Why relegate Women’s Day to a day? asks Raveena

Raveena Tandon
March 8, 2019

Bengaluru, Mar 8: It’s great that there’s a day to appreciate women and her achievements, but why do we need to relegate it to just a day?

On a brighter note, to be a woman in the 21st century is about having the chance to choose any career she wishes to. Doctor, forensic scientist, solicitor, fitness trainer, dentist, programmer… the list goes on. There’s nothing that a woman can’t do. It’s just that women should get more opportunities.

Moreover, being a feminist doesn’t mean that we have to fight for our rights to prove that we are superior. Feminism is asking for equal job opportunities in society and that’s how women need to stand strong. If not working harder, they are working equal to what any other person does but why is the preference always been given to the male colleague?

I agree to an extent that it is exciting to be a woman in the 21st century. However, there is always room to grow and progress, and I, along with many other young women, hope to continue the true essence of feminism -- achieving gender equality.

By equality, I mean equal opportunities in every field on the basis of a person’s merit. I feel women also need to take a stand about the kind of work they do. It is equally important to get good support from the society. I believe women have always had a choice and they must try and work on their own terms and conditions in a positive way.

Another element which I think is interesting to talk about on Women's Day is the progression of women’s fashion over the decades. The 21st century woman does not feel ashamed to wear what she wants to confidently that would have horrified communities a century ago. This is a topic that I believe has become controversial to women like me.

On one side, I can understand the freedom and girls having the ability to wear whatever clothes they want without being judged. But on the other hand, looking at some pieces of clothing, new extremes have definitely been established… to say the least.

Additionally, it has led to a new set of problems in which women criticise other women whose dressing sense is scandalous, as the root of objectification of women in the 21st century.

Talking about ‘women empowerment’, I think the term is quite subjective and layered. It means differently to different people. For me, it’s how I lead my life, whether I am confident enough to make a decision for myself without thinking about the repercussions, and to have the ability to dream, aspire and achieve goals. To live your life the way you want to and on your terms – for me, that is empowerment in its true sense.

I am proud of the woman I am. I am proud of all that I have done in my career to get to where I am. I am proud of the mindset I have instilled. I was raised in a strong parenthood, to be someone who is fiercely independent, who holds great integrity, feel unstoppable with all their efforts and hold ambitious personalities.

Looking back through history, women fought for their rights, women supported and empowered one another. In today’s time, I’m glad that women across the globe are confidently walking on the path of economic freedom. Modern women have even raised the topic of equal pay for equal work, sexual harassment, social, political and cultural empowerment. Women are making strides and moving forward rapidly and evolving. Women are defining their new roles and re-inventing themselves.

There is no right or wrong time to stand up for what we believe in and make our voices known and heard. I strongly feel what a woman truly wants is to live in a world where they have the freedom to be able to choose. So let’s respect that and allow her to fly high.

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News Network
April 24,2020

Mumbai, Apr 24: A complaint has been filed with police against Bollywood actor Kangana Ranaut for allegedly referring to members of a particular community as a terrorist in a video released in support of her sister Rangoli Chandel, an official said on Friday.

The complaint was filed by a lawyer, Ali Kashif Khan Deshmukh, at the suburban Amboli Police Station on Wednesday.

The Twitter account of Chandel, who is also the 33- year-old actor's manager, recently got suspended for alleged hate speech.

According to the complaint, while supporting her sister, Ranaut, in the video, allegedly referred to members of a particular community as "terrorist", the official said.

Ranaut had released the video some time back.

Following the release of the video, Deshmukh submitted an application to the Amboli police seeking registration of a case against the actor, the official said.

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News Network
April 6,2020

New Delhi, Apr 6:  In an attempt to pump up Indians with positivity amid the testing times of coronavirus, Bollywood's most prominent actors like Akshay Kumar, Kartik Aaryan, Tiger Shroff, Taapsee Pannu, Kiara Advani, joined hands and launched a hope anthem - 'Muskurayega India.'

