How it took One Gimcrack Waitress to Teach me Something I Should've Known Before.

There is no sincerer love than the love for Food. We can't thank Zomato & Swiggy enough for making it so much easier for us to order delectable food at the ease of our fingertips.

(& these empty pockets! *sigh*)

But nothing beats the jubilation when you receive your favorite pasta served to you at your favorite restaurant with unerring ambiance and the just-your-kind track-list on, right? Something to look forward to after having a grim day.

It was one of these days when my SO and I decide to go to THE FAV STUDENT HANG OUT PLACE of the entire North Campus. I won't name it but let's just say, it has something to do with big doors 😏

Usually the place is very lively and has beaming students in line who don't mind waiting. This experience, however was different. The number of staff members surpassed the number of customers. Maybe something to do with the timing. We didn't mind. We just couldn't wait for our order to be served.

Of all the places I like to have my food at, 99.9% are of the kind where there's no trashy EDM playlist blasted at volumes so high where you can't hear the person on the other edge of the table talk. I can't imagine myself going on a date somewhere where you've to yell at the top of your voice to ask for a glass of water.

(Yes you guessed it right, I'm not a clubbing fan either!)

This restaurant we were at, wasn't a one like this. I've brought my siblings and childhood best-friends here.

Unlike Joey, I like sharing my food with the people I love! *wink*

It was when the staff started yelling at each other to pass on the bill, check on some order on table number XYZ, that we got baffled. This stuff's not supposed to be made heard out to every single customer in the restaurant, right? I couldn't help but notice their young new recruit. How could've I missed her amidst her audible-visible-extremely out-of-tune lip-sync to Wrecking Ball? She literally kicked our table on her way to the other end of the room, doing nothing, obviously, but DANCING!

💯 points for guessing it right, she didn't care enough to notice, or, apologize.

The sole reason I came out for a meal turned out to be just the opposite. If I wanted to hear her sing and spit in my food, I would've rather had a meal with my nasty younger cousin. I was paying a hefty amount of GST for that meal in return for her to deliver her services, not listen to her rants to her colleagues, about nothing! The entire plan to lighten up the mood drained down the flush just like that and I couldn't help but ask to talk to the manager before even finishing the last bite of the sandwich I would've otherwise fought for!

It pained me to take a 500 Rupee bill out while the manager apologized for the amateurish behavior of the young waitress. Storming out of the cafe, I couldn't help but wonder how many such meals could've gone wrong but they didn't because of the wonderful staff I never bothered giving any compliments to. When asked for a review, I've only reviewed places about food, or their music and decor, but always took this one for granted.

Guess it did have to cost me 500 Rupees to learn it, but I did :)

Cheers to all the polite and extra-ordinary staff out there, doing their job right!

There's Nothing Like You & I...

When we truly commit ourselves to somebody, we do not allow ourselves to find perfection in someone else. And when the one we've committed ourselves to, isn't anywhere next to being a perfect match, that is where the trouble starts. It isn't even like we can blame them, right? Because, perhaps they never cross-signed for any of that shit like we did. Yes that is just what it is. A cycle of crap that nobody but we cajole ourselves into.

As for all the other cliches, I'd swore I'd never put it this way. But the pills I admit, taste less bitter. The broken glass fits, oddly a little perfectly. It's been forever, they say.. since they saw me sociable or jovial. While the birds leave their trees everyday and the sun lits up those tar-black highways, I stay here like I was the dusk before, and before. And I'll be here, til I make it a little less hard on myself. I gotta, I gotta get up. Because there's nothing like you and me. There won't ever be. There is no you and me. It's just you, and me. I wish to fall asleep, and dream, dream that I'll wake up and you won't be here. In my head and in my thoughts.

I learnt to never lift my crest-fallen gaze from the damned floor. Made it a habit to not raise the fucking gaze for it wasn't good enough to make you believe it was unadulterated. Made sure to be there for you but all I got were REPEATED nasty inklings. It was a disease, you said. We were young, you couldn't get yourself to care enough to see it. Has it gone, has it? How can you still not care? What you say, tells me nothing. What's the truth? Give me something! Talk some sense to me? Something that tells me I wasn't any of those things you said. Something that makes me see, the me that I am, and not the on that you made believe I am, a little more clarity here in my lunatic mind is all I ask for. Can I please.. for one last time?

