Opinion

Hundreds of parents gathered at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on July 20 to demonstrate against what they called arbitrary fee hikes and a lack of transparency in private schools.

Under the banner of United Parents' Voice (UPV), the protest came after months of unorganized efforts to see authorities regarding fee hikes.

This was not a first attempt at contacting parents, UPV said. On 30 June 2025, it took over three hours to get an opportunity to meet Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta.

Where a small group did manage a brief meeting and a promise of further discussion, however, no further communication occurred despite official follow-up.

As part of the protest, parents had submitted a detailed memorandum to the Lieutenant Governor, Chief Minister, and Education Minister, expressing some key concerns. These were unauthorized fee increases, alleged misappropriation of school funds, and exploitation of students' rights.

The memorandum had also protested the recently passed Fee Regulation Ordinance 2025, which protestors had complained was passed without proper public consultation.

KEY DEMANDS RAISED BY PARENTS

Some of the key demands referred to were:

Rollback of unratified fee increases

Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) and forensic auditors' independent audits

Government-overseen parent-teacher association (PTA) elections for inclusive governance

Action against schools that shame or penalize students for non-payment of fees, in violation of Article 21A of the Constitution

Parents also sought schools to implement a monthly fee system, charging that lump sum payment imposes undue financial burden on families.

They demanded that all infrastructure purchases be done through the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) for cost-effective and transparent spending.

A major demand was public display of fee structures approved by the Directorate of Education on school and government websites.

UPV CALLS FOR JUSTICE AND DIALOGUE

The protest was a sign of frustration from the community after they had exhaustively approached all official channels, according to parent and UPV member Rahul Gupta.

"We have tried every means, emails, meeting, even written plea to the highest powers. Today's meeting is a collective appeal for dignity and fairness in our children's education," he further added.

UPV reaffirmed its commitment to peaceful civic action and urged the government to initiate an open and transparent discussion with concerned parents.

The organization also added that initial appeals have already been made by email and speed post to the President, Prime Minister, and Union Home Minister, urging immediate action.

As parents continue protesting for increased accountability in private schooling, they have pledged to keep up peaceful agitations until meaningful reforms are achieved

There was a time when life was simple, yet content even with a modest income. Families lived together, ate together and laughed together. Our incomes were small, yet the days were lighter, the hearts were warmer. Families shared meals, stories, their day happenings and experiences; everyone was healthy; laughter was at every corner of the house; “Home sweet home” was meant to be. We celebrated each other's success and shared bedtimes. Life was so easy going and fulfilling when the salary was “peanuts”. 

But now when the salary is impressive, the wardrobe is full, and health and relations are compromised. Now, no one has time to sit with you, ask about your well-being, or ask you how you are. Is everything okay? No worries, I am always with you. Life has become so unpredictable. What is missing? Where are we lacking? Why have we become relatives to each other? We used to play together and eat together. We used to be happy to be known by each other. Today, your blood relation feels jealous of your growth, your well-being.

Today, many of us have made it. We have money, better homes, better gadgets and endless opportunities, but somehow life feels heavier, colder and lonelier. As children, we believed that growing up meant freedom, money and endless joy. We often told ourselves, “Once I start earning, I will be happy. I will buy everything I have ever wanted. We used to think that way in our childhood. 

It is not just about money or family. It’s about the forgotten life skills that make living worthwhile. Salary alone is not enough to survive. We need the skills to live life smartly and soulfully.

Salary can’t buy everything- You may have the money to buy food from a Five Star Hotel, but no one to share it with. You may own a beautiful house, but it feels empty without someone who cares. You may wear expensive clothes, but feel unseen if no one is there to comment or compliment. 

If money truly brings happiness- Why can’t it buy the people who make us feel safe? Why can’t you keep the ones you make us feel loved? Why do they drift away just when we think we have made it, found it?

Because money can buy attention, not affection. It can fund experiences but not emotions. It can rent a company but not companionship.

That’s when it hits you- Salary is survival. Love, connection and life skills are what make life worth living. Happiness is not found in your bank account. It is found in the hearts of those who remember your birthday without a calendar reminder. Those who notice when your smile fades. Those who sit next to you, even when you have nothing to offer.

