By the time previous generations reached their early twenties, drinking was practically a personality trait. House parties, blurry nights, dramatic hangovers, rinse and repeat. For Gen Z, however, alcohol is no longer compulsory. In many circles, it is optional, unfashionable, or simply “not needed.”

The end of the boozy rite of passage

Across India and globally, surveys show that young adults are drinking less and smoking more. The binge-drinking culture that once defined youth is steadily losing its shine. Social media permanence, mental health awareness, and a desire for control have made reckless intoxication less appealing. For a generation that documents everything, the fear of one drunken mistake living online forever is real.

The rise of the ‘sober curious’… sort of

The phrase “sober curious” has become a quiet flex. Some even call themselves “California sober,” meaning they avoid alcohol but may not abstain from everything else.

While alcohol consumption dips, alternatives have entered the chat. Vapes, e-cigarettes, cannabis, THC-infused drinks and traditional forms like bhang during festivals have become part of youth culture conversations. Tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, the psychoactive compound in cannabis, is often marketed as offering a buzz without the brutal hangover.

Several public health researchers have observed that young people today appear to be making more deliberate choices about intoxication and identity. In other words, they are not necessarily rejecting substances altogether; they are being selective about what fits their lifestyle.

A cultural shift, and not a clean break, definitely!

Dry bars, zero-proof beers, curated mocktails and sober social events are gaining traction. Not drinking no longer requires a dramatic backstory or justification. That alone marks a significant cultural shift.

At the same time, experts caution that swapping one substance for another is not inherently harmless. Reduced alcohol harm is a positive development, but the broader health implications depend on frequency, regulation and awareness.

Gen Z is clearly rewriting the script even in this field, because for them, the party has not ended. It has simply changed shape. The question now is whether this new era of “informed choices” truly prioritises long-term wellbeing, or just replaces one vice with another.

Luxury fashion likes to project a very specific illusion: calm ateliers, quiet craftsmanship, lineage and heritage untouched by chaos. The world of haute leather and silk scarves exists, at least visually, far from tabloids and courtroom drama. But occasionally the outside world walks straight through the workshop doors.More than a decade ago, during what should have been a routine visit to one of the most guarded creative spaces in Paris – an Hermès leather atelier – an unexpected guest arrived alongside a group of high-profile visitors. The moment was brief, awkward, and largely forgotten at the time. Years later, it resurfaced through newly released documents, turning a quiet industry anecdote into an uncomfortable cultural footnote.At the centre of that story is Axel Dumas, the sixth-generation heir running Hermès, and a man whose leadership philosophy revolves around keeping the brand deliberately slow, private and insulated from spectacle.And then there was Jeffrey Epstein – a figure who represented the exact opposite of that philosophy.

A house built on discretion

To understand why the encounter felt so jarring inside fashion circles, you first have to understand Hermès itself.Unlike most global luxury giants, Hermès never chased expansion at the speed of demand. The brand became famous not by producing more, but by producing less – fewer bags, fewer stores, fewer public appearances. Waiting lists became part of its mythology. Silence became its marketing strategy.Where many houses operate like global corporations, Hermès still behaves like a family workshop that accidentally became a multinational empire.So when visitors enter an atelier, they usually do so quietly. Carefully selected journalists, select clients, occasionally artists. Not financiers known for cultivating influence networks.Which is why Dumas later described the moment with blunt simplicity: the visitor had essentially arrived uninvited.

The 2013 workshop visit

The visit took place in March 2013, just outside Paris, during a group tour that included filmmaker Woody Allen. According to Dumas, the controversial financier was not scheduled – he simply arrived with the group.Fashion insiders would later describe the situation as socially awkward rather than dramatic. No confrontation. No spectacle. Just the kind of polite distance the French luxury world specialises in when encountering people it does not wish to engage with.

Dumas would later explain that he had previously declined multiple meeting requests and had no intention of forming a relationship.In other words: proximity, not association.The earlier refusal: a private jet and a boundaryThe most telling detail surfaced from an earlier year.In 2012, the company had reportedly been approached to decorate a private aircraft interior, the kind of ultra-bespoke project luxury houses sometimes accept for top clientele. Hermès declined. In luxury culture, refusals speak loudly. Brands rarely say no to money – they say no to context.At the time, Hermès leadership was already navigating an intense corporate battle against LVMH, which had quietly accumulated shares in the family-controlled house. The attempted takeover triggered paranoia, loyalty checks and heightened awareness about who was circling the brand.Dumas was young in leadership then, protective and cautious. The last thing the company wanted was another powerful outsider inserting themselves into its orbit.