Not til I am willing again, to surrender myself again, you say. You can't pull me outta this self-built misery, you say. Lest I admit to be willing to fall in even more ardently, profoundly. You ask me to separate myself, from what's persuading me to relinquish. And I say, it's no use.. the truce. It's like a spell, why don't you see? They're in my head & in my heart. The things you said. And you're not here to take them back. It's all become too much and all those words we exchanged, is it any wonder things got broke, to never be the same, to never be as magical as they used to be.? This brawling love hurts, it hurts me more than yesterday. Only the heartaches have given me the true sight and it's what I've come to figure out now. These aches you've began fancying; for they bring me to you. I gotta tell you, I've been using you as nothing more than a warning sign. And there never is going to be a first-light, when you'll get to rapt me again.

I never thought I could, but I miss the crap more than I ever thought I would.  It's dark enough to be able to see.. but not enough concealing to not let it hurt. So this is what I oughta do now. I'll swim through the darkest waters.. read through a zillion books.. to keep myself from crying my guts out right now. I know I'll never find those rusty-brown eyes amidst all the others I'll see. I long to hear your voice. But still I make the choice. The choice of becoming a shadow of your thoughts of me. Decisions, decisions are what I've come to angst the most, but this one- I'm so sure about. I hadn't been all this while, but hey now I am. Need not ask me to slow down, you don't need to worry now for you didn't when it would've helped, helped me to not become this dreadful being that I am now. I know it-I know it, I can tell it won't hurt that way, So I'll do it regardless of what you've been saying all this while. The good girl, there's nothing like a good, good girl you were looking for a good girl. You won't find her not here not again not in me.

The ONE Reason Why Tina Dabi (2015 UPSC Topper) Isn't My 'Perfect' Role Model

(I’m just going to use Tina Dabi's example to elaborate upon a crucial point here, this article is NOT a hate post on her. I have time and again come across the laudable dedication she has towards her work).

While most of us feel that caste based reservation system in some way or the other is serving a good purpose, I'll tell you why I don't feel the same taking up over a multiple examples. Excluding the general category backwardness, because everyone talks about that enough!

The reason why Tina Dabi isn’t the ‘perfect’ role model for me:

A person got qualified into IIM/ IIT or any other top institutes because of reservation (or, in this case Tina Dabi’s parents). She/ he/ they manage to become a successful doctor/ lawyer/ engineer/ civil servant.

Now who is going to make sure that this man/woman doesn't reuse this policy to help his son/daughter (Tina Dabi, in this scenario) secure a seat in these institutions using that very same ‘social-upliftment’ quota again?

Let’s consider a real example I’ve picked up from my own life:

The man who cleans up my neighbourhood belongs to a lower caste. His ancestors cleaned our neighbourhood, and so will his offsprings (well I hope not).

Does he not want the welfare of his coming generations? Is it because he is not interested in educating his children, or somebody else from his entire community won’t let him?

When he decides that he'll get his children into a nice institution, he knows that he won't be able to provide his children with the best available study material required to crack any such entrance examination, provided his economic condition. He somehow still tries.

Now his children try to avail the benefits of the reservation system, that was introduced to serve this very purpose. But how will they compete with the children of rich ST/SC people who have the right to avail the same benefits but have got an upper hand in additional access to resources?

There should be a limit as to how many generations of a particular family need upliftment to be socially acceptable. Otherwise it’s all just a facade, right?

Isn't this unfair to the low economic background people hailing from ST/SC? They are still being ill-treated, while the rich ST/SC (Tina Dabi and her family, in this case) are continuing to benefit. Isn't this creating more divides within their own caste now, instead of breaking barriers with the outside castes?

Some other instances where I feel the current caste based reservation system doesn't do justice:

1. The religion based reservation:

Some backward castes of muslims get reservation under the OBC category. There are some classes in Sikh/Parsi/Jew religions classified as OBC, but their proportion however, as compared to the largest minority (muslims) and the majority (Hindus) is far less.

I am sure that these communities get enough perks by their own society in however ways possible (separate dedicated institutions religion and community wise).

But is there a check that these groups that equally deserve reservation don't get cheated when it comes to collective strategy for upliftment? My knowledge on this particular issue is quite low. Please let me know about it in the comments section below.

2. Prevalence of mental depression ONCE the seat IS secured:

Few days back a friend from an NIT mentioned about the increasing number of drug addicts in his campus. Most of these hailing from the ST/SC group. The conclusion that he stated behind their addiction was: the embarrassment faced by these students once they got in because of reservation, but realising it only after that they can't live up to the standards of that institution.

