CALL AGAINST RACISM

The death of the African American man, George Floyd aged 45 years old who got kneeled down on the neck by  white police officer, for nine minutes  in Minneapolis on 25th of May,2020 has set the whole world on fire. This has become the rallying point for protest against the black lives. It has even ignited fire in continents  beyond ,like Europe. In  no time since the video got viral on social media, George has become the most famous man on earth, and everyone took his an opportunity to express their anger by coming out on the  streets in huge numbers. His last words “I can’t breathe ,sir” remains engraved in people mind till now. Derek Chauvin, the culprit along with three controller present their have been charged of offence.

The activist aim of bringing drastic change to policing has been finally been seen achieving because of the death of George Floyd. People now seem to have a ray of hope for a complete transformation of public safety .Majority of Minneapolis city  council wants to put an end to discrimination by police superiors. A nine member council came together to pledge dismantle and disrupt police administration. They want to do this by rebuilding   the police administration from scratch, the objective behind this was to eliminate the bitter relationship developed between the people and the police department. This would finally put a full stop to “legal” racial discrimination. The whole scenario have now pushed the democrats to get  a bill passed, which would be aimed at reforming law enforcement in the country.

Protesters in their journey towards demanding justice, had to deal with smoke grenades, tear gas and nonlethal projectiles.Another video which went viral showed how  a old man, aged 75 years of age was protesting singlehandedly against the police officers, and he laid injured in the streets.US President Donald Trump got  slammed by New York Governor, Andrew Cuomo for tweeting without any proof that this was all a “setup”.

The continuous rising rage of the protests had led Trump to go down to the extend of sending army troops to the streets , in order to control the crowd. This could’ve been a possible solution for a country dominated by dictatorship, but not a country where democracy stands for long. People are protesting in huge number amidst the coronavirus, trying to break through all the stores in US and looting the government. The situation went to such an extent, that Donald Trump in fear had to go under bunkers. The government which  had earlier promised of building walls in lieu of their protection, now  has a covering made of steel all around The White House. The protest was even seen in Europe , after New York, Los Angeles ,London,etc. In Europe statue of Slave Trader Edward Colston was pulled down by protesters, made to roll down  through the streets to the green waters of the harbour.

Derek Chauvin ,  was addressed by the title “Sir” by George Floyd , seconds before he closed his eyes permanently . In a video clip recorded, it was seen that he is not set bail at $ 1.25 millions during a hearing. People crowded around Floyd’s last rites in hometown, Texas in order to pay him their tribute. He got buried next to his mother.

Philonise Floyd , George Floyd’s  brother  complained about how people from their background  have been ignored , and not paid importance. Democratic lawmaker Karen Bass told the house hearing that hopes America would pass the Rightful Police Reform by the end of December. George Floyd’s  brother  pleaded top the congress that his brother death should not go in vain , and he should be remembered , not as a mere picture. George Floyd  name has been engraved in the history pages, forever. He would now act as a catalyst to bring profound change.

