THE MERCURIAN TIMES

“Doubt means don’t. So when you don’t know what to do, do nothing” Says the Most Influential and empathetic black American, Oprah Winfrey. This star has risen from the dusts of poverty, extensive sexual abuse, early motherhood and nothing less than lack of support. From losing her premature son, born via rape, to rising to become one of the first multi billionaires of the North America, she truly has the power and the strength to knock all doors. A keen believer in The Power Of God she said to have empathy to spell out every other issue of the downtrodden.   If someone wishes to draw motivation, then she must be regarded in the shortest version, as a lady who had risen as a phoenix from abuse to drug addiction, losing family and terrible love life to a successful star with a life not just for her but for philanthropy. The power of speech and no fear lead her through dark alleys to the zenith. When your knees shake of fear and helplessness think of this beauty...

Creating a better world! Attitude towards women in the patriarchal society is a paradox.  Goddess by birth, a burden by virtue and the seeker of self worth. The subtle art of self valuation has somewhere lost or hidden in the society. Women should know that they deserve dignity, respect and an independent space. The psyche of understating the capabilities of  women to that of men is present in both progressive and not so progressive parts of the society. The patriarchy has conditioned women not to rise above the status of a home maker and believe there they are not better than men. This society has to accept the very fact that it is the right of the women to choose the life the want to live. All homemakers and professional women have the strength to break the glass ceilings and smash patriarchy. We as a  society need to stop stereotyping people with gender roles. Women should be free to hold their own opinion rather be dictated about what to believe. The world ...

Listen to the Victim's Tales -Akshita Taneja, B.A(hons)- Sociology, Jesus and Mary College My eyes are blindfolded black, My ears are shut with your cold hands. My tongue is tied, My words are dying inside. This is a constant tale of suffering, Are you listening? When you told me not to go outside at night, To cover everything on my body, because "the bugs will bite." You told me to never laugh aloud, To never stand outside the crowd, To always sit with my legs closed, And my eyes low. I was trying to tell you to stop, To not tell me how to live, how to walk, how to talk. My emotions were crippling, Were you listening? I covered my body with heavy drapes; Tried not to smile, hid my face. The eyes still stared, As if I was still bare. All over, I was stiffening. Were you listening? I went to work everyday, My hard work was supposed to pay. But the hands which signed the cheque, They touched me with no re...

My Mother Sang Me a Lullaby -Akshita Taneja, B.A(hons)-Sociology,  Jesus and Mary College A warm sunny day, Like any other. My head resting on my mother's  Lap as she tried to put my 5 year old mind to sleep. I was five. Thanks to the fact that my parents hadn't put an I phone in my face, And the bluelight from the big screen hadn't clouded my vision, dreams and realities, I wasn't perpetually tired. And I still preferred the chirping of the birds and mother's voice, Over my spotify playlist. I didn't have to do lists Or agendas. Movies and posters didn't spark conversations because  I didn't know the meaning of propaganda.  I felt her hands caress my hair, As she sung a lullaby. A lullaby I don't remember very well, Because I have impending goals and assignments muddled up in my head. But I know it was something about a little girl, And the moon,  And maybe something else in between. I know...

To aj likhte hai un zakhmo ke baare me Jo mene tmhe diye aur tmne mujhe roka Bhi nahi, kyu? Kyuki tum ek ladki ho . . . Khair jo bhi hai Uske baad hum aage badhe Mere dost bane Aur tmhare nhi Mera din ka tm ek hissa bani Tmhare din hi mai ban gya Mai Har vo cheez krne lga jo mai chahta tha Par tmhare sapno ka kya, kya tmhara sapna mai hi ban gya, shayad nhi par kya fark padta hai Kyuki Tmse kuch koi kyu puchega Tmhe bolne ka haq hai hi kaha Kyu? Kyuki Tm ek ladki ho . . Fir hum ek ese jagah pe agye jaha Ek doosre k bina rehna hi mushkil ho gya Fir tmhara dukh bhi mai aur sukh bhi mai ho gya, Par mere pas to bohot se log the apna dukh aur sukh baatne k liye, to shayad mene tmhara nazariya dekha hi nhi, aur dekhu bhi kyu Chahe kuch bhi ho zindagi to tmhari hi asaan hai na Kyu? Kyuki Tm ek ladki ho . . . Fir hum kaafi aage agye Ab to mene tmhe itna ghayal kr dia tha ki Chot bhi mai lgau aur uska haq bhi jatau Par tmne kabhi kuch bola hi nhi Un zakhmo ko ...

