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Journalism of Courage

Rishika Singh

Rishika Singh is a senior sub-editor on the lifestyle desk of The Indian Express, reporting on culture and its intersections with social media, fashion, health, and ultimately, our lifestyle. A Gen-Z cohort herself, Singh is also helming Express's new series, #WhatsTheVibe, analysing what makes this generation tick and their behaviours on social media and IRL. She also writes the weekly lifestyle newsletter, Midlife Matters. Her work has appeared in Live Wire, and Tweak India. You can reach her at rishika.singh@indianexpress.com. Find her across social media platforms as @gibberishika

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Mahender Singh Manral

More From Rishika Singh

From rhinoplasty to liposuction, explore how India is becoming the new destination for beauty transformations.

Sushruta to selfies: How India became a global capital for plastic surgery

September 15, 2025 19:30 IST

India now ranks in the world’s top ten for cosmetic procedures, and among the top three for liposuction and rhinoplasty. The numbers tell a staggering story.

Mon, Sep 15, 2025

Protein has become a wellness obsession, from shakes to coffees. Experts explain the hype, hidden risks, and how much protein we really need.

Why is protein suddenly everywhere?

September 08, 2025 19:30 IST

How did protein make the leap from gym-shake jargon to supermarket celebrity? We analyse whether the craze for it actually matches what our bodies need

Mon, Sep 08, 2025

crochet jaimala, varmala. indian weddings

Why couples are ditching real flowers for eco-friendly crochet varmalas

September 01, 2025 15:29 IST

“These garlands don’t wilt, don’t smell weird the next day, and don’t get tossed in the trash,” said Zainab Mukhtyar. “They stay with you forever—as a memory and a piece of art.”

Mon, Sep 01, 2025

From Love Island to Bollywood, the bandanna is firmly back — and better than everSubscriber Only

August 19, 2025 21:30 IST

Gen Z's newest Instagram obsession, Love Island USA, saw two contestants casually wearing triangle-folded bandannas like it was 1995, which quickly turned into a viral fashion moment

Tue, Aug 19, 2025

India’s tryst with obesity may have deeper roots. Not in fast food or sedentary jobs, but in centuries of starvation and famine.

Indians are overtaking the world when it comes to obesity; we talk to doctors to understand whySubscriber Only

August 19, 2025 16:27 IST

While the world is experiencing an obesity crisis, India’s battle is shaped by a complex tangle of history, biology, culture, and urban lifestyle shifts, making it one of the most urgent public health challenges of the 21st century.

Fri, Aug 22, 2025

Tiny as they are, Indian matchboxes have carried mythology, politics, pop culture, and even rebellion to the forefront of our minds. In their prime, they were portable postcards of the nation’s imagination. (Image credit: Maachis art/Sonal Nagwani)

‘A quirky design says more in 2 inches than some 20-feet ads’: Inside India’s matchbox art movement and its revivalSubscriber Only

July 25, 2025 20:30 IST

Good design isn’t always big, expensive, or famous. Sometimes, it fits in your palm and stays in your memory for life.

Fri, Jul 25, 2025

Bethlem Royal Hospital—one of the oldest mental asylums in Europe.

This English word is derived from the infamous history of a mental asylum — take a guessSubscriber Only

July 17, 2025 20:30 IST

The word we casually use to describe a noisy classroom or chaotic traffic jam was once the name of a real place of suffering, and public mockery.

Fri, Jul 25, 2025

The meteoric rise of matcha in beauty mirrors its trajectory in wellness culture. One moment, it was a health-conscious swap for espresso; the next, it was the hero of hydrating cleansers. Its transition from teacup to toner is in its chemistry.

How did matcha make its way from teacups to your cosmetics cabinet?Subscriber Only

July 11, 2025 17:25 IST

Walk down the skincare aisle at your local beauty store and you'll see it: labels that read like café menus. Matcha clay masks. Turmeric glow drops. Latte blush sticks. Food is skin and vice versa. But why does that happen?

Fri, Jul 11, 2025

Dating while bisexual or pansexual comes with unique challenges, from erasure to misunderstanding in both straight and queer spaces.

What it means today to date as a bisexual or pansexual person, who is attracted to more than one genderSubscriber Only

June 24, 2025 18:28 IST

Despite increasing representation, bisexual and pansexual individuals still confront disbelief, fetishisation, and dismissal. Their queerness is often seen as conditional – visible only when it conforms to the dominant visual codes of gayness.

Tue, Jun 24, 2025

Gen Z is drinking less than previous generations, choosing sobriety as a lifestyle.

Why Gen Z is choosing sobriety and what it means for drinking cultureSubscriber Only

June 13, 2025 19:30 IST

More young people are skipping alcohol—not as a restriction, but as a preference. We explore the sociological and psychological reasons behind this cultural shift.

Fri, Jun 13, 2025

Indie dogs have been around since…Subscriber Only

June 04, 2025 17:27 IST

Indie dogs also have a genetic pool supporting the weather in India, so they do well in summers

Wed, Jun 04, 2025

In developing children, microplastics may accumulate over time, posing risks to organ function and tissue development

Your newborn’s brain, lungs, and heart could have microplastics; here’s how it can affect their health over the yearsSubscriber Only

May 29, 2025 20:30 IST

Microplastics—tiny particles less than 5 millimetres in size—are now being found in human bodies, including those of newborns

Thu, May 29, 2025

‘That’s when I realised how expensive treatment can get’: Why more young Indians are buying insuranceSubscriber Only

May 28, 2025 13:30 IST

This newfound curiosity isn’t coming out of nowhere. A mix of rising medical costs, job instability, pandemic PTSD, and a growing sense of financial responsibility has pushed Indians in their 20s and 30s to take insurance seriously, possibly for the first time.