✨-Effect of COVID-19 on Automobile Industry-✨

“THE WORLD IS DISAPPEARING” THIS SENTENCE MAYBE MOST CONTINENT FOR  TODAY’S SITUATION. BECAUSE OF ONE DISEASE CALLED -CORONA-. THAT  BATS 🦇 ARE REALLY CULPRIT OF THIS SITUATION? , SOMEONE SAYS, THIS IS HAPPENING ONLY BOCOZ OF THAT BATS.., SOMEONE SAYS THIS IS HAPPENING BECOZ OF CHAINA, SOMEONE SAYS THIS IS HAPPENING BOCOZ OF EATING ANIMALS.. BUT NO ONE IS ABLE TO FIND ACTUAL REASON. WE HUMANS ARE PULLING OUR FAULTS ON ANOTHER. DUE TO THIS WORLD WIDE DISEASE WORLD🌏 IS FACING WITH MANY PROBLEMS. AND ONE OF THE CRITICAL PROBLEM IS EFFECT ON AUTOMOBILE INDUSTRY. COVID-19 LED TO SUPPLY CHAIN DISRUPTION AND PRODUCTION HALT IN LETTER HALF OF MARCH 2020.THE IMPACT OF THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC AND THE LOCKDOWN IS TRIGGERED IS CLEARLY  VISIBLE IN FINANCIAL MARKSHEETS. BUT THERE IS STILL CLARITY ON THE DEEPER IMPACT THAT IS HAVING ACROSS BUSINESS &INDUSTRIAL SECTORS. BASED ON ASSESSMENT MADE BY DIFFERENT ANALYSTS &INDUSTRY BODY FICCI.. THE WORLD’S ECONOMY IS DANGLING. THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC HAS DEALT A DEADLY BELOW TO HUMALITY AND TO THE INDUSTRIES GLOBALLY. THIS UNPRECEDENTED CRISIS HAS UNLEASHED A GLOBAL TRAUMA & HAS BECOME THE BIGGEST THREAT TO BE GLOBAL ECONOMY IN MODERN HISTORY -MAJOR IMPACTED BUSINESS ARE TRAVELL &TOURISM, COSTUMERS GOODS, AUTOMOBILE, IT & INSURANCE. INDIA WILL BE THE WORLD’S FOURTH LARGEST PASSENGRS VEHICLE MARKET BY 2021.IT TOOK INDIA AROUND SEVEN YEARS TO INCREASE ITS ANNUAL PRODUCTION TO FOUR MILLION VEHICLES FROM THREE MILLION -FIVE MILLION IS EXPECTED IS LESS THAN FIVE YEARS . THESE HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY AFFECTED BY THE CORONAVIRUS CRISIS.DUE TO COVID-19, AUTOMOBILE MANUFACTURERS THE WORLD OVER ARE FACED WITH A SUDDEN SLUMP IN DEMANDS . THIS CULPTED WITH ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS. TECHNOLOGICAL UPHEAVALS & COMPLEX REGULATORS FRAMEWORKS ARE GOING TO RESULT IN TOUGHEST TIMES FOR INDUSTRY. BUT WE HOPE THIS ALL CRISIS WILL BE CURE SOON. BUT IT WILL TAKE LITTLE BIT OF TIME.

Can animals talk?

We often wonder if animals can communicate with each other or if they understand the language of the humans.The answer to the question is that the animals don’t particularly have any language but they do communicate with each other. Communication is essential for the survival of all the species on earth. As for animals, they […]

Can animals talk?

Can animals talk?

We often wonder if animals can communicate with each other or if they understand the language of the humans.
The answer to the question is that the animals don’t particularly have any language but they do communicate with each other. Communication is essential for the survival of all the species on earth. As for animals, they use signs and signals to communicate.
• Types of signs
• Smell
• Touch
• Sounds
• Visual signals


• Communication through smell
Animals use a chemical known as Pheromone for communicating through smell. Pheromone is a Greek word, phero- to bear and mone- hormone.
This signal is passed between members of same species. They are used by animals to give various signs like marking own territory, leaving a trail of Pheromones to mark their path, alarm for threats and also to attract male and female species for mating.
The trail of Pheromones should be renewed again and again because it evaporates quickly.
Examples of animals using Pheromones:
• Ants mark their paths with Pheromones for other ants to follow and reach to the point where the source of food is available.
• The butterfly Edith’s checker spot use Pheromones for mating. The virgin female species release Pheromone to attract male species for mating.

• Communication through touch
This form of communication is called Tactile communication. In case of poor vision or hearing, physical communication proves to be very important. Touching in animals is used in different contexts like defense, mating, playing, etc
Examples of animals using sense of touch:
• Elephants rub their ears to one another when in a playful mode or they poke their tusks to show aggression.
• Mammals stroke or rub themselves against each other to initiate mating.
• Ants tap each other with their antina or foreleg and lead to the source of food.