Microtale I am a Homemaker seated on the pedestal of nobleness by the society , for I am the epitome of selflessness and altruism. I am a homemaker They call me someone's mother , daughter or wife for my identity is reduced to just that, and I ought not complain for I am the effigy of grace, decency ,love and humbleness. I am a homemaker, dignity and pride of the family as they call it but dare I say out loud what's on my mind, for pride and dignity are to be reflective of silence and lowered eyes. I am a homemaker I slog day in and out ,to feed my family, to do their chores yet I am dependant and indolent for I just  binge on daily soaps all day. I am the woman they tell other girls to be, shy,docile ,timid and obedient; all that makes the perfect bride. I am a homemaker but now I refuse to be the paradigm of the 'ideal naari' I refuse to be someone's dignity, I choose to be flawed ,imperfect and selfish for I am just as human as you ...

Before the Sun Sets Rinsing the germs from my hands, I look up in the mirror; My tiny face resembles mother's dull look when she takes off her bangles. Once again she calls for me; my help is required in the preparations of the wedding Her eyes bulge out on seeing me, as if I'm bhaiya's red-marked notebooks, 'bad girl'! She slaps off the dust from my clothes, and places the heavy tray of snacks into my little hands. Careful steps, steady hands, I balance the tray and bow in front of all the guests, offering them snacks. 'Her mother's shadow', 'smart girl', 'grown up', they comment, while I smile politely 'Anjali!' mother calls- and I seek comfort like birds searching for home in concrete jungles With a pat on my head, she makes me sit with the big girls; they’re making designs on each other's hands with henna. 'Oh, Anjali is finally here!' the girls squeal. I'm next in the queue to get my ...

Title: The Women in my Family make Sunshine for Breakfast  (i) The titanic did not sink, Olympic did, makes me wonder, if the captain was a woman, because women shrink ships, faster than man do. Because that’s just how, patriarchy works! a man makes an observation, without any statistical or analytical proof, and we take it, because we’re not really taught how to ask questions that they do not know the answers to. (ii) bush did 9/11, do not pretend that you are surprised, because the troops in Afghanistan aren’t. they know exactly how much oil was dug up last year. war is code for I want more oil Can Venezuela give up already? we know both of its presidents have. (iii) I did not have four cups of coffee today, I had five! and guess what, I made none of them. I do not make sandwiches either, it’s more of a political statement than a personal choice, but damn, did men just annoy me out of eating sandwiches??? (iv) All my decisions are su...

              Women : A Community Women is not just a female counterpart of a male but a versatile human. When born named as DEVI   , when became sister her decision for him were treated as Saraswati ‘s blessings, her love for parents was God's desire. Then she stepped up became wife and was called Lakshmi and then the role of mother called   the   complete woman. But in all these roles she always missed the one role and that is being herself. Somehow that woman defied every role that bound her and she came as a warrior but this time she played Rani Lakshmi Bai with delight. Her love for kids was shown in the role of Mother Teresa that   she played. And then time flew away a   leader in her woke up and she also played a business lady Arundhati Bhattacharya. But these news roles were hard to get with lot more struggles she had . The versatile woman's happiness short lived w...

A little higher, A little lower, His touch covered every inch of my body, I tried to cry out, I tried to push him away, And suddenly felt the urge to make a plea I gave him a stern look, And then threw his hand away, But I guess he thought this would be fun, I tried to create space between us, Looked at others for help, In the end I thought, maybe I should just run? There was a huge crowd, Hundreds all around All waiting for movie stars to arrive, And in a crowd filled with enthusiasm With their excitement over the roof I somehow felt a little less alive I saw a lady nearby, Who witnessed my struggle, And I suddenly became really hopeful, But when she took hold of her daughter And merely looked the other away, Shock and disappointment, is all my heart was of full Once home I doubted my outfit, Maybe my top was too sexy And the length of my shorts questionable And I guess it’s awful that we’re surrounded by such h...

We The Women Confined to four walls, Day in and Day out, Asked for the freedom to shout, Struggled for our right to vote. Came the era of war, Of suffering and calls for sobriety, Ditching our shrouds of vanity, We fought without losing our sanity. Each of us are actors, Sister to one, daughter to another, A guide to many and a pet mother, But work and party? How about neither! March for you, March for us. March for today, March for tomorrow. We the restricted, We the rejected, We the unspoken, We the women. By Cheryl Jolly

NOT THE CLICHÉ To not just the hand that rocks the cradle To  all those red bangles who still were learning science had to know suhaag To not only those who travel in pink autos and take she cabs and to all those little princesses To not just those women who flaunt their empowerment via their DIVORCE papers but also to those young mothers who hate to drop their little ones at their at crèches Not only to those women of pride and Valor...but also those  who don’t have an Enterprise attached to their names. To not only those who have survived acid attacks.... but also those who look beautiful in the HIJAB Not only those huge bindis and khadi kurtas that scream ACTIVISM, to also who are happy a homemaker To the transgenders  who have a stand but to also those who still don’t have a public toilet! To not only those who talk about  VIRGINITY  to also those who don’t make up! To not only those hands that publicize the sanitary napkins to also those w...