Who Jeffrey Epstein actually was – and why his presence felt different

Before his criminal case became globally infamous, Epstein operated within elite financial and social circles across New York, London and Paris. He cultivated relationships with politicians, academics, billionaires and celebrities — often positioning himself as a connector rather than a traditional financier.He did not build a conventional investment firm empire in the way Wall Street figures typically do. Instead, his influence came from proximity to power: private gatherings, introductions and curated networks of wealthy individuals. This mattered in the context of fashion.Luxury brands survive on access – but carefully controlled access.There is a difference between wealthy clients and socially strategic operators.Inside couture culture, reputation functions like currency. Once a brand becomes associated with the wrong type of attention, distance becomes nearly impossible to rebuild. So houses like Hermès historically maintain strict social boundaries – even more than financial ones.By the early 2010s, Epstein already carried a controversial reputation in certain elite circles, long before his later arrest turned him into a global headline. For a brand built on generational trust, caution came naturally.

Why fashion houses guard their social circles

To outsiders, it may seem strange that a single unexpected visitor could matter. But fashion isn’t just design, it’s signalling.Luxury clients aren’t only buying leather or silk. They’re buying belonging to a cultural ecosystem: dinners, art patronage, private viewings, quiet prestige. The wrong association risks transforming exclusivity into spectacle.This is why heritage brands:rarely dress everyonequietly refuse certain collaborationslimit celebrity partnershipsand avoid overtly transactional relationshipsHermès, more than most, operates on social filtering.Not everyone wealthy fits the brand’s definition of luxury.

The tension between wealth and taste

The story also reveals a deeper truth about fashion: money and cultural acceptance are not identical.Some of the richest individuals in the world still struggle to enter certain legacy spaces – art patronage circles, old European maisons, heritage ateliers because those worlds operate on continuity, not only capital.Fashion historians often describe this as the difference between economic capital and cultural capital.Hermès historically protects the latter.So the workshop visit became symbolic – not scandalous, but illustrative – of how tightly controlled those spaces remain, even in a globalised era.

A brief moment, a long shadow

At the time, the encounter barely registered publicly. Years passed. Fashion continued its cycles – collections, handbags, waiting lists.Only much later, when large batches of legal documents became public, did the photo resurface and prompt questions. The image itself showed nothing remarkable: people standing in a workshop.Yet context transforms images.Dumas clarified the circumstances: no planned meeting, previous refusals, and deliberate distance. Within fashion circles, the explanation aligned with what insiders expect from a house like Hermès – polite acknowledgement paired with firm boundaries.

What the incident says about modern luxury

The episode highlights how the luxury industry has changed.In earlier decades, fashion often welcomed powerful patrons unquestioningly. Today, reputation risk travels faster than exclusivity can repair. Social media collapsed the barrier between private elite networks and public perception.Modern luxury therefore filters not just aesthetic collaborations but social ones. Heritage brands increasingly act less like sellers and more like curators of association.

The paradox of privacy in a visible world

Hermès built its identity on quietness – yet the digital age archives everything. Even accidental proximity can be rediscovered years later and reinterpreted.The atelier visit wasn’t significant because of what happened inside it. It mattered because luxury no longer controls narrative timing. Moments once forgettable now live permanently online.

Fashion’s unwritten rule: Distance is also branding

In the end, the story isn’t really about a single visitor or a single day. It’s about how legacy fashion houses maintain aura in a world obsessed with access.Saying yes builds business.Knowing when to say no preserves mythology.Hermès has survived nearly two centuries by choosing the latter more often than the former.And sometimes, maintaining that identity simply means keeping interactions brief, polite – and unmistakably limited.In luxury, the most powerful statement is rarely who enters the room. It’s who doesn’t stay.