• Communication through sound
Auditory communication is used by animals as well as birds. The everyday sounds that we hear like barking, meowing, chirping, etc. Each have a unique purpose.
Examples of animals and using sonic signal:
• The crocking of the bullfrogs is to signal that they are finding love.
• Vervet monkeys from Eastern Africa warn others when they spot predator species nearby by a different type of call.
• Gorillas hum to show happiness.

• Communication through the sense of vision

Visual communications are communication that can be seen by others like colour, body posture, gestures and facial expressions.
Examples of animals using visual communications:

• Dogs perking up their ears is the sign of alertness. When in attack mode, their eyes is fixed on the target with wrinkles on their forehead.
• The size of the antlers of the male white tailed deer determines power. The bigger the antler the more powerful the deer is for another male deer.
• Gorillas stick their tongue out when they are angry.
• The male peacock spreading its feathers and dancing signifies its need of mating.

Hence, animals talk with each other. Maybe we don’t always understand them but they have a unique way in sending every possible type of signal to communicate.

FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION: UNDERSTANDING KHATNA

PC: Sahiyo & StoryCentre. A screenshot from a video uploaded by The Indian Express.

WHAT IS ‘KHATNA’?

Khatna, a genital cutting in women, is practised by the Dawoodi Bohra community, a sub-sect of Shia Muslims. It involves the removal of either part or all of a woman’s genitalia or clitoral hood or closure of vulva with a small opening only for the urine to pass.

Dawoodi Bohra community came to India as traders from West Asian and African countries and predominantly resided in Kerala, Telangana, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Delhi. They have been practising this secret ritual of female circumcision for centuries. “They describe this as ‘Religious Purity’. They also say that according to Da’im al-Islam (a 10th-century book on jurisprudence), this practice is for hygiene or taharat- not just physical but also ‘spiritual’ and ‘religious’.”[1] They believe that the clitoral head is ‘unwanted skin’. It is a ‘source of sin’ that will make them ‘stray’ out of their marriages are reasons that lie at the heart of a practice that predates Islam but thrives amongst Bohras. The Prophet does not consider this practice as a religious requirement and does not ordain it. “The Holy Koran preaches that the Prophet breathes life into each body and that each body is in perfect shape. It is indicative in the following verse: “We have indeed created man in the ‘best of moulds’.” (Qur’an 95:4)[2]

The objective of the practice is to control a woman’s sexual desire and preserve her “honour” before marriage. The community believes that the clitoris causes sexual deviance in women. In a patriarchal society, a woman has no right to partake in sexual pleasure. Sex is a sin and a taboo, which ironically, only men have the freedom to enjoy.

As we know, in India no such practice goes without a challenge. In this article will refer an important case dealing with the matter at hand. It is an attempt to analyse the issues.

SUNITA TIWARI v UNION OF INDIA[3]

The three-judge bench of the Hon’ble Supreme Court, found that the practice of Khatna or Female Genital Mutilation (for short “FGM”) is a crime punishable under the Indian Penal Code and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO Act).

The issues before the bench were-

  1. Whether the practice of female circumcision violates the right to privacy of the girls on whom the procedure is performed without their consent?
  2. Whether the practise violates the right to life and bodily autonomy of women and girls and infringes on Article 21 of the Constitution?
  3. Whether the practise is discriminatory against women and girls, and whether it violates Articles 14 and 15 of the Constitution?
  4. Whether the practice is protected as a religious practice under Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution?

The Petitioner, Sunita Tiwari, contended that the practice of Khatna, as performed on every girl child within the Dawoodi Bohra religious community, does not have any reference in the Quran and is carried out without any medical reason. It thereby expresses anguish over the atrocity, bodily pain, in-humanness and mental torture faced by the girls and women. All this because of traumatic, unhygienic and illegal surgeries performed on them in their childhood. She also argued that this practice violates women’s right to equality, right to privacy, and the right to personal liberty. She signed to make Khatna a cognizable, non-compoundable and non-bailable offence. She petitioned so as to declare this practice unconstitutional and illegal.

She also stated that the World Health Organization had declared Khatna or FGM to be a highly degrading practice. It is considered to be a violation of fundamental human rights and integrity of girls and women. It burdens young women with a slew of psychological problems such as trauma, depression, fear of sexual intimacy and nightmares. Also, in December 2012, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a unanimous resolution which called for the elimination of FGM.

