Author Archives: Shashwat Mishra

Protestors moved towards Parliament

Democracy in India has always been shaped not just by ballots, but by voices raised in protest, by the courage of ordinary citizens who refuse silence.

When the youth step forward, they remind the nation that democracy is not a static monument but a living flame, one that must be tended, challenged, and renewed.

This protest becomes more than an event, it becomes a page in history where bravery met conviction. No matter how hard the government tried to suppress the voice, it failed in front of youth.

Such moments echo the spirit of earlier generations who fought for freedom, showing that democracy thrives when people dare to speak truth to power.

Article 19(1)(a) and 19(1)(b) of  constitution give rights to protect freedom of speech and peaceful assembly, making protest a legitimate, protected form of democratic participation. However, this government wanted to snatch away these rights, but the youth stood their ground.

What’s a movie or book that inspired you to travel?

South Asia has emerged in recent years as ground zero of Gen Z protests with India’s neighbouring Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal seeing mass protests and the toppling of unpopular governments.

India has the world’s largest Gen Z cohort, which has been facing unemployment, record-high inequality and religious tensions since 2014, coupled with the country’s slide in multiple democratic indices.

Thousands of protesters, most of them students, are expected to march to India’s Parliament from a protest site in the heart of the national capital to demand the resignations of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his education minister.

For nearly a month, supporters of the viral “cockroach” movement have occupied New Delhi’s Jantar Mantar area, India’s most popular protest site, located a couple of kilometres from parliament.

After back-to-back scandals related to examination paper leaks, technical glitches and cancelled tests triggered outrage in the world’s most populous country. This event inspired me to towards the protest site in the support of student.

If you could erase one trend from history, what would it be?

Polygamy, defined as having more than one spouse, particularly more than one wife, is prohibited for Hindus under the Hindu Marriage Act of 1955. However, classical Hindu scriptures contain numerous instances of polygamy and do not explicitly mandate monogamy.

Manusmriti, one of the most influential Dharmashastras suggests that if a wife was unable to bear children, was chronically ill or was otherwise unable to fulfill certain domestic duties, the husband might be permitted to take another wife. And for a woman, there was no other option after marriage.

It is true that polygamy has existed in Indian society for a long time, and while it is now illegal, it is still practiced in some areas. The practice of polygamy is not unique to any one religion or culture and has been justified in the past for various reasons. However, as society has evolved, the justifications for polygamy are no longer valid, and the practice should be abandoned.

Article 14 of the Constitution guarantees equal treatment and protection under the law to every individual within the territory of India. The state is prohibited from discriminating against any person based on their religion, ethnicity, gender, or place of birth, according to Article 15(1) of the Constitution.

Which outdated technology do you miss the most, and why?

One evening, as the monsoon winds rattled the windows, I saw this vintage hand video game  and picked it up. The game flickered to life, and suddenly the beeps weren’t just sounds they were summons. Those childhood memories like returning home drenched in torrential rain, yet filled with the joy of victory.

Each console wasn’t just a machine it was a portal of memory, carrying the laughter of friends, the quiet nights under blankets, and the thrill of victories won in solitude. Who knows how many new records were set every day, I was the only witness to all of them.

When i finally set the handheld down, the rain had stopped. The silence of the room was filled with a strange warmth. Thats realisation these games weren’t about pixels or batteries they were about companionship across time, tiny machines that carried whole universes in the palm of a hand.

Do you think we’re shaped more by our experiences or by who we are?

The 59-year-old engineer, education reformer, and climate activist from Ladakh, India had begun his indefinite fast on June 28, joining a campaign led by the Gen Z, a youth-led satirical movement demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the leak of the NEET-UG medical entrance examination question paper.

Sonam Wangchuk lay on a makeshift stage at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, surrounded by medics, his voice reduced to a near-whisper, 18 days into a hunger strike on water alone. He had lost more than 8 kilograms.

Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, who referred to some activists and unemployed youth as “cockroaches” and “parasites of society” in an open court hearing. The CJP’s (cockroach janta party) social media led compain, protest at Jantar Mantar no Union government official had met the protesters or issued any direct response.

Even the British used to respond to these kinds of hunger strikes in the past. But now, a Ramon Magsaysay Award recipient is sitting on a hunger strike, and his own government is unwilling to hear him out.

If you had to be an animal for a week, which one would you be and why?

What a magnificent experience it would be to be a lion, needing no material possessions, simply living blissfully amidst nature. Caring for the natural world and lounging around contentedly.  Hunting when hungry and then relaxing or sleeping, without a single worry about anything else.

Lions are apex predators that maintain balance in ecosystems, drive tourism economies, and embody strength and leadership in human culture. Set the example of courage and bravery for humans. Their survival ensures healthier landscapes, biodiversity, and even climate resilience.

Which book have you read more than any other?

Struggling in competitive exams and then being forced to read same books again and again for years. Only current affairs changed and others subject remain same. 📚

I shared a long journey with many of those books; they are still in my cupboard, though now in a worn-out condition. The many notes I had prepared myself also proved useful for years.

Failure in such exams often feels heavy, but it also creates a rhythm of discipline revisiting concepts, refining understanding, and building endurance.

In fact, many people who struggled with exams later found that the habit of reading deeply and repeatedly gave them an edge in life far beyond test scores. It’s almost like failure redirected them toward wisdom instead of just marks.

Are you a lifelong learner?

The pursuit of knowledge should not be aimed at earning more wealth, but rather at becoming a better human being. Someone who is discerning, steadfast in moral values, filled with compassion and love for all, and free from any form of narrow-minded prejudice.

In reality, a person learns when, alongside reading, they carefully observe, understand, and reflect upon the subject matter. One must cultivate the ability to think independently.

According to my faith, true knowledge lies within us, not outside. This knowledge reveals itself when one observes and reflects upon thoughts with mindfulness. This light of inner knowledge is the essence of all life’s experiences. This knowledge stored within the heart.

As you know I am interested in writing effective blogs, being a lifelong learner gives me endless material to write about every new idea or lesson can become a post that resonates with readers.

What’s one habit that has improved your life the most?

You have to ignore many things in life otherwise, you will remain entangled in them. I ignore what is not working in my favor. Let’s leave this aside and move on to other options.

By setting a mental boundary choosing not to give energy to distractions, negativity, or setbacks. Instead, you’re channeling focus toward what actually helps you grow.

By emotional boundary-setting (people who drain you, social pressure), it can protect your mental space while you work on priorities.

Ignoring toxic criticism, toxic relationships, or uncontrollable external circumstances allows you to conserve your energy for what actually matters. Keep others away from the driver’s seat of your car.

What’s a book you think deserves a sequel?

The ancient text covers a wide range of topics relating to eroticism and desire, including courtship, love, and keeping sex exciting after many years of partnership mainly for straight person, other types of people can also be added to this.

In the modern era, many amenities have become accessible to the general public—things that were perhaps not possible before. For instance, air conditioners were not available in the past, but they are now, allowing one to set a specific temperature.

The text broadly covers courtship, marriage, relationship conduct, and even the “64 arts” of refined living. Many aspects of these 64 arts no longer seem logical, significant changes could be made to them to suit modern times.

Similarly, this book can be further enhanced through the use of other morden technologies. If anyone dares to write beyond this, I will welcome that book.