Breaking Taboos, One Bindi at a Time

The other day, a neighbour came over for a chat.

She’s a Muslim and a communist. I mention both because it helps explain the situation. Despite coming from a deeply religious and conservative family, she’s personally quite liberal.

She told me how her daughter landed in trouble for posting a photo on social media wearing a bindi, the small forehead dot traditionally worn by many Indian women, especially Hindus.

Her sister’s daughters, who apparently keep tabs on everyone’s social media, spotted the photo, shared it with the rest of the family, and turned it into a full-blown controversy.

The best part?

The girl refused to delete the photo.

I told my neighbour something I genuinely believe. If someone has an irrational “allergy” to something completely harmless, the solution isn’t to hide it. The solution is to let them see it so often that it eventually becomes normal.

If a harmless bindi causes outrage, keep wearing it until people get used to seeing it.

If colours like saffron, orange, or green trigger unnecessary controversy, keep wearing them until they stop attracting attention. This is related to the incessant mockery that the actress Priya Prakash Varrier faced in Kerala from a journalist for appearing in a Cuticura campaign wearing a Orange coloured outfit (or in his words “Saffron-coloured”). She had chosen the outfit simply to match the brand’s colours. Even something as ordinary as a dress colour became a point of criticism.

Similarly, if being divorced is treated as a stigma, then more divorced people should stop hiding, own the label without shame, and help normalize it.

That’s how irrational taboos lose their power. Not through arguments, but through familiarity. When ordinary people refuse to feel ashamed of harmless personal choices, those choices gradually stop being controversial.

I’m obviously not saying, “Keep using drugs until people get used to it.” I’m talking about harmless personal choices, whether it’s wearing a bindi, choosing a colour, or being divorced, that other people feel entitled to police.

The more these everyday choices are seen in public, the less power stigma and social policing have over people’s lives.

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Photo by Sharath G.

When Did Millennials Get So Serious?

So I’m in my 40s now, and one thing I’ve noticed lately is just how serious many of my peers have become.

Of course, the reason is obvious – life happened. Careers happened. Marriage, kids, ageing parents, bills, responsibilities… they all have a way of changing you. It’s not like our 20s when many of us had fewer worries and life felt a lot more carefree. Growing up changes everyone.

But even then, the transformation is fascinating.

I’ve seen people who once had the most ridiculous sense of humour become almost unrecognisable. The ones who could turn any conversation into a comedy show are now quiet, serious, and sometimes even a little weighed down by life. It’s sad to see, but I understand it. That’s what life does.

That seriousness has shifted online too. Most of the funny content is by Gen Z.

I’m guilty of it myself. Somewhere along the way, I also started posting only about serious issues rather than silly ones. I look at my old posts on Facebook and don’t recognise myself either.

Surely life isn’t meant to be taken this seriously all the time?

Take the Reposts tab on Instagram, for example.

When I open someone’s reposts, I’m hoping to learn something about them. What kind of humour they enjoy. The movies they love. The random memes that made them laugh. Maybe a dog video that melted their heart. Something that tells me who they are.

Instead, I often find an endless stream of political posts.

By the time I leave their profile, I know exactly which political party they dislike, but nothing else about them.

It’s strange. Politics has become such a huge part of social media that it’s slowly replaced personality. Our online identities now revolve around what we’re against instead of what we enjoy.

I’m trying to disconnect from all of it, but it feels like a lost cause. In India, there’s almost no escaping politics. Even when you’re sitting in a hospital waiting room in Kerala, there’s usually a news channel playing on the TV. It’s as if we’re not allowed to switch off from the constant political noise, even when we’re unwell.

And when did millennials become this serious?

We were genuinely funny. I would even argue we were funnier than Gen Z.

Every now and then, I go back and read old Facebook posts and comments, and it’s like opening a time capsule. People teased each other endlessly. There was harmless banter, ridiculous inside jokes, and conversations that wandered off in every direction.

Nobody was trying to go viral. Nobody cared about engagement or reach. We were just… hanging out online.

Of course, social media algorithms haven’t helped.

Today, a post from your friend with 4 likes gets buried, while a random stranger whom you’re not following ends up at the top of your feed.

Half the time, when I open Facebook, I’m looking at people I’ve never met. If I actually want to see what my friends are posting, I have to switch to the Friends feed. Extra steps, too cumbersome, leading to less engagement.

