Prayojan Pragati

 Simran Sacchan, a recent graduate with master’s degree in applied psychology with a councillong specialisation in rational emotive behaviour therapy alumni of Pioneer Institutes of New York is empowering minds and enchahcing lives with accessible therapy for mental wellness growth & resilience & ensuring that mental health is tailored to each individual’s unique needs. In recent interviews, she talked about various perspective of prioritising mental well being like stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and relationship issues. Ques: How can one handle societal expectations and pressure while making a career choice that aligns with their interest and goals? - Well, it requires a blend of self awareness & cognitive flexibility. It is crucial to reffect on your own values, interest and long term goals. Following REBT thorey helps in to set a framework for challenging irrational beliefs & motivates young minds to follow their passion. Ques: Why do you think there is so ...

Good Will Hunting Directed by Gus Van Sant | Written by Matt Damon and Ben Affleck Good Will Hunting (1997) is an emotional and intellectually and psychologically powerful film about genius, trauma, friendship, and self-discovery. Starring Matt Damon as Will Hunting, a janitor at MIT who has extraordinary mathematical abilities, Good Will Hunting follows Will on his journey of coming to grips with his trauma and reconciling with his possible future. Will is a self-taught genius who is comfortable with being a non-entity, a rebel. He chooses to spend his free time with a loving group of friends, in South Boston. Once Will solves a difficult math problem posted on a professor's blackboard, his talent is now in the public. In comes Will's love for violence and running from authority, and Will's open doors for life-changing opportunities close. Robin Williams comes in as sympathetic therapist Sean Maguire, who also carries his own emotional injuries. Immediately and inextricabl...

  ReidTaylor Jenkins Reid's The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is a glittering and complex novel exploring stars, identity stories, love, and sacrifice through the fictional life of Hollywood star Evelyn Hugo. Taking place during 1950s-1980s Hollywood, the story spins that ambitious fictional narrative infused with machinations, scandal, secrets, and profoundly human emotion. The story is framed through the perspective of Monique Grant, a little-known magazine writer, who learns that the aged and still-glamorous Evelyn Hugo has single-handedly requested that Monique—only Monique — write her tell-all biography. As Evelyn moves Monique throughout the stories of each of her seven husbands, we read the raw and compelling confession of a woman who made herself amidst the expectations of a world that sought to confine her. Evelyn herself is what makes the novel so strong. She is an incredibly rich character—ambitious, scheming, imperfect, and yet sympathizable. Evelyn will manipulate the ...

  As our world strives for inclusivity and equality, gender sensitivity and understanding is essential, not just a value to be developed. Developing gender sensitivity starts early in childhood so that girls and boys become aware of, respect, and support gender equity and dismantle outdated stereotypes that have historically constrained both genders. Gender sensitivity is understanding gender differences, gender issues, and gender inequalities, while taking care to exhibit equity in our attitudes and behavior. Regrettably, many children are unaware of the narrow gender roles that are formed from birth. Boys are often conditioned not to cry, girls are often told to be "ladylike" and professions misspecified as simply "male" or "female". This stereotypes become a part of who we are and difficult to unlearn in adulthood. Children can be taught gender sensitivity at a young age, and they can develop a better understanding of equality as a result. Schools ar...

Samay Raina Makes a Powerful Comeback: From Criticism to Cheers Samay Raina is a well-known stand-up comedian and chess streamer, and he is back in action following what he referred to as the "worst moment" of his career. Combining wit and intelligence, Samay stepped into the limelight not just as a stand-up comedian but as a key figure in popularizing online chess in India during the pandemic alongside Grandmaster Vidit Gujrathi and many more. In 2024, however, Raina became the center of attention with his statements in his special show Latent. In the process of challenging the very frame of comedy's limits through a provocative lens and dark humor, the show suffered a massive backlash on the basis of 'hurting religious sentiments'; many clips from the show went viral out of context on social media and ignited a massive uproar amongst people.  Even mainstream media channels picked up the story and turned it into a national debate on "limits of comedy," ...

  Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni's "The Palace of Illusions," delivers a fresh interpretation of the epic story of Mahabharata, told through Draupadi's perspective. In "The Palace of Illusions", Divakaruni retells this ancient epic to consider Draupadi as a character, her experience, feelings, internal landscape, to experience Draupadi and how her life has been travelled in the shadows of the masculine, epic heroes. The novel creates an accessible account of Draupadi's identity as she transforms from a princess to sharing five husbands. Divakaruni has crafted Draupadi as a complex, multidimensional character, and she considers her entitlements and aspirations. We learn of the pressures she faces regarding her responsibilities and connections with each husband, and her recognition of her contribution to the discontent preceding the war. Divakaruni uses a captivating and descriptive writing style that effectively places the reader in the ancient world and of...

