By Fatima Lodhi:

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Representation only.

Dark — a word that brings a tingle to the spine, especially in those countries where the blight of colorism exists.

Colorism is a global form of discrimination, an attitude that prefers lighter skin tones to darker ones, and considers those with naturally darker skin less desirable.

In Asia, and particularly in South Asian societies those with dark complexions — especially girls —have lived much more difficult lives due to colorism. Women with dark complexions feel alienated from their societies, which provide a healthy market for beauty products that promise to lighten skin tone overnight. These “fairness creams” are advertised widely in the media. From a young age, girls are taught that if they are fair-skinned, they are confident and beautiful; if they are dark, they have no social life.

Well, every person has a story to share. We are the protagonists of our lives. The hero or heroine dealing with circumstances, unwanted situations and realities of this world. Whether you agree or not, but we are living in a world where women are unfortunately judged by the clothes they wear, the structure of their bodies and most importantly by the colour of their skin.

Being a dark-skinned myself, it didn’t take long for me to fall victim to my own skin colour. Everything was normal till the day I started school to witness the first ugliest reality: discrimination on the basis of complexion. In my art class, my teacher asked me to use peach crayon, calling it a skin colour crayon, and not any darker shades like brown or black to colour the face I drew, while I chose dark brown colour.

Everything around was so white, was so fair, be it the cartoon characters I used to watch on TV, be it the fairy tales or the bedtime stories I used to read or listen to, or the Barbie dolls I used to play with, even the Disney princesses all girls start their childhood with.

As time passed, I began to realise that despite all my capabilities, I was always judged on the basis of my skin colour by those around me. I had no friends because nobody wanted to play or be seen with me. I never got a chance to become a fairy in my school plays because fairies are supposed to be fair skinned!

Like many other dark girls in my school, I suffered and faced a lot of criticism by my school fellows with terms like ‘ugly duckling, blackie’ and even different songs were sung just to mock at me.
I also remember once being nominated in my high school awards ceremony for the category called “Makeover Required” and the way my school fellows started clapping and hooting when my name was announced was not actually humorous but hurting.

As I entered teenage life, aunties and those older to me would recommend fairness creams. Beauty creams aside, I was told about all the possible desi remedies to turn myself into a white girl with the fear of ‘who will marry you?’, ‘how will you get a good job?’, ‘one needs to look presentable to move in the society’. Oh yes, being presentable in my society was linked with being fair skinned.

I spent my childhood and teenage life having zero confidence and low self-esteem thanks to the incidents I faced. A time even came when I had had enough and didn’t want to live anymore. I suppose it wasn’t my fault, because it’s actually how we have been brought up and taught at schools and even via media that the fairer the better. It’s how our minds have been polluted by unfair advertisings that are shown 24/7 on our television screens as well as the cultural misunderstanding that being beautiful is about having a fair complexion.

These incidents had a huge psychological impact on me and made a dent on my self-esteem. But then I finally decided to join the world of activism to overcome my fears and with the passage of time I became an active social worker trying to bolster up women in the country. I had been working for the basic social rights and inclusion of women with disabilities. I also started lobbying for women leadership legislations by arranging consultancy services. By being part of these and other such national and international organizations, I was striving to bridge up the gap between socioeconomic and political fortification of women. Gradually I gained more confidence as I continued my efforts for women empowerment and finally grew out of all the fears that I have had.

But soon I realised that I was living in a fool’s paradise because, despite of all my efforts and achievements in the world of activism, the skin colour stratification would not leave me and still, I was being mocked with statements like “Oh let’s paint her white!”

Sometimes I tried raising a voice against colorism, but my voice for help about something that affects millions of women everyday was met with a resonating silence.

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Clik here to view.This is how Dark Is Divine came into being. The first anti-colorism campaign from Pakistan, working globally through local action.

A campaign that aims to transform Asia, Africa and other such regions (where the germs of colorism exists) into a region where dark skin colour is embraced, to the point where the skin colour, body shape and body size of a woman ultimately has no importance. The campaign envisions a society in which equal treatment is given to everyone irrespective of the colour of their skin, size and shape of their bodies, by redefining the so called beauty standards and the “perfect body image” that have been propagated by the media for the various money minting avenues it creates.

We speak against racism, rape, gender inequality, but we keep ignoring the most ingrained issues, we never stop comparing one woman from another on the basis of her looks and these biases curtail us from moving forward in life. We speak of religious equality and human rights and the first right is respect each other for who we are and not how we look. However our society has failed to provide this respect, biased towards our own and we have dual and superficial standards for everything around us. Dark Is Divine aims to rid the society of this mindset and to prove that respect for all is important. I believe to break down the unrealistic standards of beauty and work for a society that is inclusive and accommodating. A society where beauty comes in all shades, shapes and sizes.

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Clik here to view.It wasn’t really a piece of cake to come up with an idea of an anti-colorism campaign and going against the tide by challenging the mindsets and biased attitudes of the people. At the beginning nobody was even ready to accept the concept of “Dark is Divine”, the local newspaper that I contacted to get my article published said a big NO. I was told that colorism is not a big issue and that my article cannot be published. But I didn’t give up and after a lot of perserverance my articles got published and through my articles I got a chance to reach out to the masses and convey the message of “Dark Is Divine”.

Meanwhile, I also started conducting sessions at different schools and universities which have generated awareness regarding colour stratification, and also got a chance to deliver sessions on confidence building and suicide prevention to about 200,000 students from Tamil Nadu, India, recently; however what I have started is just the tip of the ice-berg. Everyone from this new generation needs to take a stand against society’s unpractical standards of beauty.

I have also raised my voice at different public forums against colorism and the unrealistic standards of beauty, and I will keep raising it to give confidence to those who are victims of this disease.

The post Growing Up In Pakistan, I Was Told ‘Fair Is Lovely’, But I Say ‘Dark Is Divine’ appeared first and originally on Youth Ki Awaaz, an award-winning online platform that serves as the hub of thoughtful opinions and reportage on the world's most pressing issues, as witnessed by the current generation. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter to find out more.

By Sidhartha Kumar Mohanty:

A decade back, if you were an adult male having a conversation within your male camaraderie and committed the audacity of mentioning ‘gaming’ as your favorite avocation, you’d raise some eyebrows. Though you wouldn’t be judged with the same harshness like you would have been if it were a formal interaction in the office party. Nor would you be judged like you had committed a cardinal sin if you mentioned it during a B-school admission interview, but you surely would have committed the necessary offense to be labeled a ‘nerd.’

Well, it’s 2016 now. People have heard about GTA and NFS (well, a few beyond the gaming community at least). Electronic Arts and Ubisoft would ring a bell for quite a few ‘non-nerds’ too. So what has changed? For those of you who aren’t aware, well, a lot. While you hung out with friends at the IMAX, marveling at the visual excellence of the celluloid today, and pulled out your cell phone to play ‘Angry Birds’ or ‘Candy Crush’ before the movie began, and thought of a hard-core gamer as a ‘guy in a geeky shirt’, staring through thick glasses at a colourful blotch jumping in Mario Bros or Contra, and yanking at the chords of an expensive console (or computer… eh you never cared to venture into that space anyway), what you didn’t realise was that games today looked like this –

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And cost millions of dollars and took years to develop and produce. And the ‘geek in the shirt’ was perhaps looking through an Oculus Rift (a 600 dollar device) hooked up to a system that could cost as much as $4000. Raised your brow yet?

The gaming industry is estimated to be roughly around $90 billion at the end of 2015 and is expected to reach the $100 billion mark soon. It earns much more than Hollywood does in box office revenues. In 2014, the global revenue for games was estimated at $83.6 billion. Meanwhile, the movie industry worldwide grossed $36.4 billion in the same year. Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, with a budget of $378.5 million the official record for being the most expensive movie ever produced. Destiny cost a staggering 500 million USD to make and is the world’s most expensive video game, beating the Pirates of the Caribbean by a significant 122 million dollars (that’s almost seven times the 18 million budget of Bahubali). And, the fastest-selling entertainment product in history is a video game (that’s right), the GTA 5, earning $800 million in its first day of release (“Avatar” needed 48 weeks to reach $760.5 million) and $1 billion in its first three days. Game development takes significant time too. It took a core development team of 150 skilled people four years to make the GTA IV (released back in 2008). It’s not uncommon in the game industry to work 6-7 (18+ hour days) days a week in a crunch. Now these numbers are more than suggestive of the seriousness and attention extended to this industry. But gaming is beyond that. It can be the most immersive and engaging entertainment experience one could avail from the comfort of one’s couch.

But it’s not restricted to entertainment anymore. Video games are finding an extensive use in military applications. Be it human combat or a flight simulation marking the prologue of the career of a jet pilot or drone operator, simulations have provided an alternative for real combat training and deliver an experience as close as possible to real combat training. An economical alternative too, saving valuable dollars and minutes while removing the possibility of injury to human life. In fact, the US armed forces took the lead in financing, sponsoring, and inventing the specific technology used in video games. Spacewar, one of the earliest digital computer video games, was developed by graduate students at MIT, who were funded by the Pentagon. After the release of Doom (a pioneer in the first-person shooter genre), the US Marine Corps noted the growing influence of games and realized the potential use of games in combat-strategy training. One Lt. Scott Barnett was assigned to try out PC games on the market and identify the ones that might fit the bill, and he eventually selected Doom II. It was then modified from its sci-fi Mars terrain to small desert village; more real-world adversaries replaced demon enemies; and the resulting product — though nowhere near realistic — was intense and engaging, and promoted the kind of consistent, repetitive teamwork a Marine fire team would employ in combat. Image may be NSFW.
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The US Army also uses combat-simulations as elaborate recruitment tools – like the military game project America’s Army. Available for free download or on disc at army recruitment offices, it was an online multiplayer, first-person shooter game that had players assuming the role of different infantry-related jobs in the army. Financed and developed by the Army, the game challenged its contemporaries in quality. The game was also designed to reinforce army values and training; players had to complete a virtual boot camp and marksmanship test before jumping online, and specialized roles like medic or sniper were locked behind further tiers of training.

Flight simulations are used to train pilots, and one must have come across the uncanny comparison between flying a drone to playing Call of Duty. And why only military? Simulators are used in professional racing too. Formula 1 teams use heavily modified versions of commercially available games like rFactor in training and assessment. Though their modified versions get an accurate recreation of the tracks, rendered digitally after laser-scanning every inch of the real track.

