India, March 28 -- Fiction shapes our perceptions, influences real-world decisions, and impacts our understanding through its powerful narratives

We often think of stories as a pleasant escape, a way to unwind after a long day. But the truth is, fiction does far more than simply entertain. It acts as a subtle yet powerful educator, a mirror reflecting our own lives, and a safe space to explore the complexities of the human experience. By immersing ourselves in fictional worlds, we gain insights far beyond the pages of a book or the screen of a film.

Perhaps the most significant gift of fiction is its ability to cultivate empathy. In R. K. Narayan's Malgudi Days, we observe the lives of ordinary people in a small Indian town, understandi...