What does women’s empowerment really mean? Is it about a Bollywood glamour icon who demonstrates what it means for women to be financially independent? Or is it about women whose achievements are built on family privilege? I recall a conversation with a lady family court judge to whom I shared my latest article on Contemporary Challenges of Gender Justice. I had hoped it would align with her professional insights, perhaps lead to a deeper conversation. Instead, I was shocked

The Split from Kabah A sharp stab, a bleeding wound, A gun shot or a slow throttle, Nothing yet describes best My pain in leaving you. Being destined to confront you Was nothing less than a blessing. But this separation is draining out The very soul from my self. I cease to recall my existence Preceeding my encounter with you. Having lost touch for quite sometime now, With my family, friends and work, I wonder if I have whiled away life Unattentive of You Lord! I did not crea

When we were running the Unapologetic campaign around school, we went around asking the staff to contribute blogs for the initiative. One teacher’s question that day stirred something deep within me. “From what capacity?” she asked. We paused for a moment, unsure what she meant. She smiled and clarified, “From what capacity do you want me to write the blog? As a wife? A mother? A daughter? A Head of Department? A teacher?” We looked at her and replied, “From the capacity of

The Love Embrace of the Universe, the Earth (Mexico), Myself, Diego, and Señor Xólotl, a painting by Frida Kahlo in 1949 We are offered a narrative of arrival, a sleek, well-packaged myth that suggests womanhood in the modern epoch is an unassailable stronghold, fully realised through choice and autonomy. This story is peddled relentlessly, yet beneath its veneer of glistening progress, one finds not liberation, but a sophisticated, multi-layered mechanism of control, a syste

Reboot செய்ய தெவை இல்லாத CPU அவள் தினம் ஒரு Version-னாய் Update ஆகும் software அவள் Multitasking- ஆ multiprogramming - ஆ இதற்கு விடை AI வோடு அப்பாதாளுக்கு கூட தெரியாது சாது மிரான்பால் வாடு கொள்ளாது அது போல இந்த மென்பொருள்( பென்) மிரன்டால் Malicious code-ஆகவும் மாருவாள் firewall ஆகவும் மாருவாள் Intel, pental இருந்தாலும் சரி இல்லாவிட்டாலும் சரி- பெண் இல்லையேல் அத்தனையும் அம்பேல் சுழலும் பூமியில் சுழன்றால் சந்திப்போம் மறுபடியும் Written By A Nazreen

இத்தனை வயதாகியும் குறையவில்லை ஆசை ரோஜாவில் இருக்கும் முட்கள் முத்தத்தில் குத்தும் உன் மீசை! பருவம் பிறந்து வரும் காதலை விட பிறந்த முதலே இருக்கும் - உன் அன்பு வலிமையானது ! நல்லது கெட்டது சொல்லி தரும் நடமாடும் நூலகம் நீ! காலத்தில் சுழற்சியால் விதியின் வெற்றியால் இழந்துவிட்டேன் உன்ணை இன்றும், உள்னை நினைத்து "அப்பா" என்று உச்சரித்தால் உன் இழப்பின் வலியை இதயம் கனத்து கண்கள் குளமாகின்றன! Written By A Nazreen

என்னை இட்டான் இறைவன் என் தாயின் கருவறையில்! உருவம் அறியாது குணம் அறியாது நான் இருந்தேன் அவள் வயிற்றில்! உண்ட உணவும் உடனே வெளிவந்தது! நான் வளர்ந்தேன் அவள் தளர்ந்தாள்! பத்து மாதம் கிட்டியதில் பதைபதைதாள் என்னை பார்க்க வலி கொண்டு வெளி வந்தேன் படைத்த இறைவனுக்கு மண்டியிட்டு நன்றி கூறி! Written By A Nazreen

I heard the words “Please don’t disappoint me like others did” so many times it etched into my brain like a nightmare. So, if I do what makes me happy, I fear disappointing the people who brought me into this world. Sometimes, being the last-born girl child doesn’t come with pampering and a golden spoon or a “you can do anything you want” free card. It comes with standards that your siblings couldn’t meet, the versions of your parents that they couldn’t be. So I tried. I tri