The efficiency of video games in the education system is also being acknowledged. Let me quote Wikipedia, “When someone plays a video game, they are challenged mentally with a problem. Through playing, they will discover many different ways to solve problems they will come across. Often, players will find that they require these skills later on in the game as well, and thus are required to maintain and hone their skills for later use. Video games typically provide instant rewards for succeeding in solving a problem. This is in contrast to classroom environments where students wait for graded tests and are only rewarded occasionally with report cards to report their progress. Video games can instantly tell a student of failure or success and often this can be used to develop skills along the way. Thus, video games can be utilized as an alternative to the classroom setting, while still maintaining levels of difficulty that foster learning in a gamer.”

Apart from being an active medium of learning, a videogame might end up providing some content for learning too. I have picked up about Operation Overlord, among other sources, from Medal of Honor. I learned from video games that the M1 Garand was the standard U.S service rifle during WW2; that the Allied forces used the Thompson submachine gun and that Nazis used Luger. I came to know about the models of Porsche (and how you pronounce Porsche) while playing Need for Speed: Porsche Unleashed on PlayStation One. Later editions of racing games taught me the difference in under-steer and over-steer and why racers prefer rear-wheel drive, thanks to their extremely detailed in-game physics.

Games have found their way into the marketing world too as is evident from the fact that Nike+ has garnered over 11 million users. Talk about the effectiveness of Gamification!

And for those who like ‘Log Cabin to the White House’ sagas, 29-year-old Phil Fish’s story might be inspiring (The guy became a millionaire developing the acclaimed Fez.) or the Candy Crush guys (Candy Crush was sold to Activision for $5.9bn). Well, it gets more interesting – you can make money playing games too (Yep. You heard me). You could become a game tester. Large video game companies employ video game testers, whose job it is to test games in development and report problems they find. There are also eSports tournaments you could take part in to encash your skills. And if you were wondering (with a condescending smirk on your face) about how much one could make by winning a video-game tournament, well search for a Chinese Guy named Jiang Cen. He earned most of his cash playing “Dota 2.” The largest prize he took home from a single tournament was $200,000 in 2012 (almost three times the amount what Dhoni made a day in the same year when he was listed as the highest-paid cricketer, as well as the highest-paid athlete in India by Forbes), as part of a team called Invictus Gaming.

But apart from everything else that might poke your curiosity in gaming, it’s the experience it delivers that will allure you. Like I said, it is the most immersive and engaging entertainment experience one could avail from the comfort of one’s couch. It provides you a means to take an immersive dip in history as it is being recreated and rendered on your screen. (I’m taking about Medal of Honor). Or take a virtual walk in the lanes of 15th century Rome or 18th century New York (Assassin’s Creed). You could steer through the vast opens of ocean during the golden age of piracy (Assassin’s Creed Black Flag) or lead an elite team of American fighters (Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon). You might never actually drive a Lamborghini Gallardo, but you could take the next best thing – a virtual drive in one, being rendered with perfection to even the most minute details on a 4K screen and recreating the melody of its exhaust note on a 7.1 Dolby surround sound. You might ridicule the comparison, but being pragmatic, I would live in it; for I don’t have the means to get in the cabin of a Gallardo, so I have graciously chosen the next best thing and believe you me… it’s mesmerizingly wonderful.

The post Playing Video Games Is Just For ‘Entertainment’. Hell No! Here’s Why appeared first and originally on Youth Ki Awaaz, an award-winning online platform that serves as the hub of thoughtful opinions and reportage on the world's most pressing issues, as witnessed by the current generation. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter to find out more.

By Babajee Charan Samal:

In Maharashtra’s Marathwada alone, reportedly more than 1430 farmers have committed suicide since January 1, 2015, leaving more than 3500 children extremely vulnerable according to an analysis report recently released by World Vision India. As reported, 28,000 villages have been hit by drought in the state, across 20-22 districts. The drought brought on by a delayed and inadequate monsoon and made worse by inefficient management of available resources and high sugarcane cultivation, has deepened the distress for its cultivators.

Here is a glimpse of how farmers in Nanded district are struggling to cope with the severe shortage of water.

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Villagers of Deothana crowd around the village well to fetch water for their families. The ground water level has been gradually declining over a period of time.

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The village of Deothana one of the regions in Maharashtra that has been affected by drought. 326 families reside in the village. Children also accompany their parents to fetch as much water as they can get. 368 children of the Deothana village are confronted with the challenge of finding access to water during severe drought. Whatever water they are able to bring back home is used to cook, clean, drink and give their cattle.

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Villagers of Jambhli fetching water from the only source in the village; an open well.

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The village of Jambhli is one of the regions in Maharashtra that has been affected by drought. 450 families reside in the village. Children also accompany their parents to fetch as much water as they can get. 650 children of the Jambhli village are confronted with the challenge of finding access to water during severe drought. Whatever water they are able to bring back home is used to cook, clean, drink and give their cattle.

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Mostly people in the community are daily labourers and farmers. The drought has disputed their lives and adversely affected their sources of livelihood. Due to lack of water the farmers are unable to cultivate their crops and the daily labourers are unable to go to work as they are now engaged in the activity of collecting water for their families.

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The level of water in the well decreasing in Sawargaon Mal village.

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The only bore-well is 4 km away. Residents gather around the well to get access to whatever limited water is available. The Sawargaon Mal village is one of the regions in Maharashtra that has been affected by drought. 117 families reside in the village. Children also accompany their parents to fetch as much water as they can get. 278 children of the Sawargaon Mal village are confronted with the challenge of finding access to water during severe drought.

The post Surviving Without Water: Photos From A Parched District In Maharashtra appeared first and originally on Youth Ki Awaaz, an award-winning online platform that serves as the hub of thoughtful opinions and reportage on the world's most pressing issues, as witnessed by the current generation. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter to find out more.

By Siddhant Nag:

Having seen ‘Captain America: Civil War’ on the day of its release, the fantasticalness of it, hit me hard. I wondered if these superheroes existed where I lived, would India’s issues have been resolved with resounding success? Here they are, in all their glory, Avenging what’s wrong with society!

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The post What If The Avengers Were Social Activists In India? Lulz appeared first and originally on Youth Ki Awaaz, an award-winning online platform that serves as the hub of thoughtful opinions and reportage on the world's most pressing issues, as witnessed by the current generation. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter to find out more.

By Rachit: 

Have a look at Sai Selvarajan’s latest ‘Sugarless Tea’, a film that might make you nostalgic like the good old ‘Malgudi Days’.

In 2005, while visiting India, Sai met a postal clerk in Ahmednagar, a small district in Maharashtra. Years later he decided to collaborate with his wife Amanda Selvarajan to turn his conversation into a small stop motion film.

The film is narrated by political comic Hari Kondabolu, an American-Indian stand up comic, who is known for his socially and politically charged comedy.

‘Sugarless Tea’ is a short tale about a common man in a small town in India who was separated from his twin brother. The film reads like a travelogue narrated as a poem. The filmmakers combine stop-motion technique with the process of painting with watercolours to bring forward a touching story about human connections, love, and loss.

We are building an active platform for filmmakers, photographers, designers and artists to share their work. Write to me at rachit@youthkiawaaz.com if you would like to feature your work on Youth Ki Awaaz.

The post Watch: This Tale Of Two Brothers Separated For 54 Years Will Break Your Heart appeared first and originally on Youth Ki Awaaz, an award-winning online platform that serves as the hub of thoughtful opinions and reportage on the world's most pressing issues, as witnessed by the current generation. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter to find out more.

By Kaanchi Chopra:

I have always believed that art is the strongest and the best medium for expressing my thoughts. Over the years, it has widened my horizon and converted my dreams into a reality. Apart from making me creative, it has made me socially aware and sensitive.

It bewilders me how all of us are surrounded by extremely intelligent and talented people who have the power to change the world yet they fail to do anything good for our society.
While I was pondering over the same thought the other day, the word ‘artivism’ originated in my mind. A combination of 2 most meaningful words for me – art and activism.

Since then I have strived to make an impact with my art, every artwork of mine has a moral, some meaning and a message linked to it. It’s aimed to push for social change and awareness.

End Acid Attacks

Acid Attack is the most heinous crime against women. This social evil is something I’m honestly concerned about. I had been reading a lot about the victims and their survival stories when this idea struck me.

This is a series of illustrations with the sole purpose of changing the mindset of how the general public looks at acid attack survivors and even how they look at themselves. In my opinion, scars and bruises on the bodies of the survivors should not be a sight of pity instead they should be considered beautiful. Survivors should not feel insecure about their appearance but should sense a feeling of pride because they survived the inhumane incident. I’ve doodled the various parts which are disfigured because these floral patterns signify the beauty of their face and soul. Their marks, scars and bruises are nothing but doodles on their bodies – an everlasting impression of their courage and strength.

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Brown And Proud

“Don’t judge me by my colour, I am not paint. Your institutionalised shades of beauty shan’t sell me fairness creams.The melanin in me isn’t the result of a dysfunctional gene. If you think I give a dime about the hue I am, brown or black or yellow, mustard honey or ochre mellow, colour no. 455 shade 3. Look at the Earth beneath your feet, I’m in good company the polite folk, call me dusky.” – Priyal Thakkar.

These clever words imbibed a sense of oneness in me. I’ve grown up dark-skinned in a colour-conscious land and like many others, I faced colour discrimination from a tender age. Discrimination must not go unchallenged. It was then when I made this drawing on the occasion of United Nation’s Zero Discrimination Day to spread and support diversity, tolerance and inclusion.This work has been appreciated by UNAIDS.

The reason why I’ve doodled this on a transparent sheet is because it allows me to hold up my drawing and my views in front of various backgrounds depicting those numerous areas where the ‘fair and lovely’ theme still runs deeply in our society.

Poverty

Poverty is probably the most widespread problem in our country. I made this doodle for UNFAO’s World Food Day. Completely hand made, this doodle is a complete overview of the situation of poor people, especially in India. The left side depicts the vicious cycle they’re trapped in, the facts and figures and the cause-effect relations which govern poverty. The central two characters represent the helpless Indian farmers who face so many problems on a daily basis, apart from poverty. FAO acts as a dove and pricks out the problems and worries of the farmers by various methods and government policies which are shown on the right side.

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Mental Health

I made this illustration to spread awareness about the seriousness and enormity of mental illness. Often people aren’t ready to accept that they are disturbed and need immediate medical help. Multiple Personality Disorder is a disorder characterised by the appearance of at least two distinct and relatively enduring identities or dissociated personality states that alternately control a person’s behaviour, accompanied by memory impairment.

