In the crippling second wave of the pandemic, that pleasant Instagram reel is a distraction for some—and a privilege for others. Barkha Kumari dialled in the social media generation and mental health experts for their take on the dilemma of the public display of happiness.

An isolation hospital, a raging bull, a love rock, and many more stories come together in Eleven Stops to the Present, a new children's book on the history of India’s Silicon Valley - by Barkha Kumari

Interview: Kuldeep Ruhil, the scriptwriter of the MX Player web series Aashram stayed at eleven ashrams and deras in North India to research why devotees are drawn magnetically to self-styled Babas.- by Barkha Kumari

Kochi-based multilingual pop-folk band When Chai Met Toast discusses their first Hindi track, upcoming album and connecting with fans amid the pandemic - by Barkha Kumari

The pandemic threatens to be the last nail in the coffin for many of India’s great circus troupes. By taking their act online, Rambo Circus hopes to keep an acrobatic balance for the show to go on. - By Barkha Kumari

While India’s musicians take the show online, the unsung heroes of live shows—technicians, backstage coordinators, tentwallahs and more struggle to make their ends meet since the lockdown. Some in the events industry have united to give back. - by Barkha Kumari