Ashish Sharma

Stories by Ashish Sharma

Real Life, a game like none before: Sri Sri, Jaggi

Real Life, a game like none before: Sri Sri, Jaggi

Rediff.com   29 Nov 2017

'A small number of players like Sadhguru and Ravi Shankar claims to possess high wisdom attributes, allowing them to unplug from the game, like in The Matrix,' says Ashish Sharma.

Rahul, Marx, Dhinchak Pooja

Rahul, Marx, Dhinchak Pooja

Rediff.com   15 Nov 2017

In a landscape dominated by social media, everything begins to matter less for what it is than for how many likes or re-tweets it can generate.

Ever celebrated a Virtual Diwali?

Ever celebrated a Virtual Diwali?

Rediff.com   4 Nov 2017

'I sat in the grass with avatars or 3D digital bodies controlled by others, reminiscing about phuljharis and chakhris, gazing up at fireworks programmed earlier in the day,' says Ashish Sharma.

Jobless? Here's how you can still make money

Jobless? Here's how you can still make money

Rediff.com   4 Oct 2017

Ashish Sharma wonders what kind of services low skill people provide to high-skill people who increasingly spend more time in virtual worlds, thanks to ongoing wealth gains at the top.

Bringing down Blue Whale won't be easy

Bringing down Blue Whale won't be easy

Rediff.com   8 Sep 2017

'Its 'curators' invite you through peer-to-peer networks (social media sites), and peer-to-peer networks mean there's no centralised authority to destroy,' says Ashish Sharma.

What we need: A toxin-free work culture

What we need: A toxin-free work culture

Rediff.com   24 Jul 2017

'What's the point in lamenting widespread toxic work culture, and the capitalist system that gives rise to it if there is no alternative?' 'Actually, there is,' says Ashish Sharma.

Want to date online? You may want to read this

Want to date online? You may want to read this

Rediff.com   31 May 2017

'These online dynamics stem from offline India, where pressure to get married by a certain age is generally greater on girls than on boys,' says Ashish Sharma.

The crushing loneliness of holiday seasons

The crushing loneliness of holiday seasons

Rediff.com   30 Dec 2016

Worn down by the prospect of filling up a month-long holiday season with forced cheer and parties, Ashish Sharma stumbled upon a self-harm site. There he found community and comfort.

7.4 billion human avatars play this game

7.4 billion human avatars play this game

Rediff.com   20 Sep 2016

Have you ever heard of/or played this longest-running virtual game?

Feeling lonely? Talk to a chatbot

Feeling lonely? Talk to a chatbot

Rediff.com   11 Jul 2016

Laugh out loud, have fun and while away time talking to chatbots. They are all yours!

Web monkeys

Web monkeys

Rediff.com   18 Jun 2016

Ashish Sharma remembers a time when he set up the Web Monkeys to save the still new internet from doom.

Thinspired? Beware!

Thinspired? Beware!

Rediff.com   7 Jun 2016

In the warped world of anorexia social networks, fans cheer and boo and urge anorexics to extremes.

The perils of online love

The perils of online love

Rediff.com   5 Apr 2016

'I felt sorry the handsome woman had to spend her birthday in a war zone, away from her eight-year-old kid and her drifting husband, both in the US.'

Do you know these bitcoin billionaires?

Do you know these bitcoin billionaires?

Rediff.com   22 Feb 2016

Bitcoin billionaires are well-known in the avenue of criminality.

When tuition classes were like social networking

When tuition classes were like social networking

Rediff.com   11 May 2015

Then, the young would avoid parents at home by joining tuition classes. Today, they avoid their parents on Facebook by joining WhatsApp.

Want to go abroad? Offer plane to God!

Want to go abroad? Offer plane to God!

Rediff.com   25 Nov 2009

Thousands of individuals in the Doaba region hold this holy shrine in high esteem.

Cable operators to be regulated from Dec 1

Cable operators to be regulated from Dec 1

Rediff.com   21 Nov 2007

All cable operators will have to regulate the charging and billing procedure to follow the new telecommunication (broadcasting and cable) services (second) tariff (eighth amendment) order, 2007, from December 1, issued in a notification recently by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India. According to the new regulations, every cable operator of a multi-system operator or a broadcaster will have to give to every subscriber the bill for the charges due.

Punjab villages get NRI boost

Punjab villages get NRI boost

Rediff.com   13 Sep 2007

The state government, a few years ago, started a matching grant scheme for NRIs who wanted to invest in the development of their villages, and the scheme proved attractive for NRIs, especially in the Doaba region.

Specialised training takes firms' fancy

Specialised training takes firms' fancy

Rediff.com   16 Aug 2007

Facing acute shortage of trained and expert professionals, corporate houses have adopted the strategy of tying-up with educational institutions to overcome the crunch of skilled professionals in the highly competitive market.

Reliance opens retail store in Jalandhar

Reliance opens retail store in Jalandhar

Rediff.com   26 Apr 2007

Reliance Industries Ltd will open its first exclusive retail showroom in Jalandhar this month, followed by more in Punjab in the next couple of months.