“Raising a child is like planting a seed and watching it grow into a beautiful flower,” says Lisa Wingate. This quote carries a strong truth. Parenting is not about quick results. It is about daily care, patience, and faith in the process. Just like a seed, a child grows quietly, often out of sight. The real work happens below the surface, long before anything shows.

Growth cannot be rushed

A seed does not grow faster because someone checks it every day. Children work the same way. Learning, emotional strength, and values take time. When parents rush milestones, children feel pressure instead of support. The quote reminds families to respect the natural pace. A child who learns slowly is not falling behind. That child is growing in their own rhythm, which often leads to deeper understanding later.

The soil matters more than the seed

Most seeds can bloom if the soil is right. In parenting, the “soil” is the home environment. Strict restrictions do not mould a child as much as having calm interactions, feeling safe, and being heard every day. Children develop a foundation of trust when their mistakes are handled with direction rather than fear. That trust later turns into confidence and honesty.

Daily care beats occasional perfection

Flowers do not require great gestures. They require regular water and sunlight. Little activities like reading aloud together, sharing meals, and listening after school have a significant impact. Even though these events appear ordinary, they build emotional strength over time. Consistency is more important than doing everything perfectly on occasion.Every flower blooms differentlyNo two flowers look the same, even from the same garden. Children develop differently as well. Self-worth can be harmed by comparing peers or siblings. Children learn to appreciate themselves when their parents emphasize effort over results. This enables people to explore their true selves and take calculated risks.

Pruning is not punishment

Gardeners prune plants so they grow better, not to hurt them. Discipline works the same way. Discipline that explains “why” instead of only saying “no” teaches responsibility. When correction comes with care, children learn self-control instead of fear.Trust the process, even when growth is invisibleThere are phases when nothing seems to change. Children may test limits or pull away. Growth happens silently. The quote reminds parents to keep showing up, even when results are not clear. One day, the bloom appears, shaped by years of effort.Disclaimer: This article is meant for general awareness and reflection. Parenting experiences differ for every family and child. The content does not replace professional advice from child development or mental health experts.

The sun stands for warmth, strength, and new beginnings. Across Indian cultures, it also symbolises clarity and inner power. Many parents look for baby names inspired by the sun, but without falling into overused or predictable choices. Below is a carefully curated list of 10 modern, Indian-rooted baby names that reflect the idea of shining like the sun. Each name feels fresh, meaningful, and quietly powerful, making it easy to cherish for life.

For years, finding a partner in India came wrapped in a quiet deadline. There was always a sense of figure it out soon. Conversations moved fast, families moved faster, and decisions often came from timing rather than true compatibility.That pace has changed.Today, people aren’t rushing toward marriage – they’re walking toward it carefully. Not out of fear, but out of awareness. The goal isn’t just to get married anymore. The goal is to get it right.And interestingly, data now confirms what many singles already feel: partner search has become less urgent and far more intentional.

From “good enough” to “actually right”

Modern singles are no longer treating relationships like a checklist – job, family, background, done. Instead, they’re asking deeper questions:

People are taking time to talk, disagree, understand and observe patterns before committing. Attraction still matters, but emotional safety matters more.

According to Shaadi.com’s Trending 2026 Report, users now interact with far more potential matches before choosing a partner.

Average profiles engaged before commitment

Women

Men

That’s a big shift. People aren’t browsing casually – they’re evaluating thoughtfully.

Time is the new emotional investment

The biggest change isn’t just how many people you talk to.It’s how much attention you give the process.

Average monthly time spent on matchmaking platforms has gone from 14 hours to 22 hours – a 57% increase.That doesn’t mean people are confused.It means they’re careful.Founder and CEO Anupam Mittal explains it perfectly:

In simple terms: commitment hasn’t lost value – impulsiveness has.

The rise of emotional compatibility

Earlier, compatibility often meant similarity.Today, it means understanding.People want partners who:

It’s less about fitting into someone’s life and more about building a shared emotional space.Interestingly, smaller cities are leading this shift. Tier-2 India is showing clearer expectations and stronger filters. Women especially are initiating conversations more confidently than ever before, a quiet but powerful social change.

Why this shift is happening

A few things have changed how people view relationships:1. Emotional awareness is higherPeople recognise unhealthy patterns earlier and don’t want to repeat them.2. Independence came before partnershipCareers, friendships and personal identity now exist before marriage – not after.

