So far this has been a year of seemingly unending wars, civilian suffering, climate chaos and dramatic political change. We have seen increased intolerance with everything from dissenters (Alexei Navalny died mysteriously in an Arctic prison) to the number of letters in the acronym LGBTQIA+. The sliver of hope has come from the resurgence of labour movements and students across the world who are raising their voices against war and unfair work practices. Gen Z may believe in the doctrine of humanity, after all.
The Political Rollercoaster. This was called the ultimate election year and one that many said had the power to change the world. Half the planet was scheduled to vote this year and many already have. Indonesia is now run by a former Defence Minister who was accused of human rights violations in East Timor and barred from entering the United States for two decades. Vladimir Putin returned with a bang in a no-contest election. The centre right defeated the liberals in Finland and the far right made massive inroads in France for the first time since World War II. In England, the labour party is set to dethrone the conservatives after 14 years. And for the first time in the post-Apartheid era, the African National Congress is not in the driver’s seat. This is also likely to be the year Donald Trump returns to power. The long-term implications of all these changes will ricochet through the world in the coming months. Migrants are likely to be hit hardest.
New MPs. Though Narendra Modi won a third term as Prime Minister, things have changed in India too. In the first session convened after general elections, new MPs singlehandedly increased the ratings of the usually somnolent Sansad TV. Whether it was Manipur Congress MP Angomcha Bimol Akoijamand, whose turn to speak came just before midnight, or Chandrashekhar Azad who matter-of-factly listed crimes against the marginalised, the mood was electric. Bihar veteran Manoj Kumar Jadhav waved two new books on the Bhima Koregaon case in Parliament: Alpa Shah’s Incarcerations and Ajaz Ashraf’s Challenging Caste. If you are still among those who believe that caste doesn’t matter in modern India, you definitely need to read these books. The Constitution, which has made headlines since the anti-CAA protests of 2019, stayed in vogue in the first half of this year—hopefully it will not just be used as an accessory.
The Ambani Effect. Will Anant Ambani’s mega wedding drive the stakes even higher in an already booming marriage economy, encouraging privileged Indians to spend more than they already do on their big fat desi shaadis? Will it make Gen Zers dream even more of splashy 'Made in India' weddings? Will young women want to play princess for prolonged periods starting with ‘pre-wedding’ festivities?
“The luxury segment will see the most impact - budgets will go up, there will be longer celebrations, even the intimate events like Mamerus for Gujaratis will become grander, expect more spends on lehengas and jewellery, sangeet events will see more grandeur,” said Madhulika Sachdeva Mathur, co-founder at Wedding Sutra. “Indian weddings in the luxe segment are all about displays of power, connections and wealth.”
It may be wishful thinking but I’m hoping the wedding will result in a backlash against wasteful expenditure and a renewed emphasis on simplicity. Many couples I’ve encountered through my venture India Love Project say they believe in zero-fuss weddings; some of them include the Constitution and the Preamble in their non-traditional ceremonies.
Just Breathe. For those who can afford to, there has been an increasing emphasis on living mindfully in the post-Covid years. Call it slowing down, opting out, back to basics, analogue lifestyle or whatever else you want. The Slow Fix, started by my former colleague Sanjukta Sharma, taps into this philosophy. It promotes “slow wellness or integrative holistic wellness”. Sharma says she challenges the “culture of speed and hyper-efficiency”, and is on a healing journey that goes one step at a time. My entry to this lifestyle has been my attempt to learn gardening basics.
The Rise and Rise of Malayalam Cinema. A mid-year list released on Letterboxd, the social network for film watchers, had a record number of Indian films. The 25 highest-rated feature films included seven Indian films, five of which are in Malayalam (two of them in the top 10). The Malayalam rush has been ongoing for a few years now and is only growing stronger.
Malayalam filmmakers’ best reward is their knowledgable audience, Meenakshi Shedde, who has been on the jury of several top film festivals, told me earlier this year. “On posters, the cinematographer and screenwriter get top billing. They couldn’t be bothered about the Oscars, they make films for their audiences who totally get it,” she said. “It’s a wonderfully organic, enriching circle.” Bonus: All We Imagine as Light, a film about Malayali nurses, starring Malayali actors, and one that is a tribute to the diversity of Malayalam cinema, won the Grand Prix Award at the Cannes Film Festival in May.
Sneaky Workplaces. The year began with IBM giving its employees an ultimatum. The company said that those working remotely who didn’t live close enough to commute to office should relocate nearer one by August. Others took a cue from this. “We believe in-person connections paired with a flexible approach are critical to drive innovation and value differentiation,” Dell said in February, demanding that hybrid workers come to office three days a week. The company indicated that remote workers wouldn’t be entitled to any promotions or rewards. “Making life difficult so people quit seems to be something people are adopting here as well,” neuropsychologist India Ashok told me earlier this year. Companies use ‘soft layoffs’, that force employees who cannot follow the mandate to quit, for a variety of reasons. “Multiple rounds of layoffs can impact a company’s brand, for example,” said Ashok.
Climate Chaos. Brutal heat waves, floods, wildfires, hurricanes, pollution and the impact of all these extraordinary climate events on the health and wellness of the most marginalised is increasingly a real problem across the world. “Climate change is more than an environmental crisis—it is a social crisis and compels us to address issues of inequality on many levels: between wealthy and poor countries; between rich and poor within countries; between men and women, and between generations,” the World Bank has said. Last year was the hottest year on record since 1850, and experts say it will only get worse this year and every year after. You’ll need to update your vocabulary and understanding of phrases such as climate anxiety and ecological grief.
We’re halfway there and already, 2024 promises to be yet another extraordinary year—one that will test our resilience, force us to develop new skills and teach us that the only way forward is empathy for all.
Priya Ramani is a Bengaluru-based journalist and is on the editorial board of Article-14.com.
The views expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of NDTV Profit or its editorial team.