So, no money is happiness. Happiness is love. Happiness is belonging. Happiness is being seen, heard, valued and cherished. And the smartest way to live is to never lose sight of that. 

Essential Life Skills We All Need

1. Emotional Intelligence- If salary can’t fulfil your soul, what can? I bet you that if you learn the skills to understand emotions, to understand feelings, you will build lasting relationships forever.
2. Communication- To speak from the heart, listen actively and create meaningful conversation with your loved one, your friends, your classmates.
3. Gratitude- Always be thankful for whatever others are doing for you. To celebrate what you have instead of comparing it with others.
4. Health Consciousness- To realise that your body needs as much attention as your work goals. Prioritise yourself.

Consider Rich- When you have people to laugh with, cry with, and grow with. When your presence brings comfort.When someone smiles just by hearing your voice. You are rich when you are loved, not liked. You are respected for your heart, not your position. You are remembered even when you are not around.

Make your Salary Count, But MaKe Your Life Matter More

It’s not wrong to want a good salary. We all need it, desire it, but what is apprehensive is to believe that only salary defines success and happiness. Because at the end of the day, you can’t hug your bank balance…you can’t laugh with your possessions …you can’t grow with the job title. What stays is love.  What matters is connection. What defines you is how you make others feel.

So, earn well..but live wisely.

Grow professionally but don’t shrink emotionally. Survive with Salary but live with skills.

Because salary might exist, but only love and life skills can help you to truly live.

Let your legacy be not how much you earned. But how much love did you leave behind

Once upon a time,to be a star on screen,you needed to land a big movie role or a TV show gig.But Today the story has changed.The time has changed.today? All you need is a smartphone,a little creativity,and a good ring light.You need not to knock the door of a filmmaker to hire you for a role,you yourself are capable enough to write a screenplay, to act ,to present and be famed. 

With a smartphone in hand and a few creative ideas anyone can shoot to fame from their bedrooms. So,what are you waiting for!You are smart enough to show the world your creativity and innovation with the click of a button.Why do we wait for others to write our destiny?

Welcome to the era where social media stars are rewriting the rules of stardom in Bollywood!Influencers and content creators are jumping from the internet into the world of movies,music and mainstream fame.

Why are social media stars in DEMAND -

Filmmakers and brands have realized something important ,they know that social media creators already have a huge fab base.When they act in a show or promote a movie ,millions of fans instantly pay attention. It’s like free marketing with extra charm. Plus these creators are relatable .They are not unreachable stars ,,they are the people we have watched doing funny dances,participating in reality shows . Seeing them on screen feels like watching a friend succeed.  

Real Talent,Real Impact- Of course,it is not just about fame.Many social media stars work hard to improve their acting,singing or storytelling skills.Some even join acting classes or workshop to fit into the film industry better.And they are not only getting roles,they are creating their own content too.

Bhuvan Bam- One of India’s first viral YouTubers, Bhuvan created a unique storytelling style with his "BB Ki Vines" channel. He now stars in web series and even produces original content.

These transitions are not accidental. Filmmakers understand that these creators bring with them loyal followers who will watch a movie just to see their favorite influencer on the big screen.The rise of influencers has changed the traditional casting dynamic. A huge online following is now a ticket to movie roles, brand deals, and production opportunities.

The Future is Hybrid- The line between Social media Celebrity and Film Star is getting blurrier every day.today content Creator’s might be tomorrow’s movies star ,music star or lead artist,ted talk speaker.

 It is an opportunity for students and aspiring creators.You don’t need a film family or fancy studio to begin.All you need is an idea,and courage to start.You have the ability to be called a star.The digital world rewards your creativity, authenticity and consistency.

Learning content creation is a real career path now .Schools and Colleges are introducing media labs and digital storytelling programs.Collaborations is the new trend to get fame and work.Many creators have risen fame by collaborating with each other.Whether they are friends ,brands or even fellow students.

So, if you love acting, music comedy or filmmaking,don't wait for a break.Start building your presence today.