  "Three of Us" is more than a film, it is an experience. It is a simple and poignant exploration of memory, loss and ultimately the power of human relations. The directors have pulled a masterful storytelling trick to deliver a narrative that is unconventional and meaningful without falling into the trap of a melodramatic approach. The film opens with Shailaja, a woman in the early stages of dementia, who has lost access to her memories. Shailaja retraces her steps to her childhood home to draw on her memories to attempt to reclaim the loss of a sense of self that has been partially obscured. What is particularly compelling about this film is that it does not turn Shailaja's dementia into a terminal illness, as it often is in a 'media sensational', it simply tells the story of a woman and her experience of memory loss in a sensitive and honest way. The film unfolds in a slow-paced narrative, giving the viewer sufficient time and space to engage in Shailaja'...

  Coldplay Didn't Just Perform in India – They Rewrote the Rules of Live Music Coldplay's two-night concert in Ahmedabad was far more than just a concert in India. Coldplay changed India's entertainment sector, and the impact of this, to the local economy alone, has been thirty million dollars or over ₹641 crore. These British musicians didn't only bring their sound to India, but also their movement. Coldplay's five-city tour in India was not just a concert; it was a template for the future of live entertainment. Here is how Coldplay changed the game for live music entertainment forever. The ₹641 Crore Spectacle That Echoed Beyond the Stage According to a report by EY-Parthenon and BookMyShow, just the Ahmedabad leg of Coldplay’s tour created a ripple effect worth ₹641 crore. That’s not just ticket sales—it’s hotels, food, travel, shopping, and more. "₹392 crore" directly boosted Ahmedabad’s local economy "₹72 crore" poured into government ...

How Young Professionals Can Avoid Burnout In today's hustle culture, there is a glorification of hard work, and success seems to be synonymous will burnout. But burnout is not just real, it is also a drain on creativity, motivation, and maybe even your body. Young professionals are caught between their ambitions at work, and their well-being beyond it, but the truth is finding success is finding balance between life, and work. One of the biggest myths "I'll rest later." Many professionals think if they just power through their tiredness, they will eventually reach their goals. But the truth is overworking yourself only leads to mental fatigue, low productivity, and increased dissatisfaction. Prioritizing self-care is not indulgent, it is essential! It's just as important to schedule time for yourself as it is to schedule time to meet with your work team. Self and personal time, whatever that is to you is necessary, boundries also serve as your best ally against bu...

  Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen is a classic work and an enjoyable read, with unforgettable characters, lovely plot, and a beautifully written understanding on human behavior and the world of humanity. Set in the English countryside of late 18th century, it focuses on the lives of the Bennet sisters, especially Elizabeth. It highlights all of the obstacles of love and affections, social customs, and class distinctions. Austen's artistic brilliance illuminates her characters and theirpersonality. There are few literary characters who I so admire as I do the feisty and independent Elizabeth Bennet, the novel's protagonist. The cleverness in Austen's humor allows her to insert quips concerning Elizabeth's efforts to figure out her world. Elizabeth goes out of the way stereotypes of that time ; thus, the contrasting nature of Elizabeth's character was an appealing counterpoint to the various suitors. Initially, Mr. Darcy appears to Elizabeth as too proud and egois...

  Rohit Sharma retires from Test Cricket: Closing of a Beautiful Chapter In a recent emotional moment for Indian cricket fans, Rohit Sharma announced he would retire from Test cricket. It marks the closing of a glorious chapter in Indian cricket history as one of the most stylish and dependable batters to play the game hangs up his boots from the long form of the game. From Nagpur to National Hero Rohit Sharma was born on April 30th, 1987 in Nagpur and has had an inspiring cricket journey. Rohit Sharma came from a middle-class home of humble beginnings, and had to work very hard to build a name for himself. He was noticed first on the white-ball cricket scene, with his graceful batting style and cool temperament. However, it took him some time to settle down with the Test side.  He made his Test debut in 2013 against West Indies and scored 177 runs - at Eden Gardens as well! But it was not until 2019 when his real Test career began, when he opened the innings, and there has be...