Hygiene is another appalling issue. Often, Khatna is conducted by untrained midwives without anaesthesia, using unsterilised tools. This may cause infections or in some cases, even death. It is sad to observe that instead of standing strong together, women are guilty of harming other women through this practice. Khatna is a hushed affair, as shame and discomfort shroud female sexuality in a patriarchal society. Due to this secrecy, there is no actual data on FGM in India.

The respondents in their defence said that it is a religious practice and hence is protected under Article 25 and 26 of the Constitution. They also stated that this practice is not discriminatory against women. Both men and women are required to be circumcised. The community considered this practice as an integral part of their religion.

At present day, this judgement is still pending before the Supreme Court. The original court referred the case to a five-judge bench which further referred to a seven-judge bench.

CONCLUSION

They promise you a bar of chocolate, a movie or just an outing; they take you instead to a dingy, dark room, pin you to a bed, take off your pants and cut that tiny part of you that was eventually supposed to make you experience one of the greatest pleasures of being a woman. With blades, knives or anything remotely sharp and long, they cut off your clitoris, and say it’s in the name of culture. All this happens when you are a girl of seven or eight. In spite of being banned by such a big organisation as the UN and WHO, there is no ban on this act in India. This practice prima facie violates the rights of women in India. It’s the worst nightmare a girl can ever have. Even the ones who remember look at sexual intercourse as just an activity they need to do after marriage; the idea of pleasure thrown out of the window. Above all, the irony is, the Bohra Community is known to be a more ‘open’ Muslim community than most others, as it allows for its girls to get an education and travel if they wish to. This case may become a landmark case if it results in banning FGM in India. Just like Talaq e-biddat Judgement, this case may also curb this arbitrary practice in which consent of women is not considered, and exploitation is on its zenith.

[1] Aarefa Johari, Why do Dawoodi Bohras practice Khatna, or female genital mutilation, May 19, 2017, https://sahiyo.com/2017/05/19/why-do-dawoodi-bohras-practice-khatna-or-female-genital-cutting/ (Last Visited on October 4, 2018).

[2] The Indian Economist, Female genital Mutilation: The case of the Bohra Muslims in India, March 24, 2017 https://www.magzter.com/news/764/2674/032017/d7evp (Last Visited on October 4, 2018).

[3] Sunita Tiwari v Union of India, W.P. (C) No.286/2017.

Study For Knowledge, Not For Marks!

In today’s generation, students study to score more marks and not to gain knowledge. Exams are just taken to test our knowledge and marks are indicators that where we stand among our classmates and it creates a good competition. Scoring good marks is also important for a student but these marks cannot decide their life, happiness and future.
In modern life, students study for marks, which is as a villian for them. It has broken the relationship of few children with their parents. Scoring marks are not completely our life. In modern world, children life has become very busy. When they are only of three years, they start going to school which snatch them away from their childhood. They have to live away from their parents 5-6 hours. Their life become busy from their childhood. They suffer exams. Marks and exams have made the modern day children coward.
Exams are just a medium to know one’s understanding in a subject. If a person scores low, it just means that the person has not yet understood the concept, it doesn’t mean that he/she has less understanding power or less potential. Some students are very talented but they get bad marks and become demotivated due to which they feel bad. Parents should also understand these things. Some parents make pressure on their child to get good marks but they should understand that knowledge is more important. Understanding of a subject matters. Some students rote and get good marks but they cannot be successful in future. The competition level of modern world is very tough. Sometimes a student who scores 50-60% in 12th becomes successful in life, but a student who scores 90 above cannot get success because they do not have knowledge.
But exams are also important too, from the knowledge point of view. There is a positive side of examination as well. In todays generation, the reality of students is that around 80-85% of them do not study regularly. Studying regularly is a proper way. If exams are completely removed from the system, these type of students will never study, which will spoil their future. So, we can say examination is  a tool which helps in maintaining an appropriate level of knowledge among the average students.
Then there is a confusion that exams and knowledge both are related to each other, which one is important. It can be solved. While studying, when no exams are near,the students have freedom to go into depth of the topics and get details and knowledge about it. During studying for examination, they need to be very specific. Students should stick to the topics needed and the portions most important from the examination point of view. Students should be pragmatic in their approach towards gaining knowledge and then utilise it for gaining better result.

