Food, clothing, housing, education and public transportation are basic human needs as defined by the United Nations. But in 2016, in a non-binding resolution, the United Nations also declared Internet Access to be a basic human right. The resolution called on governments to “promote digital literacy and to facilitate access to information on the Internet,” as it can be “an important tool in facilitating the promotion of the right to education.” As India rapidly moves towards its target of bringing the internet to 87% of its households by 2025, a natural shift of all its propelling and supporting industries towards the cause is a given. Because this time, it doesn’t just seem to be an anno...

It’s been a little over a month since the Supreme court of the United States overturned the historic Roe v. Wade, striking down the constitutional right to abortion, after almost half a century. The judgment has made the individual States of the U.S. as the final decision makers of whether or not abortion should be legal in that particular State. Many Republican party ruled States have banned abortions- no exceptions, not even in cases of rape or incest. And also declared heavy penalties, if caught, for the ones getting and providing abortion services.  The pro-choice protestors in America who have been on the streets since the judgment leak, they are still standing firm. Many healthc...

Prajwal Sharma, 28, former bank employee, now unemployed due to Covid layoffs, has a sister to marry off. The pandemic seems to be over but he is still unemployed. Not left with much of his savings and her sister’s would-be in-laws are demanding a dowry of Rs. 10 lakhs. He turns to every bank possible for a personal loan. No one entertains him – CIBIL scores are not in his favour, he has no collateral or guarantor to show. One day, a friend suggested trying the CashCow app – said ’15 minute mein loan de dete hain yaar’     . . . and indeed, he installed the app, gave them all permissions they asked for (including his contacts and PAN and Aadhar and Photograph) and within 15 minutes – the...

“Chess, like love, like music, has the power to make men happy.”  -Siegbert Tarrasch Chess is India’s gift to the world. It is believed that the game initially originated here in the 8th century and since then has taken over the world like a storm.  When we think of the term ‘Grandmaster,’ names like the national hero Vishwanathan Anand and Bobby Fischer for the cult classic ‘Searching for Bobby Fischer’ pop into our heads. But how does one achieve the rank of a Grandmaster? The world chess organization FIDE rewards this title to the chess players they find worthy by analysing ratings and a lot more. Other than the World Champion, Grandmaster is the highest title a player co...