Deepak Gopalakrishnan, Author at Arré

Those Still Thinking of Taking that Last Flight to Goa, It’s a Lockdown. Not a Holiday

On a Facebook group that I am a part of, someone was looking for a companion to cycle to Lonavala. Yet another family has taken off to Goa. Now is the time to to contain your wanderlust and stay the fuck home.

Deepak Gopalakrishnan June 7, 2016

Technology

How to Switch Off Your Notifications and Stop Being a Slave to Your Smartphone

The average smartphone user faces a deluge of notifications, imploring you to do everything from checking out an unmissable offer to ordering food so you can focus on that cricket game instead of cooking. But are they a convenience, or a curse?

Deepak Gopalakrishnan June 5, 2016

Earth

Slow Burn: Why India Should Be Very Afraid of Australia’s Bushfires

Apart from their common love for cricket, there are some pretty disturbing parallels between India and Australia. Political as well as public denial of climate change in both countries means a climate disaster like the Australian bushfires could easily happen in India.

Deepak Gopalakrishnan June 2, 2016

Technology

The Lost Art of Composing Ringtones on Nokia Phones

If you are of a certain vintage, you’d be forgiven for asking “why make a ringtone when you can just download a song instead?” But the world was different in 2004 — back then phone ringtones were a well of creative expression.

Deepak Gopalakrishnan June 1, 2016

POV

India Against CAA: Being a First-Time Protester Can Be Daunting, Don’t Hesitate to Ask Questions

I never ended up going for several stirs I could have been a part of, because of the unanswered questions. Was I expected to carry a sign? If a scuffle breaks out, can I leave or will that be deemed cowardly? To some, especially seasoned protestors, some of these questions might seem silly, but a little bit of information would help people who genuinely want to join the good fight.

Deepak Gopalakrishnan May 22, 2016

POV

Can India Run Its Cities Without Migrant Workers?

Imagine being able to run a city without the cheap labour provided by migrant workers. Without Aziz bhai to fix the socket or Chetna didi to mop the floors, we’d be lost. But maybe the coronavirus is an opportunity for India – an opportunity to accord dignity of labour to the ones that work hardest for it.

Deepak Gopalakrishnan May 22, 2016

Coronavirus

Give Your Maid Her Full Pay, the Delivery Guy Sanitiser: Infect Everyone With Empathy

When the story of the coronavirus is written, a large chapter will be devoted to how well (or otherwise) we treated those less fortunate than ourselves. For once – and it’s amazing how nature works – how well we do, will depend on how well we treat them. Give your househelp paid leave, offer hand sanitiser to delivery men.

Deepak Gopalakrishnan May 16, 2016

Earth

Only Policy Can Help Tackle India’s Pollution. Not Individual Action By Woke Citizens

Solutions for Delhi’s (and any other city’s) pollution lies in new government policies and programmes – improved public transport, building cycle lanes, a well-thought out ban on plastic. Someone using one less firecracker during Diwali or cycling to work is not going to help.

Deepak Gopalakrishnan May 16, 2016

Technology

Enough with the Cameras, Apple’s Next Innovation Should Be an Eco-Friendly iPhone

As other phone companies scramble over each other to rip off the iPhone's latest design, Apple should go a step ahead and create sustainable phones. In an age where there’s increased awareness of climate change, surely following an eco-friendly trend will become as important as adding a screen notch.

Deepak Gopalakrishnan May 11, 2016

POV

India’s Engineering Colleges: A Four-Year Career Camp for Undecided Youth

I went to a pretty decent engineering college in Kerala, and my batchmates are doing all sorts of things outside of engineering, from management to music, from content writing to software start-ups. For most engineers, the four years of college was just to figure out what they wanted to do in life.

Deepak Gopalakrishnan May 11, 2016