Inspired by Steve Cutts, this sketch is an amalgamation of all the personalities that reside in one soul. It illustrates those diverse and unpredictable emotions trapped inside an individual suffering from MPD. This sketch asks people to accept their disorder and fight against it instead of denying it and getting affected even more.

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Blind Faith In Peace

I initially started drawing this to propagate peace between Hindu and Muslim communities but ended up making something deeper. It depicts that all religions are equal and believe in only one thing – peace. This poster encourages people to have blind faith in peace and not on their respective religions. People should preach tranquility in order to live in a safer and happier world.

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Body Shaming

Most of us are potential victims of ‘body shaming’ – the widespread phenomenon of receiving cruel feedback when our bodies don’t meet the unreal beauty standards of our time.
We spend our time lost in self-critical thoughts, despising our body and comparing ourselves unfavorably to others.

Let us make each other realise that fat, tall, short, thin are not insults but just characteristics. A number on the weighing machine cannot determine our worth. Losing weight is not our life’s work and counting calories is not the call of our soul.

Andrea Watcher, a psychotherapist and author says – “I have learned that changing my body will not make me feel loved, loving myself will. To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance and all women and men have the right to accept their body. The shame is on the ones who use that to attack their self esteem.”

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The post Forget Google Doodles, This 17-Year-Old Draws To Change The World appeared first and originally on Youth Ki Awaaz, an award-winning online platform that serves as the hub of thoughtful opinions and reportage on the world's most pressing issues, as witnessed by the current generation. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter to find out more.

By Maitreyee Boruah for Youth Ki Awaaz:

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Image posted by Divya Trivedi on Facebook.

Had it not been for Rohith Vemula’s heart-rending account of his early life as a Dalit in the note he left behind, it might have been just another suicide.

But the contents of the suicide note not only led to massive protests, it also triggered a series of debates in the media on the discrimination faced by Dalits in higher educational institutes.

In such a scenario, where newsrooms have never attempted to make their spaces diverse in nature, a recent advertisement by a popular magazine seems to be a step in the right direction.

In media houses, where the hiring process is largely informal, with very few publications and TV channels advertising positions for journalists, the said magazine’s advertisement seeking ‘a Dalit- or an Adivasi-only person’ for the post of a reporter is rare.

Reliable data is not available to establish the number of Dalit/Adivasi journalists in media; experts say it is minuscule. Media critics say coverage on issues of caste, communalism and discrimination lacks sensitivity because of the absence of journalists from these sections.

“These days, media houses scout for entry-level journalists from media schools. Most of the Dalits/Adivasis are poor. They can’t afford to pay the high fees charged by these institutes. Thus, very few young Dalits/Adivasis are getting trained as journalists,” says Aditya Sinha, author and former editor-in-chief of ‘DNA’ and ‘The New Indian Express’.

Sevanti Ninan, editor, ‘The Hoot’, which regularly conducts research pertaining to the media to strengthen its independence, says she had no doubt that the number is still minuscule, but the situation is changing.

“The Asian College of Journalism (ACJ), Chennai has scholarships for Dalit journalists. One of their graduates is a state correspondent of The Hindu. They have applicants from other states (outside Tamil Nadu) and there would be a dozen or more coming out of their course. The Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) has some reserved seats too. Dalits like tribal journalists are attracted to the reservation that exists for them in teaching and other jobs. Journalism does not offer them a secure future,” Ninan adds.

As per a report published in Kafila in 2014, “Though, the Asian College of Journalism—a not-for-profit school–does not have reserved seats, it accorded scholarship to four SC/ST students in 2012-13, as previous years. Notwithstanding scholarship, the percentage of Dalit students in ACJ to the total intake is woefully low: 1.5 percent of the total students for three-year combined.” It also cites how, “Some expensive private institutions such as Indian Institute of Journalism and New Media, Xavier Institute of Communication, Times School of Journalism and Symbiosis Institute of Media & Communication have no scholarship or reserved seats for SC/ST students.”

“Our media houses are not pluralistic and liberal in nature. Most editors and journalists are from the upper castes and privileged sections,” says Chandra Bhan Prasad, Dalit author, and mentor to the Dalit Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DICCI).

“The near-absence of Dalit and Adivasi journalists reflects in the way news related to underprivileged sections is given scant importance by the press,” he adds.

Even the aforementioned magazine advertisement cites the same reason for the “diversity position” in its job posting.

E-mail queries sent to the executive editor of the magazine to find out the response received by them to their advertisement went answered.

To date no survey has been conducted by any competent authority, including the Press Council of India (PCI), to know the exact percentage of Dalit and Adivasi in Indian newsrooms. It is a fact though that very few from these sections of society are in mainstream media.

Lack of ‘merit’ and the Dalit ‘preference’ to work in the government sector are often cited as reasons for the absence of journalists from underprivileged sections in media houses.

Times Have Not Changed: The Case Of Karnataka

Bala Gurumurthy, author, activist and administrative officer at the Karnataka government run Dr. Ambedkar Research Institute which studies socio-economic status of SC/ST in the state, says Dalit issues make headlines only when they are violent in nature such as rape, murder, and suicide.

Dr. Ambedkar Research Institute was established by the government of Karnataka in 1994. The Institute functions under the administrative control of the Social Welfare Department. The main motto of the institute is to study the socio-economic status of the SC/ST population in Karnataka.

“What about social boycott? A Dalit endures various kinds of humiliation and struggle. How many times TV debates bring those questions to the fore?” Gurumurthy asks even as he insists that very few journalists are sensitive towards the cause of the Dalit and the marginalized.

Two decades ago, B.N. Uniyal, a veteran journalist from Delhi made an attempt to “find” a Dalit journalist in Delhi at the request of a foreign correspondent, who wanted to speak to a “Dalit” journalist on a tussle between Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leaders and journalists.

Uniyal could not find a single Dalit working journalist! The result of his frustrating search was a pioneering article “In Search Of A Dalit Journalist” published in The Pioneer on November 16, 1996.

Seven years later, in 2013, Delhi-based journalist and author Ajaz Ashraf, for a story he wrote, could identify only 21 Dalit journalists across India.

Three Alone!

Today, 20 years after Uniyal’s search for a Dalit journalist, the author of this report could zero in on only three Dalit working journalists in all of Karnataka— one in an English newspaper; two in Kannada newspapers.

They shared their caste details and spoke of the discrimination Dalit journalists faces in media houses. Of the three, while two did so on strict conditions of anonymity, fearing for their “careers,” only one was comfortable in using his name.

“We are very few in number. I know only one more person (apart from me) from the Dalit community who works as a reporter in Kolar district,” says K.S. Ganesh of the popular Kannada newspaper Prajavani.

Ganesh acknowledges to discrimination against Dalit journalists in newsrooms. “It is a well-known secret. If we talk about it, it would be taken against us. We would be accused of dividing the journalist fraternity on the basis of caste,” he says.

“They say they don’t have the space. That’s their best excuse. The Kolar edition of my newspaper regularly carries stories on the marginalised sections but they don’t get published in the Bengaluru edition,” says Ganesh.

Of the other two who chose to remain anonymous, one, a senior reporter of a prominent English daily who has been working for more than 10 years said, “If I openly discuss the deep-rooted prejudice against Dalit and Adivasi in media houses, my career would be in jeopardy.”

There are many instances of leading media houses giving jobs to relatives of senior editors as they dominate the newsroom but not to a qualified Dalit, the senior reported insists.

The second Bengaluru scribe who sought anonymity and works for a Kannada daily, says people from dominant castes say the Dalit lacks merit, that the Dalit has less command over the language.

Living In Denial?

Not many upper caste journalists acknowledge the existence of caste-based bias in media.

“We are journalists, we don’t have any caste or religion. Keep caste away from the media,” says a Kolkata-based Brahmin woman journalist. “I don’t believe in the caste system. Neither do I practice caste-based discrimination. Who says a Brahmin can’t report and write on Dalits? A journalist has to be sensitive, that’s all that’s needed.”

However, a few ‘upper-caste’ journalists do admit to a dearth of scribes from marginalised sections. They blame the editors and media owners for not bridging the gap.

“It is not easy to talk about the existence of caste-based politics in newsrooms. (Only) few editors and owners of big media houses actively encourage diversity and discussion on it in newsrooms,” says Samir Kar Purkayastha, a Kolkata-based independent senior journalist.

How To Fix It

Media houses can take a cue from the US and conduct a survey on the lines of American Society of Newspaper Editors (asne.org) Newsroom Employment Diversity Survey, suggests Prasad.
“The Indian Dalit is like the African-American in the US. The American press rectified the exclusion of Blacks by increasing their numbers in newsrooms. Surveys done by ASNE are a testimony to it,” he says.

Increasing the diversity in US newsrooms has been a primary mission of ASNE since 1978. The society has been an industry leader in helping news organisations better reflect their communities, states the ASNE website.

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Nagaraju Koppula

Then there’s the question of the Dalit journalist and allegations of disparity in pay. When cancer claimed the life of Nagaraju Koppula, a Dalit scribe working with The New Indian Express, Hyderabad, in 2015, his friends alleged underpayment and caste discrimination at his workplace.

The movement could not sustain for long as it was not backed by any prominent institution. Despite the demand for compensation from the employer of Nagaraju and the intervention of the National Human Rights Commission, however, not much has happened so far.

But there are those who beg to differ. “This applies to all (journalists), irrespective of caste or gender. Similarly designated journalists are paid differently depending on place of posting, English media journalists are paid better than their counterparts in the vernacular medium. Like hiring, pay packages of journalists are never openly discussed. So it would be difficult to say if Dalit journalists are further discriminated in terms of salary,” says Purkayastha.

Ninan says there simply isn’t enough information available on this issue in the public domain.

Uniyal was disappointed when “In Search Of A Dalit Journalist” failed to force editors and owners of media houses to seriously introspect and overthrow the “Brahminical” dominance of newsrooms.

Two decades later, not much has changed: There’s very less room for the Dalit in newsrooms.

About the author: Maitreyee Boruah is a Bangalore-based freelance journalist and a senior member of 101Reporters.com, a pan-India network of grassroots reporters. Her reporting reflects issues of society at large and human rights in particular.

Also read: With 71% Jobs Held By Hindu Upper Caste Men, Is The Media Free From Bias?

The post No Room For Dalits In India’s Newsrooms, Reporter Finds Only 3 In All Of Karnataka appeared first and originally on Youth Ki Awaaz, an award-winning online platform that serves as the hub of thoughtful opinions and reportage on the world's most pressing issues, as witnessed by the current generation. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter to find out more.