You could be the next- Come forward and be the one who never shies away from the silver screen. In the new age ,the stage is not a theatre. It is your phone screen.The camera is not locked in a studio .It is on your selfie stick.Fame is not handed out by directors it is earned by engaging, creating and connecting with the world.

So,whether you are a dancer,comedian writer or just someone with the strong message ,your path to bollywood or Hollywood could start with your next video.Don’t wait to be discovered.Start creating because in this digital world,every student is a storyteller and has the power to portray it on silver screen.

In a time where every ping, like, and scroll is fighting for our attention, disconnecting may seem nearly radical. But there is a quiet revolution in progress around the world—a movement that encourages us to disconnect, intentionally, from the digital world so that we may reconnect with life in the physical world. *Digital detox* is not a fringe trend; rather, it is an emerging cultural reset to reclaim our time, attention and sense of mental well-being.

As screen addiction, mental fatigue, and diminished real-world interactions are increasingly acknowledged societal issues, people across every demographic are evaluating their relationship with technology as we speak. But is digital detox a fad, or a new cultural paradigm shift?

A Wired World Yearning to Unplug

The 21st century ushers in a period of unparalleled digital saturation - today, smartphones, laptops, smartwatches, and wireless access to the internet have all become so seamlessly integrated into our “everyday lives” that we frequently view these digital devices as extensions of our bodies. Digital technology can be a powerful source of convenience and a world of connectivity, yet, the psychological, emotional, and social repercussions of technology is manifesting in a major surge in *screen fatigue, **digital burnout, and **mental health issues*, prompting the re-evaluation of how we engage with technology. As a response to the increasing recognition of screen fatigue, digital burnout, and mental health issues, many are adopting the idea of a digital detox—voluntary and intentional breaks from digital engagement for hours, days, or weeks.

Understanding The Digital Detox 

 A *digital detox* is a time period when a person purposely does not use digital devices to include but not limited to smartphones, computers, tablets, especially social media. The idea is to reduce stress, increase mindfulness, improve sleep, enhance productivity, and allow someone to connect with others on a deeper level. 

 Unlike technology, a digital detox is usually a short break to *reset*; it is a reset of one's mental state. Digital Detox is influenced by principles in broader *wellness* trends and mental health activists; millennials and Gen Z are the demographic who engage in digital engagement and digital detox movement. 

 A digital detox resembles the concept of physical detox; however, its goal is cognitive and emotional balance, as opposed to a state of total deprivation. It is not about total abstinence, but it is about *intentional rebalancing*.

A Double edged sword

Smartphones, high-speed Internet, and social media have changed almost every human experience: how we desk, communicate, how we socialize, and how we spend our leisure time. In 2025, there were over *5.5 billion* people around the world using the development, with the average person spending more than *seven hours a day* on a screen (Data Reportal, Global Digital Report 2024).

While the connectivity may foster economic opportunity and global caution, it has also resulted in some clear negative sides:

1. Consequences for Mental Health

Increases in phone and screen time correlate, with increases in *anxiety, **depression, and **sleep disorders. So much so, the World Health Organization (WHO) now recognizes **gaming disorder* as a mental health disorder. Research by the *American Psychological Association*, also found that using entertainment digitally does interfere with circadian rhythm, emotion regulation, and creates feelings of isolation, especially for adolescents.

2. Cognitive Overload

The average person checks their smartphone over 150 times a day. The inundation of notifications and alerts causes fragmentation of our attention, but it also causes"attention residue", as described by psychologist Dr. Sophie Leroy who coined the term to explain how unfinished or incomplete tasks fragment our focus and productivity. 

3. Fear of Missing Out (FOMO)

All social media platforms leverage algorithms to convert engagement (likes, shares, comments) into profits, all the while predominantly exploiting the weaknesses of human psychology. This “rat race” of lives in virtual reality versus reality, gives way to *FOMO*, (fear of missing out), where individuals are operating out of dissatisfaction and compulsively to engage in others lives in an ideal version of themselves. 