5 tips you must follow if you’re quarantining with a narcissistic personality

Hey everyone, This time around, I’m coming with some very raw & real tips. If you are spending your quarantine with a narcissist or an emotionally abusive person, I know how uneasy, frustrated, and drained you must feel. You may feel as though you are walking on eggshells- anticipating what you may or may not have to expect from this person. Because of this, I want to be here as a resource to give you tips on how you can keep your peace and weather this storm:

1. NO MATTER HOW MUCH THEY TRY TO ENTICE YOU INTO AN ARGUMENT, YOU MUST STAY NEUTRAL & UNREACTIVE. 
You might be saying, “But! they are so hurtful! All they do is pick me apart and tear me apart! I have to say something back”. I get you. I have been there. But, what if I told you narcissists get their energy and their sense of self from your attention- negative or positive. No matter if the attention is negative or positive it communicates the same message to them- it communicates to them that they are important. This is what they seek. A sense of importance. So my tip to you is to be like a grey rock- neutral, unreactive, & boring. One word answers like “okay” and “sure” “yes” and “no” will take you far. I promise if you do this enough times you will start to notice they bother you less than usual. Why? Because they can’t get much out of you. I know this will be tough but remember one thing, you don’t have to defend yourself against them- they won’t hear you anyway.

2. IMAGINE A MIRROR IS IN FRONT OF YOUR FACE WHEN THEY SPEAK NEGATIVELY TOWARDS YOU. 
The narcissist is incredibly critical, you know this and you know how painful it can be. Remember this, as they criticize you, they are really just projecting how they feel about themselves to you. They hold themselves AND unfortunately, you, to an impossible standard. Understand that they cannot tell the difference between you and themselves. They believe everyone is an extension of themselves. This is why I say to imagine a mirror is in front of your face when they speak to you, because it will help you consciously remember that as they are criticizing you, they are really criticizing themselves. I promise, none of what they are saying about you is true.

3. DO SOMETHING THAT ONLY INVOLVES YOURSELF, DAILY. 
This is critical. This is huge. This is for your sanity. This helps you ground within yourself and stay rooted within yourself. Take a walk for a couple of minutes per day, take an extra long shower or bath, and/or do some yoga/stretches. These all sound like simple suggestions, I know, but try it. You’ll see how much of a difference it makes in remembering how much you and your peace matters- and is within your reach.

4. AFFIRM YOURSELF EVERY MORNING.
 Affirm that you know your experiences are valid. Affirm that you know you are not going crazy. Affirm that even if you are the only one who is aware of the discord going on within your home- your experiences are real and true. Affirm that eventually you will get out of this situation and that this situation will not get a hold of you. For more affirmations, make sure you check out my inner child healing affirmations and meditations here.

5. SOOTHE YOUR INNER CHILD. 
When we feel overwhelmed, frustrated, and even anxious, sometimes it is our inner child feeling triggered by the memories she once experienced during childhood. So when the narcissist in your life triggers those feelings- and subconscious memories, take a moment to be with yourself- when you get the chance- to remind the younger you that the adult you is here now. There is nothing to fear. Remind her how loved and lovable she is and how she will be okay, she’ll make it through.

I hope you implement these tips during quarantine and that you remember that this is just a season, that you are dong the best that you can, and that things may not look as though you want them to now, but they will all get better in a matter of time.

P.S~ The major inspiration for writing this article has been the podcast on Google titled as “The Self Love Fix”. It’s amazing. You all must give it a try.

Commercialization of Education

Back in the 90s, getting 60 percent on your boards meant having a party in the whole neighborhood; it was a celebration. Today, even 95 percent is not enough to secure your admission in the college and course of your choice. So, what changed during all these years? Not the NCERTs for sure.

