Our Funarena!

It seems, reasonably enough, that the outrage was waiting to happen. The growth of the Over-the-top media services platforms (OTT) that distribute video streaming over the internet, has been tremendous in the last eight years in India; in 2018 its market worth was more than INR 21.5 billion which has grown to INR 35 billion in 2019 and it is around INR 40 billion now. The market worth is expected to grow at the exponential rate of 45% to reach around INR 138 billion in 2023 and over 158 billion in 2024. The platforms enjoy a viewership of more than 1.7 billion subscribers currently which is likely to rise to a whopping 5 billion this year, making it the second-biggest OTT market after the US. Except for Reliance Entertainment’s launch of BigFix in 2008, the biggest of the 40-odd OTT platforms like SonyLIV, Disney-Hotstar, Netflix, Amazon Prime, Voot, JioCinema and Zee5 started operations in India during 2013-18.   Initially, the OTT platforms were streaming released feature films,

True. Incidence of heart disease has been increasing world over, particularly in India. Most common risk factors are: high cholesterol with high triglycerides,  high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, lack of exercise, sedentary lifestyle, junk food habits and of course, smoking and alcoholism. It's okay to warn people about risk factors. So that they become careful and apply moderation in everything they do or eat. But, studies based on selected samples and on a selected time period are increasing by leaps and bounds. They are mostly hypothetical and speculative. Some random samples cannot be binding for all. So, they mislead and confuse people. And, above all, they intend to terrorize people without realizing the simple fact that a negative bend of mind could also be harmful for the heart health. Recently I read about such a study in a newspaper. The study says that four hours of TV watching a day could increase the risk of heart disease by more than ten percent over the no

One of the endless serials in a colorful TV channel recently hit upon a brilliant idea! This is bound to save you time tension and legal hassles. All estranged couples take delight! If you want to run away from your wedlock never bother about divorce and courts and lawyers. Follow what the serial offers you and be a winner. Just arrange the same marriage ceremony. But in reverse order. Take off the garlands from each others throats. Sit before the holy sacrificial fire inside the ceremonial canopy-both of you- and take the opposite vow that you cannot carry on with this holy bandhan or tie. If you are the groom then rub off the Sindoor or vermilion from the bride's forehead. Mutual denials of wedding rings and ornaments. Both of you stand up. Take the saat phere around the fire alright, but in reverse order--going backwards. Finally, get someone to untie the wedlock. And, you are free birds! Maybe the serial did not digest the immense potential of its panacea fully. Bec