Latest news with #GenZ
DW
10 minutes ago
- General
- DW
How India's Gen Z is redefining spirituality – DW – 07/31/2025
Young people in India have a huge interest in spirituality and religion, but they are doing it differently than older generations. For many Gen Zers, it is a personalized experience rather than a ritualistic compulsion. Rohit Singh was born into a Hindu family, but he doesn't identify as religious. The 24-year-old does, however, occasionally go to the local temple as well as gurudwara, a place of worship and assembly in Sikhism. Singh also believes in astrology, and this month joined his cousins on the Kanwar Yatra, an annual pilgrimage of devotees of Lord Shiva, one of the three major Hindu deities revered in India. "I am not religious, I am spiritual," he told DW. "I don't go to the temple as frequently as my parents, I go sometimes for the calm and peaceful vibe. I started going when I was unable to find a job and my mental health was at its worst." The resident of Gurugram, a tech and finance hub just outside the capital, New Delhi, still hasn't found a job. But he says his spirituality has helped his mental health. "A lot of my friends are like me. We just want some solace," he says. Interest in religion is declining worldwide. A study by Pew Research Center showed that religious affiliation fell globally by 1% in the decade spanning 2010 to 2020. In the same period, the percentage of people who showed no religious affiliation grew from 23% to 24.2%. But in India, it's a different story. In the same Pew study, the global population of Hindus — 95% of whom live in India, where they form 80% of the population — held steady, whereas the number of Muslims, who represent more than 14% of Indians, grew. Unlike many around the world, India's youth, which makes up 65% of its population, seem to be reconnecting with religion and spirituality. But they are doing it in their own way. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video A YouGov-Mint survey showed 53% of India's Gen Z — which refers to people born roughly between 1997 and 2012 — believe religion is important and 62% of them pray regularly. An MTV Youth Study in 2021 found that 62 % of India's Gen Z believe spirituality helps them gain clarity. Almost 70% said they felt more confident after prayer. "Gen Z has a lot of different vocabulary that they can lean on to explain what they are feeling, which is different from previous generations," counselling psychologist Manavi Khurana told DW. "Terms like healing, grounding, getting in touch with the self. Spirituality, religion, wellness and well-being all get mixed up, though they have intersections as well," Khurana added. She is the founder of the mental health organization Karma Care in Delhi, which has a mix of Millennial (people who were born roughly between 1981 and 1996) and Gen Z clients. "There's also a lot of people connecting to Hinduism given the current political climate," Khurana said. "A lot of people find solace in religion. If they have absolutely lost hope, they find religion or some mantras or beliefs that help them find that hope. They may not have a lot of other support systems at this time," she explained. But whether religion is helpful in each case is "always a 'yes and no' answer," Khurana said. "If spirituality leads to extremism, it's not the best scenario. But if someone uses it as a way to get in touch with themselves and as a coping mechanism, it is very important," she said. Young Indians don't seem to be shying away from religion — they are reinventing and customizing it. Surya, 27, is a solo traveler and influencer with more than 290,000 followers on Instagram. Many of her trips are spiritually inclined. Surya has traveled to a number of major Hindu pilgrimage sites and festivals, including the Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj this year, Kedarnath and the Haridwar Kumbh in 2021. She says while social media platforms and influencers have made religion more accessible to younger generations, there's more to it than that. "Spirituality is no longer seen as 'boring' or only for the old. It's becoming a way to find peace in a chaotic modern life," she told DW. "Today's youth aren't following blindly. They're asking why, exploring how, and embracing what resonates personally. Instead of attending temples because they 'have to,' they may visit Varanasi, Rishikesh, or Isha (Foundation) to feel something real," she added. During an address to the parliament this year, India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the youth are "embracing their traditions, faith, and beliefs with pride, reflecting a strong connection to India's cultural heritage." He was speaking before the Maha Kumbh Mela, which was held from January to February this year and saw thousands of younger attendees. Modi's right-wing, Hindu nationalist government has pumped funds into developing and promoting important religious sites such as Ayodhya. The states of Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra have also announced plans to revamp sites of religious, historical and mythological significance. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video With social media playing such an important role in young people's interest in and engagement with spirituality, some critics say these public platforms make the experience less authentic or performative. Psychologist Khurana says that while there may be an element of truth to this, that does not make the youth's relationship with religion or spirituality inauthentic. "Just because a lot of Gen Z communicate via Instagram or the internet and that is their way of community, we can't totally write it off as performative," she said, pointing out that young people have been "brought up around phones and raised by technology." Yoga, meditation, astrology and even spiritual leaders and speakers using relatable language all appeal to the country's youth. According to a 2023 survey by OMTV, a spiritual storytelling app, 80% of Indians aged 18 to 30 engage with spiritual or religious content online. "Gen Z's world is noisier and faster than any before. So, their entry points to spirituality look different. They may not read entire scriptures, but they'll listen to a 60-sec clip of Gita wisdom. They might not sit in a temple for hours, but they'll do a 10-minute guided meditation at night. That doesn't make it less real, just modern," Surya said.
