A few years ago, social media was mostly a place to make new connections and share moments from your life. Fast forward to the present timeline, where it often feels like a giant performance stage where everyone is expected to look their best. Influencers and their vigorous morning routines, picture-perfect homes, weekly trips abroad, etc. have quietly redefined what many consider ‘normal’.But what is the matter? What’s normal online isn’t always realistic, affordable, or even necessary in real life. Amid all these trends, more and more women are starting to ask the bigger question: Are these choices really our own, or have social media quietly convinced us that they should? We spoke to women across age groups and professions who opened up about the online trends they feel have become unnecessarily normalised.

“The whole world has gone to the mountains except me.”

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Social media has made it almost necessary for people to document everything that happens to them 24/7. Vacations, workouts, sleeplessness or even hospital visits belong on your Instagram stories. However, all this creates FOMO and a kind of jealousy in people. For 25-year-old Anushka, who lives in Noida, these frequent distant postings make her feel somewhat jealous and sad. “It feels like the whole world has gone to the hills except me,” she says. She adds, “I reach home after my office shift and when I scroll through my Insta feed, it’s full of people posting pictures from Himachal or Uttarakhand. I feel jealous of those people. They’re going on trips every month. I want to go too.” But most people need to understand that not everything on social media is completely true. Moreover, it is not practical for everyone to go on a trip every month. So, stop feeling like this is normal.

“I doubted my relationship because of social media”

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Surprise luxury gifts, over-the-top proposals, perfectly coordinated couple content, etc. on social media present relationships as one long highlight reel. Sneha (26) admits that such content once made her doubt her relationship. “I would see couples posting Insta Reels every other day and wonder if there was really something missing in my life. I was doubting my relationship. “Then I reminded myself that no one posts arguments, stress, or slow Tuesday evenings,” she adds. Many women like her believe that influencer-style relationships set expectations that leave viewers quietly dissatisfied with perfectly healthy, normal partnerships.

“You can’t style your hair every day!”

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Social media can also present influencers with great hair every time they appear. No matter what the hairstyle, their hair looks the same 24/7. Delhi-based journalist Manisha Gupta says, “Wolf cut, pixie cut, or bob; trust me, these hairstyles will rarely look good unless you style your hair every day… I’ve seen many influencers promoting these hairstyles like crazy, and personally I’ve tried a few of them myself.She adds, “But trust me, there is no guarantee that they will look the same in real life because you can’t style your hair every day! Sometimes you just want to get up, get dressed, and go.”

Pressure to always look ‘camera-ready’

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Flawless skin, stylish outfits, neat nails, impressive beauty silently suggests that women should look put together at all times. Anjali, 24, a Delhi-based corporate employee, says this expectation has gradually eroded her confidence. “I started to feel bad looking tired after a full day’s work. Then it hit me, most influencers are filming under professional lighting, filters and carefully chosen angles. Real life should never have looked like this.Experts have also noted that exposure to idealized images over a period of time can change our perception of what normal appearance actually looks like.

Making productivity a personality

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Wake up at 5 am, meditate, exercise, read, work out, go for a short run, network and start again. The Internet’s obsession with productivity has led many women to believe that every waking hour must be utilized. 24-year-old Srishti says she ultimately failed in her efforts to keep up with productivity influencers. “When I relax, I start to feel like I’m failing or lagging behind everyone else. It’s like a big race. Social media reassures me that I need to constantly grow and improve.“But this is certainly not the norm. Increasingly, women say they are pushing back against the idea that they need to achieve something nonstop in order to be considered worthy.

Over sharing of personal life for likes and attention

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Influencers often grow their audiences by sharing intimate details like relationship troubles, family disputes, pregnancies, breakups, and personal crises. But not everyone sees this as a positive development. Experts say constantly seeking approval from strangers online can be emotionally draining. Many women believe that social platforms are rewarding those who share the most, even though choosing privacy would clearly be a healthy decision.What makes influencer culture so effective is that it routinely disguises marketing as an aspiration. Most trends are tied to products, services or lifestyles being quietly sold to audiences. The result is a cycle that leads women to spend more, compare more, customize more, and share more. However, women across generations are becoming more thoughtful about who they follow, ditching accounts that promote comparison, and gravitating toward creators who show real, imperfect, unfiltered lives.Images Courtesy: Google Gemini

For 28 years, Trinamool Congress was synonymous with Mamata Banerjee. His party, his command, his word.
That certainty ended on June 3, when, for the first time since Mamata founded the TMC in 1998, a large group of elected Trinamool MLAs openly broke with the leadership – they did not leave the party; Instead, he claimed to be its “real” voice in the House.

