Privilege Archives

In an Unequal World, Coronavirus is a Humbling Equaliser

It has taken an imperceptible virus to remind us that the differences we have spent years identifying in each other are, essentially, irrelevant. Unlike humans, Covid-19 does not discriminate or heed privilege and will therefore, inevitably become a humbling equaliser in an unequal world.

Manik Sharma July 8, 2016

POV

How to Win a Reality Show: Forget Your Talent, Surrender Your Dignity

I was a behind-the-scenes volunteer at Indian Idol auditions a few years ago, and had to prompt awkward aspirants to say cheesy things like “Humari zindagi badal jayegi show jeetne se.” Reality shows can be toxic places, where everything from a person’s disability to lack of talent, is fair game for exploitation.

Runa Mukherjee June 28, 2016

POV

Assam Citizen’s List: Are We Out of Ideas on Tackling Migration?

What Assam and the rest of the world need is a new idea – or a new messiah that reminds its people of values beyond consumption and per capita income. One that can remind its people that once you’ve achieved the means and wealth to cover your needs and some luxuries, it is alright to let others, less privileged, brown or black, Syrian or Bangladeshi, to have a go at it.

Ajay Chacko June 21, 2016

Pop Culture

What Prayaag Akbar’s Leila Says About the Caste-Illiterate Upper Class

In Prayaag Akbar’s Leila, now adapted into a Netflix series, the journey of its protagonist Shalini, echoes the social deafness of most privileged men and women in India. People who over-elaborate their progressiveness but remain blind to the segmentations that widen due to their choices.

Manik Sharma May 22, 2016

POV

Woke in the Streets, Privileged in the Sheets: The Birth of the Half-Liberal

Deluded do-gooders – people who make the right noises about the right trending things – are everywhere today. They sit in air-conditioned conference rooms, with a plastic Bisleri bottle on every table discussing global warming. They outrage about #EqualPay, but will choose to exploit the bai.

Ramjaane May 3, 2016

Culture

Mumbai Meri Jaan: Kabhi Cushy, Kabhie Kaam

The first time I met Mumbai, I was looking at the city through keyholes that were actually the glassed domes of its fabled high-rises, tinted with expensive weekends. My second encounter with Mumbai was when I was between jobs. It was harsh and overwhelming – an eye-opening reality check into my privileges.

Runjhun Noopur March 17, 2016