By Aanchal Yadav:

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Clik here to view.Here’s to all the witches around the world! Because with power come labels and alienation for every single, independent woman in this world. So yes, here’s to all those who dared to achieve!

Long story cut short, I watched Kangana Ranaut’s interview today and it blew my mind. All the things that she said made me think hard about everything that I live for today. I don’t know about you, but I think she’s a role model. Indeed, it’s a great deal for someone who has been in such a roller coaster ride as her to decide to put all these controversies at bay.

On the one hand, there are movies on women empowerment to “celebrate” the single, independent women of this era; and on the other hand, we fall right back on the ground eating our own words, by defaming the women we laud on the silver screen in real life. Why? Because it is convenient to follow the herd mentality. It’s convenient to be jealous of a woman who is climbing the ladders of success while all you can do is watch because you can’t even offer a helping hand.

Why, do you ask?

Because an independent woman doesn’t ask for your permission, she has her own opinion, she intimidates you as she doesn’t wait for your validation. The day you accept the fact that there are women in this country who are single and don’t need anyone else to live a happy life and moreover, she doesn’t need you to ‘like’ or ‘approve’ of her, you’ll understand what feminism means.

Kangana, you go girl! You are an extraordinary woman on an incredibly extraordinary journey. With all its crazy and mind boggling ups and downs, you have remained gracefully and unapologetically you. How many individuals have the guts to do that? You are one of a kind. A lioness amongst the lambs! I absolutely endorse every single word you say. What a terrific answer. I applaud you.

Why degrade and belittle mental illnesses? Why use terms like ‘whore’ to degrade women (when women in the sex trade deal with the dreadful lives in the most courageous ways in a market that exists primarily to cater to men’s lust)? Why slight or feel disgusted about a woman’s menstrual blood? And why be ashamed of your sentiments (when it is what makes us truly human)? You are the perfect embodiment of what feminism is or should be all about.

Hats off to your indomitable spirit! Stay the same because you inspire many like me.

Do you remember when Hrithik and Suzanne got divorced? He wrote an open letter saying that she wanted the divorce and that he wanted to make things work. He tried to play the wounded, offended party. It is now emerging that he was having an affair at the time.

And look at how he’s now behaving with the lady he was supposedly having an affair with. And he is doing everything in his power to defame and degrade Kangana. He has brought out alleged ex-boyfriend Adhyayan Suman who is making ridiculous claims about her as well. They are trying to trend hashtags like #CharacterlessKangana. I don’t think they are anything more than weak men attacking a smart, successful woman. Not such an uncommon sight either, is it?

This interview of the lady in question will irritate the hell out of certain Indian men and women. She is openly challenging the sexism of our culture that allows easy defaming of women by using anything sexual to make her shut up.

Even a coordinated media campaigns couldn’t silence Kangana. She is still speaking her mind out and still being an eyesore for all those who want Bollywood to be about talentless heroes but not talented heroines. She’s still awesome (have I said that before?).

The post Why I Think Kangana Ranaut Is A Role Model For Openly Challenging Sexism appeared first and originally on Youth Ki Awaaz, an award-winning online platform that serves as the hub of thoughtful opinions and reportage on the world's most pressing issues, as witnessed by the current generation. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter to find out more.

By Akash Bharadwaj:

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Saadat Hassan Manto with Safia (wife), Zakia (Safia’s sister) and Nighat (daughter) Bombay Date: 1947

“See Akash Babu, Manto was a great storyteller; there is no doubt about it. But will you allow his stories Thanda Gosht (Cold Flesh), Khol Do (Open It) and such others to be read by your daughters and sisters? Tell me!”

One evening almost a year ago, a frail looking man of fifty or fifty-five (my father’s colleague in a government college), spoke these words while in a casual discussion on Progressive Urdu Literature. Hearing his sudden outburst, I fell at a loss for a moment, fumbling for right words and expressions to come to my rescue. The discussion took me to the day when for the first time I had chanced upon one of Manto’s short story collection. The book had a newspaper cover on it and above that a thin layer of dust. I was advised to read it secretly. I had wondered then, what lay in those pages that required such secrecy and protection!

As I find out over the years, those pages were a witness to Manto’s trials. All his life, he stood against this very hypocrisy that under the garb of decency and well-meaning intentions rots the system. And after all who are we to ‘allow’ our daughters and sisters to read or not to read Manto? They have all the right to delve into Manto’s psyche as he delved into theirs.

Post that conversation, in a state of outrage, I looked for what Manto had to say about his writings. He often commented, “If you find my stories dirty, the society you are living in is dirty. With my stories, I only expose the truth.” Today, when conservative moral brigades across parties and groups insist on a unified idea of a Hindu nation and ‘development’ fast gained new currency, we must share what we know of Manto’s world; for he led a lifelong struggle against communalism with prescriptive understanding of the world through his writings.

Born on May 11, 1912, Manto published his first volume of short stories in 1938 while in Aligarh University. During these years, he was influenced by literary greats like Victor Hugo, Oscar Wilde, Chekhov, and Gorky. Their writings and style left a long lasting impression on him. Before he died in 1955, he had written over twenty-five volumes of stories, plays, and film scripts. His writings brought Urdu prose writing to a new imaginative height and marked a decisive shift in Urdu literature. Premchand’s realism with its didactic tone gave way to Manto’s fragmentary world. While the former wrote about village life in a narrative structure that had a strong teleological base, for the latter, the job of a writer was not to explain the world but rather to observe it. Manto’s characters were mostly urbane – the prostitute, the clerk, and the journalist. They acted and spoke for themselves. They were ordinary human beings besotted with passion and desires; with anxieties, orthodoxies and contradictions of their times inherent in them. Because of the realistic portrayal of life and actions of these characters, Manto was tried for obscenity six times; thrice before partition in British India and thrice after partition when he moved to Pakistan.

Manto’s work also dealt with politics. His short story, Toba Tek Singh, is one the most powerful denunciations of the horrid events of the partition. Reading Manto is a reminder of the violence of boundaries; that even in the worst of times there are people who hold onto their conscience; that sometimes so called lunatics can expose the hollowness on which grand notions like ‘nation-state’ are built. It was also his politics that all his life, as an artist, Manto stood alone. He once remarked, “There were progressives who took me as one of them. And now some of them say he is not one of us. I did not believe them then. I do not believe them now. If someone asks me I belong to which group, I would without hesitation say- I am alone.”

Despite standing alone, Manto’s work spoke to and was part of a broader Nayi Kahani and Progressive Writers’ Movement. To remember him is to enter into his world: “I feel like I am always the one tearing everything up and forever sewing it back together”– he once wrote. The world Manto presents, is one of sensation and poetry. His ‘realism’ goes beyond just being mimetic; it creates an explosion that makes you numb. In a sentence, he tells you of an experience akin to a nightmare from which there is no way out. “Woh aksar mahsoos karti ki wo khud ko nahi bechti, lekin log chupke-chupke use kharid lete hain” (she often felt she does not sell herself, but others manage to buy her secretly), wrote Manto of Niti, a character in his short story – The Licence.

The Licence follows life of Niti, a young girl, who falls in love with Abbu Coachman. They are living a happy life when one day the police come to their house. Abbu is charged with abducting the girl and is sent to the prison. Faced with marriage proposals and overtures from neighbours and friends and tired of persistent poverty, Niti decides to ride Abbu’s tonga herself. Reminding herself of dignity and respect that work brings. She starts earning well, but is often subjected to lewd comments and gestures by people. She gets a feeling that people, in addition to the rides, also buy parts of her body and soul. Later, she is called by the Coachmen Committee to be told that she needs a licence to run her tonga. They even advise her to sit at a Kotha (brothel), that way she could even earn more. She is left with no desire to question and speak. She heads to the cremation ground where her husband Abbu lies dead. Eyes filled with tears and in a choking voice she tells him: Abbu, your Niti died in the Committee meeting today.

This death is what might give one a license to sell one’s body. Manto dwells on that. For him, it is never a question of obscenity, but of circumstances and struggles. His stories very often ask a simple question: who are you? A body, a chunk of flesh or a soul? In a few pages, he has the ability to invade a reader’s consciousness and reveal to him/her the amoral and the ordinary that remain suppressed under layers of tradition, morality, and progress. And, of course, the realisation that words are not merely words- in Saadat Hasan Manto’s stories- they define the contours of who you are, what you see and where you stand.

The post In Memory Of Manto, Whose Stories Challenged The Idea Of ‘Obscene’ appeared first and originally on Youth Ki Awaaz, an award-winning online platform that serves as the hub of thoughtful opinions and reportage on the world's most pressing issues, as witnessed by the current generation. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter to find out more.

By Writu Bose:

I count myself among the blessed ones to have spent my childhood in the most loving and affectionate guidance of my grandmother and parents.

Offering a sumptuous platter of desserts was Thakuma’s way of pampering me. During winter, the Patishaaptas she would prepare were to die for. Those days, I would quickly tidy up after school and join her directly at the dining table without wasting a minute on Cartoon Network, to deserve and devour the platter.

Years have gone by. Even today, the sweet smell of coconut mixed with khoya, jaggery and the subtle aroma of cardamom takes me right back to my childhood, as if not a single day ever passed.

This beautiful short film by Paper Boat reminded me of the happiest days of my life and gave me goosebumps. Seeing Rizwan reminisce the adventurous world that his Ammi once crafted for him, I was reminded of the paradise I belonged to as a child. It’s like I can almost feel the touch of the crisp linen folds of her saree that always kept me so safe and warm.

The post This Warm And Fuzzy 4 Minute Film Will Definitely Make You Miss Your Childhood appeared first and originally on Youth Ki Awaaz, an award-winning online platform that serves as the hub of thoughtful opinions and reportage on the world's most pressing issues, as witnessed by the current generation. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter to find out more.

कबीर शर्मा:

Translated from English to Hindi by Sidharth Bhatt.

