POV Archives

Dear Chowkidars of Twitter, What About the Real Watchmen of Indian Democracy?

Today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a chowkidar, just like he was a chaiwallah yesterday. Politically, it is a compelling strategy, but true protectors of democracy have been silenced in one way or another. They’ve either faced bullets like Gauri Lankesh or are behind bars like Sudha Bhardwaj.

Angshuman Choudhury March 17, 2016

POV

Dear Bosses, Stop Telling Your Employees to Be a Big Happy Family at Work

The office is just that – a place where you show up to deliver the work you agreed to when you signed the dotted line, and leave the minute you meet your deadlines. With happiness and without guilt. Why are bosses then, so obsessed with conjuring up a family within the workplace? I have one slightly neurotic, dysfunctional family at home, I don’t need another one at work, thank you very much.

Sonali Kokra March 17, 2016

POV

Delhi Fog: The Real Reason Mumbai “Winter” Will Never Match Up to Dilli Ki Sardi

Even though today kids in Delhi stay indoors with face masks on, I still remember the winter as a time when fog (not smog) meant missed catches during evening games of cricket, snuggling up in your grandma’s shawl, and snoozing in the afternoon sun on the terrace with your family.

Aakash Ahuja March 16, 2016

POV

Indigo, Discrimination and Raising A Special Needs Child: A Mother’s View

As the mother of a special needs child, the Indigo incident was triggering. For it brought back memories of the times where I have fought discrimination and societal ignorance to get my child to be treated fairly.

Sonam Patel March 16, 2016

POV

Is the “Follow Your Passion” Advice Full of Crap?

In my early 20s, I did the “cool” thing – quit my stable banking job to study film writing. Like many millennials and Gen Z, I just wanted to “follow my passion”. I wish someone had told me the hard truth about chasing dreams.

Riddhi K March 16, 2016

POV

The Looney Tunes of Zakir Naik

It’s hard to understand how anyone could get radicalised by Zakir Naik. He might invent people at random and think humans have gone extinct. But that’s all folks.

#VALUE! March 16, 2016

POV

Homosexuality is Not a Crime. Time to Ask, “But What about Our Soldiers at the Border”?

The jawan’s plight is of great relevance to every problem plaguing the country from black money to AFSPA – every problem, except those that directly affect the life of the jawan. Serving in the forces requires the strength to forego many of the freedoms that the rest of us enjoy. But how is it acceptable to snatch away a person’s freedom to love?

Sonali Kokra March 15, 2016

POV

Mumbai’s Strange New Year Tradition: Chokeslamming an Old Man’s Effigy and Setting Him Ablaze

As the end of 2019 is upon us, I think I’ll give year-end parties a miss. This year, I’ll go back to celebrating how we used to – by setting ablaze an effigy in the shape of an old dude and Santa’s mask, that represents the year gone by. This uniquely Mumbai-Goa tradition is our version of the Burning Man.

Jay Pikle March 15, 2016

POV

What Mumbai’s Common Man Stands to Lose As the Worli Promenade Makes Way for the Coastal Road Project

We are all set to lose the 83-year-old Worli Sea Face promenade to the Mumbai Coastal Road Project. The BMC promises that the boardwalk will be replaced with a ritzy seaside walkway, but for me, its quiet death would mark the end of an era.

Dipti Kharude March 15, 2016

POV

This New Year Along with Your Weight Shed Your Apathy

This year, instead of using New Year resolutions to crib about having to include more lauki in our diets, why don’t we do things a little differently: Can we instead all agree to be informed citizens, aware of our rights and responsibilities, and active participants in a functioning democracy?

Purba Ray March 14, 2016