For 16-year-old Neerja Naik, who lives in the Navsari district of Gujarat, the recently released Joker was more than a film. It was a depiction of what her mother was going through every day. Though the movie was about the origins of the Batman super-villain, it was the uncontrollable, episodic and heartbreaking laughter of Arthur Fleck, played by Joaquin Phoenix, that haunted moviegoers for days. Fleck, who later transforms into Joker, has a mental illness that makes him laugh involuntarily, mostly at inappropriate moments. The same happens with Vrutti Naik, Neerja's mother, except that the 36-year-old also has episodes of unintentional crying.
Just a few days ago, while Neerja and her grandmother were talking casually, Vrutti broke down sobbing. The episode lasted more than five minutes and scarred the college girl. “She was never like this,” says a teary-eyed Neerja. “We had a cheerful and happy mother who was always sure of herself and would go out of her way to care for us. But now, she seems to have lost control. The other day, just as she was drinking water, she broke into laughter and spilled the water. There was no reason for her to laugh, but she could not control it. It was as if her emotions were flowing out without her knowing it.”
Denne historien er fra November 10, 2019-utgaven av THE WEEK.
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Denne historien er fra November 10, 2019-utgaven av THE WEEK.
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A golden girl
One of India's most formidable beauties passed away earlier this month. The odd thing is she would absolutely hate this obituary; she hated being written about and avoided publicity for all of her nine decades. Indira Aswani was 93 when she died. But anyone who encountered her, even briefly, was in such awe of her grace and poise, and one could not but remember her forever.
The interest in wine is growing delightfully in India
The renowned British wine writer and television presenter Jancis Robinson, 74, recently came to Delhi and Mumbai to reacquaint herself with India's wine industry. This was the Robinson's fourth visit to India; the last one was seven years ago. On this trip, Robinson and her husband, restaurateur Nicholas Lander, were hosted by the Taj Hotels and Sonal Holland, India's only Master of Wine.
United in the states
Indian-Americans coming together under the Democratic umbrella could get Harris over the line in key battlegrounds
COVER DRIVE
Usage-driven motor insurance policies offer several benefits
GDP as the only measure of progress is illogical
Dasho Karma Ura, one of the world's leading happiness experts, has guided Bhutan's unique gross national happiness (GNH) project. He uses empirical data to show that money cannot buy happiness in all circumstances, rather it is family and health that have the strongest positive effect on happiness. Excerpts from an interview:
India is not a controlling big brother
Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay considers India a benevolent elder sibling as the \"big brotherly attitude\" is happily missing from bilateral ties. He thinks the relationship shared by the two countries has become a model of friendship not just for the region, but for the entire world. \"India's attitude is definitely not of a big brother who is controlling and does not allow the little brother to blossom and grow,\" says Tobgay in an exclusive interview with THE WEEK.
Comrade with no foes
Lal Salaam, Comrade Yechury-you were quite a guy!
Pinning down saffron
In her first political bout, Vinesh Phogat rides on the anti-BJP sentiment across Haryana
MAKE IN MANIPUR
Home-made rockets and weapons from across the border are escalating the conflict
SAHEB LOSES STEAM
Coalition dynamics and poor electoral prospects continue to diminish Ajit Pawar's political stock