Alongside travel, we examine overarching cultural and lifestyle transformations. A forthcoming FSSAI regulation will implement a mandatory vegan food logo from 2027, aiming to streamline the identification of plant-based products in India. Meanwhile, alarming health statistics reveal a rising obesity crisis across the nation. Furthermore, traditional food cultures—from Kerala to Rajasthan and global Blue Zones—are being studied for their contributions to long-term health.
We also investigate why Hindi cinema seems increasingly out of touch with contemporary societal anxieties, reflecting on what this disconnect reveals about the narratives currently influential in popular culture. In our “What we watched this week” segment, we critique Bandar, Anurag Kashyap’s stark prison drama, alongside Gullak Season 5, which maintains its heartfelt storytelling while exhibiting some signs of familiarity.
Let’s dive in.
Weekend getaways from India’s biggest cities
Less crowded, equally beautiful: Hill stations to visit in Maharashtra
Looking to escape from Mahabaleshwar and Matheran? The misty valleys of Amboli, the serene lakeside of Bhandardara, the trekking paths of Suryamal, and the coffee-scented vistas of Chikhaldara offer several lesser-known hill retreats in Maharashtra for a tranquil getaway from the city bustle.
Misty mountains and lush landscapes: Weekend escapes from Kolkata
With the Himalayan backdrop in Sangser and Lolegaon, serene Aritar lakes, and the tea estates of Takdah, eastern India boasts several tranquil hill destinations that remain largely off the tourist map. These picturesque locations provide nature, peaceful surroundings, and a relaxed pace of travel for those venturing beyond Darjeeling’s well-trodden paths.
Picturesque hill stations within a day’s drive from Bengaluru
Explore the lush tea estates of Kotagiri and Valparai, the coffee plantations of Chikkamagaluru, or the forested hills of Sakleshpur—southern India is rich in rewarding road trip spots. These hill stations offer cool climates, captivating mountain views, and ample outdoor activities, making them ideal for weekend retreats from Bengaluru.
Skip the Manali rush and head to these beautiful escapes near Delhi
Those seeking mountain views without the crowds can explore tranquil alternatives like Khajjiar, Kanatal, Chakrata, Khirsu, and Shoghi. Nestled among forests, lush meadows, and stunning Himalayan scenery, these getaways promise a serene weekend in the hills.
Timeless forts in India every history and travel lover should visit at least once
From the Mughal magnificence of Delhi’s Red Fort to the hilltop fortresses of Taragarh and Kangra, India’s forts present a vivid glimpse into centuries of warfare, trade, empire, and architectural achievement. Scattered across Rajasthan, Hyderabad, Chennai, and the Himalayas, these sites combine stunning landscapes with rich historical narratives, making them some of the most fulfilling destinations for history buffs and travelers alike.
10 destinations across India that are at their most magical during the monsoon
As the southwest monsoon sweeps through the country, many of India’s stunning landscapes experience a remarkable transformation. From Uttarakhand’s Valley of Flowers to Meghalaya’s misty hills, Kerala’s rain-kissed tea estates, and the cascading waterfalls of Coorg and Lonavala, these sites come alive with vibrant greenery, gushing rivers, and breathtaking views. Here are 10 places where the monsoon brings some of the country’s most memorable travel experiences.
Sleep tourism is booming: 8 destinations designed for rest, recovery and better sleep
Bid farewell to packed itineraries and exhausting sightseeing. One of the prominent travel trends in 2026 is sleep tourism, where travelers prioritize rest and relaxation over non-stop activity. From Kerala’s serene backwaters and Tamil Nadu’s tranquil coastlines to the Swiss Alps, the Azores, and the Arctic Circle, these destinations provide peaceful environments, slower paces, and wellness-focused offerings designed to help visitors unwind, rejuvenate, and return home genuinely refreshed.
Gen Z is driving India’s pilgrimage travel boom, accounting for over half of bookings
Spiritual travel is shifting away from being dominated by older generations. According to a recent report from redBus, Gen Z and young travelers represent over 53% of pilgrimage bookings in FY26, with increasing interest in destinations such as Varanasi, Tirupati, Ujjain, Rishikesh, and Nanded. Driven by the discovery through social media, mobile-first booking preferences, and a desire for cultural connection, younger Indians are embracing spiritual journeys while transforming one of the nation’s oldest travel traditions.
FSSAI introduces official vegan logo, mandatory on food packages from 2027
India’s food regulator has launched a unified logo for vegan products, intended to simplify the identification and trustworthiness of plant-based foods for consumers. Commencing July 2027, all approved vegan food packages must feature the green “Vegan” symbol as per revised FSSAI guidelines. This action aligns with the growing interest in plant-based diets, ensuring greater clarity and consistency in the expanding vegan food market in the country.
From Okinawa to Rajasthan: Seven food cultures that cracked the code on healthy living
Long before wellness influencers and biohacking fads, global communities were laying the groundwork for diets that promote longer, healthier lives. From Okinawa’s philosophy of moderation and Sardinia’s rich Mediterranean cuisine to Kerala’s spice-rich dishes and Rajasthan’s resilient desert nutrition, these culinary traditions blend local ingredients, cultural insights, and generations of wisdom. Here’s an overview of seven food cultures that scientific research increasingly links to longevity, resilience, and holistic well-being.
1 in 3 Indian women overweight or obese as NFHS-6 flags rising lifestyle disease burden
India’s latest NFHS-6 survey reveals a significant increase in overweight and obesity rates among both genders, with nearly one in three women aged 15–49 now categorized as such. This surge surpasses that observed in the previous survey, highlighting a growing public health crisis linked to sedentary lifestyles, urbanization, and dietary changes. Concurrently, there is a concerning rise in high blood sugar levels, deepening worries about an expanding lifestyle disease epidemic, particularly in a country still combating undernutrition in several regions.
Why Hindi cinema feels increasingly detached from India’s anxieties
As India faces escalating uncertainty—ranging from job instability and institutional mistrust to discussions around safety, freedom of speech, and identity—Hindi cinema appears increasingly out of sync with the everyday emotional climate. While films in the early 2010s often mirrored societal upheavals through narratives of corruption, justice, and urban paranoia, today’s mainstream offerings chiefly focus on grandeur, nostalgia, and franchise-driven storytelling. This shift poses a broader cultural inquiry: if cinema ceases to reflect the anxieties of its era, can it still claim to provide insights into them?
What we watched this week
Bandar review: Anurag Kashyap’s bleak prison drama is difficult to look away from
Set against the harsh backdrop of India’s undertrial prison system, Anurag Kashyap’s Bandar is an unflinching and profoundly unsettling watch. Featuring a compelling performance by Bobby Deol, the film tackles themes of power, privilege, institutional decay, and public distrust through a stark prison narrative that offers little solace—forcing viewers to confront uncomfortable realities that many would prefer to overlook.
Gullak Season 5 review: Still comforting and relatable, but beginning to show its age
Five seasons in, Gullak remains one of India’s most beloved slice-of-life dramas, finding warmth and meaning in the daily struggles of the Mishra family. Although the series continues to benefit from solid performances and emotional genuineness, the latest season occasionally feels burdened by familiarity, prompting questions about its ability to evolve while retaining the charm that endeared it to audiences.