सआदत हसन मंटो केवल एक सर्वकालिक महान लेखक ही नही बल्कि समाज को चुनौती देने वाले एक क्रांतिकारी भी थे। वो अपने लेखन के ज़रिये लगातार ऐसी सच्चाइयों को सामने लाते रहे जिसका साहस कोई और नही कर पाया। उन्होंने समाज को लगातार आइना दिखाने का काम किया, जो ज्यादातर लोगों को रास नही आया। उनका लेखन हमेशा समय और काल से परे सटीक और प्रभावशाली बना रहेगा जो उनकी नियति भी थी।

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Clik here to view.आकार पटेल के द्वारा उर्दू से अंग्रेजी में अनुवादित और सम्पादित निबंध संकलन “व्हाई आई राइट: एसेज बाय सआदत हसन मंटो (Why I Write: Essays By Saadat Hasan Manto)”, उनकी लेखन पर पकड़, और शैलियों के अलग-अलग रंगों जैसे व्यंग, कटाक्ष, आक्रामकता सभी को सफलता से एक साथ पिरोता है। इस संग्रह के सभी निबन्धों में से दो का पहली बार अंग्रेजी में अनुवाद किया गया है। आकार पटेल ने बेहद सूझ-बूझ और सुनियोजित तरीके के साथ निबन्धों का चुनाव किया है, जो मंटो के लेखन के अलग-अलग पहलुओं को सामने लेकर आता है और प्रत्येक निबंध पर दी गयी टिप्पणियां उत्कृष्ठ सन्दर्भ प्रदान करती हैं।

संग्रह के निबन्धों के साथ आगे बढ़ने पर ये समझा जा सकता है कि, व्यवस्था से मंटो के संघर्ष ने उन्हें और उनके लेखन को किस तरह से आहिस्ते-आहिस्ते बदल दिया। विभाजन और उसके बाद भड़की हिंसा ने, मंटो और उनके लेखन की शरारत और जिंदादिली को गूढ़ता में बदल दिया। लेकिन उनका वो तीखापन हमेशा उनके साथ रहा जो अंतिम समय में लिखी गयी लघुकथाओं में विषादपूर्ण व्यंग और कटाक्ष के रूप में सामने आया।

यह संग्रह युवा मंटो की उन हल्की और विनोदपूर्ण रचनाओं से शुरू होता है, जो एक हद तक निजी कही जा सकती है। ये रचनाएं १९३० के दशक के उस बम्बई शहर की झलकियां देती हैं, जब मंटो प्रेस और फ़िल्मी दुनिया में कार्यरत थे। कैसे वो पैसे बचाने के लिए दफ्तर में ही सो जाया करते थे, कैसे उनकी माँ ने सभी संभावनाओं के उलट उनके लिए एक वधु खोज निकाली थी, कैसे फिल्मी दुनिया के उस वक़्त के बड़े नाम उनकी शादी में शरीक हुए, जबकि बमुश्किल उन्हें उस वक़्त कोई जानता था और किस तरह उनकी पत्नी की वित्तीय चिंताओं ने उन्हें और अधिक लिखने के लिए मजबूर किया।

मंटो उस दौर के ज्वलंत मुद्दों का जैसा हास्यपूर्ण दृश्य बुनते हैं वह उनके लेखन को और प्रभावशाली और अविस्मरणीय बना देता है। ऐसे ही दो वाकयों में जिनमें वो हथियारों की होड़ की खिल्ली उड़ाते हैं, और उर्दू-हिंदी की चर्चा करते हैं, को पढ़ते वक़्त मैं मेट्रो ट्रेन में सफर करने के बावजूद भी खुद को हंसने से रोक नहीं पाया।

जिन मुद्दों में हास्य की गुंजाइश नहीं थी उन पर मंटो ने साफगोई और ईमानदारी से लिखा, बम्बई के हिन्दू-मुस्लिम दंगों पर उनके लेख इसका ख़ास उदाहरण है। दंगाइयों की भीड़ में फंसे और उस से बच जाने वाले लोगों पर लिखी कहानियां, जिंदगी और मौत की कश्मकश में जीत और हार की कहानियां, कुछ कहानियां इंसानियत और कुछ उसके क़त्ल की, और इन सबके बाद भी चलती रहने वाली जिंदगियों की कहानियां मंटो के लेखन की गम्भीरता का प्रमाण देती हैं। अपने लेखों में, उस दौर में हिंसा के लिए जिम्मेदार नेताओं को मंटो ने मुखरता के साथ आड़े-हाथों लिया है।

भारत-पाकिस्तान विभाजन के तुरंत बाद मंटो को बम्बई छोड़ कर पाकिस्तान जाना पड़ा। लेकिन उनके मन में बसने वाले शहर और देश को वो कभी छोड़ नहीं पाये।

बंटवारे के बाद लाहौर की सड़कों और गलियों में आये ऊपरी बदलावों से मंटो का मन बेहद दुखी था। लगातार हो रही हिंसा से पीड़ित लोगों को लगता था कि शायद देश के बंटवारे के बाद इस हिंसा का दौर ख़त्म होगा। लेकिन मंटो ने उसी वक़्त लोगों को आने वाले लम्बे “बर्बरता के दौर” को लेकर चेताया था। उन्होंने कहा था कि अगर हिंसा की मानसिकता से संवेदनशील और मनोवैज्ञानिक तरीके से ना निपटा गया तो “बर्बरता का यह दौर” बेहद करीब है।

“ऊपर वाले का शुक्र मनाइए कि ना अब हमें शायर मिलते हैं, और ना ही संगीतकार”, खुले विचारों पर सरकार के नकारात्मक रुख पर उनका यह एक सटीक कटाक्ष था। तब उनकी कही गयी ये बातें, आज के समय में भी कितनी सही हैं, यह ज्यादा सोची जाने वाली बात नहीं है।

मंटो पर कई बार अश्लील लेखन के आरोप लगाए गए और उन्हें क़ानूनी कारवाही का भी सामना करना पड़ा। इसी तरह के एक मुक़दमे की बात करते हुए मंटो कहते हैं, उम्मीद है कि इस तरह के “अजीब” कोर्ट में किसी और को ना जाना पड़े। इस तरह के किस्सों में कहीं ना कहीं मंटो के लेखन में वही पुराना हास्य वापस आता दिखता है। वो पुलिस के साथ मजाक करते हैं, वो मुकदमों के दौरान यात्रा से होने वाली तकलीफों की शिकायत भी करते हैं और शराब मुहैय्या कराने का शुक्रिया भी अदा करते दिखते हैं।

नैतिकता के तथाकथित ठेकेदार हमेशा मंटो के पीछे पड़े रहे। “ओ उपरवाले इसे इस दुनिया से उठा लो, ये इस दुनिया के लायक नहीं है। ये तुम्हारी खुशबू को नकार चुका है। जब उजाला सामने होता है तो ये चेहरा फेर कर अँधेरे कोनों की तलाश में चला जाता है। इसे मिठास नहीं कड़वाहट में स्वाद मिलता है। ये गंदगी से सरोबार है। जब हम रोते हैं तो ये खुशियां मनाता है, जब हम खुश होते हैं तो ये मातम करता है। हे ईश्वर ये तुम्हे भुलाकर शैतान की इबादत करता है।”, मंटो अपने एक निबंध “दी बैकग्राउंड (the background)” में कुछ इसी तरह से अपने विरोधियों को दुआ करते हुए देखते हैं।

सवाल करने और सवाल सुनने की अनिच्छुक दुनिया के लिए मंटो कुछ ज्यादा ही सच्चे थे। उन्हें ये यकीन दिलाने की पूरी कोशिश की गयी, कि आप जो भी कर रहे हैं उसे भूल जाएँ। दुनिया से तालमेल ना बिठा पाने वाले मंटो ने खुद को शराब के नशे में डुबा दिया और केवल ४२ साल की उम्र में इस दुनिया को अलविदा कहा।

उनके निबंध एक बेहद प्रतिभाशाली, विनोदी, रचनात्मक, आशावान और भीतर से आहत इंसान की झलक दिखलाते हैं। वो एक ऐसे मानस की झलक देते हैं जिसने हमें झिंझोड़ने के लिए लिखा, हमे सदा अंतरमन के सतत क्षय को याद रखने को मजबूर किया।

Read the English article here.

The post सआदत हसन मंटो: वो जो सवालों से डरती दुनिया के लिए कुछ ज्यादा ही सच्चा था appeared first and originally on Youth Ki Awaaz, an award-winning online platform that serves as the hub of thoughtful opinions and reportage on the world's most pressing issues, as witnessed by the current generation. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter to find out more.

By Rachit:

Sergei Polunin’s decision to give up one of the most coveted positions as the principal dancer at the British Royal ballet Company to move to Russia has been a story to follow for thousands of us. A dancer as gifted as Sergei comes along maybe once in two-three decades; after spending 4 years at Kyiv State Choreographic Institute, Rudolf Nureyev Foundation sponsored him to join the British Royal Ballet School at the age of 13. Years later, at the age of 19, he was promoted to ‘Soloist’ and then as the Principal dancer in 2010.

But, two years after taking the dance world by storm, his stardom took over his art and he decided to leave it all to find a different approach to his practice.

In September 2014, Polunin had expressed his interest in leaving ballet altogether and starting a new career as an actor. Although he continues to dance with Stanislavsky and Nemirovich-Danchenko Moscow Academic Music Theatre, in the year past, Sergei Polunin has been seen making Ballet go ‘viral’ through music videos and short film.

After seeing him in David LaChapelle’s music video ‘Take Me To Church‘ for Hozier, Westend Films recently released a trailer for their new film ‘Dancer‘, featuring the story of Sergei Polunin. Coupled with footage from his childhood in the trailer, we hear Sergei saying, “When I was little I had such a passion. My family moved around the world to support me. That’s when I guess fun was over, I would do Ballet twice more than normal because I knew that was my chance to get my family back together.”

Directed by Oscar-nominated Steven Cantor and Gabrielle Tana, ‘Dancer‘ seems to offer an unprecedented look into the life of a complex young man and his journey from Kiev to London, from being a dancer to an icon who continues to transform the shape of ballet as we know it. But most importantly, ‘Dancer‘ seems to be a promising film about a young boy who left his parents and moved to a completely different city, to speak a language he wasn’t familiar with, a boy who probably has suffered in silence, like many of us.

The post This Movie Trailer About A Superstar Ballet Dancer Is Pretty Darn Awesome appeared first and originally on Youth Ki Awaaz, an award-winning online platform that serves as the hub of thoughtful opinions and reportage on the world's most pressing issues, as witnessed by the current generation. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter to find out more.

By Neetole Mitra:

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.Biopics seem to be the latest obsession for Bollywood. Over the past few years they have bombarded us with a huge variety – Paan Singh Tomar, Mary Kom, Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, The Dirty Picture to name a few. However, more often than not, these attempts have stayed afloat in a state that’s barely above PR. But none have done so as obviously as Tony D’Souza’s Azhar.

This week’s release, the much-awaited biopic of one of India’s most prominent and accomplished cricketer who rose to fame as fast as he fell from it, had all the right cinematic ingredients. Struggle, fame, a scandalous and widely reported extra-marital affair and the baap of all controversies – match fixing.

