Blogs by Aryan

Social media has become a major part of our daily lives. Whether it’s scrolling through updates, posting stories, or reacting to what others are doing, it often feels like we’re always connected. While these platforms offer connection, entertainment, and even inspiration, they also come with a quiet cost—one we don’t always notice until we step away. Many people who take a break from social media describe the same feeling: peace. Not boredom or missing out, but a calmness they hadn’t realized was missing. In a world that’s always buzzing with notifications, likes, and comments, choosing silence can be surprisingly refreshing. One of the biggest sources of stress on social media is the constant comparison. It’s easy to look at other people’s lives and feel like we’re falling behind. Someone is traveling more, someone else just got promoted, and someone always seems to be having a perfect day. Even when we know these are just highlights, not full stories, it can still affect how we see...

In educational spaces, fairness and equal opportunity are expected by default. After all, classrooms are meant to be places where students grow based on their hard work, curiosity, and dedication. But the reality can sometimes be more complicated. One factor that often goes unnoticed, yet significantly shapes the student experience, is bias from professors. Bias doesn’t always come with loud, obvious signs. It can be subtle—a slight change in tone, a lack of encouragement, or uneven attention. It may not even be intentional. But the impact it has on students can be long-lasting and deep. Let’s say a professor consistently engages more with a particular group of students—maybe those who speak more confidently in class, or those who belong to a certain background or gender. Meanwhile, others who are equally capable find themselves overlooked. Over time, those students may begin to feel invisible. Even if they start the course with enthusiasm, they might lose motivation when they realiz...

   - by Aryan   Recently, I have come across several news stories about water tankers in Pune. Reading them, I have not only realized some shocking facts but also found myself relating to a few. I agree that this is indeed a matter of concern. And I believe most of you would feel the same if you haven't already come across these issues. The first and foremost issue is water leakage from moving tankers. I have personally witnessed that most (if not all) water tankers spill water onto the road while moving from one place to another. This happens due to faulty taps or lids, which the service providers probably don’t even bother to fix. Check out this news piece published by the Pune Mirror: PMC Sets Deadline to Ensure Safe Water Tanker Operations, Aims to Reduce Road Accidents . It clearly states that the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) issued notices to service providers, giving them a deadline to fix their tankers before January 15, 2025. The administration acknowled...

 - by Aryan   Before we dive into the topic, let me first share why I feel qualified to talk about job interviews. I’m currently in the final year of my three-year undergraduate course. At this stage, most students focus on their studies and prepare for an internship to take their first step into the industry. But those who have already done multiple internships during their studies are considered ahead of the curve. I believe I fall into that category, as I’m currently doing my third internship. (And that’s not even counting the ones I tried but didn’t fit into.) Through this journey, I’ve picked up a few insights about job interviews, and that’s exactly what I want to share with you. The Overhyped Concept of Job Interviews One thing I’ve noticed is how educational institutions tend to put job interviews on a pedestal, making them seem like a make-or-break moment in life. And it’s not just them—society does the same. Now, I’m not saying that job interviews aren’t importa...

I’ll be blunt—public smoking is one of the most disgusting habits people openly indulge in. There are plenty of personal choices people make that I disagree with, but few invade my personal space the way cigarette smoke does. It’s not just an issue of preference; it’s about how inconsiderate public smoking really is. And yet, despite all the awareness about health risks, secondhand smoke, and the sheer unpleasantness of it, people still light up in public as if it’s their personal smoking lounge. I can’t count the number of times I’ve been walking down the street, minding my own business, when suddenly—boom!—a cloud of toxic cigarette smoke slaps me in the face. It’s not just annoying; it’s offensive. I didn’t ask to inhale those carcinogens. I didn’t sign up to have my fresh air ruined by someone’s addiction. And yet, here I am, forced to deal with it because some stranger decided they needed a nicotine hit at that exact moment. And let’s talk about public spaces—bus stops, parks, sid...

Hypocrisy—it’s one of those things that’s easy to point out in others but hard to admit in ourselves. I see it everywhere. I see it in politicians who preach morality but get caught in scandals. I see it in celebrities who advocate for sustainability while flying in private jets. And, if I’m being honest, I see it in myself too. The uncomfortable truth is that hypocrisy is part of human nature. We live in a world where double standards are the norm, where what we say and what we do often fail to align. Yet, we all pretend we’re different. We act as if we are somehow immune to this very trait we despise in others. Take social media, for example. How many times have we preached about mental health and the importance of disconnecting, only to spend hours doom-scrolling through negativity? How often do we tell others to “live in the moment” while we’re busy recording every second of an event just to post it online? We criticize influencers for their unrealistic portrayals of life, but don’...

