THE MERCURIAN TIMES

Netflix - A Plethora of Undiscovered Shows    With Netflix airing n number of shows, and with more and more Netflix Originals coming up, some excellent shows with great potential might remain undiscovered while some are evergreen. Here are a few shows which will keep you up at night and get you hooked for sure! Troy- A Fall Of A City Do you love Greek literature and mythology? Did the movie Troy leave you feeling disappointed? Did you wish for a better, more faithful adaptation of the Trojan War?  This eight episode Netflix original takes the matter into its own hands and gives the audience a faithful retelling of the Trojan War that would make Homer proud and would have you, guaranteed, gripping the edge of your seats with action packed scenes, intense dialogues taken straight from the Iliad and powerful characters reflecting upon their own morality over the course of the decade long war between Greece and Troy.  Gossip Girl This p...

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday made a bold move by announcing the cut down in basic corporate tax to 22% from 30% for all domestic companies without tax exemptions and 15% for all new manufacturing companies. It is a part of stimulus measures to increase slowing economic growth. This reduction may encourage business firms to invest more at a time economic growth rate that has slowed down to a six year low of 5%. The listed companies will also get a relief from buyback tax. The companies were worried about the retrospective impact of the buyback plans announcement, which made them liable to pay additional 20% buyback tax. If we assume that the earnings of these companies remain the same in fiscal 2019, then they will save almost $3 billion due to tax reduction, says Moody. Nirmala Sitharaman also added that the government is well aware of the consequences of the revenue outgo that would happen due to the tax reductions and the Centre might lose up to 1.45 tril...

She left her family And went abroad As she found there a lucrative job Earning in dollars A millionaire she became Staying as busy as one could be To the phone calls from home she responded less With a dream in her eyes to have riches and success She worked day and night And finally decided to visit home on the Diwali night She reached there with the most expensive gifts she could find But there was something she realized Her parents were now old and fragile On seeing the gifts they didn't excite But at the sight of her face tears welled up in their eyes and those slender arms still hugged her tight At that instant only one thing popped in that girl's mind "All they needed was a little of my time..." -Isha Saxena

No matter how chaotic this world looks right now, Close your eyes and feel the calm. Hear the sound of the wind that blows, And smile a little more when it blows through the curls of your hair. Hear the song of rain and all that it says about, How it fought with the clouds and came down But will get back up to them when it's all calm. Hear the birds chirp and what they say about the shining of the sun and the beautiful warmness it offers, Enough to comfort you on a cold day. Feel such things when you close your eyes, And when you open them, Remember what you heard and saw with your eyes closed. And it will make you realise, That the world is beautiful in every aspect. Even when the sun rises, And when it sets... -Nishika Simon

Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is a 2019 comedy-drama film written and directed by renowned film maker Quentin Tarantino. Revolving around a large all-star cast who perform in “multiple storylines in a modern fairy tale tribute to the final moments of Hollywood’s golden age", the film is set in 1969 Los Angeles, at the height of hippy Hollywood. Tarantino's ninth feature film is a story where the two lead characters Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio) and his longtime stunt double Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt) struggle to make it in a Hollywood they don't recognize anymore. The movie is praised to be a poignant, slow-burning ode to cinema and friendship - a great deviant from regular Tarantino films. Quentin’s writing at its best, critics call it his most relaxed movie by far, both because of its ambling, shaggy-dog structure and the easygoing rhythm of its scenes. The Hollywood Reporter wrote that critics had "an overall positive view" of the film, calling it "Tar...

The latest annual report of the RBI stating that the GDP growth has slipped to 5% in the first quarter of FY20, the lowest in 6 years, is a glaring indicator of the economic crisis looming over our economy. The slumped automobile sector, increase in NPAs- all point out at an economic slowdown and an urgent need of government attention and impactful measures to reverse the downturn. On Saturday, i.e. the 14th of September, the Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, announced a fresh set of measures to battle the slowdown, with a 70,000 crore boost package for housing and exports. A special 10,000 crore window has been extended towards last mile funding for stuck residential real estate projects that have dampened the sentiment and have been responsible, to some extent, for the real estate sector crash. Towards exports, a new scheme called the Remission of Duties or Taxes on Export Product will be coming into effect from January 2020 and Export Credit Guarantee Corporation will...

Things had changes But not for the better No wonder the walls of the hospital's hear more prayers than those of churches, where the doctors restored to their default statement, Just to make it less painful, Just to keep the Hopes' alive. Heart-wrenching symptoms, Watching those heartbroken eyes, With a light inside fading a little more, With every passing day Covered with a stiff smile. With a deep breath Alas, those ups and downs Have moulded themselves into a straight line. And so do I depart.                                          -Stefiya Thomas