Mohammad Azharuddin belonged to that era of Indian cricket when fans piously held their breaths as their heroes performed on the pitch for India (I know because I did too). It was a different era for cricket, the 90s. The audience was still to fathom the business that happens behind it and the great stakes that our men in blue have at their disposal. For us, Azzu was the captain and Cricket was the new religion.

However, that was before the man was dragged down from the pedestal by one the vilest charges that could have plagued cricket as a whole in our country. Md. Azharuddin had allegedly sold his nation and his team for money; changing the way we perceived the sport forever.

Thus, when the Emraan Hashmi starrer Azhar tried to mollycoddle the entire matter as though nothing had really happened and the ex-captain was just the Dark Knight of Indian cricket who was simply trying to save the rest of this team from the corrupt grips of the bookies, I wondered why no one burnt effigies or protested against this one!

The only thing that stays with you from the film is Emraan Hashmi’s earnest and sincere portrayal of the shy boy from Hyderabad who can’t talk to girls. Azhar depends a lot of the personal life of the cricketer, with elaborate episodes of Azharuddin’s relationship with his first wife, Naureen.

However, Naureen doesn’t rise above the silent, pretty and samajhdar bahu, something Prachi Desai has much experience playing and she isn’t even allowed to break the stereotype as the camera and the emotions of the film forcefully veer towards Azhar throughout. Reminding the audience that everyone else is a supportive character you don’t need to know much about. Hear what we have to say. Don’t ask for extra details.
The same treatment is meted out to Sangeeta Bijlani’s character, played by the rather inelegant (on screen) Nargis Fakhri. Her gestures, tears and laughter, are all so forced it feels as though she is a stand-up comedy club. But what’s worse is the content that surrounds her. She is the ‘hot heroine’ who struts her way into luxurious hotels but please don’t judge her because she doesn’t sleep around with “cricketers or married men.”

Yet again, the camera pans to Azhar (Emraan Hashmi) – the poor man who just can’t help falling in love with her. What with Bijlani being all over TV screens and film halls (rolling eyes). Honestly, they couldn’t have come up with a sillier excuse to justify an extramarital affair. Why can’t we call a rat a rat? And the sheer tactlessness with which the film deals with Naureen (the first wife) after this is horrific, to say the least. She is discarded without us venturing into any of the ugly details. Why? To save the cricketer’s face? To avoid those uncomfortable moments of discussing money and alimony? To stop the on-screen Naureen to tell the world that she has been wronged and she demands justice for it?

It’s intriguing that that amount of screen time Tony D’Souza spends in fleshing out Azhar’s domestic life with Naureen doesn’t seep through to the Azhar-Sangeeta relationship. It’s as though that marriage never happened. It was just an affair. But I am literally squirming in my seat – what happens next? How does the marriage happen? Why do they get divorced? (Not because I’m desperate for gossip but because the film has already revealed so much personal details from the lives of these celebrities that it just feels incomplete to leave it abruptly.)
No, I won’t be unfair to Azhar. This is a gripping film. There’s a lot happening: a great amount of emotional journey is made, there’s rise and fall and Emraan Hashmi’s Azhar is (strangely) someone you sympathise with. But if only Azhar were just Hashmi and not the real Mohammed Azharuddin – my review would have been more positive. Watch this if you don’t care about the politics but want some typical Bollywood entertainment over the weekend.

The post ‘Azhar’ Review: Hashmi’s Acting Is The Only Honest Thing In This ‘Problematic’ Film appeared first and originally on Youth Ki Awaaz, an award-winning online platform that serves as the hub of thoughtful opinions and reportage on the world's most pressing issues, as witnessed by the current generation. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter to find out more.

अमोल रंजन:

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Clik here to view.

उस दिन कुछ दोस्तों के साथ दिल्ली के साकेत सिनेमा में एक मराठी फिल्म “सैराट” देखने गया। हालाँकि पिछले काफी दिनों से फिल्में देखने के कई अन्य विकल्प होने के कारण सिनेमा हॉल जाना हो नहीं पा रहा था। फिर सोशियल मीडिया पर कुछ लोग इस फिल्म की ऐसी तारीफ़ कर रहे थे, कि जब एक दोस्त ने फिल्म देखने के लिए पूछा तो मुँह से हाँ ही निकला।

फिल्म के पहले शॉट को देखने से लगा जैसे मैं शोलापुर जिले के करमाला गाँव में अपने बचपन के मोहल्ले में पहुँच गया हूँ। टेनिस की गेंद से खेला जाने वाला क्रिकेट टूर्नामेंट, लाउडस्पीकर पर मजाकिया कमेंटरी, आखरी ओवर में चौक्के-छक्के मार कर मैच जीतना। किसी नेता जी के द्वारा पुरस्कार वितरण और उनका भाषण, किसी लड़के का किसी लड़की पर दिल आना और फिर लड़की का उस लड़के पर दिल आना (माफ़ कीजियेगा मैं यहाँ अपने नज़रिए से देख रहा हूँ)। पर जैसे-जैसे फिल्म में ये सब हो रहा था, कुछ चीज़ें ऐसी भी हो रही थी जो मैंने ना तो अपने मोहल्ले और गाँव में देखी थी और ना ही ज्यादा सिनेमा में। यहाँ आर्चि (लड़की) ही परश्या (लड़के) को घूरे जा रही थी और परश्या शर्म से उसको मना किये जा रहा था। लड़की जब-जब फिल्म के किसी फ्रेम में रॉयल एनफील्ड या ट्रैक्टर चला के आ-जा रही थी, सिनेमा हॉल में बैठी जनता चौंके जा रही थी। इस फिल्म में आर्चि उच्च जाति और सम्पन्न परिवार से है जिसके पास राजनितिक ताकत भी है और परश्या निम्न जाति के गरीब परिवार से है। पर जब फिल्म में आर्चि पुलिस थाने में परश्या के बचाव के लिए संघर्ष करती है तो वो ना सिर्फ अपने परिवार, परश्या और अधिकारियों को आश्चर्यचकित करती है बल्कि सिनेमा में चित्रित समाज में प्यार के लिए संघर्ष को नए आयाम देने लगती है।

मध्यांतर के बाद आर्चि और परश्या के संघर्ष का पड़ाव हैदराबाद शहर बन जाता है जहाँ कोई उनका पीछा तो नहीं कर रहा होता है, लेकिन जीवन जीने के संघर्ष में उन्हें दौड़ कर कई सीमायें लांघनी होती हैं। आर्चि जो इससे पहले तक अपना जीवन पूरी सुविधाओं के साथ जी रही थी, अब वह खुद को किसी मलबे के ढेर पर बिखरी हजारों झुग्गियों में से एक में पाती है। वह उसके पास से होकर जाने वाले नालों में बहकर आने वाली शहर की सच्चाइयों को अपनी साँसों में बसाने के लिए संघर्ष करती है। परश्या का भोलापन भी धीरे-धीरे शहर की आपधापी में छिपने लगता है, एक सीक्वेंस में परश्या आर्चि को गुस्से में आकर थप्पड़ मार देता है। मर्दानगी और पित्रसत्ता, उसके आर्चि के लिए प्यार के ऊपर हावी होती दिखती है। परश्या को अपनी गलती का अहसास होने तक, आर्चि उससे दूर चली जाती है। फिल्म के निर्देशक नागराज मंजुले, जो फिल्म के शुरूआती क्षणों में नज़र भी आते हैं, सिनेमा को अपने साहसी चरम पर ले जाते हैं। वो आर्चि और परश्या के प्यार के सपनों और संभावनाओं में भी ले कर जाते हैं और हमारे सामाजिक व्यवस्था की गहरी विषमताओं और इसकी गहराईयों में भी।

१७० मिनट की यह फिल्म अगर एक प्रेम यात्रा है, तो इसका अंत आर्चि और परश्या के जीवन की सच्चाई है। जाति व्यवस्था और लिंग भेद से ग्रसित हमारा समाज कब आपको हलक पकड़ के पटक देता है आपको पता नहीं चलता। ये हमारी सांसों में घुला हुआ है, “सैराट” फिल्म के कथानक के हर मोड़ पर यह देखने को मिलता है और अंत तक आपकी बुद्धि और कल्पनाओं के साथ खेलता रहता है।
फिल्म को देखने के बाद जब हम लोग निकले तो सभी भावुक थे। सभी अपनी-अपनी भावनाएं व्यक्त करने की कोशिश करने के बाद अपने-अपने रास्ते को चले गए। मैं भी इस फिल्म के सफ़र के बाद अपने खुद के सफ़र में झाँकने को मजबूर हो गया। मेरा सफर ना सिर्फ मेरी अपनी कहानी थी, बल्कि कई और लोगों की कहानियाँ भी थी जिन्हे मैंने कभी आत्मसात किया था। ना जाने कितनों की कहानी इस फिल्म के ४० मिनट तक, कितनों की ६० मिनट तक, कितनों की ९०-१२०, तो कितनों की कहानी इस फिल्म से भी आगे तक जाती है। सभी के अपने मोड़ हैं, और अपने-अपने अंजाम भी। उन सब कहानियों की समानताएं और भिन्नताएं जोड़ता ऑटो लेकर मैं घर वापस पहुँचा। पर फिल्म की डरावनी सच्चाई गयी नही थी। वो लगातार पूछे जा रही थी, कि क्या आर्चि और परश्या का प्यार संभव था? क्या उनका प्यार संभव है? सोते-सोते लगा जैसे इस फिल्म की ताकत शायद यही थी कि ये लगातार सवाल पूछे जा रही थी।

The post सैराट: जाति व्यवस्था के बीच प्रेम को तलाशती एक शशक्त फिल्म appeared first and originally on Youth Ki Awaaz, an award-winning online platform that serves as the hub of thoughtful opinions and reportage on the world's most pressing issues, as witnessed by the current generation. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter to find out more.

By YKA Staff:

Editor’s note: Jaipur Literature festival, which first started in 2006, has now become one of the biggest cultural festivals in the country, with the most prominent figures of Indian and international literature and media taking part in it each year. It has now grown to become an international event and is being held in various parts of the world, with large support from many large corporations. Recently, the London edition of the festival has come under fire after Vedanta, a metals and mining company infamous for human rights violations, became the title sponsor. Dozens of academics, authors and activists around the world have penned an open letter, urging writers to boycott the event. 

Dear All,

We are deeply shocked and dismayed to hear that you have agreed to participate at the Jaipur Literature Festival claiming to be “The Greatest Literary Show on Earth” which has ‘the world’s most hated company‘ Vedanta as its key sponsor. Are you aware that Vedanta’s activities are destroying the lives of thousands of people in Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Karnataka and Punjab and also in Zambia, South Africa and Australia? Are you also aware that Zambian villagers are currently taking Vedanta subsidiary KCM to court in the UK, accusing it of consistently poisoning their water over the last decade?

