CULTURE

Indian techie working at UK company says holidays declared till January 6th. Desi netizens rue India's '365-day' work culture

An employee from India working with a UK-based company has caused many office workers to feel envious after revealing that his organization is granting an extended holiday break until January 6 to celebrate Christmas and New Year.

New app to provide seamless access to loans for people with disabilities

A new mobile app launched in India streamlines loan access for disabled entrepreneurs and individuals. The app debuted at the 22nd Divya Kala Mela, which celebrated the talents of disabled artists and entrepreneurs and saw record sales exceeding Rs 13.5 crore. The government reaffirmed its commitment to empowering disabled individuals.

Bengaluru techie exposes MNC's toxic micromanagement culture after being terminated within four months. Check viral post

A Bengaluru-based tech professional has shared his experience of being laid off after less than four months at an American workforce management company. In a LinkedIn post, he accused his manager of fostering a toxic work environment, characterized by micromanagement, unrealistic workloads, and excessive scrutiny over minor mistakes. Despite his prior experience at Amazon and Revolut, the employee claimed he received no proper training or mentorship, which led to his struggles.

Rohan Mirchandani death: Radhika Gupta advices professionals to 'live the moments' as Epigamia CEO dies after cardiac arrest

Rohan Mirchandani, co-founder of the popular Greek yogurt brand Epigamia, passed away at 42 due to a sudden cardiac arrest. His untimely demise highlights the growing health risks faced by young professionals due to stress and lifestyle factors. Mirchandani's leadership transformed Epigamia into a leading FMCG brand, with plans for Middle East expansion. Industry leaders and peers expressed shock and grief, while Edelweiss CEO Radhika Gupta emphasized the importance of managing stress and gratitude in a competitive world.

A bar, a karaoke set, and even a DJ set: What's inside BTS member Jungkook's new house

BTS's Jungkook surprised fans with a virtual house tour during a livestream from his military leave. He showed off a modern home complete with a bar, DJ setup, and karaoke system, even serenading fans with songs. Jungkook also addressed privacy concerns, requesting fans to respect his personal space and refrain from sending gifts or searching for his address.

"60 hours is normal?": Former Amazon exec faces backlash after praising Bengaluru team’s “insane” 3am meetings

A LinkedIn post by Adam Broda, a former Amazon executive, has reignited discussions about work culture in India, particularly regarding long hours. While some see it as a reflection of dedication, others raise concerns about health and personal life sacrifices. The post quickly went viral on social media, triggering mixed reactions on the challenges faced by employees in global organisations.

Only in Bihar: Mom of three weds lover after 12 years of marriage, ex-husband arranges wedding

In Saharsa, Bihar, a mother of three married her boyfriend after her ex-husband surprisingly arranged their wedding. Following 12 years of marriage, she began a relationship with a father of two. In a remarkable gesture, her husband stepped aside, allowing the couple to formalize their union in a unique ceremony.

Techie admits to crying on Google Meet, reveals he was made to work 15 hours with 0 training at startup

An Indian front-end developer's Reddit post revealed the toxic environment at his remote startup. He shared a distressing incident where a co-founder verbally abused him during a Google Meet call, reducing him to tears and highlighting the emotional toll of unclear instructions, long hours, and lack of proper support.

Zerodha's viral post sparks debate on work-life balance in India; netizens say 'This is sad on so many levels'

Zerodha’s viral Instagram post has sparked widespread conversations about the challenges of work-life balance in India, highlighting how time spent with loved ones diminishes with age. The post struck a chord with many, reflecting cultural values around family and sparking both emotional and humorous reactions. Meanwhile, Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath shared insights into his entrepreneurial journey, revealing how his first business venture as a teenager was shut down by his mother.

A resentful letter to Santa Claus from a woke Christmas enthusiast

A child writes a scathing letter to Santa Claus, questioning his methods, motives, and relevance in the modern world. The child criticizes Santa's judgmental 'naughty or nice' binary, his outdated image, and his dubious helpers. They praise Jeff Bezos as the true 'Deliverer of Gifts' and suggest replacing Santa with 'Banta' for a more relatable experience.

Hello Meghalaya Conclave celebrates culture and creativity in Shillong

Meghalaya's Hello Meghalaya Conclave showcased the platform's success. The government launched film grant guidelines. A corpus fund will support filmmakers. Three filmmakers received grants. An award ceremony recognized storytellers. The platform promotes local talent and culture.

