The Mental Compass

  DIRECTOR : Siddharth P. Malhotra CAST : RANI MUKHERJI, ASIF BASRA, NEERAJ KABI, VIKRAM GOKHALE AND OTHERS " Hichki " is an inspiring Bollywood film that not only sheds light on the challenges faced by individuals with Tourette syndrome but also tackles deeper psychological themes of resilience, empathy, and the transformative power of education.  Naina Mathur, portrayed by Rani Mukerji, is a determined woman who defies the prejudices of a society that equates disability with inability—a poignant reminder of how societal perceptions can hinder potential. The plot revolves around her journey as a newly appointed teacher for a marginalized class, 9F, filled with students labeled as troubled outcasts from a nearby slum. The film effectively illustrates the psychological barriers both Naina and her students must overcome. Initially met with ridicule and resistance, Naina’s unyielding optimism and innovative teaching methods begin to cultivate a sense of hope and collaboration...

Love today is exciting, fast-paced, and full of new ways to connect. From emojis to video chats, and of course, the infamous blue tick, the digital world has made relationships more accessible than ever. Sure, there are challenges—like the occasional ghosting or that dreaded 'Seen' message—but with the right mindset, you can roll with it all with a smile and maybe even a few laughs along the way."Welcome to the world of digital love—where feelings are fragile, phones are powerful, and your crush might dump you... via meme. But don’t worry—we’re here to laugh about it, learn from it, and help you feel better (without deleting your entire chat history). Modern Love Problems (Now super public, super awkward) Relationships used to be between two people. Now it’s two people, 800 followers, 3 mutual friends, and a nosey cousin who saw your Facebook status change before you did. Here are a few “greatest hits” of today’s love drama: Ghosting : When someone disappears without warni...

  “I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn’t say any other way—things I had no words for.” — Georgia O’Keeffe You return home exhausted. Rather than collapsing into your bed, you ignite a lavender-scented candle in a dim, purple-colored room. You inhale deeply, and the atmosphere subtly communicates to your brain that it's time to relax. Have you ever entered a room with blue lighting? Within a few seconds, your shoulders relax and your breathing becomes less shallow. Similarly, a room illuminated with golden yellow lighting can make you feel more energetic and optimistic. These are not coincidences—welcome to the world of chromotherapy, which convincingly demonstrates that colors are more than just visual treats; they are powerful agents capable of affecting emotions, energy, and even health. Imagine if colors could heal us. Tracing its roots back to ancient Egyptian and Ayurvedic cultures, this complementary therapy proposes that various colors are linked t...

“Reality was too loud, so we turned ourselves into soft watercolor dreams." – A netizen on X (formerly Twitter) You're browsing your feed, all set to relax after a long day, when a friend updates their profile picture. This time, it’s not their familiar face but their Ghibli version, standing under sakura blossoms with a cat on their shoulder. You grin. Then you see another. And another. And yet another. This morning, all of a sudden, the internet sighed, and everything softened. For the first time in years, the digital world didn't shriek for our attention; it tempted us to rest and to dream. It was like entering a Studio Ghibli film, except we weren't just watching—it was as if we were the protagonists. Even pets were not immune—cats drifted on clouds, and hamsters traveled in matchbox cars. What started as a random digital artist experimenting became a worldwide wave of aesthetic escapism. Servers slowed down, and people took time off work simply to perfect their an...

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." – Nelson Mandela India loses a student to suicide every 42 minutes, and by the time you finish reading this article, another life might be gone. In the silence that follows, teachers are left holding both the marksheets and the burden of what could have been. What is a teacher supposed to do when a grade becomes a gravestone? When a child's future collapses under the weight of a number? Why do schools sometimes become battlegrounds, where the enemy is the very system meant to protect students? How do teachers manage being both frontline fighters and silent witnesses to institutional violence? In India’s education system, success is often viewed as a straight line, and anyone who stumbles risks being quietly erased, sometimes fatally. Every year, as board or entrance examination results are announced, there's a noticeable spike in youth suicides. For teachers, this isn’t just statistics; it’s ...

In the brightly colored world of "Phineas and Ferb," love and relationships blossom through creativity, teamwork, and understanding, ultimately teaching us a vital psychological lesson: the power of shared experiences.  The show's central characters, Phineas Flynn and his stepbrother Ferb, epitomize the importance of collaboration and mutual support in building meaningful relationships. Throughout the series, we see how Phineas's ambitious projects—from building a roller coaster to launching a spaceship—serve not only as grand adventures but also as opportunities for connection.  Each endeavor fosters collaboration among friends, family, and even Perry the Platypus, who balances his secret agent life with the chaos of brotherly antics. This dynamic illustrates Carl Rogers' concept of unconditional positive regard, where acceptance nurtures growth and strengthens bonds. Just like Phineas and Ferb bring their friends into their whimsical plans, embracing this concep...

“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you.” – Anne Lamott This article explores the paradox of summer, highlighting how expectations of rest often lead to stress and burnout. It encourages embracing a personalized approach to summer, balancing productivity and leisure without guilt. Ultimately, it advocates slowing down, being present, and finding peace in the natural rhythm of life, reminding us that true productivity lies in embracing our authentic, unwound selves. It’s that time of year again. The sun shines brighter, ceiling fan lazily revolves overhead and people start planning vacations with hashtags ready to go. The season screams ‘rest’ but your calendar says otherwise. What should be restful becomes a strange combination of fatigue and anticipation. What is rest, actually? Is it lack of work or presence of peace?  More than 70% of students and young working professionals say they feel "more stressed" over summer compared to...

  We often forget that men, too, are imprisoned by gender stereotypes." — Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie This article explores the often-overlooked emotional toll faced by male victims of violence and trauma. It highlights societal expectations of toughness, the suppression of male vulnerability, and the dismissive responses they encounter. Emphasizing empathy and understanding, it calls for breaking the silence around male pain to foster a more compassionate and inclusive approach to trauma and healing. Ever scrolled past a news story about a man being assaulted, only to see jokes in the comments? Maybe you shook your head and moved on. Maybe it stayed with you longer than you'd admit. This is the reality for countless men who find their pain treated as a punchline. Silent wounds are still wounds. Just because the world turns its head doesn’t mean the hurt is any less real. Every story of male suffering reminds us: compassion must not wear a gender. Stories of male victims flash ac...