India is fast becoming a country where education is just another commodity. With everyone obsessing over education and paying any amount of money to get the best, the real essence of education has been devalued. It is no longer a noble cause; it is a mere means for people to earn a profit, to scam others into paying for a basic necessity.

To educate someone means to impart that person the knowledge so that he or she can survive in society. But the commercialization of education has turned almost every institution into a business or a money-making factory, charging huge amounts for all the facilities that they provide. And the sad part of it all is that these facilities aren’t even required most of the time.

Today, every nook and corner has a new coaching institute being run by someone who is not even a professional of the field they are teaching or tutoring students in. As a result, most of the students going from schools to colleges are not using any prior knowledge from their formative years. Furthermore, the students passing out of colleges are not ready to be employed right away. Yet they are being employed, many even as teachers. A teacher is a pillar of a child’s future, but what will happen if the teacher himself fails to build a strong foundation for his student’s life?

Another important parameter for quality education is having the right infrastructure. The environment of the place where you send your child to study matters a lot. As a student, it is important to keep in mind that nurture plays a huge role in the development of our minds and the correct environment is the first step towards nurturing the feeling of learning in our minds. Schools and colleges are spending way more on advertising their institutions and finding prospective customers in the name of students rather than spending that same money on improving the infrastructure and the facilities available for the students. The parents are falling prey to these lucrative ads, readily paying a huge amount of money to get their ward into the said institution, without even realizing that their hard-earned money will be used to catch other prey. Basically, they are being cheated in the name of education.

Instead of being the solution to a problem, education itself is becoming more of a problem. Even though the education industry is rising, it is lagging behind in fulfilling its social responsibility towards the society.

The education system has to improve, thereby improving the meaning of education. Providing education should no longer equate to just paying the fees. The youth has to be provided with quality education and the whole society has to work together to convey this message to the world.

Image Courtesy: Google

The Coming-of-age genre (PRIDE EDITION)


In this era of seeking social validation, everyone is busy flaunting their intellectual millennial side. Posting stories of binging Nick Bateman’s stellar performance in Ozark while your Netflix’s ‘Continue watching’ flashes reality show cliché ‘Too hot to handle’ As the whiff of pretense fills our social media, one can never be in denial of a good coming-of-age movie. We often set aside our undying love for the action and splatter for a classic youthful, mellow movie. Whether it’s embracing the ‘Wednesdays we wear pink’ culture with the sassy Regina George from Mean Girls, reminiscing the Judd Nelson’s signature fist pump in the ending of Breakfast Club or even Hailee Steinfeld as awkward yet brazen teenager, Nadine in the Edge of Seventeen.
This blossoming genre often made audiences swoon. Either by propagating stereotypes of a dapper looking hottie falling for a demure, bespectacled girl or explored a more realistic approach of portraying the struggles and the bold nature of a teenager. The films that made the gravy train of this genre might have a very simplistic plot but truly wholesome and heartwarming. Formerly, with heterosexual protagonists exploring the journey to adulthood, films are now diversifying their crux and adopting a more queer sense and educating masses through powerful characters, shattering the heteronormative principles of society. Here’s presenting my favourite, 3 golden eggs of LGBTQ+ centric films.

  1. The Half of It.

Written and Directed by Alice Wu, the movie features a unique love story with a simplistic yet aroused, deep emotion. An introverted and aloof Ellie Chu, who is also a literature aficionado has a way of spinning beautiful written pieces with her words and philosophy. And then comes, naïve and adorable Paul Munsky, a mediocre football player with an undying love for his brainchild recipe of ‘taco sausage’ and the pretty, damsel Aster Flores. As our jock, decides to woo Aster by writing letters to her, he approaches Ellie for the task, unbeknownst of Ellie’s secret crush on the smart and witty, Aster. In the process, Ellie falls for Aster teaching us life lessons on the efforts one takes for their loved one, someone with whom you can escape the harsh reality and adores you for your true self. Even though your love might be unrequited, there’s always hope. It portrayed queer love, like an ordinary love story without glorifying it and also simple acceptance of another person’s sexuality without any beating around the bush drama . In conclusion here’s my favourite quote.
‘Love isn’t patient, and kind, and humble. Love is messy, and horrible, and selfish, and bold. It’s not finding your perfect half. It’s the trying, and reaching, and failing.’ – Ellie Chu