Clearly, they fail to make the most out of their education. Now the question I have is, who is accountable for these depressed souls and the lost seats? Who is accountable for the talent this nation lost when deserving applicants were denied admission into top institutions?

3. Update to 2020: Modi government introduces an additional 10% Economically Weaker Section quota:

I felt that this very demand was wrong before, I feel it is wrong now. We live in a highly corrupted society. It isn't difficult to forge documents that falsely prove that you are backward. Most of the people utilising and procuring seats under the flawed Creamy Layer OBC quota were already doing so!

(Some people from my very own community do it, so I know how easy that is!)

Basically, we are paying for the mis-deeds of our ancestors

My point here is, the reservation system was introduced in newly independent India for the upliftment in the social status of the classes that were ill-treated for centuries in the Indian subcontinent.

On a lighter note, is it justified when I say that Britishers looted and plundered my country's resources for more than 200 years and created more opportunities for themselves, so I as the next generation Indian deserve a reservation in UK?

Has any ruling party or political group ever looked into the issue and actually assessed what percent of disadvantaged actually benefit from this system?

Some resources:

A DU student from Deshbandhu College sets himself on fire

Mandal Commission protests of 1990

Do people of this generation actually bother about castes?

At least in my own circle of friends and acquaintances, NO. We don't make new connections while interacting with others based on this factor AT ALL. It doesn't even come up in the conversations somehow. There's loads of other interesting stuff to talk about!

Yet, we somehow despite those who utilise their quotas. Sometimes intentionally, and sometimes NOT. But this hatred towards certain communities is quite evident all around us.

I would love to hear about your views and experiences on this very subject! (Your cue to proceed to the comment section below)

To sum it up, Tina Dabi could've done more as a privileged educated LSR(DU) pass-out

Why not I mean. She had been a meritorious student way before she cracked UPSC! I understand that this debate could could go on forever and yet remain inconclusive. But why is the public made to suffer because of vote-bank politics?

The number of reserved seats currently is 49.5% (2020 update: 59.50%). It is very clear that no political party wants to lose this 50% (now 60%) vote-bank by allowing amendments in this system. 

To put an end to the misery of the suffering students, the well-off ST/SC/OBC have to take an initiative by not letting themselves get fooled by this politics. At least if social benefit is their reason to opt for civil services.

How? By rejecting the undeserved birth-based privilege we have to secure a seat in our dream institute. Not a single rich or well-off family from my very own community is doing so. Not even a great civil servant like Tina Dabi could do it.

If not us, who will take an initiative? Certainly not the government.

Let me know about your experiences and opinions about this subject! I'd love to indulge in meaningful debates with the readers!

The 7 Best and Most Affordable Eating Points in North Campus, Delhi University

First and foremost, congratulations to all of you guys who made it to your dream colleges finally! You've worked hard not just in your boards, but you successfully managed to go through with that tiresome and confusing admission procedure.

It takes a lot of patience to successfully get that golden admission receipt in your hands at the end of the day, and you made it til here! Wheee-hee!

Now, that you're finally a student at Delhi University, AND an outstation one like me.. you'll see how difficult and bothersome it might get at times to manage your diet and meals with your unlimited food cravings and limited monthly allowance!

One simply cannot afford the Big Yellow Door and QD's at Hudson Lane every single day, eh?

To spare you the trouble, here's a list of the 7 best and most affordable eating points in North Campus-

• Chache Di Hatti, Kamla Nagar

Located in the midst of hustle and bustle of the market, you might have to stand in queues (Ladies ki line alag hai, bhaisaab!) to get your plate of out-of-the-world Chole-Bhatura stuffed with Aloo, and just the right mix of spices, for just Rs 35/-!

How good is that? Wait til you actually have it and see for yourselves.

• Ved Dhaba, Malka Ganj

This vintage-styled resto-cum-dhaba is loved by students and local residents alike for very obvious reasons.

Quick service, friendly staff and AIR-COOLERS with no service tax! You can get yourselves a plate of mouth watering paneer butter masala, butter naan and bundi raita under Rs 200, sufficient for 3 adults.

• Chowringhee Rolls, Kamla Nagar

You must've heard of this one even if you're not a DU student. Try their veg roll (@Rs 40) and chilly paneer roll (@Rs 90).

But again, long queues of hungry college peeps! And it's totally worth it, trust me!

