Lately, every iota of information seems to be about the much dreaded Coronavirus. The lockdown aims to ensure that India doesn’t have to deal with it blowing up all over the country. We read about how to avoid it, the importance of social distancing, and the most affected countries, but no one is talking about… Read More
Treading Lightly: Tackling ‘Caste’ Depictions in Bollywood
Recently, Bollywood has been churning out a barrage of “decent” movies. After decades of mind-numbing escapism where we have seen movies like Humshakals and Dhamaal, we have finally reached a stage in hindi cinema, where bold filmmakers seem ready to tackle current social issues head on. One such recent release is Article 15 starring Ayushmann… Read More
Menstrual Hygiene is Important. Period.
Riddle us this: What is frequent, inevitable, completely natural and affects over half the world population and yet frowned upon and completely ignored by society? Menstruation. And all related issues and connotations. The M word, (for menstruation or mahavari in Hindi) has long been stigmatised in our vocabulary and society. It is not a topic considered… Read More
Break the Taboo, Ask What Can We Do: HIV Awareness in India
2.1 million people in India are living with HIV, making up 0.22% of our population and the third largest HIV epidemic globally. In 1986 when AIDS was first detected in India, Tamil Nadu, measures were taken to ensure detection, prevention and awareness regarding HIV and AIDS in India. From 2001 to 2017, India has managed… Read More
Fierce Women Who Stood up to Terrorism in the 21st Century
28 years ago, on 21 May 1991, India was rocked to silence. Our Prime Minister, beloved at the time, Shri Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated in a public terrorist suicide bombing by the LTTE. Since then, India has been commemorating 21 May as National Anti-Terrorism Day. With regions of India, including Kashmir, North-east and east-central areas,… Read More
Women: Is Technology our Saviour?
When the first computer was built, neither Ada Lovelace nor Charles Babbage would not have imagined it to evolve into smartphones and the endless range of gadgets we have today. The scientists of yesteryear couldn’t have imagined what technology would look like today, nor what it would be used for. Snapchat probably wouldn’t even have… Read More
Consent 101: Navigating Consent in modern day India
“Sexual intimacy should be voluntary. If it is not voluntary, then it is illegal… if you are unsure, refrain”. Consent means a completely voluntary agreement when the woman by words, gestures or any form of verbal or non-verbal communication, communicates willingness to participate in the specific sexual act. Consent must therefore be (1) unequivocal and… Read More