 "The Perks of Being a Wallflower," is a heartbreaking coming-of-age thriller about adolescence, mental health, and a sense of belonging, written by Stephen Chbosky. With Logan Lerman, Emma Watson, and Ezra Miller, the film follows Charlie as a shy, introverted, and timid high school freshman who is still discovering himself and trying to keep trauma from his past buried. Charlie meets a motley crew of anti-cultural elders willing to offer him tolerance and acceptance. Charlie contends with problems created through the recovery of his trauma and slowly discovers freedom in experience and closure in unresolved situations with his new friends. Charlie's character develops sensitively from the chain in this well-written movie. The story has a steady pace and the shifts between happy and sad moments are smooth: consistent, fast pace. The mood is upbeat without feeling cliched or overly dramatic. The acting is stellar. Logan Lerman portrays Charlie's character development ...

  We all have been seeing met gala as just a stage for celebrities to flex their fashion and clout. But it's more then that. The Met Gala began in 1948 by the PR queen Eleanor Lambert.  It was initially conceived as a fundraising event for the Costume Institute, with the aim of supporting its exhibitions and acquisitions. Over time, it evolved into a high-profile fashion event. It was a high society eaffair and less "Hollywood", more new york elite. For 2025 the theme for met was "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style". Bollywood stars like Shahrukh khan, Diljit Dosanjh, Kiara Advani, Sabyasachi Mukherjee, Manish Malhotra and many more were also Present in met this year. What came in lime light was the Outfit of Diljit Dosanjh, honouring his Punjabi roots in a custom ivory ensemble by Prabal Gurung. The attire was resemble of a Punjabi Prince, complete with a turban, drape, and ceremonial sword case, evoking the aura of a modern-day Maharaja.  Diljit was resembling a...

  "Kantara" is a dazzling cinematic experience. This film pulls you in from the very first frame and does not let you go. It is a masterclass in storytelling of action and drama and mythology. The brilliance of the film is not just the technical achievements, but the engulfingness of beautiful South's culture and mythology. The detail is absolutely stunning, from the intricate costumes and set designs, original uses of local customs, and beliefs. The film's portrayal of the relationship between nature and humanity is extremely engaging. Significant parts of the film take place in thick forests or during a Kambala race, and every time it is in nature, whether at a Kambala race or sacred ritual, nature plays a backstory character, shaping and guiding the film's narrative in important ways. The film confronts many ideas that are in society, things like the maintenance of indigenous rights of eqch, modernization, and faith head on; and it employs an incredibly nuanced...

  Khaled Hosseini's "A Thousand Splendid Suns" offers an emotional read that is a powerful examination of the human experience in which the lives of two women, Mariam and Laila, become intertwined through marriage, societal restraints, and the specter of violence in the fictional world of Afghanistan. Hosseini's writing is so evocative and detailed that you can nearly sense the beautiful Afghan culture, traditions, and the effects of war's devastation. The precise detail of Hosseini's writing enables you to observe Mariam and Laila's life through their emotions, and it presents the readers with a full picture, either in Kabul's cacophonous maze-like streets, or in the seclusion that they had under the watchful eyes of the Taliban. The strength of this novel is that it puts a face to the war, and emphasizes the indomitable spirit of the Afghani People. The central relationship between Mariam and Laila is the core of the book. Though their relationship b...

  "Dead Poets Society" being a college student makes you feel seen and feels different. It is more than a movie but rather a stomach punch of nostalgia and inspiration. The film takes place at Welton Academy, an all boys' boarding school, and covers more than just poetry; it's about the risk of living.  The catalyst of the film is the introduction of John Keating, an English teacher who doesn't just teach, but ignites. Played by the incomparable Robin Williams, Keating doesn't teach being "true to yourself," he model's "carpe diem" and shows the boys how to seize the day. Keating introduces the idea of the "Dead Poets Society," a secret club dedicated to poetry and following your passion. The genius of the film lies in its multiple layers of narrative. On one level it is about poetry and literature, on another level, there is a bigger message about finding oneself, having courage to break the mold, and how sad it is to be a co...

The importance of Tattoos in Indian tribal culture   In India, tattoos are often regarded as something to judge, either from some perspective or another especially from religious people. They are often chalked up to being rebellious or backward but the judgement misses one thing that these tattoos are not a modern development out of the West, they are an ancient Indian practice that is thoroughly part of the cultural and spiritual landscape of our land. Tattoos were used as symbols of identity, survival, resistance and beliefs long before they became a fashion statement. Body art in India dates back to the Mesolithic period, with cave paintings in Bhimbetka, Madhya Pradesh revealing human figures adorned with what might be a first look at body art. These marks were not just pure decoration, but seen as expressions of belonging, designed to be protective, forms of memory. In India, and among several tribal communities, tattoos were never just adornments - they were stories writ...