  1. Love Simon:

How to keep up with a messy love story? Well, keep a sketch pad handy to draft a web diagram, some uncalled for gasps and a tissue box for those waterworks as drama unfolds in teen flick ‘Love, Simon’. Rolling the carpet for our protagonist, Simon Spier a funny yet awkward high school student who has a poised and passionate personality. However, he’s discrete about his sexuality and keeps it under wraps fearing rejection. His entourage is small yet filled with interesting set of people, Nick, Leah and newcomer Abby. The film has all the key ingredients for a soapy, teenage drama. Simon exchanges heartfelt emails with a secretive pen pal ‘Blue’ under a pseudonym ‘Jacques’. As love blossoms and events unwind, Simon gets blackmailed for his emails. Throughout the story, Simon faces adversaries testing his friendships, being ostracized and bullied and the struggles of coming out of the closet. This film ended on a mellow note with and conventional happy ending. And also to know who’s behind those anonymous love notes, tune in with your feel-good kit.

  1. Call me by your name

The landscape of this movie transports you to the charisma of Italy in 1983, nestled in a beautiful villa where love blooms between a doctoral, research assistant Oliver with a suave and debonair and the American edge and 17 year old Eilo, a reserved boy who becomes wary if developing feelings for his father’s research assistant, Oliver. He keeps his sexuality closeted and eventually ventures in a daunting adventure of love with Oliver. The stereotype of opposites attract comes into play as the relationship between Oliver and Eilo blooms into something cherishing and worthwhile. Oliver is smart and confident, though he does not acknowledge and turns a blind eye towards Eilo’s surging feeling however eventually he pours his heart out. This movie explored bisexuality and not only perceiving it sexually but in a form of sincere adoration for one another. It’s also pretty obvious to fall in love, when the setting around is a beautiful, ethereal Italian Riviera. I guess we’ve found a new addition to your travel bucket list too.

Coronavirus has put our education in coma

FUTURE SHOCK: 25 Education trends post COVID-19, Marketing & Advertising News, ET BrandEquity

Till now coronavirus has claimed more than 400,000 lives and has shattered the world economy. Most of the countries are presently in economic slowdown. In India, data from Centre For Monitoring Indian Economy shows that 122 million people lost their jobs because of coronavirus, a majority of them being migrant laborers. But another disturbing phenomenon is that our schooling and higher education is in a limbo.

UNESCO says that more than 67% of global school-going population has been affected by covid-19. In India, schools have remained closed ever since the countrywide lockdown was announced on March 24th. Even after the lockdown was lifted, a survey suggested that 92% of the parents didn’t want to send their kids to schools. Education has certainly taken a major hit during lockdown. Government and private schools have started online classes where teachers are handing out assignments and other tasks virtually but this is not a substitute to classroom teaching. Also, students of economically weaker sections do not have access to these facilities and they are missing out on lectures and study material provided by the teachers.

Higher education has also suffered a lot in this pandemic. Final year students have been hit hard by the covid-19 situation and hence, they are uncertain about their future. Campus placements of many college students have been cancelled or stopped. This is because of various companies going bankrupt or closing operations & laying off employees. First and second year students have missed out on a lot of classes and almost an entire semester. Many students have said that they are in depression and are feeling unproductive. PhD students are not able to access libraries for their research work.

Coronavirus has forced shut our educational institutions and it looks like they will remain so until the virus is gone. State and Central government should work overtime to curb the spread of virus so that our students can go back to their schools and colleges. They should also invest and expand their technology that facilitates online leaning so that education does not take a hit in times of crisis like these. They should also make sure that education is accessible to the most vulnerable sections of the society.