• Bistro 57, Kamla Nagar

Economical, hygienic. A small shop in a lane besides MacD, this place is famous amongst all the campus students.

It offers a quick relief from the extremely hot weather with its affordable and luscious sundaes, ice-cream sodas, shakes and coolers. My personal fav- Brownie Fudge Sundae.

• Tom Uncle Maggi Point, Near Ramjas College

Oregano Maggi, anyone? With over 2 dozen more varieties of our favourite snack, served @Rs 40/- per plate, this place is a must visit.

This place first opened up in 1978 and has been around ever since!

• D-School Canteen, Delhi School of Economics

Don't miss the dosa and cold coffee served here. They also serve thali which is reasonably priced at just twenty five rupees. The only downside is that it is always crowded and you might not find a seat for yourself.

You don't even have to be a D-School student to eat here! 

• DDA Market, Hudson Lane

This is my personal favourite. For those 2 months when we didn't have food or tiffin facility at our PG, this place was our blessing in disguise. Here's what you must try-

1. Suresh Tea Stall: Aaloo-pyaaz parantha, Paneer parantha, Chilly Potato, all varieties of paneer veggies.
2. Kaveri: Veg Thali, yum!
3. Prince Chinese: Veg Paneer Momos.

Thank me later, and go have the time of your lives ya'll!

Also Read: The ONE Reason Why Tina Dabi (2015 UPSC Topper) Isn't My 'Perfect' Role Model

A Nightmarish Reality

Losing a person as young as you, who grew up as your shadow, but now is in a place that's far away from you. Sleepless nights, and if any sleep at all, visions where you see them again, outlandishly terrorized of what has happened to them. Whispering your name, asking you to have a look at their moist wounds, to help them tell everybody it's not for real, and that they are coming back to everybody who is already mourning their premature departure.

And then that drifting away til they finally dissolve in hazy air that appeared out of nowhere, arm out-stretched as far as they can to not let go of that one last grip, which will be all that you're going to remember. How you couldn't hold them close to you when you had that chance.

You try your best to picture how would have that 9-year-old bubbly-beautiful girl with short hair and bright eyes turned out to be after her adolescent years. How would she look like if she were with you today, after 10 years of her demise? You try your best but only find yourselves desperately looking for inklings from their siblings, parents and yourselves, failing desolately.

When you think about the relationship you used to share and what possible difference, if any could've 10 years made. If they would've graduated from the same school as you, be living in the same city as you. If they'd have grown up to become a person with same philosophical ideology as yours. Shared similar avocations as yours.

Death leaves a headache so fragile that it never really goes away, but is always there reminding you of its actuality. A heart so heavy and a depression that rises in your throat, pounding hard inside, leaving your heart wrenching in waves of turmoil. That first time you see them so pale, so cold, that's the last you'll ever get to see of them again. That'll be how you're going to remember them for the rest of your life. A vivacious soul that went to sleep, eternally. That girl with captivating persona who turned pale, inanimate.

Isn't it the most painful kind of death when you have to bear with the mourning in your heart for even longer than the days of their life?

Craay-zay Misconceptions People Have About Deserts.

It's very obvious for people to have their own set of curiosities about places they've never been to. But here's a list of insane questions I've been asked about my native place- The Thar Desert.

1.     Have you ever seen rain?
For a sec, even I hoped the inquirer was referring to the song by the Creedence Clearwater Revival. But nooo. This is the most outrageously absurd question I've come across til date. And it has to be. He actually meant if I'd ever seen the sky pouring, as if the clouds get sucked out of the space just because there're sand dunes down on the clod! *Facepalm*

The Thar Desert, just like any other part of the world experiences the 4 seasons including monsoon. There're even hailstorms and floods that destroy crops, like other states of India.

2.     Can you sustain winters?
It's a fact that deserts are subject to extreme temperature changes as freezing nights alternate with blazing hot days. Rajasthan has it's very own hill station too- Mount Abu, a part of the Aravalli Range. Mount Abu has a pleasent climate thanks to its rich dense green forest cover, In summers when typical temperature of desertious Rajasthan is around 44°C, Mount Abu's temperature is 31-34°C. In winters the temperature ranges from 10°C to-8°C (in Night).

My own city has witnessed temperature extremes of upto -2°C many a times in the winter season. So yeah, our winter wardrobes are pretty much brimful, just like your's! Hahh!

