Articles

Off the Rails: Why the Indian Railways’ UTS App is Pure Evil

When you first download the Indian Railways’ UTS app, you’ll notice that there are a few truly ingenious features that must have taken some skill to deploy. The only problem — this skill has been used to aid frustration rather than convenience.

Deepak Gopalakrishnan June 22, 2016

Pop Culture

Why Jurassic World Needs to Go Extinct

Jurassic World is not Jurassic Park, any more than your Colvin Klien shades from Colaba Causeway are close to the originals. Maybe the once-flourishing franchise should take a cue from the dinosaurs, and embrace extinction.

Dushyant Shekhawat June 21, 2016

Money Matters

Finance Ministry to Announce Much-Anticipated Release Date for Next Economic Recession

Recessions are like black swans. They’re rare, come out of nowhere, and people frown upon you when you say they look delicious. Is the next one staring us between the eyes? Because it’s been a while since the last one so maybe the next one should just hurry up and get here. And Urjit Patel’s resignation has not helped things.

Adhirath Sethi June 21, 2016

Sports

Virat Kohli: The Man Who Makes Miracles Seem Mundane

Virat Kohli has reached a rare peak that only few sportsmen do, where he has become so good that it has become boring. It’s not a surprise anymore when he gets a 100; in fact, it’s a surprise when he doesn’t. And that is an astonishing feat.

Hardik Rajgor June 21, 2016

Pop Culture

Can You Laugh at Aziz Ansari’s Jokes and Not Feel Guilty in a Post-#MeToo World?

Aziz Ansari performed his comeback stand-up tour, “Road to Nowhere” in India this weekend. In the sold-out show in Mumbai, the comedian’s new set spiritedly acknowledged the predominant concern of the post-Me Too world: Are you trivialising the transgressions of outed men if you’re willing to renegotiate with their art?

Poulomi Das June 21, 2016

Bollywood

Ghost Stories Review: Dibakar Banerjee Single-Handedly Offers a Compelling Definition of Modern Horror

The dullness of Ghost Stories dilutes the urgency of a horror anthology. In the times that we live in, horror is everywhere you look – in state-sanctioned violence, in the militarisation of the police force, the othering of minorities, and in the clampdown of dissent. It’s probably why Dibakar Banerjee’s segment stands out: the director doesn’t just make a film, but also a statement.

Poulomi Das June 21, 2016

Pop Culture

What I Learnt About Being a Mess From Marie Kondo, the Queen of Tidying Up

In Netflix’s “Tidying Up With Marie Kondo”, Kondo’s method involves gently folding each item, looking it in the eye, and asking whether it “sparks joy”. If a sagging grey tank top could be accorded that much love, why can’t we direct some appreciation toward ourselves?

Sushmita Sundaram June 21, 2016

Gender

Navigating the Great Indian Workplace as a Woman

Workplaces are evolving, but as a working woman, it is nearly impossible to instinctively reach out for opportunities without evaluating the gendered risks of that leap.

Jagruti Verma June 21, 2016

Gender

Down with Female

Can we please stop using the word “female” as a term of abuse? Stop letting sexism get in the way of our swearing, especially when we already have such a colourful arsenal.

Lavanya Narayan June 21, 2016

POV

No, I’m Not Made in China

I am sick of telling people that they don’t have to lock up their pet dogs in the storeroom when I go over to their house.

Abheek Sinha June 21, 2016