Keeping inside was not out of choice  Numb, as if deprived of voice  Restraining herself from the recall of the most dreary night she had come across, Even had burnt those clothes off  Sad how some blamed her dress  And some the booze that got her loose, Shame how he had never to face those eyes All he brought up, were lies  Countless stares , Occasional touches  Sometimes in garage, sometimes behind the bushes  Every time she cringed in pain and yelped  Yet no one came forward and helped  Understood crying  in pain won’t help escape this maze  With challenge and defiance in her gaze , That day she had put up one good fight  And after an aeon , things felt right ! Wishing no one goes through the same plight, She became the beacon of light!  -DRISHTI DUDEJA

LET ME, BE ME To all the endless cries I bear  To all the scars my soul tears  To all those moments that raised my hopes  To all those dreams that saw despair.  To all the love that I have lost  To all the bad that I have got.  Why Me? Why Me?  Is what I ask But who is to answer  The questions lasts!  The cruel past The present, Unreal.  But who is to blame  When I am there?   Oh my Future, here you are!  Some time for me,  Where it's all clear.  My choice, my decisions, my thoughts, my dreams- All that I will now bear!  No more scars, no more cries  No more you, it's all now ME A bigger world, a better stage.  No more faults, just a quick pray Now it's time,  For some exploring inside. Away from this world  And the expectations it thrives To a life full high  Of hopes, of dreams, of love and sweet...

क्योंकि तुम लड़की हो ... तेरे जीने के आधार तीन... पिता पति और बेटा तू न किसी का आधार क्योंकि तुम लड़की हो ... पैंट नही सलवार लिबास है तुम्हारा बनी नही हो तुम और न पैंट तुम्हरे लिए क्योंकि तुम लड़की हो.... मर्यादा का भार उठाना है तुमको खुद को लोगो से बचाना है तुमको चाहे हो फिर गलती किसी की इल्ज़ाम उठाना तुमको क्योंकि तुम लड़की हो... आँचल नही ढ़ले ज़रा सा भी ध्यान रहे आँखे न उठे बात याद रहे तुम्हे हमेसा जीना औरों के लिए खुद को न रखना आगे ख्याल रहे क्योंकि तुम लड़की हो ...  रोती हो ,ईर्ष्याति हो ,जज़बाती हो पर जज़्बात तुम्हारे मायने नही, दुर्गा लक्ष्मी काली हो पर मान्य केवल बातों मे क्योंकि तुम लड़की हो... माँ हो ,बेटी हो, पत्नी हो ,प्रेयसी हो, सखी हो तो बहन भी हो और न जाने तुम क्या क्या हो उठो जागो समझो जननी हो तुम तुम नही कोई साधारण तुमसे है आधा संसार क्योंकि तुम लड़की हो....  बराबर हक है तुम्हारा औ' बराबर ज़िम्मेदारी पुरषों की तुम ही समझओगी फिर से इस समाज को अर्थ अर्द्धनारेश्वर का क्योंकि तुम ही सती तुम पार्वती हो .... तुम ही शिव की शक्ति ,तुम ह...

MALALA YOUSAFZAI "I raise my voice not so that I can shout-so that those without a voice can be heard"-these words are of the youngest nobel prize winner, who faught in the face of terror, who once struggled to get education at Pakistan is a student at Oxford University. Malala's voice became the powerful echo of the perils faced by people, especially woman, under the Taliban.Since her close ordeal with death, when a Taliban gunman shot her in the head-to a miraculous recovery in Britain-she has been a formidable force for human rights and women education. At the age of 21 only, she has lived, and continues to live a life of pride, in its most honest measure, and through her courage and indomitable will, has established her marks on the sands of time.

FEMINISM - ITS TRUE MEANING WHAT IS FEMINISM? Feminism means the advocacy of women's rights for equality between the sexes. Feminism aims towards fighting gender stereotypes and to achieve gender equality. It has different ideologies and social and political movements. Feminist Movements have campaigned for women’s rights to vote, to work, to earn equal wages, equal rights within a marriage and to protect women from rape and sexual harassment. THE FOUR WAVES OF FEMINISM The Feminist Movement has had four “waves” which dealt with different feminism issues prevalent at the time. The first wave was promoting women’s right to vote in the 1800s and early 1900s. It also promoted equal rights in marriage, contracts and property. In UK in 1882, the Tender Years Doctrine was passed to give women custody rights of their children for the first time. The second wave wanted legal and social equality for women in the 1960s. Projects were aimed at integrating women ...