Mint
11 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- Mint
Love is in the air, again! Romantic movies bounce back in Bollywood
Bollywood is back to what it does best—romance. Over the past few years, filmmakers had turned their attention exclusively to biopics and patriotic films, giving love stories a miss, industry experts said. But the romance genre is now back in vogue, with recent films like Dino, Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan and Saiyaara getting the viewers hooked. Remarkably, Mohit Suri directorial Saiyaara, starring debutant Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, has emerged as a major sleeper hit, reaffirming the timeless appeal of charming love stories. The return of romantic drama on the silver screen is expected to fuel recovery of music sales—since love stories usually boast of popular, hummable soundtracks—and also builds on the gains of re-releases of much-loved movies like Jab We Met and Sanam Teri Kasam that young Gen Z audiences have thronged the theatres for, according to entertainment industry experts. While Yash Raj Films' Saiyaara had crossed the ₹ 270-crore mark at last count, Karan Johar's Dhadak 2, Maddock Films' Param Sundari and Kartik Aaryan's untitled romantic film are all scheduled for release over the next few months. 'Bollywood was invested in making only a certain kind of films over the past few years, such as social dramas. In the process, it lost out on many mass-market genres including romance and horror. There is a great need for love stories so that youngsters can visit cinemas,' independent exhibitor Vishek Chauhan said. It is important to make sure these films come with good music, experts like Chauhan said, as music is also a great driver for movie marketing. The list of top 50 tracks on Spotify on Thursday was topped by the title track of Saiyaara. Five other songs from the films also featured in the top 10. To be sure, film industry experts also point to the enduring appeal of romantic films. While there have been re-releases galore in cinemas over the past few months, there is a significantly higher draw for romantic dramas, even including flops such as Laila Majnu, Rockstar and Sanam Teri Kasam. Experts said that the Gen Z audiences flocking to these films don't have a real love story of their times and don't mind paying low prices to watch a movie in a genre they have completely missed out on. Plus, the music plays a big role, given that new film soundtracks rarely find favour nowadays. Sanam Teri Kasam, a 2016 romantic drama, is currently the highest grossing re-release in India, having made over ₹ 35 crore in box-office collections in its second run. Laila Majnu earned over ₹ 11 crore last year, surpassing its original box-office takings of ₹ 2-3 crore when released in 2018. Pranav Garg, managing director at Maya Palace, a two-screen cinema in Muzaffarnagar, pointed out that romantic films have always been an enduring brand at the Indian box office, driven by films featuring the likes of Shah Rukh Khan in the 1990s. However, in the past few years, filmmakers have resorted to fixed formulas of patriotic dramas and biopics. But it's romantic movies that attract the young audiences who go on to pick up dialogues, songs and styles from these movies, proving to be their brand ambassadors. 'A lot of filmmakers have been depending on the tried and tested template of action coupled with a big star and director lately, which hasn't worked. Love stories are always a good bet at the box office and the advantage is they can work even without stars,' Ashutosh Agarwal, owner of Star World Cinemas in Uttar Pradesh, said.