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Bengaluru: After being hit by a speeding motorcycle while on his way home and suffering serious injuries and loss of wages, a daily wage laborer fought a long legal battle to win compensation.This saga began on May 10, 2023, when Shiv KumarThe 49-year-old man, a resident of Nelamangala taluk, was walking on the Sivagangae-Kudur road at around 6.20 pm. The rider of the motorcycle belonging to Gangamma of Koratagere taluk of Tumakuru district came at high speed and carelessly and collided with him. Kumar fell to the ground and suffered serious injuries – a fracture in his left ankle and multiple fractures in the metatarsal bones of his right foot.Kumar was immediately taken to the District General Hospital in Tumakuru. He was discharged with the advice of surgery and later admitted to Sridevi Medical College Hospital in Tumakuru on 21 May, where internal fixation was done for his left ankle fracture. The fracture of the right foot was treated conservatively by applying plaster.With regular follow-up treatment and advised bed rest, he was discharged on May 30 after a stay of 10 days. Dobbaspet police registered a case against the motorcyclist.Kumar filed a petition before the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal-3, seeking compensation of Rs 30 lakh, alleging that due to accidental injuries, he was unable to work and had incurred huge expenses on medical treatment. Before the accident, he had claimed that he was healthy and earned Rs 22,000 per month as a labourer.But the insurer, Chola MS General Insurance Company Limited, contested the claim, saying the vehicle did not have a valid fitness certificate as on the date of the accident and the compensation sought was excessive.After hearing both sides, the tribunal examined witnesses, including a hospital records officer and the doctor who assessed Kumar’s disability at 22%. Since the doctor did not treat her or review follow-up records, functional disability was fixed at 20%. The manager of the insurer admitted that the vehicle was insured and the rider was licensed, thereby weakening his protection, and the tribunal dismissed the alleged policy violations.Since Kumar could not produce documentary proof of his income, the tribunal applied an estimated income of Rs 16,000 per month. To this was added Rs 32,000 for loss of income during the two-month recovery period, Rs 14,421 for proven medical bills, and Rs 30,000 for future medical expenses including pain and suffering, attendant and transportation charges, loss of future facilities and recommended implant removal surgery.A tribunal bench headed by BS Honnaswami, seventh additional SCJ and ACJM, member MACT-3, on May 2 directed the insurance company to pay a total compensation of Rs 6.7 lakh with interest at 6% per annum from the date of the petition till recovery, which does not include Rs 30,000 awarded for future medical expenses.

Some images don’t just test your vision; They also quietly reveal what’s really in your heart. At first glance, this personality test looks simple: three neatly wrapped boxes, all the same size, the same size, tied with the same rustic string and placed in front of a spoon, fork, and knife. They look alike, as if they are all being “served” the same way. But the box you’re instinctively drawn to says something deeper about how much you love your friends, what you want in a relationship, and what feels safe for you emotionally — even if you’ve never put it into words.It’s not about right or wrong, or good versus bad personalities. It’s about emotional style. Some people want comfort and familiarity, some thrive on balance and mutual effort, and others want depth and intensity that transforms them. The box you are most attracted to represents what your friendship pattern has been over the years.

1. If your eyes immediately fell on the first box…

You are someone who finds comfort, belonging, and emotional stability in your friendships. You are a safe haven for others, a calming influence that people send messages to when they are overwhelmed or confused. You demonstrate your care through consistency, you check in, you remember details, you’re there when it matters. For you, real friendship should be homey, soft, down to earth and drama-free. Because of this, you often nurture more than you ask for. You like routine, recurring calls, and long-term bonds that don’t require you to constantly “prove” the friendship. The other aspect? You may be slow to trust new people. Opening up to strangers or venturing into new social circles can feel tiring or risky. You can remain loyal to familiar relationships even when they have stopped growing you, simply because they feel safe.There’s nothing wrong with romantic comfort — but it’s worth gently asking yourself: Are there any new, potentially beautiful friendships you’re keeping at bay just because they’re unfamiliar?