I really hope someone builds a social media platform that brings back what made the early internet so much fun. A place where the goal isn’t chasing likes, growing followers, or gaming the algorithm.

Just a place where friends share everyday moments. Random thoughts. Terrible jokes. Blurry photos. Half-baked opinions. Embarrassing stories.

You know… life.

I would join that platform in a heartbeat.

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Photo by MART PRODUCTION

Musafir Cafe: For The Ones We Loved and Lost

If you’ve ever loved and lost, you’ll probably relate to Musafir Cafe.

The yearning, confusion, helplessness, and desperate search for closure all felt incredibly real. It is one of those rare romance dramas that understands that moving on isn’t as simple as people make it seem.

Love is rarely a straight road, yet many Bollywood romance films still portray it that way. Boy meets girl, they fall in love, and the conflicts are usually external, whether it’s parents, caste, or society.

While those issues absolutely continue to exist today, many modern relationships fall apart for entirely different reasons. Ego clashes, incompatibility, poor communication, bad timing, emotional baggage, and countless other factors play a role.

Relationships are layered and complicated, so why are we still confined to the typical boy-meets-girl stories?

That is where Musafir Cafe stands out. Instead of polishing relationships into something easy to consume, it embraces the messiness of love. The emotions feel raw, honest, and deeply human.

Even when the characters move forward with their lives, the past never completely disappears. And that’s exactly how real life works. We all carry pieces of our past relationships with us. They shape who we become. Some people turn them into lessons, while others carry the bitterness into every relationship that follows.

I haven’t read the book that Musafir Cafe is based on, and I actually think that worked in my favor. Once you’ve read the original book, comparisons are almost impossible to avoid. Going into the Netflix series without those expectations allowed me to experience the story exactly as it unfolded, without constantly measuring it against the source material.

The standout performance for me was Vedika Pinto as Sudha. A very close second was Mahima Makwana as Preeti, only because she wasn’t given enough screen time. But the moment she broke down in sheer helplessness, I found myself tearing up too. That fear of losing everything precious to you felt painfully relatable.

What resonated with me even more was her attempt to handle the situation with maturity despite the emotional turmoil. That part felt deeply personal because I’m exactly the same when it comes to matters of love. I don’t create a scene. I create space for the other person to process their emotions, even when it hurts.

Another refreshing aspect of Musafir Cafe was how natural everyone looked on screen. No obvious lip fillers or overly polished appearances. It reminded me of the 90s, when actors looked more relatable and expressive.

It was also nice to see small black bindis, black kajal, long earrings, and flowy Indian outfits take center stage again. These were once iconic Bollywood fashion staples but have become less common with the rise of minimalist beauty trends. Whether you prefer minimalism or not, there’s no denying that these little details add a certain charm and charisma to female characters.

Personally, I’ve always felt that black kajal has a depth that brown kajal simply doesn’t. It frames the eyes in a way that’s hypnotic. It’s probably one of the reasons people on Reddit still bring up Alia Bhatt’s looks in films like 2 States and Badrinath Ki Dulhania. Her bold black kajal became such a defining part of those looks.

If you’re looking for a heartwarming yet emotionally honest Netflix series, I’d definitely recommend giving Musafir Cafe a watch. It has around 8 episodes, making it an easy binge.

Can Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) Really Challenge BJP?

Most Indians on social media probably already know about the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) by now. The online political campaign took shape after Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant sparked controversy during a Supreme Court hearing on May 15. During the hearing, he made observations comparing certain unemployed youths and social media critics to “cockroaches” and “parasites.” Soon after, sections of the anti-BJP online ecosystem turned the remark into a political campaign and launched the Cockroach Janata Party across X and Instagram. CJP positioned itself as an anti-BJP digital movement and later started campaigns asking people to unfollow BJP accounts on social media platforms.

I checked Social Blade after CJP asked its followers to unfollow BJP on social media. Since then, BJP’s follower count has only increased.

Social Blade Metrics for BJP India After CJP Call for Action

People who strongly dislike BJP probably were not following the party in the first place. That is why the whole “unfollow BJP” campaign feels more like online optics than a move with any real impact.

What also feels strange is that the original cockroach comment came from the CJI, yet BJP became the main target of the outrage campaign.

To me, this looks like the same old digital left ecosystem with the same familiar online voices trying to create another social media-driven political movement. I am not particularly impressed. The founder is reportedly an ex-AAP figure based in America who seems eager to build an Indian version of Mamdani-style politics.

