Youth Zone

When staying strong becomes a Burden

From an early age, we introduce our children to a world of invincible heroes. Superman flies through fire without flinching; Batman the protector, Spider-Man the saviour...they continuously fight, they rarely take a pause. And yes, they almost never weep. Somewhere between the capes and the reality, children absorb a silent lesson: Strength is survival and vulnerability is failure. Over time, resilience transforms from a virtue into a burden and childhood, meant to be a season of growth, becomes a ..

The Power of Podium:Why every young person needs to debate

 The Power of Podium: Why every young person needs to debate In a world that often feels like it’s shouting, the art of structured, thoughtful debate is more than just an extracurricular activity it is a training ground for the leaders of..

Someday, Somehow...

 When I die...When, I have courage to betray my mind And throw thieving thoughts away Then, I would free myself from the chains of intellect And accept in your heart, The place I always sought No pretences, No longer negative thoughts. By Om Kale CSM..

What lies behind that SMILE

Smile- briefly a way of expression which shows something is to be conveyed where words aren’t enough. But what actually does it express? Is it grief or joy?..

Romanticising Life a Survival Skill

 Romanticising your life is often dismissed as delusion or avoidance. As if finding beauty in small things means you are refusing to face reality. But for many of us, it’s not escapism. It’s how we cope. Some days are heavy without an ob..

MY VILLAGE

  Settled on the banks of a river Like a queen is my beautiful village Dressed up in green.Lying in the shade of treesI feel alive every morning in the shining river, I dive.Watching the rising sun calms my soulThe sunset makes me feel whole.Wha..

The Trace of Existence

 It is fascinating how life gives us many chances which shape our mindset, but more importantly, our history. People who have walked this Earth may have never realised the robust changes they would inspire. Maybe even we don’t understand truly..

Caught in a Quandary

  Growing up a girl is at times a little confusing sometimes. Not because life is always hard, but because people keep sending different messages. One moment they say girls can achieve anything and the moment they start confining you in the R..

Sip Your Own Tea

The ‘singles’ want relationships, the married want to be single again! The unemployed want jobs and employed yearn for freedom from work. The rural India aspires for urban life and those living in the cities want to be closer to the mountains. Basically, the grass is always greener on the other side. The advent of social media always makes us chase the other side. Open an app and we are bombarded with imagery of perfect lives. Today’s generation wants results and ignores the shadows that follow. How ..

OTTs & glorification of crime

The entertainment industry often glamourises stuff that better be seen in the real light, at it murkiest best. The many OTT channels and the battery of crime series and movies on them have changed work on true crime from serious reporting to a polished, high-definition spectacle. What used to be gritty, moralistic stories are now mass-produced content for binge-watching. This raises a major ethical question: When does our desire for awareness become just a voyeuristic consumption of real-life trauma? ..

Home away from home

 There is a reason we call it our ‘home’Where people smile on getting a glimpse of you Their faces light up all bright To have you around, their happiness is true. But I had to leave it all for pursuits of life Should I fear that I am lo..

Passion a starting point, not the roadmap

 Love for something may not always bring success. Hard work, patience and continuous improvement are important  Follow your passion” is one of the most repeated pieces of advice given to young people. It appears inspiring, hopeful and si..

Love thyself

To all children who sacrificed their love, Career, passions, dreams and even self, To care for their parents, to keep them happy To keep them comfortable, fulfill responsibilities. But while doing in this..never forget and Abandon the things you love..

Traditions The bridge between past & future

Ia world that is always in a hurry with change happening with every passing moment, it is tradition that we can always depend on as a constant. It is tradition that brings with it the whispers of the past, with age-old rituals, family traditions, and celebrations. Traditions have a way of grounding us, whether we are all huddled together with family to celebrate a holiday, cooking traditional recipes or sitting with older people to hear their stories about their younger years...

Counting Minutes

The miracle isn’t the finish line; It’s the dust upon your shoes. And honestly, I’m a hypocrite Because I’m guilty of this too..

War Excuse Economy How global tensions fuel local profiteering

 The ongoing conflict in West Asia has given the local businessman an opportunity to mint money Visit the market near you and you’ll get more than just vegetables-- a short briefing on war and international relations and how those falli..

The idol of ‘Ramlalla’ Kamal Chandewar made a sketch of the idol.

the idol of ‘Ramlalla’ unveiled at the Ayodhya Temple had caught the fancy of the entire nation. Kamal Chandewar made a sketch of the idol...

Ram Lalla

 In his divine sanctum,Ayodhya breathes stories of His Kingdom.His dharma inspires devotees beyond borders,An inspiring saga of past, present and future.His devotees soulfully chant the name,While He waits with a smile to see them.His lotus face catc..

Of strange similes and metaphors

VERY Ezra Poundish, so to say ! Rebellious in its own way as it militates against the 5-7-5 haiku norm ! Nevertheless, there is enough depth to interpret in these 14 words ! Faces in the crowd have often been the subject of artistic consideration -- of poets, of painters, of photographers, of fiction-writers. Many faces. Many images. Many personae. Many masks -- that conceal more than they reveal. Each crowd -- each gathering of people -- thus has so much to offer, to reflect upon, to think deeply ..