Happiness is a state of Bliss. It is living life from inside out. One must imbibe the big four happiness factors that are friendliness, cheerfulness, compassion and gratitude. Unless you're animated sunshine or a clown, it is really difficult to maintain a constant state of happiness. As the weather gets progressively worse and the world appears to be imploding, here are some tips to keep your shine amidst the darkness:   ☺Endeavor to change the way you look at things.                         Always look at bright side.  ☺ Listen to relaxing, uplifting music. ☺  Watch funny comedies that make you laugh. ☺  Do not envy people who are happy. On the contrary, join in their happiness. Remember all your past moments and decision that brought happiness. Be thankful to God for bestowing such joyous moments in your life! Smile is a curve that sets everything straight, so keep smiling ☺

           “How beautifully anchored is this hope , that does not change with changing winds” On 7th September , the world witnessed India's undaunted attempt at landing Chandryaan 2 , India’s lunar mission ,where no country has gone before , Moon's south polar region. The motive of this bold and spirited journey was to enhance and strengthen our understanding about the moon , a feat that would have benefited India as a nation in all aspects. Chandryaan 2 was a highly complex mission representing a significant technological leap. During the anticipated and nerve-wrecking landing , the systems and sensors of the Lander functioned excellently and proved many new technologies such as variable thrust propulsion technology used in the Lander. Contact with Chandryaan 2 lander Vikram was unfortunately lost at what was previously supposed to be 2.1 km above the lunar surface but on 13th September , ISRO confirmed , the contact was lost at 400 m above the lun...

Every Indian has that one favourite bollywood movie that he or she can watch a 100 times but never get bored of, right? But, have you ever wondered how the journey of Indian cinema began and what was the first ever bollywood movie? Let's take a look at a journey that began over a 100 years ago and marked the beginning of a new era. The first ever full length film in Indian cinema was Raja Harishchandra,  released in the year 1913 by Father of Indian Cinema, Dadasaheb Phalke. It was a 40 minute long silent film. Dadasaheb was not only the producer but also the director, writer, cameraman, editor, makeup artist and the art director of the film. Undoubtedly, a One man army! Moreover, he was so passionate to make this film that he even used his insurance policies and his wife's jewellery to raise money for the film. Dadasaheb faced a lot of difficulties while filming but after a struggle of over 6 months, he finally completed the entire film. Raja Harishchandra ...

Onam is the biggest festival celebrated in Kerala. It marks the commemoration of home-coming of the mythical king Mahabali. Mahabali was the king of the beautiful kingdom of Kerala. He was greatly respected by his subjects. It is even believed that the state witnessed a golden era during his reign. Mahabali was dearly loved by his people because he was a very generous king and granted everybody’s wishes. Looking at his growing fame and popularity ,Gods became jealous and insecure and seeked the help of Lord Vishnu. One day Lord Vishnu disguised himself as a poor Brahmin and asked the king for a piece of land. The king said he could have as much land as he wanted. The Brahmin claimed he only wanted as much land that he could cover with his three steps. Just as the king agreed to grant his wish, the Brahmin began to expand and increased himself so much that he towered above the heavens. With his first step he covered the whole Earth, with second he claimed the whole skies. He then ...

It was in April that a controversial Extradition Bill was introduced in Hong Kong, inciting massive protests for three long months. The clashes, which at times turned violent, have disrupted life in the city as students boycotted educational institutions and the riot police struggled to curb the people's ardour. The Bill responsible for eliciting such vehemence aimed at extraditing suspects from within Hong Kong to mainland China, and was finally withdrawn in early September by the city's Beijing-allied Chief Executive Carrie Lam. In spite of this offer of truce, the protests are not expected to cease, as what began as focused demonstrations has transformed into a broad-spectrum pro-democracy movement, uniting sweeping swathes of Hong Kong's citizens through political activism and social media. The movement includes within it's ambit both moderate and radical opinions, peaceful and militant elements, and is unbound by demographic considerations or a designated ce...

Muharram basically  means forbidden or sinful. It enmarks the first month of the Islamic calendar and the second holiest month after Ramzan. It is one of the four sacred months of the year in which warfare is forbidden, as mentioned in the Quran. The tenth day of Muharram, called Ashura is a gazetted public holiday in India. While some Muslims fast in the daylight hours on this day, for others it is regarded as a month of mourning, commemorating the Battle of Karbala where Imam Hussain was beheaded. It is considered to be  a period of intense grief. Muharram observes sorrowful poetic recitations and prayer meetings in mosques.

Only if people could see the beauty of imperfections, The beauty that comes from within. Which no mirror can reflect. The world is blindly craving for a pretty face, Only if it could surrender to a pretty heart and experience the power of it’s charm. Shackle the notions of external beauty and embrace the elegance of inner beauty

Eminent criminal lawyer Ram Boolchand Jethmalani, passed away on the 8th of September at the age of 95 after suffering from prolonged illness. The former Union law minister died early on Sunday morning after his health deteriorated over the last two weeks. Ram Jethmalani breathed his last at 7.45 am at his official residence in New Delhi. Over the span of his career, Jethmalani had a strong impact on the judiciary of the country and appeared in many high-profile cases, some of which are Nanavati case in 1959, Rajiv Gandhi Assassination case in 1991, Securities Scam case in 1992 and Jodhpur sexual assault case in 2013. Although his political career is no match to his career as a lawyer, he played a major role in the emergency period during 1975 and 1977. Soon after he started his political career as a parlimentarian. He became a member of the Rajya Sabha in 1988 and later went on to assume the role of Union Minister of Law, Justice and Company Affairs in 1996 as part of the At...

