The Middle-Class Martyrdom – Paying for India’s Freebies

Middle Class Paradox

The Indian middle class is often touted as the "backbone" of the nation—hardworking, tax-paying, and responsible. But while they are busy contributing to the country's economic growth, they're also burdened by a taxation system that seems to reward everyone except them. It’s almost like being stuck in a never-ending loop: pay taxes, fund government programs, and yet, get very little in return. The middle class seems perpetually caught between the government’s promises of Digital India and its increasing focus on freebies for lower-income groups.

Let’s break this down. The middle-class taxpayer is constantly shouldering the burden of taxes, but what are they really getting out of it? Whether it’s the 18% GST on health insurance, the skyrocketing interest rates on home loans, or the crushing car loan rates, the salaried class is being taxed in ways that feel increasingly unfair. And while the government continues to roll out welfare programs targeting the underprivileged, it feels like the middle class is left to foot the bill without receiving any real benefits.

Take health insurance as an example. The government decided that an essential service like health insurance should be taxed at 18% GST. This means that individuals who are already paying a premium for the protection of their families now find themselves paying even more simply because they’re responsible enough to buy health coverage. It’s like the government is penalizing people for thinking ahead. Shouldn't we be encouraging people to invest in their health rather than taxing them for it?

Meanwhile, home loans and car loans remain financially crushing for the salaried middle class. With interest rates that seem to have no end in sight, individuals are stuck paying more than they bargained for. Home loan interest rates are especially painful, with many paying significantly more than expected, while car loans follow a similar trajectory. Add to this the ever-increasing road taxes and fuel taxes—taxes that are supposed to improve infrastructure, but in many cases, end up funding less-than-ideal roads and public services. So, where does all the tax money go?

And then, of course, there’s the elephant in the room: government schemes. While various subsidies and freebie programs are rolled out for the economically weaker sections, the middle class often finds itself excluded from these benefits. It’s as if the middle class, despite paying for most of these schemes, is left standing in line with nothing to show for it.

In this article, we will explore how the middle-class taxpayer is being pushed to their limit with taxes that feel punitive and unfair, and we’ll examine why it’s time the government took a closer look at how it’s treating this vital segment of society. Through the lens of real-world examples and the voices of ordinary citizens, we’ll uncover the extent to which the middle class is being taxed into submission and whether any relief is on the horizon.

The January Blues: Why New Year Resolutions Fail by February

Progress, not perfection

Ah, January. The month where we swear we’re finally going to live our best lives. Gym memberships skyrocket, detox teas flood our social media feeds, and we make grandiose promises to be healthier, wealthier, and more productive. But let’s face it—New Year resolutions fail by February more often than we’d like to admit. In fact, 80% of New Year’s resolutions fail by February, and it’s not just because we can’t resist that post-workout pizza. By the end of the month, all those well-meaning goals—whether it’s losing weight, reading more, or being more organized—are often long forgotten, leaving us with nothing but a sense of failure and a sinking case of January depression.

Why does this happen? It’s simple: the pressure to make drastic changes at the start of the year leads us to set unrealistic New Year’s resolutions that are bound to collapse under the weight of real-life distractions. If you’re one of the millions of people wondering, “Why do my New Year’s resolutions fail every year?”, you’re definitely not alone. We all want that “new year, new me” glow-up, but we’re too quick to set goals that are either too broad, too extreme, or just downright impossible to sustain.

The truth is, failed New Year resolutions aren’t just a personal problem—they’re a societal one. The “fresh start” mentality can leave us emotionally drained when we fail to meet expectations. That’s why New Year’s resolution burnout is so real. But don’t worry, this isn’t just another article lamenting the failure of the most common resolutions like “lose weight” or “get fit.” Instead, we’ll break down the psychology behind why New Year resolutions fail by February, and more importantly, we’ll give you realistic, science-backed strategies for setting goals that stick. Let’s talk about how to avoid the January blues and actually achieve realistic New Year’s resolutions that will carry you through the entire year.

New Year’s Eve: A Celebration or an Emotional Escape?

Curated Moment vs Reality

New Year’s Eve. The night we’re all supposed to be celebrating, right? The time to reflect on the year gone by, set lofty goals for the future, and pop some champagne. But let’s be honest—how many of us actually stick to our New Year’s resolutions past the first week of January? By midnight, most of us are more likely to be pouring our third glass of overpriced fizz than thinking about how we’re going to quit social media or eat more vegetables.

Let’s break it down. Every year, people gather to celebrate the so-called "fresh start" that is January 1st. But have you ever noticed that by the end of the night, the only thing people are really celebrating is their ability to overindulge without a second thought? For instance, take a walk through any metro city’s nightlife district on New Year’s Eve. People stumbling out of clubs in heels too high to walk in, spilling drinks on their new outfits, or weaving down the streets so drunk they can’t even find their Uber. Is this really a celebration? Or is it just a night of excess to distract from the real issues we face every day?

Oh, and don’t even get me started on the Instagram-worthy shots. We’ve all seen those posts: the perfectly timed selfie with fireworks in the background, a group photo that makes it look like everyone is having the time of their lives. Meanwhile, back at home, people are scrolling through their feeds, wondering why their New Year’s Eve doesn’t look like that—because let’s face it, Instagram isn’t exactly a place for honesty. But behind those glamorous photos, a lot of people are just trying to fill an emotional void. We see it on the news every year: reports of people hitting rock bottom after the festivities. A quick Google search shows how many people have had their worst days after the ball drops, battling anxiety, depression, and loneliness, yet they’ve been out partying like there’s no tomorrow. The irony? New Year’s Eve is supposed to be a fresh start—but for so many, it’s just a distraction.

It’s like we’ve all collectively decided that a night of overindulgence is somehow going to fix everything we didn’t manage to fix in the past year. But here’s the kicker: New Year’s Eve: A Celebration or an Emotional Escape? In a world where we’re bombarded by FOMO and perfect social media feeds, we’ve convinced ourselves that this is what it means to "celebrate." If you’re not drinking expensive cocktails in a crowded club, did you even celebrate? Well, according to the Instagram algorithm, maybe not.

In reality, what we’re actually doing is avoiding the hard stuff—the things we’d rather not face. Maybe it’s the loneliness that peaks during the holidays, or the fact that we’re still stuck in a job we hate, or that we’re surrounded by people but somehow feel more isolated than ever. And yet, we keep chasing that high, year after year. If you’ve ever found yourself caught up in the chaos of a New Year’s Eve celebration, surrounded by people you don’t even know, waiting for that one perfect moment to really feel something, I’ve got news for you: you’re not alone. But you’re also not celebrating life—you’re escaping it.