Womanhood is realizing how society has always painted the narrative in a way where a woman is always accused, it is in realizing that patriarchy has been presented as a safe space to oppress women, and in realizing that women were made to believe that they were the problem. It is understanding the pain behind the long sighs and swollen feet, the reason behind one’s silence, and that once your mother was also just a girl. Being a woman means being angry, being fierce, and bein

Confronting Rules, Resilience, and the Urgent Need for Change Being a woman is beautiful; there’s something sacred, the warmth, the strength, the magic of creating, surviving all at once. Usually, when I think about how beautiful being a woman is, the negative sides of being a woman overpower it. Being a woman also means carrying the weight that never leaves your shoulders; it starts with being told what to do, how to be, over and over again until the word “don’t” feels stitc

If there is a message that I can send out to women out there, it is only this - have your standards higher than the sky itself. And I know you’ve probably heard it a million times over and over again, but if someone tells you that it’s impossible, impractical, or that you’re being unreasonable - never listen to that. The more you love yourself, the more you will want good things for yourself. And if someone tries to tell you that you’re being unreasonable for wanting these th

I never felt like the strongest person in the room. If I’m being honest, I’ve carried a lot of self-doubt. I’ve asked myself too many times if I was good enough, if I was capable enough, if I could ever really rise above everything weighing me down. But life doesn’t pause just because you’re unsure. The struggles kept coming—family chaos, academic pressure, the noise in my own head. For a while, it felt like fire: heavy, consuming, endless. And there were days I believed it w

This poem is a tribute to the unspoken strength within vulnerability—a voice for the sacrifices, scars, and resilience that often go unseen. She bears the weight of worlds unspoken, A silent storm beneath her skin, Sacrifices carved deep in the marrow, Each scar a testament to where she’s been. She’s walked through fire—alone, unshielded Her vulnerability a battlefield and grace, A raw, unapologetic echo of truth, Refusing to dim her luminous face. The world, in its blind

We live in a time where the mold of "what a woman should be" is being shattered every day but still as a woman I'm often expected to be either strong or soft, ambitious or nurturing, quiet or loud. But to me, being a woman is the beauty of being all of them at once. I am not defined by expectations, but by the courage it takes to show up - again and again. There was this one incident in my school where we were asked to do a soft skill assignment and one of my friends had dra

My confession of love would forever stand out, inspite of the umpteen accounts of love and longing that exists in the world. Yes dear... it will, coz I love you, in a way no one has ever loved another before! Cliche'!? The extent of my sorrow in not having found you sooner is unfathomably immeasurable. But I was destined to fall deeply in love with someone once, falling into a deeper ditch of betrayal again, only to crawl back up, and ended up ejecting myself from a parasitic

Getting sorted into groups was very important at a time. In fact, it was considered a prerequisite to belong to a group; to have certain features or qualities that a group of other people are recognised to have. You could call it common interest, groupism, whatever! But that stood up as one's identity And people who didn't fall into these so called groups, who could not be sorted as sorts, were discriminated against. Times have changed. So old a phrase… so is the thought that

Let's be the tides Rather than the shores of the sea. Let's kindle a hearth Instead of following splinters' flight. Let's dwell over memories of warmth Rather than the wounds of time. Let's prepare to start afresh Rather than fret over the slips and mess. Let's extend a humane hand of help Instead of stretching out the pointing finger. Let's be sensible, sensitive and serene Rather than troubled, treading on toes. Let's be us Rather than like so and so! Written By Sumayah Sir

Potato and po-tah-to: the ideal difference when it comes to marriage and money. Did you know that every hour, a woman dies in India due to dowry? NRCB shows around 20 women die everyday in dowry - related issues. There is a common misconception in India that dowry and alimony are two peas in a pod when they are in fact, peas of different pods. Generally, dowry refers to money, gifts or goods that are given as a token of love from the bride’s side of the family to her in-l

Redefining Strength, Identity, and Leadership as a Woman Being a woman to me means existing beyond roles or expectations. It’s strength combined with empathy, resilience, and the courage to define myself on my own terms. To feel deeply and still stand tall in the face of challenges. It’s not about fitting into what the world imagines I should be, but embracing every layer of who I am. I believe the expectation that every woman wants to get married, settle down, and have child

