Thisindianlife

Lies, damned lies: Tall claims of Indian advertising

Beauty products are the worst offenders the world over in the lies-in-advertising business, but in India, they have close competition from children's 'health' drinks. Do you really think Complan, Boost, Horlicks et al make your kid smarter, more energetic, or taller?

New age superstition: What unites Yeddy and the yuppie

Whether it's the upwardly mobile corporate professional or a powerful politician, we increasingly conflate spirituality with superstitious belief. Pujas, talismans, and shrines have become mere shortcuts to material success.

Goodbye, urban oasis: The end of the "gated community" dream

Countless real estate ads sell the dream of a gated paradise, far away from the madding crowds, filth, and chaos. A dream that the upwardly mobile have spent crores of rupees buying into. A dream that is rapidly turning into a nightmare.

Why going to the doctor is the great Indian nightmare

Getting medical care remains a profoundly anxiety-producing experience for most of us: from finding the right doctor to getting the right diagnosis, and therefore the right care. Is it so surprising then that we are more likely to die of diseases like cancer?

Gora Panju vs kaali Madrasi blog wars: Ethnic stereotypes are so 20th century

All this blather about 'dumb' Punjabis or 'ugly' Tamilians is not just offensive, but also sadly outdated. We now have an urban tribe of professionals who have more in common with each other than with members of their community.

How not to burn a hole in your pocket this festive season

The festive season is fun until the bills start arriving. That's when the sticker shock hits you hard. But don't worry. You can still have your holidays, your gift baskets, your goodies. Here are some tips about how to be smart about it.

Firearms for everyone: It's so easy to buy a gun!

Want a gun? It's a lot cheaper and easier than you'd guess. No wonder everyone from housewives to college kids are packing heat these days.

'Death to the Auto': 9 reasons to ditch the autorickshaw

The humble autorickshaw is a menace on the roads. It is a threat to citizens and ought to be withdrawn as soon as possible.

Parent care: How a daughter is now the new 'son'

Slowly but surely, the care of aging parents in urban middle class India is shifting to the daughter who is more willing and able to be their 'budhape ka sahara' than the son.

Running on empty: How Gurgaon is gobbling up its own future

Gurgaon has become the classic story of a city that lives beyond its means. Already the 24-hour gen sets have become a fact of life for those who can afford them. Next the taps will run dry as the wells hit rock bottom.