Personally, I find both the name and the campaign childish. These kinds of online political revolutions succeed only when there is massive public anger against the government at the ground level. There is definitely strong anti-BJP sentiment in some circles, especially online. At the same time, there are also many people across India who genuinely support BJP, whether others agree with it or not. I saw this very clearly during my visit to North Bengal.

At the end of the day, the only real way to defeat a political party is through votes. South Indian states have shown this clearly. Governments change when opposition parties build strong grassroots support and connect with voters consistently. In many North Indian states, the bigger problem is that opposition parties simply are not strong enough on the ground. BJP and RSS have built an aggressive and disciplined grassroots network over many years. If anyone seriously wants to challenge them politically, they need to match that level of ground work, organization, and outreach. Social media campaigns alone are not enough.

Day 1 of My Acne Scar Treatment Journey

So today, I officially started my acne treatment journey after finally consulting a dermatologist. I do not have severe acne all the time, but I do get hormonal acne around my periods, and I also have some stubborn acne scars from older breakouts.

I am also considering adding my cleaning lady and aunt to my will because both confidently told me I did not need a dermatologist. To be fair, it could also be because they cannot actually see my acne scars without their glasses on. But I am ignoring that reality. Sometimes you need to be in a “delulu” space for mental peace and happiness.

Type of Acne

My acne usually shows up as white pimples on my cheeks every now and then. The bigger issue for me has always been the aftermath. Even a tiny breakout tends to leave behind deep brown or pink acne marks that take forever to fade. That is honestly what pushed me to finally visit a dermatology clinic instead of experimenting with random skincare products from the internet. I did not want to ruin my skin further (has happened before).

After my consultation, I was diagnosed with Acne Vulgaris (Grade 2). This mainly includes recurring pimples along with small, inflamed bumps called papules and pustules.

Acne is generally classified from Grade 1 to Grade 4:

Grade 1: Mostly blackheads and whiteheads with very few pimples
Grade 2: More pimples with mild inflammation and small bumps (papules/pustules)
Grade 3: More widespread inflammation with larger painful bumps or nodules
Grade 4: Severe cystic acne with deep painful lesions and a higher risk of permanent acne scarring

So, Grade 4 is considered the most severe type of common acne.

My Customized Acne Treatment Routine

I am not going to mention the exact prescription medicines because treatments like retinoids should only be used under a doctor’s guidance. Skincare is definitely not one-size-fits-all, and self-treating strong acne medications can do more harm than good. So the products recommended were:

Facewash
Moisturizer
Sunscreen
Retinoid (at night)

My dermatologist prescribed a simple skincare routine for me.

For cleansing, I was asked to use AHAglow Face Wash, which is available on quick delivery apps like Blinkit and Swiggy Instamart. After cleansing, I was told to use Olesoft Moisturizer followed by Acne-UV Sunscreen during the daytime.

At night, she prescribed me a retinoid cream. I am intentionally not sharing the name because prescription retinoids should never be used without proper medical advice. I was specifically instructed to use only a pea-sized amount across both cheeks, forehead, and chin, while avoiding sensitive areas such as the corners of the mouth, the sides of the nose, and the under-eye area. This shows how strong the cream is.

Honestly, the retinoid is the part that scares me the most because it is known to cause skin purging in some people during the initial weeks. But at the same time, it is also considered one of the most effective dermatologist-approved treatments for acne and acne scars when used correctly.

This is officially Day 1 of my skincare and acne healing journey, and I plan to document the process, including the good, bad, and dramatic moments. My dermatologist did say results take time, so I am trying to stay patient and trust the process. to see her again after 6 weeks, so I am guessing it takes 6 weeks to see a change.

I’ll know the treatment is working when my friends have to reduce their phone brightness after opening my selfies. Fingers crossed.

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Photo by Ron Lach

What I Saw in North Bengal Changed My Political Views

The recent election results in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu were genuinely surprising. When it comes to Kerala, like many Keralites, I was almost certain that the UDF, the Congress-led alliance in Kerala, would comfortably win. But what truly shocked most people across the country were the results from West Bengal and Tamil Nadu.

What North Bengal Told Me Before the Election Results Did

A few weeks ago, I travelled through North Bengal, and honestly, the experience changed many of my assumptions about West Bengal politics. Everywhere I looked, there was a sea of saffron flags stretching for kilometres. I barely saw any TMC flags during the journey. Coming from Kerala, the visuals felt surreal.