3.     Is everything made of sand?
Now I wouldn't complain if people ask questions because of the bias of photographic record. I've been asked if Rajasthan's railway tracks and highways actually look as depicted in the poster of the movie PK. While it's true that you'd find sand dunes around but that does come with a little vegetation, plain surface, 4/6 lane roads and flyovers as well. If you're planning to visit the state and expecting to find mounds of pure sand everywhere for your photoshoots, you're wrong. You would only find them in limited parts of the desert.

Don't be surprised if you find more landforms other than desert. Yes, there'll be hills & uplands, forests, more than a dozen lakes, 2 dozen plus rivers and lush green farms. Unlike the normal perception, there is vegetation even in the driest, hottest parts. You'll find these keekar trees almost everywhere, as far as your sight can go.

4.     Do you spot camels roaming around at any hour?
I'm not sure about the Middle-East and Sahara deserts, but we do not use camels as our means of public transport (other than exceptions of tourist activities). It's possible that you might spot a herd of camels in the sub-urbs or near village mandis. But no, we do not have our personal camels to pet or ride.

Normally, new borns' celebration acts do not include speeches naming 40 camels to the baby and property wills do not constitute of distribution of a herd of camels amongst the offsprings.

5.     Do you guys actually witness fights over water sources?
There are some parts that do get hit by water crisis in summers. But the situation is much better after the Indira Gandhi Canal Project was completed in the 1980's. Besides, there are ground water reserves and you'd find hand-pumps in villages and sub-urbs catering to the water requirements of peeps. However, most of the big towns and cities hardly face any crisis, and we've got abundant water supply for all our needs even in summers.

6.     You guys eat that dish, Daal-Baati, right?
My mother can serve you a plate or more of the most delectable daal-baati choorma you've ever had. But do not walk-in anyday of the week without prior notice expecting to join us over a dinner for that! We do eat some vegetables that you're unfamiliar with, like saangri, pattod and we eat baajri ki roti more often than you do. But other than that, we have usual food like you do.

*based on actual incidents.

Do we need to Employ a Police Jawaan for every single Woman and Girl in Delhi for their Safety?

It's so convenient for us to blame the administration whenever the law and order situation seems to take a toll. Undoubtedly politicians, followed by the police are the first ones in our list.

Now it's true that politicians do spice up the situation with their statements, often leaving the citizens in a mental frenzy about whom to blame next! But when it comes to the police force, especially Delhi Police, it has always been a soft target for any political party.

As known to us, unlike other states Delhi doesn’t have a full statehood. Meaning that its government has no home minister to defend it from the gratuitous political onslaught. Which explains why Delhi Police has become merely a force of "thulle" for our political leaders.

But why does every nasty crime in the National Capital Region of Delhi close the curtain on our 'jawaans' as being solely responsible?

Tweeting "Delhi police is criminals in uniform" somehow intensifies the issue.

It seems like CM Kejriwal scans the media and latches on to the fact that crime incidents take place under the homage of officers. Often launching an array of disrespectful verbal attacks on the Delhi Police.

Hailing from the police force of NCR, where every second person is a VIP or his relative, employee or associate of a VIP, these people sure have 'duties' are must be downright unconstitutional. It becomes even more difficult owing to the dreadful police-population ratio.

Capital cities have always witnessed a high crime rate because of several factors, most of which are not under any one party's control.

Based on my experiences with the Delhi Police, I am highlighting a very serious point here:

The police helpline number in the capital city is tremendously effective. Any call made to the number - 100 - automatically gets logged in a computerised system and a PCR van reaches the scene of crime, given that it is reported!

It's a quite common practice in India to play Holi pranks on relatives, neighbours or even strangers and pedestrians on the roadside. It's okay to some extent, when done in a friendly way. But, for a person like me who's never ever celebrated the festival or indulged in any pranks for personal reasons, getting a water-filled condom smacked at you by a gang of some 20-something goons is A VERY BIG DEAL.

Consider this: you're commuting with a girl-friend by an auto in a very crowded locality. All your clothes, hair, wallets and mobile phones get drenched in water all of a sudden. Your friend's liner literally gets washed off and it takes a while for you to realise that a whole bucket full of water has been splashed on you.

Would you still call this a prank? Well, I don't.

