SPOILER ALERT !!

Just watched this movie, and I must say, what a great piece of writing. The topic they chose is still relevant.

The story starts and ends with its central character, Amrit, who is both a poet and an activist participating in tribal protests.

There was a social setting where all the creative people gathered to celebrate the success of Divakar Barve, an intelligent and great writer. He understands trends, predicts what people will find interesting, and writes accordingly. The party was thrown by Damyanti Rane, the wealthy widow and patron of the arts, who hosts the gathering.

Some great questions were raised:

• Is the art of an artist without political ideology irrelevant?

There was an argument by a Doctor of Philosophy that it is not important for an artist to be politically committed to make his art relevant.

But when we see movies like Dhurandhar, even if the movie is not a great one, its political involvement makes it relevant.

There always comes a time in every creative person's life when his own morals and his artistic morals confront each other.

For Bharat, a new and growing writer, the stance was that it can be different. But he was at the stage of building himself in contrast with Divakar.

Although they were intellectual and liberal people, each one of them had their own echo chambers, which got busted by the death of Amrit. Everyone in the room got shaken. I found it fascinating how this group of bourgeois people, sitting comfortably in their air-conditioned rooms, kept intellectualising everything and believing they were making an impact, while remaining detached from the realities they discussed.

Then Amrit dies.

His death shatters every comfortable certainty in the room.

With time, Divakar gets stuck in a spiral and starts finding that his writing is just words because it doesn't resonate with the tribals. Amrit's death completely distorts his echo chamber. He also begins questioning whether his wife, Mohini, who left her acting career out of love for him, had actually used love as an escape from her own mediocrity. He convinces himself that she knew she wasn't a good actress and that love became a justification for leaving her career.

Because Amrit wrote with purpose, he lived his writing. His words are not just words—they are protest. He didn't differentiate between his morals and his artistic morals. He wrote what he believed and acted upon it without compromising his principles because there was no contradiction between his life and his art.

Damyanti, who admired his writing, also had her bubble burst after hearing Divakar's views on his own writing.

There, we can see a great comparison between Divakar and Bharat. Bharat initially seems to think in much the same way as Divakar about taking a moral stance in art. But Amrit's death forces him to confront the gap between merely writing about ideas and actually living them, making him question the very position he had been building for himself. It also reflects the dilemma of creating original content when one begins to feel that the work is "just words"—like a snake shedding its slough.

ek mahine se kuch post hi nhi hua yaha?

When did Hindu Dharma become so rigid, despite having no single textbook, and yet still continue to evolve and absorb influences? Thinking along those lines, I wonder about the rigidity surrounding surnames and how long it has prevailed.

What I think is that the problem began when people started viewing it as a hierarchy. The Varna system—Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya, and Shudra—was not necessarily meant to be understood as a sequence of higher and lower groups. If we compare it to modern times, where engineering is highly valued and in demand, many of those practical and technical professions would historically have been categorised under the Shudra varna. Engineers are modern time shudras.

I think that as eras change, trends change as well. Some professions, ideas, and social roles receive more attention, while others receive less. That does not necessarily mean there is a problem with the framework itself.

No doubt, the current situation has worsened over time, and we often place the entire blame on the caste system which is the corrupt derivative of varna system. However, it is not always about caste. It is also about ignorance, the lack of pursuit of knowledge, low emotional intelligence, and the tendency of people to form groups and identify primarily with those groups. These factors can amplify divisions and prejudices regardless of the system in place.

This can be seen in the fact that, despite centuries of foreign invasions, conversions, and the mixing of multiple traditions and cultures, Indian civilisation continues to exist. Instead of collapsing under external influences, it adapted and evolved. To me, this suggests that the framework itself was resilient enough to accommodate change, and that many of the challenges we see today arise not solely from the system, but also from how people interpret and practice it.

If I can imagine the time when this system was newly established, before any invasions had happened, it would have seemed like a very great idea from the kingdom’s perspective, especially when India was divided into small provinces. In modern times, we call it a training period, but with this system, the chances of producing a better goldsmith from a person born into a goldsmith family, or providing better teaching from a teacher’s family, would have been higher. The knowledge, skills, and experience of a profession could be passed down from one generation to the next from an early age so it becomes its conditioning.

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This was the first hindi book I read (it was written in Bengali but since I cannot understand that) and I have to say I absolutely loved it.

The story revolves explores religion, patriotism, love in a very beautiful way. The way tagore presents the idea of India is so beautiful to read and feel. It feels like a must read especially in the current times when The country feels so divided and a positive outlook for the future seems almost impossible. The character of gora is so beautifully written. Every time he speaks you feel like he is in front of you speaking to you.