3. Peace beats pressureA delayed marriage feels safer than a mismatched one.4. Compatibility predicts stabilityPeople have seen enough unhappy marriages to know chemistry alone isn’t enough.

Choosing, not settling

The biggest difference between then and now?Earlier the question was: Will this work?Now the question is: Will this feel right long-term?People are okay walking away from “almost perfect.”They are okay waiting through awkward conversations.They are okay staying single longer.Because settling quickly costs more than waiting patiently.

The new definition of commitment

Intentional relationships don’t reduce romance – they deepen it.When two people choose each other after understanding fears, habits, flaws and expectations, commitment stops being a gamble. It becomes a decision.

And that’s what modern dating is quietly moving toward:not urgency, not pressure – but clarity.Intentional matchmaking isn’t a trend anymore.It’s how relationships are being built now.

Scroll Instagram reels for five minutes and you’ll notice a sudden obsession: people rolling tiny brown laddoos in their palms and claiming “hair fall band ho gaya” in a few weeks.From dermatologists-inspired creators to nani-approved wellness pages, everyone seems to have a version of the same idea — eat sesame daily and your hair will thank you. Recipes differ slightly, but the promise stays the same: stronger roots, less breakage and baby hair growth.

So is this just another viral food trend… or is there real science behind it?

Let’s break it down like a normal person would – no miracle claims, no blind dismissal.

Why sesame seeds suddenly became a haircare star

Sesame (til) has always been part of Indian winters. We ate it for warmth, energy and bones – not Instagram aesthetics. What social media did was connect a traditional ingredient to a modern concern: chronic hair fall.Here’s why sesame makes sense nutritionally:1. ZincHair follicles need zinc to repair themselves. Low zinc levels are directly linked to shedding.2. IronMany people losing hair unknowingly have borderline iron deficiency. Sesame + jaggery is basically a natural iron combo.3. Healthy fatsYour scalp is skin. Without fats, it becomes dry, inflamed and weak – meaning fragile roots.4. Calcium & magnesiumThey indirectly help by improving blood circulation and reducing stress response in the body.In short: sesame doesn’t magically grow hair overnight – it fixes nutritional gaps that quietly cause hair fall.

The viral recipe most people are sharing

This is the one you’ve probably seen everywhere:Simple hair growth til laddooIngredientsBlack sesame seeds – 100 gFlax seeds – 100 gJaggery – as per tasteGhee – 1 tbsp (optional)Roasted makhana – handfulMethodRoast sesame seeds and flax seeds separately till aromatic.Grind them coarsely with jaggery.Add ghee and crushed roasted makhana.Shape into small laddoos.People prefer this version because flax adds omega-3 fats – helpful for scalp inflammation.

The classic dadi-style recipe

This one is closer to traditional winter laddoos and slightly richer.Traditional til laddooIngredientsSesame seedsJaggeryCashew nutsGreen cardamom powderGheeMethodDry roast sesame seeds on low flame for ~8 minutes.Melt jaggery with ghee slowly till sticky.Add sesame, cashew and cardamom powder.Mix well and cook briefly.Cool slightly and roll into laddoos.Store in an airtight jar.This recipe is popular because it’s easier to digest and more energy-dense – useful if hair fall is linked to weakness or fatigue.

Other variations people are trying

Once a food trend starts, Indians innovate instantly:Protein version: add almonds & peanutsPCOS version: add pumpkin seeds & sunflower seedsLow-sugar version: use dates instead of jaggeryGut-friendly version: add dry ginger powderThe goal stays the same – nourish from inside instead of applying 12 oils outside.So… will they actually stop hair fall?Here’s the honest answer:They help – but only if your hair fall is nutritional or stress-related.They won’t fix:genetic baldnessthyroid disorders alonesevere hormonal imbalancesBut they can improve:seasonal sheddingbrittle hairslow growthbreakagepostpartum recoveryWhy? Because hair is a “non-essential tissue.”Your body feeds vital organs first. When nutrients are low, hair is the first thing sacrificed.Til laddoos simply refill the tank.