I asked the auto driver to halt the vehicle there itself and dialled 100. (Mind you, a prank isn't just a prank when a crowd gathers around you, gazes at you, mocking your wet clothes and laughs at your face)

Also Read: Dealing With the Coronavirus Pandemic Anxiety in 2020

To my surprise, I got a text within a matter of seconds after hanging up. It contained details about the police van's vehicle number, the constable's mobile number and asked us to stay there as help would be made available shortly. In under less than 10 minutes, a police van reached us. Meanwhile, they also called us a couple of times to ensure we were safe and still there at the spot.

Of course, the pranksters and the local elderly who tried convincing us into letting go of it had fled the scene by then. I couldn't let it go standing drenched in water, in the middle of a crowded locality, with everyone around ogling at our wet bodies and clothes.

It was the third time I had been aimed at by pranksters and I was not gonna let go this time because being ogled at my wet body and clothes in public makes me uncomfortable and I'm not a coward to let them make me feel like an easy target for their definition of 'fun' activity.

Delhi Police's action as soon as I reported the crime:

In-spite of no proof or identification of the guys, the policemen escorted us near the police van and asked us to give any information we had about them. He then called up for a backup team and within 5 minutes a team of 5-7 constables reached the site and went inside the residential area to search for any hints about the pranksters.

One of the children who happened to be playing in a park nearby led us to the house of one of them. The boy's family and a crowd of 30-40 people of the colony who'd gathered there by then were warned by the officers. An FIR written by me was followed by this and the local vendors were warned to either give information about the guys or to remove their stalls from the site altogether if they ever fail to report to the police of any such activities in the future.

Turned out that this specific locality was infamous for these incidents despite being a very crowded place. The team of policemen then proposed to halt an auto for us to drop us home safely.

We were provided help in every way possible by Delhi Police:

They just served their duty towards 2 girls who had reached out to them for help when we felt unsafe traveling in the city. Notice the fact that how easily the police could've let it go given that Holi pranks is a very common scenario across the nation.

We asked for help, we received it. And I am grateful to Delhi Police.

Just one question, to everybody who lashes out on Delhi Police everytime a crime happens. "Do we need to employ a jawaan for every single woman and girl in the capital for their safety? Are these policemen and their superiors themselves raping women?"

A crime doesn’t take place in isolation. All criminals, victims, citizens (and policemen) are a part of the same society. They (victims) live among us, (criminals) commit crimes among us, and (policemen) work among us.

All that we have to do is, be aware citizens and actively participate in helping policemen in maintaining law and order of OUR society. If a crime is not going to be reported ON TIME by eye-witnesses, how can we expect any action against the culprits?

Also read: Could the Internet have Dealt Better with Sushant Singh Rajput's "Death"?

Police is not meant to act as our bodyguards, but to take action against those who do wrong within our society.

What I've shared here, wasn't exactly a crime. But given the tiny-winy intensity of it and the splendid display of dedication of the policemen towards their duty, imagine the extent to which their work can influence the law and order of the city.

Not every recruit in Delhi Police has done something to get bashed collectively with the spiteful comments that it is showered with time to time. This was one of my many experiences with the police of NCR. There've been numerous other times when I asked for help and received it. Sadly, it doesn't make to the headlines because it's just their 'job'.

To sum it up:

Please do not ever verbally abuse a policeman, because they take up their duties much more professionally than those in power. Like every other respected field of work, they deserve an applause for being true to their work. This blog-piece was just one attempt in that direction.

Do not become ignorant fools by believing everything that these power-hungry men want you to believe. While the police is out there, taking up their responsibilities seriously, RESPECT THEM FOR IT and understand your duties towards the society as well by helping police maintain law and order. That institution alone is not responsible for whatever is happening in the city. We all are. And together, we have to fight the evils and anti-social creatures.

Instead of following the sheep-herd mentality and ruling out the possibility of any help reaching out to you, try having an iota of faith. Do your part as a citizen. Report crimes when they happen in front of you.

Who is your favourite TV series character and why?

Brooke Davis (Sophia Bush) from One Tree Hill.

She starts out as a rather slutty cheerleader who isn't good in school and likes to party... a lot! Her character grows as the show goes on and makes everyone fall in love with her, in the most realistic and honest way possible. She has her share of ups and downs, but the way she bounces back is so appealing!

She is a proof that your past does not define your future.

She held out for what she deserved. Any time any man treated her less than what she deserved, she made sure he knew it, and then ended things with him. (That's the way you do it ladies!)

She was always there to listen and gave great advice…

…but she also had sassy comebacks ready for anyone who deserved one.

Brooke was open about her fears, but refused to let them cripple her. She fought back… 

"Being a Bitch Is Okay if Your Heart's in the Right Place."