In 2011 Zambian High Court Judge Phillip Musonda said he wanted to make an example of Vedanta for their ‘gross recklessness’ in polluting the River Kafue without remorse, and highlighted ‘KCM’s don’t care attitude whether human life which sacrosanct in our constitution was lost or not.’ In 2014 Vedanta 69% owner and Chairman Anil Agarwal was caught on video bragging to businessmen at a Bangalore conference that he had bought the Zambian copper mines at a fraction of their value and was making $500 million each year despite declaring a loss in Zambia. The Zambian government reacted by auditing the mines, and discovered vast tax evasion schemes and asset stripping.

In Korba, Chhattisgarh, India between 40 and 100 workers died at Vedanta subsidiary BALCO’s aluminium smelter complex when a chimney under construction collapsed on them in September 2009. The subsequent judicial inquiry into the incident found Vedanta guilty of negligence and using sub-standard materials and construction methods. However, Vedanta’s lawyers suppressed the report which was leaked by activists in 2014.

In Odisha, India a nineteen-year struggle by indigenous communities, Dalits and farmers led to a historic victory in 2014 when Vedanta was stopped from mining the sacred Niyamgiri hills for bauxite. Vedanta’s attempt to secure the mountain through State Owned OMC was rejected by the Supreme Court again on May 6, 2016. Vedanta Aluminium Ltd had built the 1 mtpa Lanjigarh refinery at the base of the Niyamgiri hills in 2004, and even expanded it six-fold, despite having no permission to mine bauxite from the hills above. Vedanta’s launch on the London Stock Exchange in 2003 was based on the impression given to financiers that they had permission to mine Niyamgiri.

In Goa, India, Vedanta’s iron ore mining subsidiary Sesa Goa (now Vedanta Limited) was the largest company indicted by the Shah Commission in 2012 for illegal mining, including failure to obtain leases or environmental clearance, and exporting 150 million tonnes of iron ore from Goa in 2010/11 while only declaring 76 million, their agreed export allowance.

Not far from Jaipur itself Vedanta is accused by an employee’s union of casualising and de-unionising the labour force at Hindustan Zinc Ltd by reducing permanent workers to only 2,500 of 18,000 workers. The Maton Mines Mazdur Sangh (Maton Mines Workers Union) is also opposing Vedanta for poor working conditions and destruction of crops and houses around their phosphate mines. Meanwhile, on 11th May 2016 Anil Agarwal promoted Sterlite Technologies announced its successful bid to run a second ‘smart city’ project in Jaipur.

Vedanta has been attempting to create favourable public opinion by sponsoring International Film Festival of India (IFFI), the Our Girls Our Pride gender project and even the oxymoronic Mining Happiness campaign, using celebrities and media houses to hush up its liabilities. But each of these attempts has been exposed by grassroots groups and people’s movements pointing out Vedanta’s corporate crimes using social media and letter writing.

The Vedanta JLF at Southbank is yet again another cynical attempt to distract attention from Vedanta’s crimes at a time when it stands exposed across India and internationally. Vedanta’s interests are directly opposed to the Dalit, Adivasi, Bahujan Samaj and black communities it claims to be helping.

Literature doesn’t exist in a vacuum. As public figures, we believe that writers and artists also have responsibilities. It makes little sense to discuss books and ideas and the problems of the world in abstraction, while being funded by and publicising a company that has been and continues to be a gross violator of human rights across the world. We hope that you agree, and will withdraw from involvement in this discredited and damaging PR campaign, rather than lending your name to it.

Featured image for representation only. Source: Jaipur Literature Festival/Facebook

The post Writers Boycott London Edition Of Jaipur Lit. Fest Sponsored By ‘Most Hated Company’ appeared first and originally on Youth Ki Awaaz, an award-winning online platform that serves as the hub of thoughtful opinions and reportage on the world's most pressing issues, as witnessed by the current generation. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter to find out more.

By Richu Sanil Chemmalakuzhy:

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Clik here to view.“Butt out!” followed by the photograph of a girl who is literally standing in a ‘butt out’ position is what I chanced upon as I was walking down the road one night. this was a hoarding of the jeans brand ‘Jealous 21’ put up by a shop which sells ladies outfit in the city.

Our public and private spaces are encroached upon by advertisements like these. One can find them everywhere – on the rooftop, on buses, on walls. Through newspapers, internet and TVs they have infiltrated our private spaces too. And where not? The spaces around us are stifled and suffocated by these ads, which seem ‘harmless’ and to whose existence we do not give much attention. But are they as harmless as they seem to be?

Not many are aware of the unimaginable ways in which these ads act on our psyche. One is not aware of a secret spell they cast on us as we unsuspectingly walk down the road – consumerist spells that bewitch us very subtly. Advertisements do not just flaunt their products. No, they sell ideas instead, planting in our heads our aspirations, our desires and our dreams which we so dearly fight for. Perpetuating these ideas is what keeps consumerism going. It is these ideas which bewitch us; that creates a sense of deep dissatisfaction among us as we can never get the ‘ideal’ lifestyle these advertisements portray. Ideas of beauty, ideas of being healthy, ideas of being pretty, ideas of being sexy. As they say in V for Vendetta movie, “…behind this mask there is an idea. and ideas are bulletproof” and this is very true with advertisements. One must know the idea behind the mask of every advertisement to know how penetrating and profound these are in our social psyche.

Taking a closer look at the Jealous 21 advertisement: It was the image of a ‘sexy size-zero girl’ asking us to buy her jeans. One can ask what is wrong with being sexy? In fact, there is nothing wrong. But the idea that the advertisement sells can be harmful as it proclaims explicitly that being sexy is the ultimate thing to achieve in life. It is asking us to become jealous of that girl for her stunning looks. But the notion of being ‘sexy’ may not work out for every girl in the city. People are naturally endowed with different body shapes and tone, but these ads are forcing a stereotypical image upon us silently asking us to seek it, lust after it and be more like it. It spreads like wildfire among people like me and you, making us aspire to achieve what we see, with our subconscious telling us that our looks are not good enough, therefore, toppling the last traces of confidence from our minds. They make people perpetually obsessed with that notion of beauty and encourages them to do everything that would give them that look. To take care of one’s appearance, to want to look their best is one thing, but to want to be someone else, to look a different body type and different skin tone is another thing. It is ghastly to think that we have forgotten how to celebrate our own bodies, respect and cherish the way we are endowed naturally without feeling embarrassment or displeasure.

Right from a young age our minds are exposed to such ‘artful deception’ and such constant propaganda (as though everyone is out to sell something or the other) that these ideas get normalised in our minds and form a benchmark based on which we compare ourselves.

One can also see how patriarchy subtly operates in these fronts. Women are mostly featured as stereotypical figures of an ideal housewife who is confined to the kitchen. Most advertisements show women as a homemaker or as one waiting for the husband to come from work or worrying about feeding their children the right amount of nutrients. On the contrary, men are shown indulged in adventurous activities, or in the office meeting room, or returning home with a headache (if it’s a disprin ad). But these days we have a new age version of this. With women emerging as the economic decision makers, we have jewellery advertisements portraying the independent woman who doesn’t need the man to buy her the diamonds. Whatever works. If making women feel empowered is helping sell those products, then so be it. That same woman will sell pressure cooker in her next commercial but who cares.

One doesn’t need a degree in rocket science to figure out the mechanisms on which the advertisement industry thrives. Selling aspirations, making us dream of the ‘perfect dream life’, one can never find an advertisement which tries to instil confidence in us – telling us ‘Oh! You are good the way you are.’ No, you aren’t. If we are to believe these commercials we are way too dark, way too fat, way too short, way too poor and way too dumb to live happy lives. Thus, we must keep buying. Because that’s out only penance. Our only way out of a miserable life. Instead of celebrating the goodness of heart and the worth of people we celebrate the flaws, the shortcomings. However, these ideas are not only confined to ads anymore; they are sold to us by all forms of media and communication that reach people: movies, radio, viral videos etc. Everyone’s brainwashing us no matter what their agenda might be. Our world is suffocated by stereotypical portrayals and such skewed notions of beauty. It’s high time we learnt how to see through the bulletproof masks of such propaganda that we call advertisements.

The post Have You Noticed How Quietly And Dangerously Ads Have Been Brainwashing You? appeared first and originally on Youth Ki Awaaz, an award-winning online platform that serves as the hub of thoughtful opinions and reportage on the world's most pressing issues, as witnessed by the current generation. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter to find out more.

By Amna Kapur:

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REUTERS/Regis Duvignau

Are we more than what we look like? While the answer may be a definite yes for someone like me or you, those in the limelight may beg to differ. Celebrities are constantly judged for what and who they are wearing even more so, one could say, than what they do. A fashion faux-pas is a debacle and repeating an outfit is of the same likes as a criminal act. Now, award shows and festivals have become a battleground for reporters and critics to sit on the sidelines and cheer or jeer at. At the recent Cannes Film Festival, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan tried her hand at a something ‘different’ and received no end of criticism for it.

Celebrities are persistently under scrutiny by the media for their clothing and make-up choices. Bachchan, 42, wore a purple lipstick to the Cannes Film Festival 2016, only to get an outbreak of hate from social media users as well as the media. Though she had attended to promote her upcoming movie ‘Sarabjit‘, there was no mention of the same with reporters failing to look past her dress and ‘bold’ lip statement. The twitterati took to Rai’s case. “Aishwarya’s lips all over. But can’t blame the trolls. Looks like she ate a lot of Jaamuns before going to the red carpet,” a user said. Another asked, “Did Aishwarya kiss a smurf this time before she walked the red carpet at Cannes?” All this rage simply because of a lipstick colour here was unprecedented. I do agree that it is understandable to discuss fashion choices but for the first thing to show up when searching Aishwarya Rai on Google to be her ‘fashion faux-pas’ is quite pathetic.

What is even more saddening than the constant judging of ‘looks and dresses’ is the calibre of questions asked at red carpets. Reporters seemingly believe that women can answer questions no more challenging than “who are you wearing” and “what is it”. While it is true that a lot celebrities put in effort to stun at carpets and that putting in such effort deserves a few minutes of discussion, it is equally important to talk about the celebrities and their work. Everyone cares to an extent what they look like, but there is more to a person than just the surface. Little girls and boys around the world will not be inspired to do something great by hearing their role model talk about what designer they’re wearing. What will make a difference is sharing opinions and views on current events, giving advice, and talking about change. Questions geared towards women tend to be narrow and sexist and we see evidence of this with Amy Poehler’s #SmartGirlsAsk having to be especially orchestrated.