Weight of the veil

A girl and her father- the priceless bond, A love so pure, and hearts so fond. Their care and concern, endless, true Innocent like the morning dew. His vision shapes her world Constantly guiding her through..

Beautiful Blooms

Beautiful blooms are joy forever. They not only please the eyes but also appease the heart. Priyanka Shrivas from Dr Ambedkar College captured the beauty peeping over a pond...

Impermanence in CinemaHow films capture beauty of time

 Cinema is a meticulous form of art, where each film is a vessel of metaphors, waiting to be comprehended. Movies tumbling one after the other as the minute hand of the clock takes a leap forward. However, some films go beyond storytelling and focus..

Starving Under the Fig Tree

 “I saw myself sitting in the crotch of this fig tree, starving to death, just because I couldn’t make up my mind which of the figs I would choose. I wanted each and every one of them, but choosing one meant losing all the rest, and, as I..

Surreal Love

 Drawn towards the heart, not body, But does everyone feel the same?Too many criteria, too much fame, Let there be tears and fears too, Love in eyes, that is so true. Pretty faces may attract ‘love’Others may take things in their stride,..

Permission to live

 They put flowers in a narrow vaseStopping them from spreadingAnd they do not forget discipline.Cut clean! Stand straight! Face light!They adjust the flowers each day, Turn their head,Press their spines upright,Remove the ones that bend.Wilting is se..

AbhangwaniA living tradition

Abhangwani is a timeless way of showing devotion that captures the spiritual essence of Maharashtra’s Bhakti tradition. Rooted in the compositions of Sant Dnyaneshwar, Sant Tukaram, Sant Namdev, and Sant Eknath. More than just poetry, Abhangwani is a living tradition that continues to inspire faith, unity, and cultural identity today. Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj laid the philosophical foundation by explaining spiritual truths in the common Marathi language...

Mission Gaganyaan A success story in the making

The space and the mysteries it holds have always fascinated mankind. And this fascination makes man strive again and again to ‘reach out for the stars’. India;s ambitious Mission Gaganyaan is one such space programme that rides on the hopes and prayers of Indians. Register the names of Ashoka Chakra awardee Shubhanshu Shukla, Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, Ajit Krishnan and Angad Pratap. They are our ‘Vyommnauts’ (astronauts) who will be heading to space under Mission Gaganyaan. For a layman, it is easy ..

The Finest Masterpiece

On a day of roses and blush skies, When fondness enfolds in sweet replies, I lapsed underneath the silent sun And asked my heart, “Have I begun?”..

The Burnout Generation ‘Why Rest’ is the New Revolution

We are the generation that grew up with the ‘rise and grind’ stitched into our timelines. We were told that success is a race, that sleep is for the weak and that hustle is holy. But somewhere between the 3 am deadlines, the side hustles, the unpaid internships and the endless scroll of curated perfection-we cracked. Welcome to the age of burnout!..

Changing Seasons

Changing seasons, changing lives. How people adapt to the many variations in Nature’s moods! When the chill begins to set in, the clothes, the diet, the habits change. Winter wear is pulled out from remote corners of the closet and from under the beds. The hot chai and coffee sessions, the steaming soups and the sizzling pao bhaji or Chinese served at roadside stalls.. they all add to the winter allure. Dress appropriately for the cold but no matter how many layers you put on, the chill just won’t ..

SCHOOLS MUST BE CENTERS OF COMPASSION, NOT MECHANICAL FACTORIES

R ecent incidents from schools in Chhattisgarh have raised serious concerns about the emotional climate within our education system. Cases where students were subjected to excessive punishment in the name of discipline are not merely isolated lapses—they reflect a deeper issue in how we perceive education and authority in classrooms. In Ambagarh Chowki, a student was reportedly made to perform 100 sit-ups as punishment. Earlier, in Surajpur, a video surfaced showing a child allegedly tied to a tree ..

The Fondness for Immediacy

Modern society has been increasingly equating progress with speed. Faster deliveries, smarter devices, instant access-convenience has become the dominant measure of development. Yet, as life accelerates, it often feels flatter. Effort is minimised, routines take over and meaning is quietly replaced by efficiency. What once required intention now requires only a tap. This raises a necessary question: Are we genuinely advancing, or simply outsourcing the very skills that once made us human? Ultra-fast ..

No one’s ready for Adulthood

Adulthood is often treated like a finish line...as if one day you wake up and are suddenly supposed to feel more confident, more responsible and certain about your life. But that is rarely the case. Most people don’t feel ready and they just keeping sliding forward anyway. We grow up believing that adults have answers. That they know how to manage money, relationships, careers and emotions without constantly questioning themselves. But the truth is, adulthood is mostly improvisation. People are making ..

