but whose impact resonates in every line of code I write and
+every lesson I share.
+
+And, just like the credits roll long after the cinema's end, this list will
+only grow as time goes on. I'm most definitely looking forward to adding more
+names to my cinematic universe.
+
+.. note::
+
+    The below list is in alphabetical order solely for my OCD. It doesn't
+    imply any other significance. Each individual on this list holds equal
+    importance for me and has had a huge influence on my life.
+
+.. _madhavi-rege:
+
+Madhavi Rege
+===============================================================================
+
+A professional badass! Madhavi, you've been an exceptional mentor and have a
+strong influence in my life. After training under your leadership and
+unwavering guidance, I can proudly say that I've rather **mastered** the art of
+time and work management. I've been asked on several occasions, how do I
+manage my time, do all the things I do, or work on my personal projects amidst
+all the other responsibilities I carry, and the answer has always been the
+same. It's because of someone I worked with previously.
+
+You nurtured my ability to think critically (take everything on email!), plan
+through my schedule meticulously, and execute precisely, qualities which even
+today I implement in every project and professional endeavor.
+
+.. _shailesh-kewat:
+
+Shailesh Kewat
+===============================================================================
+
+A true friend, gentleman and my steady pillar of support! Looking back at it,
+it's funny to see how we became friends during the **"drop"** phase of our
+lives. All the time we spent studying together for the tests, although it
+didn't pay off as much as we expected it to, I sure made some amazing memories
+with you. Shailesh, you've been there with me not only during my moments of
+success but also in the moments of doubt.
+
+After losing :ref:`Charlotte <charlotte-my-uma>`, you've been the one person
+who constantly insisted that I teach and provided me with everything I needed
+to break through my self-doubts. Your guidance on public speaking and community
+engagement helped me build this platform and the confidence I have today.
+
+.. _shilpa-musale:
+
+Shilpa Musale
+===============================================================================
+
+My beacon of survival and wisdom in the United States! As of writing this
+article, `Shilpa <https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Shilpa-Musale>`_ and I
+have known each other for a little over a year now. But honestly, it doesn't
+feel like that. We met during my first year of school in the US, where I
+really felt overwhelmed, lost, and sometimes even isolated. But you made me
+feel safe and welcomed.
+
+Shilpa, you've definitely evolved from a confidante to a mentor-like figure in
+my life. I still remember you sharing your stories, recounting your
+experiences which mirrored mine as I was struggling through my life and
+relationship. For me, those experiences were not just mere stories from your
+past but **lessons**, each one with deep wisdom that resonated strongly with
+me. You've been my anchor, sharing invaluable advice about career and surviving
+through these difficult job trajectories. In my moments of loneliness and
+depression, your presence was super reassuring. Whether it was a phone call or
+a simple message to check in on me or a spontaneous invitation to your place
+for a quick walk and talk, you made sure I never felt alone.
+
+Looking back at those moments, I'm filled with a deep sense of gratitude and
+I'm grateful that I found a mentor like you.
 
 .. _Gaia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaia
 .. _Masala chai: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masala_chai