What changes people usually notice

Not dramatic Bollywood transformation – subtle improvements:Week 2–3: less hair on pillowWeek 4–6: softer textureWeek 6–10: baby hair near hairlineConsistency matters more than quantity. Two small laddoos daily works better than six for three days.

Health benefits beyond hair

Interestingly, hair growth is just a side effect.Sesame laddoos also support:Skin elasticity (natural oils)Digestion (high fibre)Dental health (oil content reduces plaque bacteria)Energy levels (iron + minerals in jaggery)Blood pressure balanceBone strength (calcium & zinc)Which explains why older generations ate them seasonally – they were winter multivitamins before capsules existed.

The mistake most people make

They expect laddoos to act like a treatment instead of nutrition.If you:sleep at 2 AMeat one proper meallive on caffeinestay stressedNo seed in the world can rescue your hair.Think of til laddoos as support, not magic.

How much should you eat?

Ideal amount: 1–2 small laddoos dailyBest time:Morning empty stomach, orMid-evening snackAvoid overeating – they’re nutrient dense but calorie rich.The real reason the trend went viralBecause for once, the solution is simple.Not a ₹3,000 serum.Not a 10-step routine.Not a scary diagnosis.Just consistent nourishment.People aren’t shocked that sesame works – they’re shocked that something this basic was ignored while shelves filled with complicated products.Til ke laddoo won’t regrow a receding hairline overnight.But they can absolutely strengthen roots, reduce shedding and improve hair quality if your body needed nourishment.Which, honestly, most modern lifestyles do.So the reels aren’t entirely exaggerating – they’re just simplifying an old truth:Healthy hair often starts in the kitchen, not the bathroom shelf.And sometimes, grandma’s winter snack quietly beats modern haircare.

Ardhanarishvara – half Shiva, half Parvati – symbolises perfect harmony: male strength meets female nurture, logic dances with emotion. No hierarchy, just interdependence.

But today’s marriages falter on imbalances. While one partner dominates finances, the other dominates in emotions. But equality in marriages/relationships means shared decisions, acknowledged labour, and growing together as a couple.

Psychologically, equitable partnerships report higher satisfaction. Shiva didn’t rule Parvati; they amplified each other. Modern couples can learn from them that marriage isn’t a conquest. Instead, it is a dance where both partners lead and follow, creating unbreakable bond.

Mahashivaratri is one of those Hindu festivals that is celebrated not only in Indian sub-continents but across the globe. One such country that celebrates the glory of Shiva is the island nation of Mauritius. Surprised, right? For many travellers, Mauritius is synonymous with untouched beaches, honeymoon vibes, and Creole culture. But this heartfelt video on Instagram shared by Ilona Aubert will change your view of Mauritius in seconds. The island reveals a spiritual side of the island nation where Mahashivaratri is being celebrated as the Great Night of Lord Shiva. In her social media post, IIona calls Mahashivaratri as her favourite time of the year and how she has been a part of the festivities from the past three years. She speaks of walking modestly, compared to pilgrims who walk for days. And how she holds deep respect for their devotion. Her words captured a feeling many visitors and locals alike experience during this sacred period.Describing her love for the festival, she says, “Come celebrate Mahashivaratri in Mauritius with me. This is my third time doing it and I love it more each time. The energy was incredible, I was so happy. This was the first time I didn’t go all the way to the Grand Bassin itself. Instead we walked from Vacoas to Plaine Sophie and spent the day helping at the stand doing human service. Everyone was so kind and so welcoming and I felt like I was a part of the family and the community.”Mahashivaratri: The soul of Hindu Mauritius For those who don’t know, Mauritius is home to one of the largest Hindu populations outside India, and Mahashivaratri is among the most significant religious events on the island. It is celebrated in honour of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. As per mythology, this is the day when Shiva and Parvati got married. It’s a day of devotion, celebration and serving humanity.In the video, IIona also talks about the community service which she loves the most about the Maha Shivaratri celebration in Mauritius. “Everyone was so kind and so welcoming and I felt like I was a part of the family and the community. And honestly this is where I feel most aligned. I met so many amazing people and I am really grateful that I could contribute through service. What I love the most about Maha Shivaratri beyond the religious and cultural aspects is the community service. Everyone helps each other in their own way. From money, service, walking, everyone contributes what they can”, she says.The Ganga Talao in MauritiusThe celebration here is centered around the Grand Bassin lake, also known as Ganga Talao by locals. As per belief, the lake is spiritually connected to the River Ganga in India. In the days leading up to Mahashivaratri, hundreds of pilgrims walk from their homes to Grand Bassin, carrying kanwars. A spiritual journeyWhat sets Mahashivaratri in Mauritius apart is the scale. Devotees walking the roads, covering long distances over several days. It’s a divine spectacle, coastal roads filled with Hindu pilgrims chanting prayers, sharing food, supporting humanity and doing charity services. For a foreign traveller, witnessing such an event is a deeply moving experience. Grand Bassin turns into a sea of devotees’ devotion. Oil lamps flickering along the pathways, processions carrying idols of Ganesha, Kali, Parvati and more, people dancing and chanting mantra, is a frenzy so rare. The Mauritian air carrying the fragrance of incense and flowers is a different experience. Many observe fasts on the day, spending the night in prayer and meditation.A different Mauritian experience Experiencing Mahashivaratri in Mauritius shows the country’s diversity. A place where Indians and Africans coexist harmoniously, bound together by mutual respect. The whole point is practicing spiritually and submerging yourself in Shiva’s devotion. As many who experience it say, including voices like Ilona, it is a time when the island feels aligned.“This is how the entire country shows up for each other and this is how the community works so beautifully. At the end of the day, we started walking back to Vacoas as the sun went down, the energy shifted and the nightlife was so different. You could see the beautiful Mauritian flags everywhere and what I love is how patriotic and how proud everyone is, we are one nation walking together. This is my third year celebrating and I can’t wait to do it again next year,” and she signs off. Until next year.