2.If you selected the second (middle) box

If you chose the middle box, you’re all about fairness. You seriously give time and heart to relationships, but you expect exactly the same energy. One-sided bondage where you carry all the weight? Total dealbreaker. You are very good at reading the room and hate petty drama, gossip or mind games. Hunt? Your love of balance can make you appear a little cold. Because you avoid emotional extremes, you keep your emotions tightly guarded. Friends may think you’re not invested when you actually care too much. Your gift is emotional stability.

3. If you have picked the third box

This indicates that you are probably someone who prefers quality over quantity. You are not interested in superficial small talk or shallow friendships. You’d prefer a few people who really “get” you than a large group of people who don’t know your inner world. You are drawn to deep conversations, emotional honesty, and friendships that change the way you see yourself or life. You form intense bonds – soulmate type relationships. When you love, you love intensely. You’ll remember the little things, think deeply about what your friends are going through, and stand by them through difficult seasons. Your love is not light; It’s layered and honest. But this depth comes with its challenges. Because you feel so much, you may overthink the little moments: a delayed reply, a change in tone, a canceled plan. You can easily feel hurt when other people don’t meet your emotional level or seem more casual about the bond. Sometimes, you may expect “all or nothing,” which can make relationships feel like high-risk territory.Your heart is made for deep connection. Just be gentle with yourself and others when reality doesn’t always match the intensity you have inside.So, which box did you choose? And how accurate was this test result for you? Tell us in the comments below.

Since welcoming your first child Katrina Kaif last year, Vicky Kaushal Discovering a whole new side of life. The actor, who became father to son Vihaan Kaushal on November 7, 2025, recently talked about the lessons that fatherhood has taught him and how it has changed his approach towards parenting.Vicky reflected on the values ​​his parents instilled in him and admitted that becoming a father has given him a deeper appreciation for their efforts.Vicky said in an interview with The Nod Mag, “When I look back at my upbringing, I realize a lot of things he was right about. We weren’t growing up financially. So, there was pressure. But he was responsible for instilling the right values ​​in me.” The actor revealed that raising his son has made him realize the importance of leading by example rather than just giving advice. “It happens to me at the most random moments [instilling the right values] Now I have a responsibility towards my son,” he added, “He will learn by watching how his parents are thinking, talking and behaving. So, I realized that whatever you want to see reflected in him should come through your actions rather than words.”Vicky also opened up about the emotional challenges that come with becoming new parents. After taking a six-week break from work after Vihaan’s birth, the actor had to leave home for a four-day shoot around 230 kilometers away. He admitted that the separation was more difficult than he expected. He said, “My heart sank. It was hard.” This experience helped him understand the feelings that parents often talk about as their children grow up.“There are so many new emotions that come up almost on a daily basis, because being a parent is new to me. I understand now when other people say ‘Man, the baby is growing up so quickly’. And I’d think, ‘What are you talking about? Your baby is still a year old.’ Now I understand,” the actor mentioned.On the professional front, Vicky was last seen Laxman Utekar‘Chhaava’, with Rashmika Mandanna. He is currently busy shooting for Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s *Love & War*, which also stars Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor and marks their reunion with both the actors on screen.

Pancreatic cancer is often called one of the deadliest cancers in the world, not because a cure does not exist, but because the disease is usually detected too late.

Some diseases come with clear warning signs. A persistent cough, visible lump, or unexplained bleeding should prompt people to seek medical attention immediately. Pancreatic cancer behaves differently.It develops into an organ that most people rarely think about. The pancreas is located inside the stomach, behind the stomach and in front of the spine. Because of this location, growing tumors remain hidden from both patients and doctors during routine physical examinations.Dr. Jagannath Dixit, Principal Consultant – Department of Surgical Oncology and Program Director – Robotics, Manipal Hospital, Yelahanka, highlighted, “Let’s start with the number that keeps most people from getting colds. Pancreatic cancer The five-year survival rate is about 12%. For reference, breast cancer sits at about 91%. The difference isn’t primarily about treatment – ​​it’s about timing. By the time most people realize they have it, it’s too late to do much about it.”The challenge is not just to cure the disease. The challenge is to detect it before it spreads.according to US National Cancer InstitutePancreatic cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths because it is often diagnosed at an advanced stage.