Smart Girls is a campaign started by Parks and Recreation star Amy Poehler to encourage media reporters to ask more meaningful questions to celebrities on the red carpet. The organisation has teamed up with Twitter and the television academy to let Twitter users ask thought-provoking and stimulating questions that go beyond designer credits. The program was put into action at the Emmys this year and was a huge success.

Then why is it that reporters stick to entirely un-intellectual interviews especially with female celebrities? Perhaps because some are sexist and do not believe women are capable of more. Or maybe it’s because it is simply less time-consuming than to think of more interesting questions and the answer is straightforward. Or it is possibly because this is what viewers and readers want to know about. Trolling celebrities is a favoured past-time of a majority of Internet users who prefer scandalous comments made by an eminent personality to knowing about what advice they would give. Either way, it is evident something needs to be done and it is heartening to see celebrities like Amy Poehler take this initiative into their own hands and using their influence for good.

The post Why Do We Obsess Over The Lipstick Shade Worn By A Celebrity? appeared first and originally on Youth Ki Awaaz, an award-winning online platform that serves as the hub of thoughtful opinions and reportage on the world's most pressing issues, as witnessed by the current generation. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter to find out more.

By Shalini Banerjee:

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Clik here to view.I am probably part of one of the last generations that spent summer afternoons scrounging for Tintin comics, pouring over events at Malory Towers and St. Clare, hooked on to Shaktimaan and sang the Jungle Book title track with such piousness every Sunday. Life had so been much simpler back then, with literary worlds created long before we were born. Fear Street, Goosebumps, Nicholas Sparks and hidden copies of Mills & Boon exchanging hands. The thought of the existence of such a thing called “spoilers” and “fandom” never entered my mind. All of this was before Harry Potter came into my life. Suddenly I was part of a culture that was taking shape as I was growing up. I was not among the lucky few who could camp outside the bookstore, eagerly waiting to purchase the latest book Rowling had blessed us with. And so I ended up being the kid who runs around the school hallways, fingers in ears, singing loudly to ward off spoilers.

However, being a fan is no longer a simple job and neither is warding off a spoiler. Before I could properly grasp the difference between Muggles and Wizards, and the presence of the Ministry of Magic, I already getting pulled into a magical land accessible through a conspicuous little cupboard (Narnia, thank you very much), and then equally soon I was reading about werewolves and vampires fighting over a human girl (Twilight takers anyone?).

Dear readers, do you see what a whirlwind pop culture has landed us in? Novels nowadays no longer end with the last page. That is where the fandom starts instead. You have cartoons, fan arts, alternative endings, alternate universe, heaven scenarios, interviews and what not! How does one keep up? When I was young, being a fan meant getting lost in the imaginary world and taking a break from the mundane reality of life. But now peer pressure is what propels you into a brand new fictional universe, faster than the speed of light! I have a friend who has never read or watched Harry Potter and another who has vowed never to watch F.R.I.E.N.D.S. And then there is me, who has no idea about Game of Thrones! Does that mean we should be ridiculed for our choice and our decision to say no to something? In reality, though, fandoms are rarely forgiving. There are people who will jump down your throat in an attempt to make you swallow the latest and trending fictional universe. Until you spit it out, screaming that it is too much!

The era of Door Darshan was one thing when everyone was watching the same thing and with the wonderfully limited choices, there was hardly any chaos. Back then one really asked Chandrakanta who? But now we do and it’s not just one name, it’s a million – Jon Snow, Castle, Jessica Jones, Walter White. This list can go on. It is this abundance of choice that has complicated everything. If you aren’t following, you are a grey image with a question mark for face (like those dreadful offline avatars). Pop culture is more and more becoming a part of who we are and a decisive factor in choosing our friends, partners, clothes and much more complex details of our lifestyle. This then brings up another question. Do we guard what’s ‘ours’ and refuse to part with it, very much like Gollum? Or do we let it all go? Keep what we have and take more of what we can? And also, with so much option available does anything matter anymore? Is anything coveted after all? How can I be a fan of something new every other month? What is it about this era of disloyally fanatic fans?

The post So You Think You Are A Fan? Here’s Why You Really Aren’t appeared first and originally on Youth Ki Awaaz, an award-winning online platform that serves as the hub of thoughtful opinions and reportage on the world's most pressing issues, as witnessed by the current generation. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter to find out more.

By Rupali Rakheja:

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Clik here to view.I am a student of history and there is one cause I feel very strongly for – Saving and preserving our valuable heritage. There is a concern I would like to share with each one of you through this article. This is regarding a monument called Zafar Mahal in Mehrauli, which is being encroached even as I write this. A very powerful builder is using the walls of the monument to build another building, which as per the rules of the ASI is illegal.

I visited Zafar Mahal, last month and noticed this disaster. Firstly, this beautiful palace now lies in a state of tragic ruin and on top of that the illegal construction that’s robbing this monument of its sanctity disappointed me thoroughly. Since then, we have been paying regular visits to Zafar Mahal, interacting with the locals trying to get to the root of this issue. I have written regarding this to the PMO, along with the MLA of Mehrauli, MP of Tughlaqabad and even to a few heritage activists including Vikramjit Singh Rooprai and Narayani Gupta. I wrote a mail to the Aam Aadmi Party as well.

Vikramjit sir has assured us that he will look further into the matter and with the help of Narayani ma’am, we have managed to get an article about the plight of Zafar Mahal published in The Indian Express, a few days back. Also, the Aam Aadmi Party spokesperson replied telling us that this issue would come under the Centre and there is not much they can do to help us out in this regard. However, the others did not bother to reply and no help whatsoever came from the ASI.Image may be NSFW.
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From what the locals told us, many have apparently been bribed and threatened. In fact, a similar incident happened with us as well. We got into an ugly spat with two men appointed by the builder at the site to check that nobody clicks pictures of the constructions under process. The builder’s men threatened us by asking us to call whoever we wanted to call (in typical dilli wala tone) and even followed us till our next stop. Luckily, we still managed to click few pictures.

Our monuments are the Gateway to our past. As citizens of India, it automatically becomes our moral duty to preserve our rich heritage and culture. If we can’t preserve what we already have then what the point of seeking more? As they say, if you don’t know where you have come from you don’t know who you are.

Zafar Mahal is the final resting place of Shah Alam and Akbar Shah II, Bahadur Shah Zafar’s grandfather and father. This is the place last Indian Mughal emperor visited every year during the festival of Phoolwalon Ki Sair. This is where Zafar himself wanted to be buried along with his ancestors, but as we all know, he died in Rangoon and was buried far away from home.

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Clik here to view.India needs to create Heritage Awareness and stand against all those destroying our past and the beautiful assets of our nation. If we stand united against such encroachment and against such mentalities we can reach the authorities and fight for our shared past together. Creating awareness through social media is also important. Thus, there is a campaign that I have started recently, where we have asked people to post their pictures on their Facebook walls, saying, ‘I stand for Zafar Mahal’.

I run this initiative called Explore.Excavate.Enjoy through this we try to create heritage awareness. We have recently collaborated with Delhi adventures (another initiative to create heritage awareness). We recently conducted a heritage walk leading to Zafar Mahal on May 14th – called Muttahid Barai Zafar Mahal or unite for Zafar Mahal. We are planning to make these walks to Zafar Mahal, a regular feature. And we want to spread the word so that more and more of you join us.

The post This Delhi Monument Is Under Serious Threat, And Only You Can Help Save It appeared first and originally on Youth Ki Awaaz, an award-winning online platform that serves as the hub of thoughtful opinions and reportage on the world's most pressing issues, as witnessed by the current generation. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter to find out more.

By Kumar Saurav:

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Clik here to view.Recently, two journalists, Rajdeo Ranjan and Akhilesh Pratap, were shot dead in Bihar and Jharkhand. They are not the first and certainly will not be the last of India’s murdered journalists. In 2015 also, four journalists – Jagendar Singh, Sandeep Kothari, Sanjay Pathak and Hemant Yadav – were killed brutally.

Jagendar Singh used to run a Facebook page called Shahjahanpur Samachar where he wrote about corruption and illegal mining. On 22, May 2015 posted saying that he was being harassed by the police, other criminals and politicians and on June 1st he was dead.

Sandeep Kothari was a freelance investigating crime journalist who also was murdered because of exposing illegal mining and land grabbing. Before his murder, he told the police that he had received threats but didn’t receive any help. He was set on fire. A case was registered but nothing serious happened. One or two people were arrested and some police personnel were sacked. But the question that remains unanswered is, is this enough? Was there nothing more the government could do? And if not, then why do we need a government again?

A system that’s damaged at the core can’t be mended by auxiliaries no matter how hard journalists work, no matter how honest the police is and no matter how much we as individuals try to change matters. As long as the government continues to be corrupt there is nothing anyone can do. It’s so easy to squash out ‘unwanted’ people talking about things that make powerful people ‘uncomfortable’. For all we know, the government might as well ban serious journalism tomorrow and replace it with ‘entertainment’ and ‘sansani’ (not that they are too far away from doing that).

The media has the power of free speech but it seems they are controlled by powerful people (especially those with political connections). A journalist by his hard work tries to throw light on what’s going wrong in our society. They work really hard to collect evidence by talking to people, by chasing sources and then bringing their story(truth) to the public. Some are not even paid that well for what they do. And what do they get in return? Death, some condolence, and if they are lucky a couple of news stories causing a little bit of stir for a couple of days.

The journalists who died trying to reveal the truth to the public lived middle-class lives. They have no one to look after them. No godfather. Else they would still be alive one can guess. Naturally if no one looked after them then who we can’t expect anyone to look after their family once they are gone. Rajdeo Ranjan he left behind a 16-year-old son and an 8-year-old daughter. What about them now?

Media has always been the voice of the common man of India. But controlling such an organisation and by creating such paralysing circumstances for those who belong to this organisation, the government is trying its best to suppress our voice. It’s no longer about Rajdeo or Akhilesh or any one individual. This is our collective death. This is what affects all of us. If we don’t speak together then who will hear and who will heed?

The post Truth Can Set You Free, It Can Also Get You Killed If You’re A Journalist In India appeared first and originally on Youth Ki Awaaz, an award-winning online platform that serves as the hub of thoughtful opinions and reportage on the world's most pressing issues, as witnessed by the current generation. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter to find out more.