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In the past 10 days, two people have had life-changing experiences. And been written about, because of social media. One was hounded and shamed online. The other was hailed as heroic, again, online. One lost his job. The other was praised for doing his job well. Chirag Mittal is the man who lost his job. Because of an unthinking comment he made on Facebook. An “outsider” working in this city, he posted a few lines about coming here and employing the “locals”. According to a report on the incident in Bangalore Mirror, his post soon drew the ire of many…

In the past 10 days, two people have had life-changing experiences. And been written about, because of social media. One was hounded and shamed online. The other was hailed as heroic, again, online. One lost his job. The other was praised for doing his job well. Chirag Mittal is the man who lost his job. Because of an unthinking comment he made on Facebook. An “outsider” working in this city, he posted a few lines about coming here and employing the “locals”. According to a report on the incident in Bangalore Mirror, his post soon drew the ire of many…

How do I slim thee? Let me count the ways... A while ago, I was getting my then-five-year-old ready for school. It was one of those beautiful and bracingly chill Bengaluru mornings where all you want to do is curl up with a mug of filter coffee sweetened with bella. Alas, the little fellow had school. I wanted him to wear a warm coat. He vetoed the one I laid out and instead, insisted he wanted a thin windcheater.  “The warmer coat will keep you nice and snug,” I pointed out. “No, I look fat in it,” he responded, matter…

How do I slim thee? Let me count the ways... A while ago, I was getting my then-five-year-old ready for school. It was one of those beautiful and bracingly chill Bengaluru mornings where all you want to do is curl up with a mug of filter coffee sweetened with bella. Alas, the little fellow had school. I wanted him to wear a warm coat. He vetoed the one I laid out and instead, insisted he wanted a thin windcheater.  “The warmer coat will keep you nice and snug,” I pointed out. “No, I look fat in it,” he responded, matter…

An article in the New York Times says having a working mom leads to economic, educational and social benefits for her children. The children of such mothers tended to "complete more years of education, were more likely to be employed, and in supervisory roles and earned higher incomes", the article says quoting a Harvard Business School study which looked at working moms and their children in the US. I happen to agree that it is good for moms to work--for self-worth, self confidence and economic independence. But I also believe the quality (and quantity) of work is very important. And…

An article in the New York Times says having a working mom leads to economic, educational and social benefits for her children. The children of such mothers tended to "complete more years of education, were more likely to be employed, and in supervisory roles and earned higher incomes", the article says quoting a Harvard Business School study which looked at working moms and their children in the US. I happen to agree that it is good for moms to work--for self-worth, self confidence and economic independence. But I also believe the quality (and quantity) of work is very important. And…

Recently, we went to see close assorted family living in the Nilgiris. We took the route that goes via Bandipur, Masinagudi, Kalhatty, Ooty, Wellington. The journey was a revelation, in many ways. At the entrance to Bandipur, there were groups of young people cautioning motorists against speeding, or honking and littering the National Park. "It's a Tiger Reserve", they reminded us, "so, please don't stop anywhere, drive with respect," they added, waving us on with a smile. My husband and I were surprised of course, but also gladdened, to see such committed conservationists giving up their holidays to do something…

Recently, we went to see close assorted family living in the Nilgiris. We took the route that goes via Bandipur, Masinagudi, Kalhatty, Ooty, Wellington. The journey was a revelation, in many ways. At the entrance to Bandipur, there were groups of young people cautioning motorists against speeding, or honking and littering the National Park. "It's a Tiger Reserve", they reminded us, "so, please don't stop anywhere, drive with respect," they added, waving us on with a smile. My husband and I were surprised of course, but also gladdened, to see such committed conservationists giving up their holidays to do something…

Kripa is a married mom of two in her mid-30s. She is on Facebook, Twitter and many, many WhatsApp groups. And yep, she has many “friends” across these various social media, across groups, too--school groups, college groups, work groups. Too many 'friends' to count, in fact. Through the day, Kripa finds it hard to ignore her cellphone because it pings incessantly with messages from the various groups she is part of--there is a constant exchange of messages, videos, images, jokes--some “non-veg” jokes and videos, some innocent, some childish. All kinds of messages, really. One day, Kripa sent a smiley in…

Kripa is a married mom of two in her mid-30s. She is on Facebook, Twitter and many, many WhatsApp groups. And yep, she has many “friends” across these various social media, across groups, too--school groups, college groups, work groups. Too many 'friends' to count, in fact. Through the day, Kripa finds it hard to ignore her cellphone because it pings incessantly with messages from the various groups she is part of--there is a constant exchange of messages, videos, images, jokes--some “non-veg” jokes and videos, some innocent, some childish. All kinds of messages, really. One day, Kripa sent a smiley in…