Symptoms that mimic everyday problems

One reason pancreatic cancer remains hidden is that its early symptoms rarely appear worrying.Feeling tired after a long week. Mild stomach discomfort after meals. Small amount of unexplained weight loss. Change in appetite. Many people dismiss these symptoms because they can be caused by dozens of harmless conditions.Dr. Dixit explained, “Here’s the cruel part: The early symptoms of pancreatic cancer are the same things you’d ignore on a busy Tuesday. A little fatigue. Some vague stomach discomfort. You may have lost a little weight, but you’ve still been eating less lately. No one goes to their doctor for this.”The problem is that while patients are trying to explain away these symptoms, the cancer is already progressing.More noticeable warning signs such as jaundice, severe back pain, dark urine, pale stool, or significant weight loss often appear much later.As Dr. Dixit said, “The disease has usually been spreading silently for months, sometimes years, until something worrisome becomes apparent—jaundice, severe back pain, significant weight loss.”This is why pancreatic cancer has earned a reputation as one of the most difficult cancers to detect in its early stages.

Hidden inside the body and known to cause vague symptoms that can be easily mistaken for everyday health problems, pancreatic cancer often grows quietly for months or years before being diagnosed.

Why is there no simple screening test yet?

Many cancers benefit from established screening programs. Cervical cancer can be detected through screening tests. Colon cancer can be identified through colonoscopy. Mammography is done in breast cancer.Pancreatic cancer is different.There is currently no screening test widely recommended for the general population. according to nihEarly pancreas lesions often do not produce symptoms and may not show up on standard imaging tests. Dr. Dixit explains that many pancreatic cancers begin as microscopic precancerous changes known as pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN). These lesions are extremely difficult to detect. “There is no routine screening for pancreatic cancer, the way there is for colon or cervical cancer. No annual scans, no standard blood tests.”This means that many patients are only diagnosed when the tumor has grown large enough to affect nearby blood vessels, nerves or organs.By then, treatment options become quite limited.

New technology offers hope, but it’s still not enough

Medicine has made significant advances in detecting pancreatic cancer.High-resolution CT scanning remains the basis of diagnosis. Endoscopic ultrasound can identify some small tumors that may not be visible on conventional imaging. Specific procedures can also help doctors examine the pancreas and surrounding structures more closely.Researchers are now exploring artificial intelligence tools that can identify subtle patterns on scans before tumors are obvious to the human eye.Dr. Dixit said, “Artificial intelligence is also entering the picture. Algorithms trained on thousands of scans can now flag subtle changes that radiologists might miss – patterns that can give early signs of cancer months before visible tumors form.”Still, experts caution that many of these innovations are in the research stage and not yet widely available in everyday clinical practice.At the moment, technology is improving the odds, but it doesn’t solve the problem.

Experts say improving awareness, understanding risk factors and investing in better early detection tools are among the most important steps in changing outcomes for patients.

what can people do right now

One of the most frustrating realities about pancreatic cancer is that there is no guaranteed way to prevent it. However, experts say there are steps that can reduce the risk and improve the chances of early diagnosis.Smoking is one of the strongest known risk factors. Maintaining a healthy weight, being physically active, carefully managing diabetes, and limiting excessive alcohol consumption can also help reduce risk.People who have a strong family history of pancreatic cancer should discuss genetic counseling and special monitoring programs with their healthcare providers.Perhaps most importantly, persistent symptoms should not be ignored just because they seem minor.This long-lasting feeling that something is “not quite right” is noticeable, especially when symptoms continue for weeks or gradually get worse.As Dr. Dixit explains, pancreatic cancer is often successful because it remains hidden. Noticing unusual changes in the body can sometimes be the first opportunity to uncover what’s going on beneath the surface.Meaningful progress is being made through research, precision medicine and multidisciplinary care. Yet until early detection becomes more reliable and accessible, pancreatic cancer will continue to challenge patients and doctors alike.Tragedy is not just illness. This is the time when it is allowed to grow without attention.Medical experts consultedThis article includes expert inputs shared with TOI Health:Dr. Jagannath Dixit, Principal Consultant – Department of Surgical Oncology and Program Director – Robotics, Manipal Hospital, Yelahanka.The input was used to explain why pancreatic cancer is often detected at an advanced stage, the subtle symptoms that often go unnoticed, the challenges doctors face in identifying tumors early, and the importance of timely medical evaluation and emerging diagnostic tools to improve outcomes.