Lighting is no longer purely functional; sculptural lamps, pendant clusters, and designer chandeliers are being used to define ambience and visual hierarchy within rooms. Thoughtfully planned lighting enhances textures, highlights décor, and shapes emotional atmosphere, making it a central element in contemporary Indian interior styling.

Interior design in modern Indian homes is moving toward a balanced blend of sustainability, cultural identity, efficient space usage, and expressive aesthetics. From eco-friendly materials and smart layouts to artisanal décor and dramatic lighting, these trends reveal a deeper focus on comfort and individuality rather than uniform luxury. As lifestyles continue to evolve, Indian interiors are becoming more personal, practical, and emotionally engaging living environments.

Image Credit: Canva

Bollywood red carpets give us glam almost every week, so it actually takes effort to make people pause mid-scroll. This time, that job was done by Disha Patani. She stepped out in a fiery red sari that clearly wasn’t playing by the usual rules. Created by Tarun Tahiliani, the outfit felt like tradition and runway drama had a very stylish meeting.Instead of the classic blouse-and-pallu situation, the saree came with a fitted corset top that shaped her silhouette sharply – almost like something straight off a couture show. But the drape still moved softly, so it didn’t lose that familiar saree grace. The colour helped too. This wasn’t romantic red; it was confident red. The kind that walks into a room before you do.She posted pictures on Instagram with Aashiqon Ki Colony playing in the background, and, as expected, the comments section exploded. People loved that it looked modern without trying to erase the desi feel – bold, but still recognisably Indian. The outfit had Tahiliani’s signature touch: taking something rooted in heritage and reshaping it for today. The corset gave structure and posture, while the flowing pallu kept things easy and elegant. It didn’t look costume-y or stiff, more like regal meets red carpet.She wisely kept the styling minimal. A sleek braid, clean makeup, and jewellery from Kalyan Jewellers – just statement gold earrings and a delicate necklace. Enough sparkle to finish the look, not enough to fight with it.The Kanjivaram-inspired concept saree reportedly costs about ₹5.58 lakh, which puts it firmly in fantasy wardrobe territory. But honestly, this look wasn’t meant for practicality anyway. It was fashion theatre, and it knew it.On the film side, she’s currently promoting O’Romeo, directed by Vishal Bhardwaj and co-starring Shahid Kapoor. With the songs already floating around online and appearances like this grabbing attention, both the movie and her wardrobe are staying in conversation.If there’s one thing consistent about Disha, it’s this, she rarely chooses the safe option. And that unpredictability is exactly what keeps people interested.