     4.Consequences of Physical Health

Increased screen time leads to *sedentary lifestyles, **tech neck, **digital eye strain, and **poor posture*. Children and teenagers are exhibiting musculoskeletal complaints equivalent to that of someone who has been working long-term at a desk job.

 How People Are Disconnecting?

While we know that digital life is largely here to stay, an increasingly large part of the population is actively engaging with how to *reclaim time and attention*. From unplugging on the weekends to engaging in planned retreats that disconnect one's time and attention, there is a wide arrange of digital detoxes as there are people.

    1.The Tech Sabbath

Aside from religious conventions, a *"Tech Sabbath"* is when an individual picks one day a week—usually for 24 hours—to unplug from all digital devices. Then they might use this time to journal, meditate, spend time with family, or just be present in nature. 

This practice is blossoming with livable reasons to take time away from the demands of a hyper-connected world.

2. Digital Detox Retreats and Wellness Tourism

Luxury resorts and wellness destinations in places like **Kerala, **Bali, and **California** are offering curated digital detox programs that include phone-free environments, mindfulness workshops, yoga, forest therapy and digital well-being coaching. 

The Global wellness tourism market was valued at **over $800 billion in 2023,** according to the **Global Wellness Institute,** and digital detox has become one of the fastest growing segments of it.

3. App-Free Phones and Social Media Breaks

Hashtags concerning users wanting a break from social media such as *#DeleteFacebook* and *#NoScreenNovember* illustrate the emerging desire for space away from social media. Many users are utilizing *“dumb phones”* which do just the basics of calling and texting. This allows individuals to still be contactable, while reducing distraction.

In addition, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok have created screen-time reminders to provide more legitimacy for the later example of motivation for an individual to be mindful of social media usage, and take time away from social media.

4. Digital Minimalism

The term *digital minimalism* was developed by author and computer science professor *Cal Newport. Digital minimalism promotes the use of technology on purpose—that is, only when it adds value with minimal distraction. Digital minimalism encourages decluttering digital life, depth over convenience, and healthy usage boundaries.

 Millennials and Gen Z as the Leading Detox Generation

The generations that are the most immersed in the digital ecosystem—- *Millennials* and *Gen Z*—are simultaneously the most vocal promoters of disconnection. Growing up with smartphones and social media makes them more cognizant of, and aware of, the cost of strong digital connections. 

A *Deloitte study* conducted in 2024 has indicated that greater than *52% of Gen Z respondents* said they took a break from at least one social media platform in the last year. Their reasons ranged from areas of mental health, productivity, and self-esteem to a more existential desire for greater intrinsic and offline experiences. 

Digital detox, for many, is not just a wellness trend, it is a *cultural resistance to the exploitative dynamics* of the attention economy.

BY- ANANYA AWASTHI

Maharashtra Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil informed the Assembly on Wednesday that the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) has revoked the recognition of 16 B.Ed. colleges in the state as part of its regulatory action.".

Of the 16 colleges whose recognition was revoked, nine are shut and no students have been admitted there. The other seven colleges' admission capacity is reported to be 500.

Minister Patil added that the recognition of these seven colleges has been revoked because the evaluation report was not submitted to the NCTE in time. The colleges whose recognitions have been revoked may appeal up to July 22, 2025.

If their appeal is granted in their favour, such colleges may once again be a part of the centralised admission process.

He also stated that according to the New Education Policy, a four-year B.Ed. course that is, Integrated Teacher Training Program has been implemented.

He was responding to a question raised by Shiv Sena MP Amol Khatal and sub-question by BJP MLA Atul Bhatkhalkar.

On the other hand, State Cooperation Minister Babasaheb Patil in another question stated that illegal land grabbing by moneylenders without a government permit will now be probed at the District Collector level.

Complaints are being received in the state about land grabbing of several farmers by illegal moneylenders, and the state government has taken a firm stance in such cases, Minister Patil added.

As of today, 771 hectares of land has been restored to the farmers in such situations, he informed.

