AELST, Willem van Dutch painter (b. 1627, Delft, d. ca. 1683, Amsterdam)

My Dying Conscience ...A Poem by Rashmi Trivedi

Sometimes in the dark of the night,

I visit my conscience

To see if it is still breathing,

For its dying a slow death

Every day.

When I pay for a meal in a fancy place.

An amount which is perhaps the monthly income

Of the guard who holds the door open.

And quickly I shrug away that thought,

The Ultimate Guide to Caring for Houseplants

Houseplants bring life, color, and freshness into any space. Whether thriving in a sunny window or brightening a shaded corner, they can transform a home’s atmosphere. Proper care ensures they stay healthy and vibrant year-round.

Choosing the Right Houseplants

Selecting plants suited to the environment is the first

ना कहना...Ek kavita

जीवन में किसी को ‘हाँ’ कहने से

कहीं अधिक मुश्किल होता है ‘ना’ कहना

इतिहास गवाह है कि

‘ना’ कहने वालों ने हर जमाने में

तमाम जहमतें उठायीं

दर-दर की ठोकरें खायीं

फिर भी झुके नहीं ऐसे लोग किसी के सामने

कहा.... वही

जो लगा ....सही

‘ना’ दुनिया का साफ़-सुथरा

और साहसिक वक्तव्य है

जिसे बोलना तस्दीक करता है यह

इतना-सा मनुष्य होना ( Ek Kavita)

शहर की बड़ी सब्जी मंडी में

एक किनारे टाट का बोरा बिछाकर
अपने खेत की दो-चार ताज़ी सब्जियाँ
लिए बैठी... रमैया
अक्सर छुट्टे पैसों के हिसाब में

करती है गड़बड़ ।

न...न....यह समझ लेने की भूल मत करना

कि रमैया को नहीं आता

इतना भर गणित,

हाँ बेशक, दो-पाँच रुपए बचाकर

महल बाँधने का गणित

नहीं सीखा उसने ।

घर में काम करती ...पारबती

मालकिन के कहने पर

सहर्ष ही ले आती है

दो-चार किलो मक्की

अपने खेत से

और महीने के हिसाब में

How to speak confidently without making sound of "umm" and "aaan"

That "um" and "ah" habit (physically known as filler words) usually happens because your brain is moving faster than your mouth—or because you're afraid of the "dead air" while you think of the next word.

Here is a practical guide to reclaiming your silence and speaking with more authority.

1. Embrace the Power of the Pause

Homebound Movie Review

Neeraj Ghaywan’s Homebound has received widespread critical acclaim since its release in September 2025. Critics are calling it a "soul-stirring" and "deeply empathetic" masterpiece, with many comparing its emotional weight to Ghaywan’s debut, Masaan.

Critical Consensus

The film holds a rare 97% on Rotten Tomatoes and a Metacritic score of 85, indicating universal acclaim. Most critics praise the film for tackling systemic issues like caste and religious identity through a deeply personal, human lens rather than a preachy one.

---

Review Highlights

• Performances: * Ishaan Khatter (Shoaib): Described as a "career-defining" and "magnetic" performance. Critics noted his ability to portray the quiet rage and practical desperation of a young Muslim man.

  • Vishal Jethwa (Chandan): Hailed as an "absolute revelation." His portrayal of a Dalit youth hiding his identity to escape exclusion was praised for its raw honesty and restraint.

  • Janhvi Kapoor (Sudha): Though her role is relatively small, she is noted for being "sincere" and providing a crucial perspective on female education and ambition within marginalized communities.

• Direction & Writing: Reviewers from The Hindu and Variety highlighted Ghaywan’s ability to capture "subtle indignities" and "daily injustices" without resorting to melodrama. The dialogue, co-written by Varun Grover, is described as incisive and deeply affecting.

• Technical Finesse: Pratik Shah’s cinematography is frequently mentioned for its "unflinching" look at the harsh realities of rural India and the grueling journey of migrant workers during the lockdown.

---

Score Summary

Publication	Rating	Verdict
The Times of India	5 / 5	"Filmmaking at its finest... a soul-stirring observation."
The Indian Express	3.5 / 5	"Offers compassion and cautious optimism we desperately need."
Rediff	4 / 5	"Deeply moving... the simmering anger is not sanitized."
WION	Positive	"A triumph of empathy... stays with you long after the film ends."

What the Critics Say

"Homebound hits like a thunderbolt... It not only compels you to confront your own privilege but also lays bare the complex layers of gender-based disparity." — Times of India

"The first time in ages that a mainstream Hindi-language production has felt vital... a searing indictment of modern India." — Siddhant Adlakha, Variety

---

A Note for Viewers

While the film is heartbreaking and deals with the brutal reality of the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown, reviewers emphasize that it is a story of friendship and resilience rather than just tragedy. It avoids "poverty porn" by focusing on the agency and dreams of its lead characters.

Homebound is currently available to stream on Netflix (released on November 21, 2025).