What is it to be a woman? Honestly, it’s a rollercoaster ride!—Growing up as a toddler, we’re oblivious to the facts and constraints of gender — it’s all flowers and sunshine; we’re just happy kids. In the blink of an eye, we become teenagers, and that’s when things start to heat up. We’re put high up on a pedestal, we become a trophy and an investment rather than a human—put under the spotlight, made to shapeshift, act and dance to the tunes of various archies and whatnot! W

Introduction: “Oh people who claim that Islam oppresses women, how naive it is not to know that Islam was the very religion that first recognized a woman’s worth. When other cultures reduced women to burdens or treated them as worthless, Islam declared them Queens of Honor.” This is not a statement of exaggeration but a truth rooted in history. Before Islam, women across many societies were deprived of dignity, stripped of rights, and treated as objects or burdens. In pre-Isl

In today’s fast-moving world, a common belief still echoes in our homes and societies—that women, especially Desi women, lead a comparatively simpler life than men. Many assume their primary roles are to cook, clean, raise children, and maintain the home. And often, it’s believed that they don’t have to worry about finances, career pressure, or the burdens of being a provider. But this belief only scratches the surface. The truth lies deeper—unspoken, unseen, and often unappr

Every day, she wakes up before the world stirs. She dresses with care—not to impress, but to protect. She steps out of her home, carrying not just her bag and ambition, but an invisible armor against the world outside. To the people watching, she’s just another woman—maybe a college girl, maybe a working woman—stepping out to study or earn. “Look at her,” they say, “she’s doing well for herself.” But behind that simple routine is a battlefield no one sees. The bus she takes i

When we speak about the challenges women face, the spotlight often falls on the outside world—harassment, inequality at workplaces, safety concerns. But what about the silent struggles within the four walls of her own home? The battles no one talks about? A woman faces discrimination not only from strangers, but also from those closest to her. It begins early—“ You’re a girl, you can’t do that.” “Leave it, let your brother handle it.” “You don’t need to dream too big.” Inside

In many households, there exists a quiet, painful reality—one where daughters are raised not as equals, but as silent supporters in the background of their brothers’ spotlight. This is not just the tale of a single home, but a reflection of a mindset still prevalent in our society: partiality between sons and daughters. From an early age, daughters are expected to give, adjust, and obey. Even if she is occupied with her own tasks, when her brother demands something—no matter

At 19 , most girls I know are either falling in love, posting cute couple stories, hanging out with friends, or sharing joyful moments with their families. And if not in a relationship, many have gone through breakups with boyfriends — heartbreaks that people recognize, support, and talk about. But has anyone ever heard of a breakup with their own family? It sounds strange, doesn’t it? But it’s real. It’s not about walking away from a romantic partner. It’s about slowly, pain

It’s too painful to say out loud… but sometimes silence screams louder than words. I’ve always craved love —not from strangers, not from friends, but from the ones who were supposed to love me unconditionally. My parents . Just a small gesture. A simple question like, “ Did you eat?” or “Where did you have lunch?” —those words are treasures to a heart like mine. But they never come. And that hurts more than I can explain. What breaks me even more is this: even when I’m beside

Every day after college, I begin a two-hour journey back home , a journey that should be ordinary. I sit silently on the bus, respectfully dressed in my abaya, my face covered with niqab. My clothing protects my dignity. It has never been my weakness. It is my honour. But what protects a woman from people who have lost theirs? I boarded the bus like always—quiet, composed, minding my own business. A boy sat beside me. I didn’t look at him. I didn’t speak. My modesty was clear

Growing up, I never truly understood what it meant to be a woman. I was told stories, taught values, and given rules. Some made sense, while others did not. It was only on the day I got my period that I felt an unspoken shift, a quiet but heavy change in how the world saw me. Suddenly, there was a certain way I was expected to sit, speak, move, and exist. It was a way that felt different from what I was used to. It was not my parents who told me these things. It was the world

