For decades, Indian employees have powered through stress, anxiety, and burnout under the weight of a culture that glorifies overwork. But a quiet revolution may be on the horizon, inspired by a daring experiment in China. Earlier this year, South China Morning Post reported that Pang Dong Lai, a retail company in Henan, introduced “Unhappy Leave”—10 days off per year, no explanations required, simply because employees didn’t feel happy enough to work. The news, also covered by Money control and Business Standard, sparked a global debate about the future of humane work policies.
Author: TheViyug
Not Louder Ads, but Fresher Connections: The Matcha Effect is India’s New Branding Mantra
The production of matcha tea has historically represented a commitment to authenticity and meticulousness in Kyoto. In the crowded digital landscape of India, professionals are keenly searching for that ideal blend of innovation, energy, and trustworthiness. Every company is competing for a limited chance in the smartphone screen market, ranging from beauty brands to food delivery apps. Traditional marketing approaches often struggle to keep pace in this competitive landscape. Introducing the Matcha Effect Model, an innovative framework designed to transform conventional brand development tactics for today’s digital landscape.
Modi vs Indira Gandhi: Leadership Styles That Shaped Two Eras of Indian Politics
On July 25, 2025, Narendra Modi surpassed Indira Gandhi’s tenure as India’s prime minister. He became the second-longest-serving PM after Jawaharlal Nehru. This has opened the debate of Modi vs Indira, who did better leadership within their respective tenures. While Indira Gandhi served 4077 consecutive days from 1966 to 1977, Narendra Modi has surpassed it. Both the leaders have been influential in their own right, impacting the country’s politics, strategy, economy, foreign affairs and nationalism.
Saiyaara: The Bollywood’s Enlightening Star Redefining the Marketing Imagination
Helmed by Mohit Suri and starring fresh faces Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, the July 2025 launch of Saiyara defied the conventions of Bollywood. Despite lacking star power, connections to well-known franchises, the film impressively garnered nearly ₹200 crore within just nine days of its release, cultivating a garnered acclaim as one of the year’s best emotionally resonant cinematic experiences. This outcome was not a mere coincidence; it stemmed from astute marketing strategies rooted in behavioural science, emotional branding, and a digital-first approach to communication. The movie’s return on investment transcends mere financial gain; it encapsulates a profound experience.
India is Experiencing a ‘Grief-Tech’ Revolution: AI Bots Mimicking the Dead are Causing a Stir
A new wave of artificial intelligence (AI) products, often called “grief bots” or “ghostbots,” is coming into the memory-driven marketplaces that provide emotional assistance. This […]
Beyond Bans, Teaching Digital Street Smart
With social media bans, censorships, and sweeping online restrictions gaining ground globally — often framed as a cure for the collective anxiety of parents — it’s time to ask the harder questions: Are these bans actually doing any good? Do they address the root cause of the problem, or are they just quick-fix bandages on deeper wounds? We’re well aware of the internet’s pitfalls: doomscrolling, algorithmic echo chambers, and subtle indoctrination.
Trump’s Big Bet: Is the US becoming the Crypto Capital or Risking it All?
In a world already buzzing with geopolitical chaos – be it the Middle East conflict, the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, the reopened Epstein investigation, or the constant backdoor economic deals – President Donald Trump, now back in the White House in 2025, has dropped another headline-maker. This July, his administration introduced three landmark bills in the House that have already begun stirring debates across party lines and public spheres. As expected, controversy wasn’t far behind.
Creative Economy and Mental Health: The Balance between Passion and Well-Being
The creative economy includes industries like design, media, art, and entertainment, thrives on passion, innovation, and artistic expression. It contributes remarkably to global economies, with UNESCO reporting that the cultural and creative industries generate $2.25 trillion annually and employ 30 million people worldwide. Yet, behind the vibrancy of this sector lies a common issue: the mental health challenges faced by creative professionals.
Atmanirbhar Bharat: Reforms for Empowering India’s Defence Ecosystem
Since its inception, the term “Atmanirbhar Bharat” that literally translates to Self-Reliant India has increasingly become the symbol of India’s growing economic self-sufficiency, manufacturing prowess and holistic national development and India’s defence manufacturing sector has been pioneering the actualisation of the vision like no other. With indigenous defence production skyrocketing to record high of ₹ 23,622 crore in 2024-25, that marks a growth of 12.04% over 2023-24, India’s defence ecosystem stands as testament to the remarkable shift that the industry has undergone from heavy dependence in the post-independence era to a growing indigenous industrial base, in recent years.
China’s TVET Programme Collaborations: A Critical Analysis
China launched the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in 2013. Eventually, BRI faced a lot of criticism and backlash in many countries. In order to minimise the growing criticism, China in 2016 initiated Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programme collaborations. On the face of it, TVET programmes provide professional training to students and faculty for a certain time period. However, the TVET sector has become another platform for Chinese soft power diplomacy. The article aims to critically analyse the TVET program collaborations of China.