US "Don't sit like that"  "Don't talk so loud"  "Wear more clothes,else you will grab attention" Pings a bell of similarity?  Haven't we all been through this insanity? Talks back ,labelled "Stubborn", Wears short clothing, labelled "Slut", Comes home late at night, labelled "Spoiled", Feels like we don't even have a name of our own anymore. But yet, She turns out to be brave Despite of the struggles that still prevails. She fights for her rights even still And to add up to her struggles the majority of the society acts like Jail Grill. With a strong mind,she tranforms her fears  into building a place that is safe and real.  She gets knocked down  But holds the courage to rise alone. Her past might have repressed her  but not anymore.  Because, she ain't alone. 'She' is You. 'She' is Me.  'She' is a Woman. And so, 'She' ...

SILENT WHISPERS "You cannot do it" These four words ignited a fire inside of her, a deep desire to reveal her true strength; the unquenchable thirst to prove them wrong, to show to the world that she was not merely a symbol of beauty, but an endless pool of possibilities. The passion in her heart, the fury in her eyes, the devotion in her actions, all seemed to intensify upon hearing those words, for they were the ones which restricted her from conquering the world. By Jaya

Incoming rant/ honesty//. People tend to feel sorry for women who attend colleges exclusively for women, for how it must be so dull, difficult and boring. Wouldn’t they prefer to be around men, in a more fun college? Well, the answer is no (much to the disbelief and annoyance of others). Being in a women’s college has to be one of the most liberating and empowering experiences. Our college is filled with women who are independent and opinionated, savage and smashing patriarchy, amazing and ever inspiring, in ways more than one. Here we don’t need a special day. We celebrate women each day, every day. We are the women who don’t require men in their surroundings and are intimidating to those who can’t picture a world full of self- sufficient women. We are genuinely very happy in our ‘not-so-fun’ college. Thank you, next.                                            ...

Flawed yet fearless She’s contagious laughter at 3am, She’s demented and she’s wild, She’s the wind in your hair driving with the windows down, She’s the tune that refuses to leave your mind. She’s the darkness and she’s the rock, She’s the girl they warn you about, She’s a closed wall, an utter mystery, She’ll never recite what her past shouts. She has this aura in an around, She’s so content yet so forlorn, She’s a silent killer like her rose, She has beauty concealing her thorns. She’s unbridled, she’s boundless, She can reach lands unexplored, She’s fearless, she’s dauntless, She’ll take wind like a mockingbird. By Ojus Sindwani 

WOMEN Murdering in the womb, they call it treason Even after birth, they live in a prison Living in four walls of the room, they are taught to think of a groom Covering their body, covering their aspiration Living a life of desperation Marrying someone by giving a plethora of money  Nurturing each and every relationship with care and harmony Bearing all turmoil and tantrum, they look firm and venturesome Capableof giving life to someone, they think of shielding their daughter or son Cultivating their children for good upbringing,they seem like an attached string From birth till death, they remain the epitome of selflessness They are the warriors of their life, not a complicated daughter, mother or wife. By Ruchi Singh

MICHELLE OBAMA "I don't want to be recognised as my husband's wife, I want to be me. I want to do something of worth."  These are the words of a girl from the South Side of Chicago, a powerful advocate from the States, a mother who raised two down-to-earth daughters under an unforgiving media glare, a First Lady who created the most welcoming and inclusive White House in history.  Michelle Obama in every and very sense is the epitome of being a woman injecting inspiration in the lives of many.  She believes there's power in allowing yourself to be known and heard, in owning your unique story, in using your authentic voice. And there's grace in being willing to know and hear others.  A subtle love and respect, yet again, flows in for her when one reads the synopsis of her memoir, "Becoming", where she talks about how she still don't know about America, about life, about what the future holds. But knows about herself.

A WOMAN’s WORTH  - CHEERS TO WOMANHOOD “May you be brave And may you fly free Certain of your worth And of your wings” Days are gone when those tender hands shivered to make bolder choices. Suddenly, those faces have left apart those fearful expressions. Hiding behind the veil remains no more customary. Silence does not convey acceptance anymore. This is what I can say proudly about “WHAT WOMEN ARE TODAY”. “Women of today”, no more remain biased of traditional patriarchy. They fill themselves with faith and enthusiasm. None of the women movements can ever bring changes in what status can a woman attain in a society. The changes reflect from their inertia and thoughts. Those “so called” women movements that politicians promise in regard to bring women equal rights have now been attained by women themselves. This is result of the freedom they expressly have taken in decidind for their life decisions. Mentioning of Mary Kom as a fighter woman who made India proud...