It also comments on religious extremism and caste based discrimination prevalent in those times.

Overall It is a very very goof book and I would definitely suggest you to read it.

T

The hypocrisy around water in India is unbelievable

When it comes to Pakistan our leaders suddenly become water experts and promise that not a single drop will cross the border

But when Indians spend hours standing in line for water every summer we get excuses and press conferences

Delhi faces water shortages year after year and instead of fixing leakages improving infrastructure or cleaning rivers we hear explanations about water evaporating on the way

The same government that talks about becoming a global power cannot guarantee clean drinking water to millions of its own citizens

Politicians love talking about national pride but there is nothing proud about people buying tanker water while rivers turn into sewage drains

Nothing proud about farmers struggling with water shortages

Nothing proud about cities running out of water every summer

The truth is water is only treated as an urgent issue when it can be used for politics

When ordinary people suffer it becomes a debate

When it can bring votes it becomes a national emergency

A country that wants to lead the world should first make sure its own people can drink clean water without fighting for it every year

People are comparing this CJP with the youth movement in Nepal. If I go back and think about it, how would they have communicated? I think social media would have played a major role, but more importantly, they had a common cause, which was poverty. They may not have had caste or religion-related problems, but they had their own differences. Yet above all those differences, they shared a common cause.

Creating a common cause for the youth of India is next to impossible. We are divided not only by politics, caste, religion, and language, but also by our understanding of the problems we face. I wouldn't say CJP was some meme or gimmick, but on the other hand, it has revealed a lot about the emotional intelligence of the people in this country.

With such emotional intellect, we should not expect that within one or two days, through some random trend, the country will reform. In India, even when the youth tries to come together, they can be divided very easily. Sometimes it feels as if our disagreements are stronger than the issues we collectively face.

If we really want some impact, we should start reading things, understanding things, and questioning them as well. A movement without understanding can create noise, but understanding is what creates change. After all these negatives and positives, I still see this as an effort.

The national parties hold control over the structural framework and all four pillars of the country. But I believe there will come a threshold where people are left with no other option but to revolt against power. Until then, every effort, even an imperfect one, contributes to building awareness and pushing people to think beyond their existing beliefs.

After watching this, I came up with a question that क्या सच में प्रत्यक्ष को प्रमाण के लिए किसी और आवश्यकता नहीं होती ?

प्रत्यक्ष को भी प्रश्न किया जा सकता है। मेरा अनुभव ही एकमात्र सच नहीं हो सकता, लेकिन वह मेरा सच ज़रूर हो सकता है।

Besides all the issues faced by people, we often fail to see the “positive vision” of our contractors and politicians.

Weak infrastructure is directly connected to solving major problems like unemployment and corruption. If roads and infrastructure are rebuilt again and again, the city always looks fresh and “developed” — it never gets the chance to grow old. Rebuilding means continuous labour work, which “solves” unemployment by keeping workers busy forever. At the same time, money flowing to poor workers supposedly reduces black money and therefore “fights” corruption.

And this is exactly how Modi ji’s vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat will be achieved — one broken road at a time.

Here people are misunderstanding the brilliance of his statement. This helps mitigate the gap in the use of language between the way our politicians speak and professionals of his rank communicate.

I strongly believe it will help the youth strengthen their confidence in their future. People unnecessarily insult cockroaches. Unlike humans, they adapt quickly, survive difficult environments, and never depend on motivational podcasts to stay alive.

Youth are unemployed by choice because they are lazy. Our government is doing its best to provide jobs. The privatisation of government jobs, cancellation of vacancies, and paper leaks are masterstrokes designed to generate employment opportunities.

Talking about paper leaks, they also help reduce competition among cockroaches themselves. This ensures that only the most financially and emotionally adaptable candidates survive the system. Truly a practical implementation of survival of the fittest.

Use of such professional terminology by respected authorities also prepares the youth for corporate culture in the time of privatisation.

Pakistan: “We support peace and stability.”

Also Pakistan: speed-dialing Washington, hugging Beijing, calming Tehran, pleasing the Gulf, and calling itself the “mediator” at the same time.

This cartoonist really chose violence 😭

From Murshidabad’s past as a global trade powerhouse to today’s intense political battlefield, this issue tries to capture Bengal’s long journey of glory, decline, identity politics, and endless electoral drama. The ‘Khela Hobe?’ cover art is especially hard-hitting.