It is a bitter truth that we live in a time where we (the majority of teenagers and youth) not just rely on social media, but portray it on social media. Youngsters are not just following trends or influencers on social media, they are unconsciously measuring themselves against them. “Influencers” are just a bigger picture, it could also be friends, relatives or any random person on social media. These “users” create a sense of consciousness in adolescents by showcasing their

Honour, respect, and responsibility; somehow, these three words tend to define a woman's life. Not because she inherently embodies them, but because the outcome of every situation often hinges on her actions in relation to these ideals. She becomes the bearer of tradition, the keeper of reputation, and the silent negotiator of peace, in fact there’s an age-old, absurd saying that suffering is a woman’s destiny, that she was created to endure pain as if it were her purpose, a

Judging from the title, I’m sure you already have an idea of the context. It’s about the Beauty that matters- beauty that’s being ignored, Beauty that’s not being paid attention to, Beauty that’s not being embraced wholeheartedly and the beauty that’s not being realized for how much it resonates. In a world full of filters and makeup and beauty standards that are quite frankly, “stupid”, I am sure everyone has, at some point, felt unworthy or out of place. While it’s normal

There’s this quiet fear that wakes up with me every morning — the fear of not reaching my full potential before I run out of time. It’s not about success or fame or people clapping for me. It’s just about me knowing that I actually did something with all this energy I keep feeling inside. Because I can feel it — that fire. It’s there, always burning somewhere inside me. But it’s also wrapped under this big, cozy blanket that refuses to move. The world outside feels like apric

Woman, not just another creation in this universe… a devoted source to bring new lives into this world… The world is said to align with certain norms that society has drafted to bring out the best in what has been given, but it has somehow put women on the bad side by weighing them with “expectations.” There are a lot, a lottttttt of beliefs that can be sensed in the not-so-clean air around us, and I believe they should be redefined, especially when it’s “Women should stay h

A dean’s reflections on resilience, role models, and the enduring power of education Dr. Sharmila Sankar, Professor and Dean of the School of Computer Information and Mathematical Sciences, is candid about the twists and turns of her personal and professional journey. As the only daughter among three siblings, she grew up cherished as the “princess” of her family, yet life changed dramatically after marriage. When her husband was diagnosed with hemophilia, a rare medical cond

Dr. V. MuthuPriya on the Essence of Womanhood An associate professor reflects on sacrifice, transformation, and why empathy, discipline, and self-confidence matter most. For Dr. V. MuthuPriya, Associate Professor of Computer Science Engineering at Crescent University, being a woman is synonymous with sacrifice. “Professionally, women… in a single word, it’s sacrifice,” she says. Her perspective flows from years of academic leadership, as well as a grounded understanding of wh

Reclaiming Identity, Power, and Worth Beyond Society’s Expectations Being a woman, to me, means embracing the full range of what it is to be human, the strength and softness, reason and emotion, intuition and intellect without apology. It’s the freedom to define myself not by how the world perceives me, but by the choices I make, the values I hold, and the courage I show in moments of doubt. Beyond society’s expectations, being a woman is an act of authorship, writing your ow

Dr. Najumnissa Jamal on Leadership and Legacy Dr. Najumnissa Jamal settles into her chair with the calm confidence of someone who has seen it all. As Professor and Head of Electronics and Instrumentation Engineering at Crescent Institute, she's spent over three decades navigating the challenges of academic leadership, and she has learnt a thing or two about what really works. "As time passes, everything goes well, that is my patience," she says, and you can tell this isn't ju

Dr. Jennathu Beevi’s Story of Faith and Independence Dr. Jennathu Beevi speaks with the quiet confidence of someone who has navigated life's complexities and emerged with clear convictions. As Associate Professor at Crescent Institute, her journey through electrical engineering, from her B.E. in 1998 to completing her Ph.D. in Power Systems Engineering in 2021, tells a story that goes far beyond academic credentials. When asked what being a woman means to her, Dr. Beevi doesn

Sometimes, when I sit in silence and let my mind drift, I am overwhelmed by the weight of all the voices that were never heard for centuries, swallowed by walls of oppression and fear. I try to imagine the trembling courage it took for a woman to whisper “freedom” in a world that demanded her silence. I feel the unbreakable strength of mothers, daughters, and sisters who carried entire generations on their backs, even as the doors of opportunity slammed shut in their faces. W

