FIRST-PERSON ACCOUNT Stories
'My in-laws gave notes and powder for having male child'
Kerala high court was left stunned recently as it delved into the plight of a 39-year-old woman from Kollam, whose petition against her husband and in-laws unveiled a disturbing narrative: pressure to conceive only a “good boy child”, providing explicit instructions on how to do so on her wedding evening in 2012. She welcomed a girl child into the world in 2014, only to face relentless cruelty. Before the courtroom’s next chapter awaits, slated for Feb 29, Ashla Roy recounts her ordeal and fight for justice
‘How I got back Rs 2 lakh that scamsters stole from me’
A journalist recounts how she went about getting her money back after having fallen to online fraud
- Anchita Ghosh
- TIMESOFINDIA.COM
'We were made to strip...they behaved like wild animals'
The two survivors who were paraded naked and allegedly raped in Manipur narrate these deeply disturbing accounts. The husband of one of the survivors, a Kargil war veteran, says, "I have seen war, fought on the frontline in Kargil. Now I find my own place more dangerous than the battlefield"
‘I saw a Kedarnath that’s full of scars from 2013’
The flash floods of 2013 reduced the temple town to rubble. A decade on, I find pilgrims trudging up a long, treacherous trail, living in tents and rooms with almost no facilities, and paying for everything through their nose
- Pankaj Doval
- TNN
‘Why I spoke about being abused by my father’
In an interview with TOI+, the actor and National Commission for Women member speaks about facing physical and mental abuse from her father at the age of eight and why victim shaming needs to end
- Bhavika Jain
- TIMESOFINDIA.COM
Why I once wanted my gay son to marry a woman
In an open letter, the mother of a gay and gender-fluid child shares her worries about his future if he is unable to find a life companion, and explains why it’s time we recognise that every person, irrespective of gender or choices, has an equal right to love, marriage and laws that support them
- Padma Iyer
- TIMESOFINDIA.COM
Why I watched BBC documentary? Because govt said don't
TOI+ spoke to students across campuses on what pulled them to the BBC documentary on Gujarat riots after it was banned by the government. They all had the same answer – if the government tries to take away our basic freedoms, we will fight back
- Alka DhupkarBhavika Jain
- TIMESOFINDIA.COM
‘Doctors gave me 18 months to live. So, I have started living’
As a stage four cancer patient, instead of moping around, I am actively engaging with life — working, travelling with my wife and son, and trying to help people like me. There is one last dream to fulfil, but do I have enough time left?
- Ravi Prakash
- TIMESOFINDIA.COM
How a Jamtara style call almost scammed me
You see it in movies and TV series like Jamtara, which revolves around a huge phishing racket that operates from a small village in Jharkhand. But you never think it will happen to you. Unfortunately, reel turned to real for me when I got this call a few days ago
- Geetika Rustagi
- TIMESOFINDIA.COM
'Hello, this is Charles Sobhraj. Are you okay?'
Last week, the infamous 78-year-old, who is popularly known as ‘the serpent’ and ‘bikini killer’, was freed from a Nepal jail. The perfect villain of his time, what motivated him to kill? And how did he manage to live the 'resort' life in jail?
- Avirook Sen
- TIMESOFINDIA.COM
10 things you must know when selling your house
Selling a house is about brick and mortar and memories. But it’s also about money and how you can lose a whole lot if you don’t know about capital gains tax and the value of indexation. Here’s what I found out when I sold my home.
- Niharika Bisaria
- TIMESOFINDIA.COM
Why an ex-navy chief and wife joined Bharat Jodo Yatra
Many well-meaning people have asked us this question. The only answer we have is – If not us, then who? If not now, then when?
- Lalita Ramdas
- TIMESOFINDIA.COM
'I had to choose between life and my home in Delhi. I chose life'
Frequent visits to the doctor, seeing my son suffer, or leaving the city…for me the choice was simple, a Delhiite says in this first-person account. But what about those who don’t have the luxury of choosing?
My family in Pakistan predicted a calamity. It came true
Rampant exploitation of nature in the name of progress and an obsession with building dams have radically increased the country’s vulnerability to climate change and extreme weather
- Ibrahim Buriro
- New York Times
‘Amitabh used to be prankster No. 1’
On superstar Amitabh Bachchan's 80th birthday, we bring you these anecdotes shared five years ago by his co-star Rakhee Gulzar, who played both his lover as well as his mother in films
- Rakhee Gulzar
- TIMESOFINDIA.COM
Why it's hard being a male gynaecologist in India
The upcoming Bollywood film "Doctor G" has triggered a conversation around male gynaecologists, a fast-shrinking tribe in India. Three practising male doctors in this lopsided medical speciality speak up about their trials and triumphs
- Lata Mishra
- TIMESOFINDIA.COM
My experience of flying Air India under Tatas
On time, shorter flying hours, improved service... Tatas’ Air India ultra-long-haul flights are a delight in many ways. What the fleet needs is an overall cabin upgrade or newer aircraft
'Why I reported a sextortion call and everybody should'
Friends told me not to report it. Cops said they could keep my name out. Journalists offered me anonymity. I couldn't understand — why are victims in our society made to feel guilty? This must stop
- Shailesh Gandhi
- TIMESOFINDIA.COM
How I turned my $1,000 crypto loss into profit
There’s a world out there that most people are only vaguely aware of — cryptocurrency investments. Here’s how I make money from it in a scientific way, keeping in mind that I can lose it all tomorrow
- Abhijeet Gaur
- TIMESOFINDIA.COM
Why Manhattan’s last hourly rate hotel is on sale
Its website calls it the "most sexiest" in New York City and for years it's been the sanctuary for lovers. But in a changing neighbourhood, its owner says, "a hotel like this doesn't make sense" any longer
- Alex Vadukul
- New York Times