In Kerala, anti-BJP sentiment is very strong in many places. If such large-scale saffron displays appeared here, there would probably be outrage, protests, or even vandalism. So seeing that level of open BJP support in Bengal genuinely surprised me.

In my mind, I had always viewed TMC in West Bengal somewhat like CPM in Kerala, a left-leaning party with deep-rooted dominance and strong control over the political atmosphere. That is why the strong Hindu nationalist presence confused me initially. But this is exactly why travelling matters. Ground reality is often completely different from what we see through television debates, political influencers, or social media narratives. Sometimes, stepping outside your own state and talking to locals completely breaks your assumptions about the country. This was during my road trip to Bhutan. I would have missed this experience if I had taken a direct flight to Paro.

The saffron wave in Bengal is honestly something I do not think I would have understood without witnessing it personally. During the trip, several Bengali drivers confidently told me that BJP would win West Bengal “100%.” At that time, I dismissed their claims and assumed they were simply politically biased. Looking at the results now, it feels like they were actually reflecting the real mood on the ground.

The reasons they gave for BJP’s rise were many: unemployment, lack of development, safety concerns, the RG Kar case, Sandeshkhali, and the Murshidabad incidents. These issues mattered deeply to voters. They felt Mamata did not understand them.

The development gap especially stood out to me. Walking through parts of Bengal felt very different from being in Kerala. Both Kerala and North Bengal are naturally green and beautiful, but Kerala still has comparatively better infrastructure, roads, and modern facilities in many areas.

The Jaigaon-Bhutan Border Contrast Was Hard to Ignore

One experience that really stayed with me was the Jaigaon border crossing into Bhutan. The path leading to the pedestrian terminal was honestly terrible. Dragging luggage through the unpaved, rocky stretch felt exhausting, and my suitcase wheels practically begged for mercy. But the moment you crossed over into Bhutan, the contrast became impossible to ignore. Cleaner roads, better maintenance, organised surroundings, and a far more hygienic environment immediately stood out. My luggage wheels finally got some relief.

As Indians, we instantly notice the difference when we enter Bhutan. Naturally, it also made me wonder: shouldn’t Bhutanese visitors get a good first impression of India too? That feels like a fair expectation. I genuinely hope the authorities improve the Jaigaon border infrastructure soon, along with addressing the border fencing concerns involving Bangladesh.

Acceptance of People’s Mandate

One thing I absolutely dislike during election season is how quickly people start insulting voters when results do not match their personal expectations. The moment a party loses, some people immediately begin calling voters uneducated, illiterate, communal, casteist, misinformed, or manipulated. Others start blaming EVMs, the electoral system, or democracy itself.

But that completely defeats the point of democracy.

Whether we personally support a political party or not, the reality is that the majority made a choice. Tamil Nadu choosing TVK shocked many people. West Bengal voting strongly for BJP shocked many others. But instead of mocking voters, maybe people should spend more time asking why voters made those decisions in the first place.

Not every election result can simply be reduced to communalism or caste politics. Public frustration, disappointment with existing parties, selective outrage, governance issues, corruption allegations, and the desire for change all play a huge role in elections.

Take Sandeshkhali, for example. Personally, I rarely saw many liberal voices making strong noise about it compared to other issues. Over time, this kind of selective activism creates resentment among ordinary people. Eventually, voters start supporting whoever they feel is at least acknowledging their concerns openly and taking a visible stand. That, in my opinion, is one of the biggest reasons BJP performed strongly in West Bengal. Not because voters are ignorant or hateful, but because many people became frustrated with what they saw as hypocrisy and double standards from other political groups.

Similarly, many voters in Tamil Nadu probably saw actor Vijay as a fresh alternative to the traditional political choices they had for years. Maybe people simply got tired of the same two dominant options and wanted to give someone new a chance.

Election results are also the best time to quietly observe political bias from every side. In Kerala especially, I find it amusing to watch Congress supporters repeatedly celebrate by saying things like “democracy won” or “secularism won,” while the same groups often question EVMs, institutions, voter awareness, or the electoral process itself whenever results go against them in other states.

Accepting the people’s mandate should apply equally everywhere, not only when your favourite party wins.

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Photo by Soumyojit Sinha on Pexels