The song is set on the optimistic theme that sends out the message that the country will smile again if the country supports each other in the current crisis situation.

An initiative of Akshay Kumar's Cape of Good Films, the video of the song features all the lead actors of the industry including Ayushmann Khurrana, Bhumi Pednekar, Sidharth Malhotra, Vicky Kaushal, Raj Kumar Rao, Ananya Panday, Kriti Sanon, Jacky Bhagnani, and Rakul Preet.
Curated by Jackky Bhagnani's music label JJust Music and composed and sung by the talented Vishal Mishra, 'Muskurayega India' is a symbol of India's spirit of solidarity, battling against the coronavirus pandemic.

The soulful song penned by Kaushal Kishore also features cricketer Shikhar Dhawan and famous Mumbai based Radio Jockey Malishka.
The video of the song starts with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's televised address in which he is seen assuring the country that every Indian will come out victorious from the coronavirus crisis.

The video then features all the prominent faces of the cinema industry giving out the message of hope from their balconies, terrace and other spots of their houses.

The song urges people to stay home and support the people who are working to combat the virus, like police officials, and medical practitioners on duty amid the lockdown.

A locked-down view of some of the most prominent spots in the country like the India Gate, Hawa Mahal, and Mumbai's beaches are also featured in the video.

The song also spreads the message of social distancing and washing of hands to keep the infection away.

The video ends with a rhythm of the national anthem with the celebrities standing still to honour it and finally fades away with the Indian national flag.

As the country battles the novel coronavirus, the song is an attempt to uplift the spirit of togetherness of every Indian during the unprecedented crisis.

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News Network
April 29,2020

Mumbai, Apr 29: Irrfan Khan, one of India's finest and most versatile actors, lost his battle with a rare form of cancer and died in a Mumbai hospital on Wednesday, a statement from his family said. He was 54

Irrfan, who was diagnosed with neuroendocrine tumour in 2018, is survived by his wife Sutapa and his sons Babil and Ayaan.

It is the second tragedy for the family in less than a week. The ?Maqbool? actor lost his mother, 95-year-old Saeeda Begum, in Jaipur just four days ago and could not attend the funeral because of the nationwide lockdown.

Irrfan, that rare actor who straddled multiple worlds, making his mark in both international and Indian cinema in roles intense and light-hearted, was admitted to the intensive care unit of the Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital with a colon infection

?It's saddening that this day, we have to bring forward the news of him passing away. Irrfan was a strong soul, someone who fought till the very end and always inspired everyone who came close to him. After having been struck by lightning in 2018 with the news of a rare cancer, he took life soon after as it came and he fought the many battles that came with it,? the statement from his family said

?Surrounded by his love, his family for whom he most cared about, he left for heavenly abode, leaving behind truly a legacy of his own. We all pray and hope that he is at peace. And to resonate and part with his words he had said, 'As if I was tasting life for the first time, the magical side of it',? it added.

The news of his death was first confirmed by his "Piku" director Shoojit Sircar who sent his condolences to the family and doffed his hat to the actor's fighting spirit

"My dear friend Irfaan. You fought and fought and fought. I will always be proud of you.. we shall meet again.. condolences to Sutapa and Babil.. you too fought, Sutapa you gave everything possible in this fight. Peace and Om shanti. Irfaan Khan salute," the director said on Twitter.

Irrfan's death came the morning after news that he had been admitted to the ICU with a colon infection.

The self-effacing National Award winner, who acted in films as diverse as ?Life of Pi?, ?The Namesake? and ?Haasil?, had stayed away from the public eye after his diagnosis in 2018 when he went to the UK for treatment.

He returned home in 2019 and shot for "Angrezi Medium", the sequel to his 2017 hit "Hindi Medium". However, his health condition prevented him from promoting the movie, which hit the theatres in March just before the lockdown that began on March 25.

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