Hindustan Times
11 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
The Social Network Part II's cast might just include Jeremy Allen White and Mikey Madison; everything to know
Before Jesse Eisenberg became the face of offbeat Gen Z cinema in A Real Pain (2024), he embodied a very different type of disruptor — Mark Zuckerberg, the cold, calculating genius behind Facebook, in 2010's The Social Network. Now, over a decade later, a new chapter of the Facebook saga is in the works, and it may be even more relevant in a post-privacy era. Jeremy Allen White and Mikey Madison Aaron Sorkin, the writer behind the iconic first film, is returning and this time, he's also stepping in to direct. While the original focused on the birth of a billion-dollar idea in a Harvard dorm room, The Social Network Part II will dive into something much murkier: the real-world consequences of that idea. Rumour has it that this follow-up won't be a typical sequel. Instead of retreading Zuckerberg's origin story, it will probably dramatise The Facebook Files, a 2021 investigative series by The Wall Street Journal's Jeff Horowitz that exposed how Facebook knowingly ignored or amplified harm on its platform — from political radicalisation to teen mental health. About the cast Sorkin is reportedly eyeing Emmy-winner Jeremy Allen White from The Bear to play Horowitz and Anora (2024) breakout Mikey Madison to portray the unnamed whistleblower who made the exposé possible. While no official offers have been made, insiders who spoke to Deadline say the duo are his top picks. The casting process is still underway, with industry talent scrambling for meetings, hoping for the kind of career-defining roles the original film offered its ensemble. Whether Jesse Eisenberg returns as Zuckerberg remains to be seen. His Oscar-nominated performance helped shape the cultural image of Big Tech's first villain, but in this new story, the focus may lie less on him and more on the forces working to hold tech giants accountable.
Fashion Value Chain
11 minutes ago
- Business
- Fashion Value Chain
VELS HR Conclave 2025 Bridges Industry-Academia to Shape the Workforce of Tomorrow
VELS Institute of Science, Technology & Advanced Studies (VISTAS), one of the best deemed university in Chennai successfully hosted its much-anticipated HR Conclave 2025, organized by the university's Career Advancement Cell, under the theme 'Campus to Corporate: Preparing the Next Generation Workforce'. The conclave served as a dynamic Industry-Academia platform to bring together academia and industry, fostering meaningful engagement among more than 180 HR professionals, industry experts, faculty members, and students, facilitating strategic knowledge exchange. Dr. Preethaa Ganesh, Vice President of the VELS Group of Institutions, inaugurates the VELS HR Conclave 2025 The event was inaugurated by Dr. Preethaa Ganesh, Vice President of the VELS Group of institutions, who underscored the importance of future-ready education, industry-aligned curriculum and employability skills for today's students. She highlighted the university's commitment to nurturing adaptive leaders with corporate expectations and technological advancements. One of the major highlights of the conclave was a thought-provoking panel discussion on skill development moderated by Mr. Charles Godwin from Zoho Corporation. The panel featured HR leaders from prominent companies including TCS, Schwing Stetter, HCL GUVI, and Renault Nissan. The discussions revolved around the critical role of skill development in areas such as artificial intelligence, automation, Six Sigma, and data-driven technologies to enhance workforce readiness. Panelists also introduced the 'VIBE' concept Vision, Integrity, Belief, and Execution as a strategic framework to bridge the campus-corporate gap. Discussions also focused on how Gen Z career expectations are reshaping corporate mentorship programs and driving organisations to become more responsive and learner centric. The HR Conclave has led to several impactful outcomes. In the 2024 edition, more than 50 leading companies actively engaged with the university, resulting in over 10 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) for student placements, internships, and collaborative training programs. Notably, VISTAS also established an international partnership with the Government of Penang, Malaysia, enabling student and faculty exchange programs. Over 100 students from Vels University secured placements in top multinational corporations, supported by the university's dedicated efforts to provide specialized industrial training programs in engineering and other technical education. About