India, Feb. 11 -- The moment the word taxes enters a conversation, shoulders slump. Faces tighten. For many Indians today, taxes no longer feel like a civic duty; they feel like a quiet penalty for choosing to earn honestly in this country.

The irony is painful. An entire year is spent working relentlessly - long hours, skipped family dinners, postponed holidays, and strained mental health. We plan our finances carefully, invest where we can, and chase stability in an economy where inflation quietly eats into every salary slip. And then, almost ceremoniously, a portion of that hard-earned income is taken away.

Professional tax is deducted without question. Income tax follows if your salary crosses the '12 lakh threshold. For someone ear...