 - by Aryan   Just a few days ago, I read in the newspaper that vehicles registered before 1st April 2019 are required to install HSRP (High Security Registration Plate). This has been made mandatory to avoid fines. The purpose of HSRP is to prevent vehicle theft and fraud and to make it easier for law enforcement to identify vehicles. Booking the Appointment for HSRP Fitment I immediately informed my dad, and he asked me to book an appointment to install HSRP on our car at the earliest. The booking process had to be done online, and the official websites for the same were mentioned in the newspaper article I had read. The booking process turned out to be easier than I expected, and I was able to download the receipt right away on my computer, after the payment had been done. The receipt contained important details, including the date, time, and location of the fitment centre. We had the option to select the date and time slot as per our convenience, but the earliest avai...

Being a final-year student of Journalism and Mass Communication, I believe I am in a good position to talk about the impact of the 75% attendance threshold on students—whether it is actually beneficial or just another drawback of the Indian education system. Not every university in the nation has this attendance criterion, and things may differ from university to university. However, there are a few universities that strictly follow this rule, and I study in one of them. Hence, I can be considered a credible person to talk about it. So, you might be wondering, what exactly is the 75% attendance threshold or criterion? This rule essentially mandates students to have an attendance of not less than 75% in a particular semester. If they fail to meet this criterion, they are penalized in certain ways. For example, the student may not be allowed to appear for the examinations. Only in exceptional cases, where a student is unable to meet the criterion and provides a justified reason (along wi...

In today’s fast-paced world, where technology keeps us connected 24/7, I’ve come to realize that achieving a healthy work-life balance is more challenging than ever. I’ve seen so many people, including myself at times, struggling to juggle professional responsibilities and personal commitments. It often comes at the cost of our mental and physical well-being. That’s why I firmly believe that work-life balance is not just a luxury—it’s a necessity for a fulfilling life. What Does Work-Life Balance Mean to Me? To me, work-life balance means being able to give my best at work without feeling like I’m sacrificing my personal life. It’s about managing time and energy efficiently so that neither work nor personal commitments suffer. I’ve noticed that when I set clear boundaries, I feel more productive at work and more present in my personal life. Why I Think Work-Life Balance is Crucial 1. It Helps Reduce Stress and Burnout There have been times when I’ve pushed myself too hard, thinking tha...

(Photo credits:  https://youtu.be/KlIi5nSvKVo?si=3zUavhLsw9k-hQ2H )  - by Aryan   I couldn’t be more tired of the societal trend cycle — the way it first hypes up an incident, keeps it as a hot topic until people have squeezed every last bit of juice out of it, and then drops it entirely once a new controversy pops up. What’s even more frustrating is that while there are serious issues within society that genuinely need attention and action, people seem far more invested in controversies of less importance. And the way they demand strict action over these non-issues — as if their very right to life is being threatened — is not just funny, but absolutely disgusting. This blog clearly comes in the context of the recent Ranveer Allahbadia controversy, which has been a hot topic for the past few days. As with every other controversy, people have been offering mixed reactions and opinions on the matter. For those who aren’t aware of the situation, Ranveer Allahbadia — a l...

 - by Aryan   Elon Musk, the world’s richest person and the founder of Tesla and SpaceX, is known for his controversial tweets on the platform X (earlier known as Twitter), which people also find humorous. In one such tweet which he made on April 28, 2022, mentioned “Next I’m buying Coca-Cola to put the cocaine back in”. This tweet got 4.3 million likes, making it among one of the most like tweets on the platform. This tweet was made by Musk right after acquiring the platform X, with a humorous intent. (Link for this tweet: https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1519480761749016577?t=xqsbc_pE5L5UkhOlWseSlA&s=19 ) But the question is, what did he really mean by “putting cocaine back in”? Did Coca-Cola, one of the world’s most popular soft drinks, contained cocaine in the drinks in the early days? Absolutely yes. And not so surprisingly, many might not even know about this fact. Coca-Cola has a fascinating history, particularly regarding its early ingredients. When the beverag...

   - by Aryan    I was born and brought up in Pune, which means I have lived here my entire life. People often say Pune is one of the most sought-after cities in the country, with many aspiring to own property here. And why not? Pune is an IT hub, growing at a steady pace, attracting students, professionals, and businesses alike. But despite all its charm, there are certain things about the city that bother me. As a rightful Punekar, I feel compelled to share my thoughts. A few days ago, I was on my way to drop a friend off at his apartment in Punawale, a suburb of Pimpri-Chinchwad. What should have been a quick ride turned into an hour-long nightmare. As frustration built up, it hit me—Pune’s traffic is a mess. The worst part? We’ve all just learned to live with it. It’s as if we’ve accepted that getting stuck in traffic is just a normal part of life, and most of us don’t even think about solutions anymore. We’re just too busy trying to get through the day. Curious,...