"It is illegal for unlicensed moneylenders to operate. Only licensed individuals can levy legal interest rates. Moreover, moneylenders should post details of the interest rates outside their premises and should also adhere to the annual interest rate. If the complainants furnish details of certain moneylenders and borrowers, they will be investigated to deliver justice to the concerned," he added.

You’ve probably heard someone say, “I don’t need anyone.” Maybe you’ve said it yourself too.It sounds bold, even admirable. A statement of strength in a world that keeps asking for more of you. But here’s a harder truth, sometimes  it’s not strength.

Sometimes, it’s self-protection pretending to be independence.

Hyper-independence is often mistaken for confidence. From the outside, it looks like someone who has it all together or is handling life alone, never asking for help, always “fine.” But look closer, and it becomes something much heavier. Something that doesn’t feel like a choice.

It’s not just that I can do it alone.

But It’s I don’t trust anyone to stay if I don’t.

Where Does It Come From?

Hyper-independence isn’t some new Gen Z buzzword or overreaction. Psychologists have long observed it in people who’ve experienced emotional neglect, inconsistent caregivers, or betrayal,especially early in life. When reaching out for support ends in rejection or disappointment, the brain makes a theory that Do not  reach out at all.

It’s a classic trauma response, especially common in people with avoidant attachment styles. Instead of asking for help, you build a wall so high no one even tries to climb it( unless they’re Jack and have the magic beanstalk)

Instead of being let down, you make sure you don’t need anything from anyone to begin with.

Dr. Nicole LePera, a psychologist known for her work on trauma and self-healing, describes hyper-independence as a way to “control vulnerability.” It’s not about thriving alone. It’s about surviving without risking closeness or attachment.

What Does It Look Like?

It’s the friend who won’t let you pay for their coffee,even when it’s your treat.

It’s the student who refuses group projects because they “work better alone,” but secretly dreads the silence.

It’s the adult who never asks for favors, even when their world is falling apart.

It’s the teenager who starts cooking, cleaning, and managing everything at home because “it’s easier not to depend on anyone.”

Hyper-independence isn’t just about avoiding help but it’s about avoiding the need for help. It’s turning self-reliance into survival.But It’s exhausting and they won't agree to it.

What no one tells you is how draining it is to constantly carry everything on your own.

It’s not a glow-up. It's a weight you were never meant to hold alone.There’s no one to check in when you burn out.

No one to notice when you’re quiet.Even when you're struggling, you’ll still smile and say, “I’ve got it.”

You don’t just avoid vulnerability but you lose out on softness, on connection, on care.Eventually, you forget what it feels like to lean, To exhale, To be helped.

And the hardest part? People might admire it.

“You’re so strong.”

“I wish I was like you.”

But they’re admiring a version of you built from fear.

Real Independence vs Hyper-Independence

There’s a difference between being independent and being hyper-independent.

Real independence is the ability to manage your life while knowing help is an option.

Hyper-independence is the belief that help isn’t safe. That needing someone is a weakness. That you have to do it alone or you’ll lose control.

One comes from confidence. The other, from fear.

Why We Glorify It

In a culture obsessed with hustle, detachment, and “I’m unbothered”(Non chalant)energy, hyper-independence is often celebrated.

We confuse it with discipline, ambition, even self-respect.

But being unreachable isn’t always a strength.Sometimes it’s just loneliness in disguise.

Social media doesn’t help. We see curated reels of people grinding solo, waking up at 5 AM, hitting the gym, running a business, reading, journaling, manifesting and all without ever needing anyone.

But no one posts the panic attack they had at 3 AM because they couldn’t handle it anymore.

How Do You Unlearn It?

Slowly. Imperfectly. And with a lot of discomfort.

Unlearning hyper-independence means letting people in,bit by bit.

It means saying “I need help” even when it makes your stomach twist.

It means trusting that not everyone will leave. That not everyone will use your softness against you.

That love can be safe.

It might start small. Letting someone carry your bag. Saying you had a hard day. Admitting you don’t know what you’re doing.You’ll still feel the urge to say, “I’m fine.”But maybe, one day, you’ll follow it up with, “Actually... I could use someone right now.”

And maybe that’s what real strength looks like.

By Aditi Sawarkar