She went after her dreams fearlessly, but success didn’t change her.

She successfully handled both a career and a family.

Some Brooke Davis quotes

-And once you lose yourself, you have two choices: find the person you used to be... or lose that person completely...  

-Someone once said; "It's the good girls who keep diaries. The bad girls never have the time." Me? I just wanna live a life I'm gonna remember, even if I don't write it down.

-(To a reporter) You should be ashamed of yourself. There are kids inside our school fearing for their lives right now, terrified that someone's gonna put a gun in their face and pull the trigger and you want to know how I'm feeling? Our pain is not a commodity for you. It's not a news bite to boost your ratings because tomorrow or the next day or the next week when we go back to school changed forever by a day that will never leave us, where are you gonna be? At the next tragedy thrusting your microphone in the face of the next fractured person asking them how they fell? Lady that is not journalism. You are not contributing anything to society. You are buzzards circling the carnage but you prey on the living. That is how I'm feeling but something tells me you're not gonna air that.- *noticing a computer featuring a magazine cover with a very skinny girl* Guys. Absolutely not. There's no way she gets on the cover of my magazine unless she gains ten pounds minimum. She looks unhealthy. Anorexia is a disease, it is not a fashion statement. 

-(to Principal) When I was a freshman, I wasn't a very good person. I mean sure I was popular and dating seniors but as a person I was pretty lost. And over the last four years I've been forced to grow up. I stopped letting boys define me and I started believing in myself and in my potential and I ran for student council president and I designed a clothing line and somewhere along the way the lost, little, party girl became the girl on the wall of honor. And I know what I did was wrong, I know, but the girl I was when I came to this school? I'm not sure she would have. And isn't that the point of high school? Isn't that what you guys have been trying to teach us for the last four years?

Jat Agitation: Educated Indian Youth Openly Support Vandalised Protests in Favour of Reservation

Delhi University is one of those institutes of India that have the cream of India’s best academic 10+2 pass-out students. With such qualitatively shortlisted bunch of minds, we often happen to believe that this set of students are very promising to the development of our nation.

However, from what I’ve observed, our education system isn’t exactly shortlisting that cream as intended. In fact, it’s maliciousness is leading to a cycle of no hope. I’ve time and again raised my voice against the reservation system of India.

Jat Reservation Agitation 2016

As one of those students hailing from the prestigious University of Delhi, I have felt hopeless by coming across the opinion of some of my own classmates when it comes to reservation. When educated youth claim that protesting is a "legitimate constitutional" right, they seem to forget that rights come with certain set of duties.

More so, if they are getting access to a great education at subsidised fees!

Anyway, the point of this article is to point towards the attitude of 'best-minds'. I have attached some screenshots below (with names censored to avoid any bad consequences on me).

Is our education system blindly promoting individuals with medieval ideas of caste-ism and rioting to get their demands met?

By 25 February, the riots caused a whopping estimated loss of ₹340 billion (US$4.8 billion) in northern Indian states including Haryana and its neighbouring states. The then Railway Minister told in Lok Sabha, that the total loss suffered including damage to property and cancellation of tickets during the agitation was about Rs 55.92 crore!

Also Read: Social Media Sins: Blaming the Entire Sects of Communities Whenever Something Goes Wrong!

And do note the fact that by 26 February, 30 people had been killed in the violence! As a student of Delhi University, I am not proud of what my seniors and classmates believe in. But this is the raw truth:

To my surprise, all the inconvenience caused on the NCR highways was just another celebratory achievement for my own classmates. This, when there had been reports of people dying in the ambulances that were stuck in traffic jams caused by the protestors.

This method of demanding reservations cannot be justified, right?

These screenshots are only meant to draw the attention towards how educated youth impact the very fabric of societal morals. I am not posting them here to defame anyone. Belonging to the very same community, my entire nuclear family is against reservation.

However, this is not true for our closest extended family members who do opt for reservations to secure seats in educational institutes & government jobs. I have rejected this special quota that we are only entitled to based on the fact that we come under a certain caste.

The Solution:

I have always felt that consensual rejection by certain privileged members of communities is the only way reservation can truly serve its intended benefiters. What is your opinion on caste based reservation? Do let me know in the comments below!

Social Media Sins: Blaming the Entire Sects of Communities Whenever Something Goes Wrong!