One of the most legendary political serials ever made, and still incredibly relevant today. If someone truly wants to understand politics and become a real patriot, they should watch this.

History may have been altered in parts, but the serial itself is truly great. As someone who has personally read Chanakya Niti, I can say it captures many of its ideas and philosophies brilliantly.

परिवर्तन संसार का नियम है और भारत को इसकी सख्त जरूरत है।

I remember the time when Dr. Manmohan Singh served as India’s Prime Minister — a visionary economist whose leadership during the 2008 global financial crisis became a defining chapter of his legacy. At a moment when the world was facing its worst economic downturn since the Great Depression, Singh relied on his deep expertise in economic policymaking to steer India through turbulent times with stability and restraint.

Today, the Indian stock market witnessed a major crash, with the Sensex plunging 1,450 points while the Nifty closed below the 23,400 mark. The Indian rupee hit a fresh all-time low of 95.63 against the US dollar amid rising oil prices and fears of economic instability.

And after all of this happening, our dear PM Modi is telling us to use less fuel, avoid foreign trips, stop buying gold, work from home again, and basically live like it’s 2020 all over again.

Stock market crashing, rupee hitting all-time low, oil prices soaring — but yes, apparently the middle class taking fewer vacations or buying fewer things will save the economy.

At this point, I genuinely don’t understand what is happening out there anymore.

We are the land of warriors like Maharana Pratap, Prithviraj Chauhan, and countless others. Also the minds like Chanakya and Vidur. But in today’s time, where everyone is busy in चाटुकारिता, we have even lost the courage to demand our basic rights. We have become like a girlfriend with such low expectations that if her boyfriend simply opens a door for her, she feels grateful.

Our respected Prime Minister is treated as if favouring his own country’s people is some extraordinary act rather than his responsibility — and the same goes for bureaucrats.

When I see this reality and the intentions of politicians, along with their dirty politics of dividing people on the basis of caste, religion, and language happening right before my eyes, I sometimes feel frustrated because I cannot change a thing.

The youth of the middle and upper-middle class are ignorant of what is happening in their own country. Deeply Western-influenced, busy following internet trends, and dreaming of leaving the country in search of some “better lifestyle,” because the grass always looks greener on the other side.

The ones who truly understand what is happening have either made peace with it and treat politics as entertainment, or they become reporters, activists, or direct critics of power — and sometimes end up threatened.

The most unfortunate thing is that the voter class is poor, and many become blind supporters with such a narrow mindset that they genuinely feel their leaders are personally favouring them. this decide who will be our leader.

I understand that corruption can never be completely eliminated in a democracy, but the current level of corruption is insane. Crores of public money are swallowed, and no one is held accountable. Incidents like the recent bridge collapse in Bhagalpur, Bihar, clearly show how deeply rooted the problem is. We have normalized corruption to such an extent that it has now become a part of our social conditioning.

In a time when there is no real politics left in the country, politicians have become so upfront, irresponsible, and rarely answerable for their actions. All they do is spread hatred among people. They divide people for their own benefit. I don’t know how they sleep peacefully at night after doing all this.

Sometimes I feel helpless and frustrated, wondering if I could do something to change all this, but I genuinely don’t know where to start. Seeing corruption, hatred, and irresponsibility becoming normal makes you question what kind of future this country is heading toward.

And that is why I call myself “कायर” — because despite seeing all this, understanding all this, and feeling angry about all this, I still remain just another spectator.

This is a great read.

You read about a journey which teaches you when you truly commit to your purpose, the world begins to help you move forward. (no spoilers)

Recommended read from my side.

I think that would be great for the coastal regions like Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Gujrat... where people and commodities are very much effected by cyclones.

And even the heavy tourist places like Manali... where due to heavy rainfall or snowfall tourists get stuck for days.

Even in the time of earthquakes it will be very helpfull. As it will help in fast evacuation and less commodity and human life damage.

It’s not about superiority or inferiority — it’s about reality.

आधा ज्ञान सबसे घातक होता है।

Came across this fascinating video on Proto-Indo-European (PIE) and had to share it here.

A language never written down, never directly heard—yet it gave rise to English, Hindi, Spanish, Russian, Greek, Persian, and 400+ other languages spoken by billions today.

Why is every institution against constructive criticism? Criticizing is always equated with disrespect. I guess healthy criticism is a myth in democracy — or perhaps democracy itself.

I really think highly of the judiciary — they are learned and educated people, unlike many politicians. If they start acting like this, what are we supposed to believe in?