MAGAZINE Voices Pushpesh Pant Ravi Shankar S Vaidhyasubramaniam Anu Aggarwal Debashis Chatterjee Swami Sukhabodhananda Buffet People Wellness Books Food Art & Culture Entertainment NEW DELHI January 26 2025 SUNDAY PAGES 12 The Shape of Now It is the best of times, it is the worst of times, it is the age of wisdom, it is the age of foolishness, it is the epoch of belief, it is the epoch of incredulity. A generation comes of age in an India of their own HERE & THERE THE INFLUENCER For Gen Z, fashion is more than just clothing—it’s a form of self-expression, identity, and even activism. Some embrace gender-neutral and old-money aesthetics, while others take an anti-fashion stance, rejecting trends in favour of self-expression I By Konkana Ray ndia’s greatest spiritual show on earth is being recontextualised by a generation different from its predecessor, being at ease with renewed traits, tools, and attitudes. With the Maha Kumbh in full swing, social media buzzed with videos, photos and comments posted by Gen Z, tapping into Being Indian in their own way . Gen Z influencers were out in force, mingling with the great mass of humanity; cell phone camera-voyeurs of bathers in the sacred waters and pretty village girls selling balloons, recording sexy sadhvis and yapping about connecting to their spiritual roots. Mining the Mind Content creator Satarupa Paul took a flight from Delhi to Prayagraj to attend the ongoing Maha Kumbh. Though she denies being a religious person, she says, “I was privy to stories of the Kumbh Mela from childhood, thanks to my OG traveller grandma who had attended several such congregations. These weren’t the bastardised versions depicted in Bollywood movies, but real stories of real people caught up in the frenzy and fervour of the largest gathering on earth.” After her grandmother passed, Paul found herself at the Maha Kumbh, standing knee deep in the cold waters of the Sangam on a cold January morning, taking a dip with a smile and looking up to the heavens to say “Look grandma, I did it for you.” , What makes these digital natives tick? Why are they rewriting the rulebook on life, ditching age-old norms, and crafting their own path? Their choices aren’t just different; they’re deliberate and are shaping the world in unexpected ways. Gen Z grew up with the world at their fingertips— literally They saw financial crises, climate change, wars, . social revolutions, and a global pandemic unfold in real time. Unlike their predecessors, Gen Z has no illusions about stability or certainty Instead, they have embraced a . fluid, ever-changing world and have decided to shape their lives accordingly “Every generation evolves and brings . about change,” says Sruthi Ravindran, psychologist and Gen Z coach, adding, “For Gen Z, the focus has shifted from survival to self-fulfilment, from stability to exploration.” This generation does not want to be bound by the rules of the past. They see a career as more than just a means to an end, relationships as choices rather than obligations, and health as a holistic priority rather than just physical fitness. The concept of anti-trends, where they actively avoid what has traditionally been considered ‘successful’ or ‘ideal,’ is rooted in their understanding that old models of happiness don’t necessarily work for them. “I believe it’s important not to always conform to the world’s expectations. I’d rather focus on being myself,” says illustrator Prasanta Bani. The influence of technology on their worldview cannot be overstated. “Gen Z has grown up with constant access to information, and while this is empowering, it can also be overwhelming,” says psychologist Kratika Gupta, founder of Gen-Z Therapists. Despite their emphasis on self-care, they struggle with mental health more than any previous generation. Studies consistently show that Gen Z reports higher levels of stress, anxiety and , loneliness. “They are aware of their struggles, but that doesn’t necessarily make them immune to them,” says Ravindran. This paradox extends to their relationships as well. While they are the most digitally connected generation, many feel deeply isolated. “They have infinite potential for interaction in the virtual world, but their face-to-face interactions outside of their nuclear families or close friend circles are severely limited,” remarks sociologist Dr Arunoday Majumder, Assistant Professor at Rishihood University Despite these challenges, Gen Z is unapologeti. cally themselves. They refuse to conform for the sake of Turn to page 2 THINKEDU 2025 PRESENTS January 27 and 28, 2025 10:00AM ONWARDS THINKEDU CONCLAVE ITC Grand Chola, Chennai Where India Meets Bharat Scan to Register Presenting Partner Associate Partners Knowledge Partner Best Academy for Civil Services Exam Coaching Online Partner edexlive.com Streaming Partner
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