In light of the on-going Jat Reservation Agitation, here's an urgent appeal to everybody using social media: blaming entire sects of communities will not help! Please don't contribute towards spreading hate for the entire Jat community!

We're all equally angry about what happened in Harayana during the protests!

Now that the violence and riots are slowly starting to diminish, social media posts are wildly surfacing targeting Jats for the violence. Before sharing any such content, make sure you know the entire truth before spreading it like wildfire!

There are posts with downright disrespect towards a certain community. Don't be a fool and believe only what's shown to you. It leads to inter-caste hatred and that is the last thing our nation needs right now!

1. Every person hailing from the community does not support riots

Every Jaat was not involved in triggering vandalism. Some are as unhappy as the rest of the country. Stop sharing any content that disrespects a certain community that's in news for a controversy.

Things can turn very ugly if this doesn't stop right here. A very large part of the community everybody's spitting hate about is a part of the Indian Armed Forces that protects every Indian day and night from foreign forces. So, obviously they're gonna feel bad coming across collective hate, right?

2. Every rioter was definitely not a Jat

India has a lot of frustrated youth that take up to hooliganism every chance they get. Why? To just release their tensions! There are cases where Jat youth collected and acted as security for not letting any outsiders enter and ruin THEIR city, irrespective of the communities that reside in it.

A jat dharmashala has been destroyed in Jhajjar district and obviously the jat community cannot be behind this, ruining their very own property! Other groups WERE INVOLVED. Specially political fear-mongers of the country.

If you've shared any such content, please remove it ASAP and do not contribute in creating a further divide between communities. Don't draw conclusions based on the very obvious that's fed to you.

Media and the political parties are also trying to give this a whole new direction altogether:

1. the 'non-jat Chief Minister- Manohar Lal Khattar' angle,
2. comparison between communities by ONLY mentioning the sikh and other help groups, and
3. being totally ignorant towards how some jaat-groups have also aided the affected people and places.

These issues are more sensitive than you think. With such widely spread and used social media, there's an urgent need to take such posts down. What happened was wrong but have faith in democracy and our judiciary. Those who are responsible will be made to pay for it.. whether jats or non-jats.

Please do not take these sensitive issues lightly!

Also Read: Educated Indian Youth Openly Support Vandalised Protests in Favour of Reservation

The ||DESI कोल्डप्ले|| Controversy

The second single from the band Coldplay's new album, which goes by the name "Hymn For The Weekend"  directed by Ben Mor in India, featuring Beyoncé and guest starring Sonam Kapoor is in controversy for "cultural appropriation".

With the on-going debate on social media about the controversy, some are confusing the main issue for "portraying the poor side of the nation" and all of us know this is nothing new for Indian butthurts, as in the past, Slumdog Millionaire has been in news for the same reasons. So before discussing about this further, let's understand in detail what is meant by "cultural appropriation". As I understand it, it's a situation of adoption or use of elements of one culture (generally speaking, cultural minority) by members of a different (majority) culture. In this case, some intellectual *ahemm-ahemm* Indian reviewers are accusing Coldplay and Beyoncé of PROFITING from misinterpreting the Indian culture.

Let's take a look at the music video shared by Coldplay Official On YouTube.

The video is beautiful and the song is amazing, looking to positively capture celebrational aspects of the city's culture, specifically India's Holi festival, cultures associated with Hindu religion, with kids dressed up as the deity Hanuman. Coldplay is commendable for choosing Indian Devnagri scripted theme.. and all of this with soothing music and vocals given by the artists. I've gone across the video, analysed the lyrics for a number of times now, and I don't understand where the butthurts found a misinterpretation of the culture.

In the past, Iggy Azalea's Bounce and Selena Gomez's Come And Get It have been accused of the same. So let me get this straight, whenever an artist flies in from the west and gets inspired with our culture,  wants to put it on record, we've just got to critisize them right? Criticizers themselves have zero clue about India's culture and diversity. Often culture is 'appropriated' and shown disrespectfully in our own movies! Remember Chennai Express? There were many instances of downright disrespectful to South Indians. Instead of doing it for our beloved bollywood industry's Munni Badnaam Hui and Hua hokra Jaawan Re, we point those out who devise the right away to do it, just because they're outsiders! *slow claps*

Oh, and the fact that, Beyoncé, a black woman, is offensively appropriating, is far from my understanding. She was wearing the traditional clothing with other women in the actual culture. How is that wrong? If it had been a Desi artist, she'd have been invited to invest and appreciate our culture.