How far can toxic workplaces go? Employees forced to lie on floor and eat ‘Death Chillies'

Two Chinese companies have made headlines for their extreme and bizarre workplace practices. In Guangzhou, employees were reportedly forced to lie on the floor to greet their boss and chant slogans praising the company. Meanwhile, a finance firm in Chengdu punished underperforming staff by making them eat "death chillies," with some workers even requiring hospitalization. These shocking practices, which have gone viral on social media, have sparked outrage and criticism, raising concerns about toxic work cultures in China.

IIT-Madras introduces Cultural Excellence admission initiative

IIT Madras introduces FACE admissions for students excelling in fine arts. Two extra seats per program are reserved. One seat is gender-neutral, the other for female candidates. Applicants must qualify in JEE Advanced 2025. A separate portal will manage FACE admissions.

6 Indian Cities Rank In World’s Best Food Regions List

Japan in dire straits: Tokyo to introduce 4-day workweek from April 2025 as country faces big problem; here's how it is trying to solve it

Japan's fertility rate is currently at a record low, and this has pressured Tokyo to introduce new reforms in its working culture in order to encourage couples to have children. Here are some more insights

Kumbh Mela is grand yajna of unity, where distinction of castes disappears: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the unifying nature of the Kumbh Mela, transcending caste and community divides. He lauded the event as a grand 'yajna' of unity and highlighted the government's commitment to facilitating the upcoming Maha Kumbh, contrasting it with the previous government's alleged negligence towards such events.

"Meeting Adani is not sin": Tamil Nadu BJP chief Annamalai slams DMK and Congress

K Annamalai defended his meeting with Gautam Adani. Congress and DMK criticized the meeting. Congress denied BJP's allegations of links to George Soros. The BJP questioned Congress's relationship with Soros. The Adani controversy continued in Parliament. Annamalai praised PM Modi's support for Tamil culture.

Islamists in Bangladesh attack secularism, Bengali culture

Following the fall of Sheikh Hasina's government, Bangladesh has witnessed a surge in Islamic radicalism. Around 1,500 secular symbols, including sculptures and cultural institutions, were vandalised between August 5 and 14. The Indian Cultural Centre in Dhaka was also burnt down.

Want to experience school life shown in Japanese manga and anime? You can do now by paying about Rs 17,000

A Japanese company offers a unique "one-day student" program for foreign tourists. For $200, participants experience Japanese high school life, including calligraphy, disaster drills, and gym class, complete with "naughty students" embodying Yanki Culture. The program, designed to boost tourism and share school culture, culminates in a graduation ceremony.

YesMadam allegedly asks employees if they are stressed, and then fires them; leaked letter goes viral

YesMadam, a startup, reportedly laid off employees who reported high stress levels in a company survey. This action follows increased discussion about workplace stress in India, exacerbated by a recent incident at Ernst & Young involving an employee's death allegedly due to work pressure. The WHO estimates significant global economic losses due to work-related anxiety and depression.

Uttar Pradesh: Government to conduct school level sports, cultural competitions from Dec 9

The Uttar Pradesh government is organizing sports and cultural competitions in PM SHRI schools from December 9th to 20th, 2024. These events, funded with a 2.5 crore rupee budget, aim to foster students' physical, mental, and social development. School-level competitions run until December 14th, followed by district-level events showcasing winners in various disciplines.

Mizoram Govt employees to wear traditional attire every Wednesday to honor culture

The Mizoram government is encouraging residents, especially government employees, to wear traditional Mizo attire at least once a week, typically on Wednesdays, to promote their culture and traditions. This voluntary initiative aims to foster cultural pride and boost the production of ethnic clothing. Similar initiatives promoting traditional attire have also been implemented in Assam.

Tech millionaire Bryan Johnson likes India's 'jugaad' culture, netizens say 'give him aadhar card'

Tech mogul Bryan Johnson is quite impressed with India's work culture. In a tweet, he said he likes India's jugaad. Jugaad refers to a non-conventional, frugal innovation. His tweet instantly resonated with many on social media, leading to lively exchanges. Johnson, however, noted that fixing air pollution in India will require an overhaul, can’t be done with jugaad.