VELS University Vels Institute of Science, Technology and Advanced Studies (VISTAS), Chennai, is a proud member of the prestigious Vels Group of Institutions and was conferred University status by the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD), Government of India. Supported by the VAELS Trust, the university is committed to transforming individuals into versatile professionals and responsible citizens by nurturing the right blend of Knowledge, Skills, and Attitude (KSA) and instilling a passion for contributing to national development. Established as a Deemed-to-be University in 2008, VISTAS offers over 100+ undergraduate, postgraduate, and Ph.D. programs across diverse disciplines, including Medicine, Engineering, Nursing, Allied Health Sciences, Pharmacy, Commerce, Law, Mass Communication, Maritime Studies, Education, Physiotherapy, Computer Science, Basic Sciences, and Life Sciences. All programs are recognized by UGC, AICTE, NMC, INC, PCI, BCI, DGS, and NCTE. With a vibrant academic community of over 15,000 students and more than 700 experienced faculty members, VISTAS is a NAAC A++ accredited deemed-to-be university offering 11 NBA-accredited programs. It also holds UGC 12(B) status and is ranked in the 101-150 band of the NIRF 2024 Rankings. Notably, the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences is ranked 64th nationwide. Vels University is widely recognized for its strong placement record and industry-relevant curriculum. Admissions for the 2025 academic year are now open. Explore our UG, PG, and Ph.D programs in Engineering, Health Sciences, Pharmacy, Law, and more – Apply Now to VELS University and take the next step toward a future-ready career.
Daily Mail
11 minutes ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Revealed: The 10 foods at risk of going EXTINCT...because Gen Z refuse to eat them
From refusing to interact with servers, to ' quiet quitting ', Gen Z have already gained a reputation for their outlandish behaviour. Now, this generation is also getting recognised for their hatred of certain foods. A new survey has revealed the 10 foods at risk of going extinct in the Gen Z refuse to eat them. Topping the list is liver, which over a third (35 per cent) of Gen Z turn their noses up at. Meanwhile, almost a quarter (23 per cent) say they would avoid chowing down on mushrooms. 'Brits claim to eagerly embrace culinary trends and global flavours, but they can be particularly prejudiced when it comes to certain foods, and this is one of the biggest barriers to discovery,' said TV maître d'hôtel Fred Sirieix, who commissioned the research, on behalf of Boursin plant-based. 'Many ingredients including plant-based alternatives to cheese have huge negative preconceptions. 'But despite many claiming they'd be able to differentiate plant-based from dairy, even the most discerning foodies were fooled by this plant-based alternative to cheese when we let taste do the talking.' For the survey, 2,000 British adults were asked about the foods they would refuse to eat. The results revealed that six in 10 Brits claim to dislike foods before they've even tried them. Liver tops the list as the food most hated by Gen Z, followed by blue cheese, which almost a third (32 per cent) refuse to eat. Anchovies are off the menu for 30 per cent of this generation, while 29 per cent avoid black pudding, and 26 per cent say no to prawns. Duck is a no-go for 25 per cent of Gen Z, while 23 per cent shun tofu, mushrooms, and olives. Finally, 21 per cent wouldn't even consider going near plant-based cheese. 'There's a whole world of flavours out there waiting to be explored if you're brave enough,' Mr Sirieix said. 'Even ingredients you might dismiss because of previous experiences, judgements, or assumptions can still surprise you if prepared in the right way. 'So, embrace the challenge and let the taste do the talking.' The survey comes shortly after research revealed the iconic British dishes at risk of going extinct in the next five years. Kitchen appliance maker Ninja surveyed 2,000 people and studied online search trends for popular UK dishes to see how food habits are changing. Based on the findings, the firm thinks Glamorgan sausage will be the quickest to vanish from British dinner plates for good – by November 2025. Meanwhile, a traditional Welsh dish called tatws pum munud ('five-minute potatoes') will be gone before this Christmas. Pan haggerty, a Northumbrian baked dish of potatoes, onions and cheese, will be extinct by summer 2026, the experts reveal. Even the iconic shepherd's pie – originating in northern England or Ireland in the late 18th century – will disappear by June 2027.