TMC chief Mamata Banerjee with nephew Abhishek Banerjee (PTI photo/file)

New Delhi: Trinamool Congress (TMC) dissolved all its committees, frontal organizations in West Bengal on Wednesday after rebel Rathindra Bose met the Governor with a letter of support from around 60 MLAs, in what is being seen as a major crisis in the party founded by Mamata Banerjee.The party said it would conduct “comprehensive introspection, performance review, organizational assessment at every level. The organizational structure of the parent body, all frontal wings will be restructured and announced at the appropriate time”.The move is being seen as a last-ditch effort to prevent a vertical split in the party, which was decimated by rival BJP in the recently held West Bengal Assembly elections after 15 years of rule.The turmoil intensified on Wednesday as around 60 of the 80 TMC MLAs reached the Assembly for the meeting. The number is significant as it crosses the two-thirds threshold required to avoid disqualification under the anti-defection law, raising parallels with the split in the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena against Uddhav Thackeray in 2022.Earlier in the day, regarding West Bengal Assembly LOP nominations, TMC MLA Mustafizur Rahman told news agency ANI: “We don’t know the exact figure… I am hearing from outside that 59 signatures have been received. I am hearing that. I have also signed.”An important political message has been mentioned in the letter submitted to the Assembly Speaker. Mamata Banerjee as party president, suggesting that the rebel camp is mounting its challenge against the current leadership of the legislature party rather than the TMC chief himself.The MLAs have also rejected any role of Abhishek Banerjee in determining the affairs of the legislature party, sources associated with the dissident group told news agency PTI.However, the TMC leadership described the move as an act of betrayal. Senior party leader and MLA Kunal Ghosh argued that any grievance could have been resolved within the organization itself.He told reporters, “If he had any issues, he could have discussed them within the party. Instead, he chose to stab the party in the back.”Terming the rebels and their supporters as “traitors”, Ghosh said the party would face the crisis and remain united under the leadership of Mamata Banerjee.The origins of Wednesday’s protest can be traced to the meeting of newly elected MLAs at Mamata Banerjee’s residence on May 6. During the meeting, the MLAs are understood to have authorized the party leadership to take a decision on the appointments of the leader of the opposition, deputy leaders and the chief whip.Subsequently, the TMC informed the Assembly that Sovandeb Chattopadhyay will serve as the leader of the opposition, while Nayana Bandyopadhyay and Ashima Patra will be the deputy leaders and Firhad Hakim will take charge as the chief whip.However, the Assembly Secretariat did not act on the communication, pointing to procedural rules requiring such office-bearers to be elected at a formal meeting of the legislature party.Tension escalated further when dissident MLAs alleged that their signatures were misused in communications sent to the Assembly Secretariat. The party leadership denied the accusation and countered that the rebels were attempting to weaken the organization after the electoral setback.The standoff intensified with Ritabrata Banerjee and Sandipan Saha being expelled from the party earlier this week.In the developments, Ritabrata Banerjee, expelled by the party leadership, has emerged as the most prominent face of the rebellion. The presence of veteran leader Javed Khan, considered a close loyalist of Mamata Banerjee since the early days of the party, has further strengthened the political position of the disgruntled camp.The development has also sparked a wide-ranging debate on control over the opposition’s place in the Assembly. While the support of only 30 MLAs is required to secure the post of Leader of the Opposition, the bigger battle now seems to center on the legitimacy and control of the legislature party.