What Really Matters

Once upon a time, a boy didn’t know how to love. He figured he would learn the process and nuances with time and use it to find the girl of his dreams. Life, however, had something else planned for him. He would step back whenever he found someone who understood him and was willing to be with him. He would become hesitant, and the girl would leave him. He still had hopes that love would find him. But it didn’t. Time passed, and he crossed the ideal age of marriage, which he didn’t know existed. He began to think that maybe love wasn't meant for him, that he was destined to live a life without a partner.  The boy, now a man, poured his energy into his work and hobbies, finding solace in life's small victories and joys. He adopted a dog named Ollie, who became his faithful companion and confidant. Together, they would go on long walks and explore the world around them.  One day, while he was walking Ollie in a nearby park, he noticed a woman sitting alone on a bench, sketching s

AI depiction of the TV show Halt and Catch Fire The plot revolves around four characters, visionary Joe MacMillan, genius Cameron Howe, hard-working Gordon Clark, and brave Donna Clark. Each chasing their dreams, taking on the corporate giants, and finding a place for themselves in the emerging world of technology. From the very first episode, I found myself completely engrossed in the show. Each character had a unique story, and I was eager to see how they would progress. I was constantly on the edge of my seat, wondering what they would do next and whether their ideas would succeed or fail. The show was a rollercoaster of emotions, ranging from excitement to heartbreak. What kept me invested was the constant unpredictability, where even the slightest turn of events could make or break their venture. This sense of suspense and anticipation made the show all the more thrilling. The never-give-up attitude of the characters is one of the show's most inspiring qualities. Joe, for exam

Aditi loved him deeply and so did Anil. But she wanted other things too. But pursuing them was hard as it would put their relationship in jeopardy or so she thought. Whenever Aditi expressed her desire for something, Anil would put her down saying, it would affect their relationship. It kept her confined and stopped her from fulfilling her potential. Yet, she said nothing. Over time, Anil felt as if he was the sole decision-maker in their relationship. Whether it was a decision about choosing a restaurant to eat or picking a holiday destination, it was he who made them. This affected her confidence and lowered her self-esteem. One day, her friend Shikha visited her. She noticed these patterns and told her about them. At first, she didn’t believe her, but with time, she began to notice them herself. Just to be sure, she looked around the house. She noticed that most of the things that they bought were chosen by him not her. She checked out the latest pictures from their holiday.

Talia Ryder (left) and Sidney Flanigan in Never Rarely Sometimes Always Never Rarely Sometimes Always is a story about Autumn and Skylar's journey from their hometown in rural Pennsylvania to New York, a city where abortion is safe and legal in the US, and the obstacles they face on the way. From being called a 'slut' by her ex-boyfriend, who got her pregnant, to being forcibly kissed by her store manager, to being flashed at in a subway train in New York, Autumn goes through all these ordeals before undergoing the procedure. Eliza Hittman, the director, leaves no stone unturned in showing the trauma that teenage girls have to endure on a daily basis in America. While Autumn and Skylar do not speak much, the telepathic understanding between the two is almost magical. The little gestures and the shared glances do much of the job.  After the 17-year-old Autumn learns about her pregnancy, she decided to get the procedure done in New York. It was a conscious decision as Autumn

With the media compromised, people are finding it hard to separate real news from the fake  It's difficult to separate real news from fake.  You can no longer rely on TV news shows for the truth. And social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp) have too much misinformation.  Our broadcasters have become mouthpieces of political parties. The ones, you thought, would hold the government accountable for their actions, have drifted into their arms. Anyone voicing an opinion different from the government is a public enemy. An army of online trolls can discredit anyone who dares to speak out against a state narrative.   Governments have always wanted to control the media. But India's press has never felt so threatened as it does under the regime of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Many Media outlets need government's support, thus, are reluctant to take on those in power for the fear of losing business.  Noted journalist Punya Prasun Bajpai resigned from his positio

Migrant workers with their family on the road as they look to head back to village .  Credit/Scroll.in On March 24, Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared a nationwide lockdown to contain the spread of the coronavirus. States sealed their borders and transport came to a halt. Little did anyone know, at the time, the effect it would have on the lives of migrant workers, left to fend for themselves. With all avenues of making money shut, many agitated workers staged demonstration, demanding trains and buses to transport to their native places. Several thronged to the railway and bus stations, flouting social distancing rules and putting themselves and others at risk, all in vain. Clashes erupted at many places including Mumbai and Surat, forcing the police to resort to lathi charge. PM's slogan 'stay home, stay safe' meant little to these workers, who had families to feed. The choice was to either die of hunger or take a chance with the deadly coronavirus and head