Ritika Ruminates

Image source- YouTube I had recently came across a video by bestseller author Ravinder Singh where he spoke about reducing the age to 16 for youth. To watch that video, click  here . Do watch the video before reading the blogpost, as to understand the references. I do agree with what he has said in his video. Though I have some additions of my own too on that perspective. Often, when teenagers (13-19, though gonna focus only on 14-17 here in this blogpost) enter into relationships, which is getting a lot common this days, they do indulge in romance (even if its not anything sexual). But those who do, and it comes in light to any of the families, be it only about relationship or something more, most often, their phones are taken away and they are made to split up without choice of their own. This also causes defamation to girl, either by her family themselves or the society, cause the respect of family lies with her🙂 (boys have no role in upholding family respect, it se...

Image source- Navbharat Times A recent case has came up from DPS Faridabad where a teenager boy has committed suicide because he was sexually assaulted by a gang of his gang from his school, facing homophobia and ableism. His mother, who is teacher in same school (Delhi Public School) as him, have told that she had complained about the assault case to school authorities multiple times but no action was taken. They just said that some of those boys have left the school, and rest do not agree to have assaulted her son (if they actually did it, which molestor would agree to have done it anyways?). A lot of rape cases to males aren't even registered and aren't taken seriously.  Why is rape or any sexual assault on males not taken seriously? The answer lies in patriarchy and toxic masculinity, that men can never get raped. That males aren't so "weak" to have gone through it. This only causes worsening scenario for innocent men who got sexually assaulted and the prepetr...

Image Source- Prega News Recently, there has been an video advertisement of Prega News going around, giving the message that the women can handle both her kid and her career at the same time. To watch that advertisement (in Hindi), click  here . Though it is true for many women out there, it is also somewhere disregarding the choice of those who do not wish to have kids or those who aren't able to manage both her kid and her career. The ad seemed to be gloryfying motherhood and guilt tripping those who don't want to go down that path for whatever reason. Ofcourse motherhood can be great, but only when you want it. If you do not want to become a mother for some time or never ever wanna become one, or if you are not sure if you would be able to manage your child and professional life together, that's just as fine. One need to be very sure if they want to become a parent or not. And especially when it comes to biological child, then there is whole another pregnancy...

Image source- The Wire After what happened in Karnataka, what the question is that, should a cloth seen as a religious sign be allowed in educational institutions? Given below are my opinions about the situation, based on facts and what has been happening in our Indian society. I don't think that anything religious should be allowed in Indian educational institutions.  With the hijab controversy, lets take some things into consideration. 2-3 girls I know, who follows Islam, told me that a hijab/burqa is a personal choice, if a girl believes in it. It is not compulsory. Hijab is compulsory in a subjective way (geographical location, strict/lenient family, personal choice and beliefs). I know many Muslim girls and women, both personally and celebrities, who don't/didn't wear hijab.  Also, when one wears something that is associated with any religion, like a hijab/burqa/skull cap for Islam, turbans in Sikh, saffron cloth in Hindus, crucifix in Christians etc' p...

Image source- Wikipedia Social media was invented for people to connect with people worldwide and stay in touch with known people. Initially, it was a safe space to say, at least from the dark reality of the outside world. But soon, over time, the hatred of the outside world creeped into our phones and screens as well. Go through comments on any post on any of the social media platforms, we would find at least one hateful or mean comment. And this has just only been becoming more common. All those who have an account on social media will at least have come across some online bullying or abuse. Wasn't it expected that with coming years, people would get more open minded and become more accepting? But where are we even heading? Unnecessary cuss words, trolling, threats to life by rape, acid attack or murder. Children, being innocent, often falls prey to most of online abuse. The reason of this hate and abuse is many. To name a few- gender, hierarchy systems, religion, rac...

  Image Source- Times Of India Menstrual cups have come up to be a recent option in menstrual products. It has been on a rise, and for all right reasons. Menstrual cups are made of medical grade silicone, which has been the best menstrual products till date. Some of the advantages of menstrual cups are- Easy on skin-  As it is made from medical grade silicone and is inserted into the vagina, it doesn't react with skin, causing rashes near private areas. So you are free from discomfort rashes cause because of chemical commercial pads and do not have to walk like a penguin. Just menstrual cups won't be suitable for those with silicone allergy. Pocket friendly-  A menstrual cup costs mostly around Rs350-500 and one cup lasts for anywhere between 3 years-10 years, depending upon the brand (and usage). So you save a great ton of money from buying pads or tampons, and may finally be able to make that Goa trip. Leak proof- Menstrual cups to a lot extent is leakproof. Though init...

 Congress MLA Ramesh Kumar had passed a disturbing and sick statement- 'if rapes are inevitable, lie down and enjoy'. How low can a person even get? Reducing rape to something like it is no big deal. There is really no words for it. These kind of politicians are the one who are criminals, support rapists and reason for rape culture in India. How people even happen to elect such people. I know it is an exaggeration, but if he ever had a daughter of his own, he wouldn't mind to even rape his own daughter. That's how sick and disturbing his statement is. Does he even know the mental trauma a victim/survivor can go through after any degree of sexual assault, other than the physical harm caused. Experiencing (or even witnessing) a traumatic event can lead to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), which often lasts years or lifetime. To know more about PTSD, it causes and how it affects a person, click  here. Ministers like this should never be brought into power. They think ...

Image source- Times Of India Union Cabinet has decided to raise the legal marriageable age of women from 18 to 21 , but would it be much beneficial to the women at the first place? Though the intention may be good to protect girls from child marriage and forcefully becoming a mother in her early or late teenage, in my opinion and ground realities, this wouldn't change the scenario much. Maybe some girls can get to study till her graduation (considering she is not any year behind) if her family is supportive. She can have her lifelong responsibility delayed by a few years. But unfortunately, child marriages still exist. Women are still forced into getting married below 18 and become mothers at quite a young age, where she may not be able to take responsibilities of kid(s). In some places, girls are even sold to groom's family as a bride. And not just in India, but some parts of the world too. And there is no guarantee her family will let her study till graduation because of fear...

After how the police and Karnataka government cancelled Munawar Faruqui's show in Bangalore, it raises the question- is it right to suppress the show over something they 'might' have said? Or what it seems like, religion of the artist? The same set was performed by Munawar thrice before in Bangalore city, so why it was now cancelled?  Surely, if someone (any artist or ANY other person) is passing negative or shaming comments against any person, profession, religion, gender, caste, race, LGBTQIA+ community, etc, they must be criticised. And if it gets too toxic, it's ok if they are taken out of power or their work is stopped. No, I am not fan of Munawar. I haven't even seen any of his videos. But people are more aware now. If someone passes any toxic or shaming comment, they will be criticized or even trolled.  But when they didn't cancelled his show thrice before in the same city, what happened this before?  Before cancelling someone's show or suppressing th...

Image Source- Shutterstock I was reading Tahira Kashyap Khurrana's book 'The 7 Sins Of Being A Mother' and the chapter of Submission, which deals with her anecdote of facing bullying as a child. That inspired me to write this blogpost to share about my anecdote of having to deal with bullying as well, something that I had hardly ever spoken about.  Bullying has long existed in schools, colleges and sometimes even in workplaces (some people never really grow up). Bullying in childhood can have mental and emotional effects on the victim, well into their adulthood. Sometimes the childhood bullying can even turn into physical and/or sexual abuse based on physical appearance, mental health issues, race, ethnicity, religion, caste, family background, gender, sexual preferences, origin, physical disability, etc. Some of the effects of bullying on the victims are: Difficulty trusting one's own self and others, leading to having issues making friends, romantic partners and other...