The Buzz & Beyond

  Vande Mataram: Celebrating 150 Years of India’s National Song Adopted as India’s National Song by the Constituent Assembly in 1950 Originally written as a standalone composition and later incorporated into Bankim Chandra Chatterjee’s novel Anandamath (1882) First sung by Rabindranath Tagore at the 1896 Indian National Congress Session in Calcutta First used as a political slogan on 7 August 1905 Introduction November 7, 2025, marks the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram — meaning “Mother, I bow to thee.” This immortal composition has stirred the hearts of countless freedom fighters and nation builders, symbolizing India’s national identity and shared spirit. Composed by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee , it was first published in the literary journal Bangadarshan on 7 November 1875 . Later, it became part of Chatterjee’s celebrated novel Anandamath (1882) and was musically rendered by Rabindranath Tagore . Today, Vande Mataram continues to remain deeply embed...

  Nostalgia: The Good Old Days Are Happening Now Festivals and special occasions often turn our feeds into a beautiful flood of old photos, videos, vintage memories, clubbed with a few complaints sprinkled in. “Those were the days!” “Kids today will never understand…” Nostalgia — that sweet ache for yesterday — isn’t just a trend. It’s a powerful human emotion. When we revisit memories, something magical happens. We feel younger, lighter — even if we’re only travelling backward in our minds (Mental Time-travel). Nostalgia isn’t just random longing; psychologists say it can actually boost our happiness and well-being. It’s a mix of joy and a gentle sadness, connecting us to moments that shaped us and reminding us of who we are. Interestingly, the very word nostalgia comes from Greek: nostos – return algos – pain It originally described homesickness and even had negative connotations. Only in recent decades have researchers recognized its positive side — warmth, belonging, optimism...

  Taking Back PoK — Rhetoric or Reality? Recent remarks by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, coupled with reports of unrest in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), have reignited a long-standing debate: Should India reclaim PoK? It’s a subject charged with emotion and nationalism, yet sentiment alone cannot guide national strategy. A closer look reveals that reclaiming PoK today is far more complex — and potentially perilous — than many would like to believe. A Brief Historical Context Legally, the princely state of Jammu & Kashmir acceded to India on 27 October 1947 , when Maharaja Hari Singh signed the Instrument of Accession. However, the turbulence of Partition — tribal invasions from the west, political indecision in Srinagar, and strategic manipulations by British-era actors — resulted in parts of the region falling under Pakistan’s control. In the 78 years since, those territories have evolved under Pakistani administration. They have built their own institutions, cultura...

  The Boy Who Stole Bread — and the Judge Who Taught the World a Lesson  (A Story and a Reflection on Justice, Compassion, and Reality) I came across a social media post with the following story. My reflections on this story has resulted in this blog. The story is reworded and rewritten here.  In a crowded courtroom, a 15-year-old boy stood trembling, his head bowed. He had been caught stealing — not money, not gold — but a packet of bread and some cheese. When the store guard tried to stop him, a scuffle broke out, and a shelf was broken. The judge looked at him kindly and asked,  “Did you really steal these things?” “Yes, sir,” the boy murmured. “Why?” “Because I needed to.” “You could have bought them.” “I had no money.” “Then ask your family.” “I only have my mother, sir. She’s sick and unemployed. The bread and cheese were for her.” The courtroom fell silent. “Don’t you work?” the judge asked. “I wash cars, sir… but I took the day off to look after ...

  GST 2.0: From Festive Boom to Sustained Growth — Can India Maintain the Momentum? In a recent press briefing, several Union Ministers announced that GST 2.0 has been a major success. Introduced just ahead of the festive season, this revamped tax structure—featuring only two simplified slabs —was positioned as a “bonus for the people,” designed to spur spending and accelerate economic growth. And it worked. The electronics sector recorded a 25% surge in sales during Navratri , while Maruti Suzuki sold 51,000 cars on Dhanteras alone —that’s roughly 35 cars a minute ! Hyundai too reported a 25% rise in festive sales . With increased car sales came a ripple effect—boosting demand for accessories, furniture, and sweets—driving a broader surge across the economy. So far, so good. But is that enough? The Need to Move Beyond a Festive Surge While India is projected to clock the highest growth rate globally at 6% , this still falls short of its own 8% target . Realistically, even ...