A Journey of Strength, Independence, and Defying Societal Expectations Societal expectations are so challenging, especially for women. They are expected to always care for their family, sacrifice and nurture. But the quality of women is beyond all this. Society expects women to be really caring and kind, while not being outspoken, they should be ambitious and working, but not at the cost of their family duties and women should not be too strong that they look masculine. But t

Dr. Aisha Banu on Education, Authenticity, and Leadership Dr. Aisha Banu W. has a refreshing way of turning conventional wisdom on its head. As Professor and Head of the Computer Science Engineering Department at B.S. Abdur Rahman Crescent Institute of Science and Technology, she's spent over 27 years in academia, but her perspective on what it means to be a woman in leadership challenges many of the typical narratives we hear about female empowerment. "I am what I am because

For me, being a woman is not confined to the roles society assigns, mother, daughter, wife, or caregiver. It is about the quiet strength every woman carries within herself, a strength that defines her beyond these labels. To me, womanhood means being at ease in my own skin, embracing my femininity, moving forward with purpose, and never compromising on dignity or self-respect. Today, many women feel liberated through education and employment, and the sense of empowerment they

“Fashion is a way of communicating ideas, values, and aspirations through clothes. Through our attire, we announce who we are, what we care about, and where we belong—or aspire to belong—in society. Fashion is a means of transforming our sense of self and our sense of our place in society. Dress codes are key pieces of evidence about both of these social functions of attire: communication and self-fashioning. “Dress code” has a double meaning: a code is a rule regulating acti

Bollywood has produced countless memorable films, but only a select few have truly revolutionized Indian cinema. Four such movies— Mughal-E-Azam (1960), Sholay (1975), Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995), and Lagaan (2001) —not only pushed creative and cultural boundaries but also transformed Bollywood’s global appeal. Each of these films, from grand historical dramas to underdog sports tales, brought something groundbreaking to the table. Mughal-E-Azam: A Cinematic Marvel Rel

Let’s cut through the noise for a second. You wake up, check your phone (because how else would you confirm your existence?), and scroll through headlines about AI breakthroughs, climate crises, and TikTok’s latest moral panic. We’re told we’re living in the most “advanced” era ever—but what if none of this is actually new? What if, as Parmenides argued 2,500 years ago, all this so-called “progress” is just… smoke and mirrors? Parmenides Who? (And Why He’d Hate Your iPhone) P

In the world of supercars, few manufacturers have made as lasting an impact as Koenigsegg and Bugatti . These two iconic brands have been pushing the boundaries of performance, design, and innovation for decades, leaving an indelible mark on the automotive industry. A Tale of Two Philosophies Koenigsegg , the Swedish speedster, has built its reputation on a philosophy of innovation, cutting-edge technology, and a relentless pursuit of performance. From the CC8S to the Ag

You know what they say: empathy is like magic. It's this amazing superpower we all have, hidden somewhere deep inside that, lets us understand and share what someone else is feeling. And you know what? It’s also the key to unlocking some serious personal growth and better relationships. When you try to understand what someone else is going through, you don’t just help them—you learn more about yourself too. It’s like a two-for-one deal on personal development! Empathy as a To

It's the twenty-first century and of all the centuries that have passed, none has witnessed this peculiar, omnipresent dependence on technology. Not a day or a second goes by without looking at our cell phones, why are we talking about this? Well, in comparison to the past, in this age of information, all of us are aware of the mistreatment of women, bound as slaves, as dehumanized objects, locked away and deprived of rights, freedom or joy. Women escaping confinement only t

Have you ever felt like you're living a double life? One persona for the world to see, and another hidden beneath the surface? You're not alone. The concept of an alter ego has fascinated humans for centuries, from literary characters like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde ( https://youtu.be/axwzlXzl-Ik?si=9832fdxFKq8ejnby ) to real-life figures like superheroes and celebrities. But what drives us to create these alternate identities, and what do they reveal about our true selves? Thi