Do they not understand? Her silence doesn't mean You get to feel her up with your hand. For many years She has suffered the violence, Endured the agony And burnt in silence. But watch now as she rises From the very fire that once burnt her. Watch now as she rules the world Leaving your patriarchal kingdom behind For she is the long subdued voice of A woman, A girl, A child.

It’s summer! Beat the heat while looking fly on a budget with these pointers on how to keep your wardrobe looking chic, elegant and fresh. One, invest in basics. While your batik printed kurta is certainly eye-catching and trendy, the versatility of a few solid-colored shirts remains unparalleled. Pair basic kurtis with a dupatta and you have a classy outfit for the day. Two, Denim never goes out of style. A pair of dark wash jeans can make anything look good. Remember, when in doubt, go basic. Three, fabrics matter! It’s sweltering in Delhi, so go for breezy fabrics such as cotton, linen, khakis and stay away from polyester and sorts for they are not breathable and trap heat. Whether you’re a backpacker or a diehard tote hoarder, it can be safely stated that bags make or break an outfit. Invest in a neutral backpack to dump all college supplies in. Go for sturdy fabrics like canvas or suede. For backpackers, brands like Miniso have a great collection of durable bags that...

In the north-eastern state of Assam, peoples’ lives are being transformed overnight into a living nightmare, as many of them are being classified as illegal immigrants since their names are not part of the National Register of Citizens(NRC). The case of Syrian refugees, the Rohingyas and so many other ethnic minorities who had been rendered stateless in the past and have suffered through countless atrocities till date are proof of the dangerously terrifying outcomes that numerous Assamese people might have to live through. The NRC is a list, containing names of people, proving that they came to the state by 24 March 1971, the day before neighboring Bangladesh declared independence from Pakistan and are hence, granted citizenship. Those people, whose names haven’t been included, have 120 days to file an appeal against their exclusion from the list. While deportation is not really an option for India, what happens after people are declared as illegal immigrants, seems to be unclear a...

I’m not a monster, I’m a messenger with a warning, though at times I stutter. It's like a high when it feels like my lips are blocked by an invisible force shield, at the same time the fatigue is pinching my veins, I fall on my knees but I don’t. I am just a hellhound lurking in my introspective, nostalgic element. It’s ecstasy. Am I a villain or am I heroic? I do Satan's bidding for which I am dearly loved by him, and I love him.  We are above humans, though we live beneath them. Their feet shuffle and beat with rhythms of unrest and that is music to our ears. When their time comes and their business is left unfinished because God had not been kind with time, we offer them solace in a quiet sanctuary like ours, away from the noise of the confused relationship of human and God's. You are welcome to join.

“For last year's words belong to last year's language And next year's words await another voice. And to make an end is to make a beginning."  T.S Eliot  Between the hustle of getting in a college and the excitement of moving forward from being the junior to being the senior , 8 months of 2019 passed by , in these 8 months a lot of things happened , some  made new friends , some lost the old ones , some moved out of the comfort of their homes for the first time while some came back after a long time to the place where it all started for them.  These past 8 months saw innumerable changes in our lives , good and bad. While change can be unwelcomed because of the fear of the unknown , new Beginnings symbolize a fresh start , a period of reinvention , there’s always something so liberating and beautiful about a new start.  Our life is like a book , we can either keep reading the same story over and over again or we can take control of it and make th...

Ganesh chaturthi is one of the most magnificent Hindu festival, celebrated to honour the birth of Lord Ganesha, the elephant -headed son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati,a symbol of wisdom, prosperity and good fortune. Ganesh Chaturthi is observed on the fourth day after the new moon in the Hindu month of Bhadrapada. On this day, decorated statues of Lord Ganesha are installed in homes. The festival extends over 10-12 days during which various prayers are offered and celebrations are held. The last day of the festival, known as Anant Chaturdashi, the statue is taken through streets in a huge procession with lots of dancing and singing. The statue is then immersed in a river or sea popularly known as Ganesh Visarjan, symbolizing Lord's journey towards his abode in Kailash. Here's Wishing everyone a happy and prosperous Ganesh Chaturthi ! 

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a big consolidation of public sector banks: 10 public sector banks to be merged into 4. This is done in order to create a stepping stone to the government’s $5 trillion GDP target. The 4 Mega mergers are Allahabad Bank and Indian Bank (anchor bank- Indian Bank); United Bank, PNB, OBC (anchor bank-PNB); Union Bank, Andhra Bank and Corporation Bank (anchor bank- Union Bank) and Canara Bank and Syndicate Bank (anchor bank- Canara Bank). This is done to change the entire operating model as the PSB still operate in old fashioned way. As India’s GDP has crashed to a six year low of 5% so a merger move could be counter-productive.