NOT THIS TIME.. Here, Apply this red lipstick, and don't forget to keep your succelent lips less moist, Unbutton the upper layer, No, not that way Bend, A little more A little down Aah, don't hide it! Your cleavage is meant to be revealed.. At 16, I was getting trained the art of letting men knock my door.. I have been fooled all this while for that day I witnessed real starvation, In his eyes. In his eyes were those X-ray balls glaring my soon to be impure body. In his eyes was a sight of hunger which that half torn vested boy downside the road would get ashamed of. In his eyes was irritation making me realize that I was taking too much time to unhook. But that lady told him na it was my first time.. "Don't worry I am here, It's not going to be bad You are going to enjoy it Just go with the flow repeat what I do, what I say." What you say? I don't clearly remember but did you ask me to cry, then why are these tears roll...

MICROTALE Her old wrinkled hands and her white hair could not hide her radiant spirit glowing with determination. Just ten months ago doctors had given up on her but she never gave up on herself. In fact, the very fear of death had given birth to a love for life inside her. Today, she was living her dream – being in Paris, standing at the top of Eiffel Tower. She was happy and content, even if this was the last thing her dying eyes were to see. By Ana S. Thomas 

SILENCE WON'T SAVE YOU SWEETHEART! Don’t question me when I take a stand for myself. Instead of telling me what all can I go through if I ever report of anything evil done to me, educate me, because it’s my right to know. I’m not begging, neither am I fighting, I’m just asking the patriarchal society to help me out because the demonic truth is that we live in a world which is composed of females and males. Work done by half the population is certainly unaccomplished. When women as mothers raise their children, when they as wives love and respect their husbands, when they as daughters and sisters fill in the world with their softness and compassion and when they as gurus and role models tailor the males to undertake even the most difficult tasks of life, why not....why not let’s just give it a thought as least that our positive deeds will be acknowledged someday and that someday will arrive soon because no matter what happens, we’ll fight for what belongs to us but has been d...

THE VALIANT SOUL Radiant eyes and alluring face She is not just a charm Behind that tender veil But this valorous soul, Is trapped by the world in a cage, Why? Only because she is a female?!! She paves her own way With her head held high Breaking away From the orthodox chain, As despite all the taunts And the numerous hurdles, From chasing her dreams, She must not refrain. They see her as a fragile flower But she is stronger than ever She was born with a fire within her With which she is, All set to light up the future! Some say, “She’s a girl, she can’t fight!” But they don’t know the daily fights, she has within, Others say, “She’s a woman, she must not step out!!” Only to keep her wondering What they really meant by out. “Out” from home? Or this cage? “Out” from the shackles of society? Or from this state of disdain? Are they afraid to set her free, For she might make a mark without thee, Or do they constantly need someone at their beck and...

Naari Aao aaj kuch baat karein Kyun na sanskriti par naaz karein Puranon mein jo likhi duniyadaari mein bhi pai hai Kyunki aaj bhi ramayan ,mahabharat gazab dhaii thi Seeta  ki tyag ki kahaniyan jo samaaj sunata hai Voh kyun na apne ko ram jaisa banata hai Chalo gaur pharmaye sitaji ki taakat par Jo tyaag kar sab kuch paale dono putra apne dam par Ladkiyon ko kamjoor kehne walo jara dhyaan dena Ek baar samajhkar sita ke sabr tyag aatmvishwas aur prabaltpar ldkiyon ko kamjoor na kehna Doohra lo itihaas ke panne jahan jo kehti hain naariyon ki shakti ki kahani Na kabhi nariyan kamjoor thi na unhone kabhi haar maani .... BY SIMRAN CHARLIE

Celebrating Womanhood From shying behind a veil, to taking on the wheels and flying high in the sky, women have a witnessed a perilous, yet glorious journey-A journey that probably has to resume till the very existence of mankind. Looking at this journey, we witness apparent glimpses of prejudice and exploitation, yet what shines as a celebration of womanhood is the inherent strength a woman is blessed with, strength that enables her to bear childbirth pain, strength that enables her to tirelessly juggle between family and professional life. From being a homemaker on whose shoulders the responsibility of the whole house rests to being a CEO who goes through investment proposals everyday (where her business accumen is put to test by many even today) she has proven her self worth and restored her dignity time and again. Indeed, women are the creators of a nations's tomorrow and have the steering of a country's progress in their own hands! Today, the concept of womanh...