Fri, Jun 06, 2025

How the Bombay sandwich became a symbol of the 'Bambaiya' spirit (Source: Wikimedia Commons)

How this humble sandwich became a symbol of the ‘Bambaiya’ spiritSubscriber Only

May 19, 2025 15:27 IST

Today, the Bombay sandwich continues to innovate and now there are as many Bombay sandwiches as there are Mumbaikars.

Mon, May 26, 2025

In this interview, author and filmmaker Anu Malhotra explores the mystical Devta culture and shamanic traditions of Himachal’s Kullu Valley

‘This is why it is called Dev Bhoomi’: Anu Malhotra’s journey into Kullu Valley’s living Devta culture with her book ‘Shamans of the Himalayas’Subscriber Only

May 12, 2025 18:29 IST

When documentary filmmaker and author Anu Malhotra first travelled to the Kullu Valley, she didn’t expect to be drawn into a world where gods walk among humans and daily life is shaped by trance and ritual.

Tue, May 13, 2025

For many women, sideburns are not a grooming inconvenience—they’re a flashpoint for body image, social pressure, hormonal health, and emotional survival (A still from The Princess Diaries)

‘Tere face pe kaafi baal hai’: The curious case of women’s disappearing sideburns through history till nowSubscriber Only

May 06, 2025 18:30 IST

For something so small, sideburns occupy an unexpectedly large emotional and cultural space on women’s faces. They’re often dismissed as negligible or irrelevant—but speak to enough women, and a pattern begins to emerge.

Wed, May 14, 2025

Discover the rich flavors and cultural significance of Pantua, a beloved Bengali dessert. (Source: Wikimedia Commons)

Meet Pantua, the Bengali cousin of Gulab JamunSubscriber Only

May 05, 2025 17:27 IST

Though often compared to the more widely known Gulab Jamun, Pantua is distinct in its own right, explained food historian and chef Sadaf Hussain, because of the ingredients involved and its preparation.

Thu, May 15, 2025

What does personal style really mean for Gen Z? This article explores how social media, fast fashion, and cultural memory shape the way Gen Z dresses, with real voices and expert insights.

Is Gen Z dressing for themselves or the algorithm?Subscriber Only

May 01, 2025 18:30 IST

If I had a samosa for the number of times I've heard from people around me, "'Tum Gen Z toh sab same hi kapde pehente ho. How do I tell who's who?'", NGL (Gen Z speak for god promise) I'd be the queen of samosa land

Wed, May 07, 2025

Chinese actress Rosy Zhao stuns in Rahul Mishra’s Spring 2025 ‘Surreal Space’ couture dress

‘Always a great pleasure to dress her’: Rahul Mishra shares story behind ‘Hidden Love’ actor Rosy Zhao’s halter-neck dress that took ‘900 hours to create’ in NoidaSubscriber Only

April 30, 2025 15:27 IST

“Rosy looks spectacular in this dress she wore fresh off the runway after our Couture Spring 25 show in Paris,” Rahul Mishra told indianexpress.com exclusively

Wed, Apr 30, 2025

Explore the rich history of Mumbai's iconic street snack, Vada Pav. Learn how this "Indian burger" became a global sensation, ranking on the World’s 50 Best Sandwiches list, and its connection to politics and culture.

Tracing the roots of vada pav, ‘a snack that represents Mumbai’s spirit’Subscriber Only

April 21, 2025 18:30 IST

Vada pav—often hailed as the "Indian burger" cemented its global fame yet again by securing the 39th position on the World’s 50 Best Sandwiches list, curated by food and travel guide Taste Atlas.

Wed, Apr 23, 2025

irani chai, The tale of Irani Chai traces its roots back to the 19th century

How did Irani chai become a part of Indian culture, all the way from Persia?Subscriber Only

April 14, 2025 16:29 IST

This strong, sweet cuppa isn't just a drink; the tale of Irani chai traces back to the 19th century, said Chef Harpal Singh Sokhi.

Mon, Apr 21, 2025

In India, treatment-resistant mental disorders remain poorly understood and underdiagnosed.

‘Sometimes, I don’t even have the imagination to have dreams’: What living with a treatment-resistant mental disorder is likeSubscriber Only

April 11, 2025 16:28 IST

For people like N Dhar, the disorder does more than just affect moods—it disrupts every aspect of life.

Thu, Apr 17, 2025

Discover the history and global journey of shawarma, the Middle Eastern street food that topped the World’s 50 Best Sandwiches list. From its Ottoman roots to modern-day variations, shawarma remains an iconic culinary treat

As shawarma snags top spot on World’s Best Sandwiches list, know all about its history and how it became a delight worldwideSubscriber Only

April 02, 2025 17:28 IST

Shawarma reminds the world of its enduring charm with its swift rise as preferred street food around the world. Its preparation—a vertical spit laden with marinated layers of meat—is a performance as much as it is a culinary art.

Wed, Apr 02, 2025