Suffocating Voices

  The suffocating voices haunt each dayYou cannot run, you cannot hideThey will find you anyway.You are scared but must not show Maybe it will change you from inside Alter perspectives as you may not know.The voices feel huge and darkThey can co..

The courage we mistake for readiness

By Pratham Golcha : SINCE our very childhood ages, we are taught to wait. Wait, until you are prepared. Wait, until your confidence arrives like an invitation wait, until the time is right. Along the way, somehow, somewhere, patience silently c..

Lord of the Skies

The Lord of the skies Rises with his brilliance Pours its love, on all the mortals. He is the light in the darkness, Warmth in cold, hope for tomorrow That arises with its appearance in morrows...

Youth in 2026: Highly educated, deeply anxious

The paradox of the modern young adult has never been starker. Today's youth are the most educated, yet they navigate a world that offers them less stability, security and peace of mind than their predecessors. Beneath the impressive resumes and LinkedIn profiles lies a generation struggling with profound anxiety, burnout and a gnawing sense that no amount of preparation will ever be enough. This is the reality of youth in 2026: Degrees are increasing, but certainty is not. The promise was simple, ..

What the calendar couldn’t take away

The year went by, soft-footed, fast,Like evening trains that never last.I chased my plans, I lost a few,Held on to hope, though none came true.I wrote big dreams on quiet nights,Between small wins and daily fights.Some plans dissolved, some learned..

90s’ Love

In the fast-paced world replete with fake relations and fake emotions, there still are some gems that shine in the aura of ‘old-school love’, embracing the bonds of responsible relations. There was a time when love used to be selfless and thought to be an eternal between two hearts, ready to beat as one. Those beautiful bonds should have inspired the Gen Z, but have they? Gone are the times when love did not require the prefix of ‘true’. It was pure as it was. But in today’s fake attention era, unfortunate..

Echoes from the Piano

Silent keys waiting to sing, A canvas for fingers-new stories to bring. Notes dance and hum in melodic hue, Echoes of emotions both old and new...

Power of ‘influencers’

People, incidents and situations have a deep impact on us, sometimes negative and sometimes positive. While certain situations and people are beyond our control, when influences offer the luxury of choice, one should tread wisely. The more I grow up, the more I realise that who you surround yourself with quietly shapes who you become. Not in big, dramatic way, but in the small, everyday habits that build your identity. You start picking up someone’s phrases, adopt their work ethic, you may mirror ..

Starry Delights

The plant of Star Jasmine or Winter Jasmine, locally known as Kunda, offers a delightful treat, dotted with innumerable milky-white blooms. Manaswi Uike captured image of one such plant in its winter glory...

Before scrolls take over our soul...

How strange it becomes when ‘dopamine’, a crucial brain chemical which transmits positive signals to the brain, gets entwined with the digital world of today. Digitalisation has come to a level where the target audience is not even targeted; people are becoming their own victims. Dopamine is being consumed digitally, with the swipe of a screen. Now, can we imagine our life without internet and social media? I think not. A study has shown that due to excessive scrolling the cognitive ability of each ..

A Bud BLOOMS

 A bud blooms against the storm,Finding courage, finding form.Once I feared the world, so wide,Now I walk with faith as my guide.Dreams once hidden start to gleam,Life now flows like a living dream.Every scar, a spark of grace,Every fall, a step I fa..

Heart to heart

Am I stupid? Am searching for those Who would listen to my heart, And gauge the depth of my soul. Alas! I forgot...

Youth: Real strength of a nation

India has always believed that its youth are its greatest asset. Every generation carries the responsibility to build the future, but today’s young people stand at a very important point in history. They have more opportunities, more knowledge and more exposure than any past generation. At the same time, they also face peculiar challenges. When young people dream, think and act with purpose, the whole country rises with them. Their energy is raw; their ideas are fresh; their courage is stronger than ..

Banners & Beyond: Commotion in corridors of politics

Nagpur! Take a deep breath---if the AQI allows it. Because the municipal corporation elections are back after eight long years, and the city is buzzing, not with civic energy, mind you, but with loudspeakers blaring campaign songs from early m..

Self-management matters more than ever

By Rajyogi Brahma Kumar Nikunj Ji : ONE of the biggest challenges in the present time of transition, of which we all are a part of, is to manage self. When the whole society is facing uncertainty, old certainties of family, gender..

A Hundred Sins

She died a million times Again & again at the wake of dawnUntil the Sun met the sea,In vain her conscience chimes.She cried a thousand rivers Again & again at her soul’s depthUntil the night unveiled,In vain her concealed shivers..

My takeaways from the bygone year

In corporate offices, before every financial year ends, everyone does a 360 degree yearend review/feedback to reflect on the past learnings and mistakes. I did the same, only I reviewed by personal life, the highs and the lows, the hits and the misses. When I jotted down the same I noticed how each day and each month has been a total roller-coaster making it no less than a humbling experience wherein you smile a while, cry a while, sway away with the winds, fall and then get up again with no hope ..