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Moving Towards a Retreating Future

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Five stages shape a student’s journey through India’s competitive examination system. But when the system fails them, what remains of the future they spent years sacrificing everything to reach?

 

Denial

There exists an undeniable comfort in telling yourself that your life is not actually on hold. The same repetitive routine is not holding you back; it is preparing you for the ultimate test. You wake up right as the alarm starts to go off; you brush your teeth, staring into the abyss of your own eyes in the mirror; you eat your food, mentally preparing yourself for yet another ordinary day to come, which somehow finds a way to seize your heart. You convince yourself you are doing this by choice; you will get far ahead in life if you make this one last sacrifice. There is a future waiting for you.

Yet the reassurance bleeds you dry.

You’re not postponing living in the present; you are waiting for the right time. Most Indian students fall prey to this predatory education system where one competitive exam after the other forces your hand and breaks your will. No amount of coaching, classes, or revision prepares you for what is yet to come, but you still somehow believe that your sacrifice has a purpose. One day you’ll wake up, and all you need will be yours, as long as you stay put.

Your plans will wait for you, friends will wait for you, opportunities will wait for you, the world will wait for you as long as you clear the next attempt. Unfortunately, life doesn’t wait, and that future you keep wishing for is always just far enough to justify sacrificing the present.

This is the first sign: you believe the life you are postponing is still waiting for you exactly where you left it.

The classroom eventually empties, sacrifice often does not.

Anger

Then someday the system fails you. A dagger is plunged right into your gut, and as you lie bleeding, you realise.

A paper is leaked, an examination is cancelled, a result is delayed. You are yet again forced to wait just a little longer and accommodate someone else’s failure as if time must be an administrative inconvenience and not something that has already been taken from you.

Over the past decade, India has seen nearly 90 reported paper leaks across multiple states, affecting crores of students and job aspirants. From recruitment exams to board exams, NEET, and UGC-NET. The numbers are so high that they don’t even feel human.

People seem to forget that every single one of those numbers was a student who spent months or years preparing. A student who woke up early, paid for coaching, declined opportunities, rescheduled plans, all for one exam. They promised their families that this time would be different, and it was, in the most gut-wrenching way possible.

The founder of Shiksha Nation, Saurabh Kumar, said, “Students prepare for years. The system must prepare with equal seriousness.” That is not a demand. It is the least students should be able to expect from the system.

A paper leak is not just an administrative failure; it is a disruption of a student’s timeline. The anger does not simply lie in taking the paper again but in the time that feels wasted. They did everything right, and yet the future they had readily waited for was snatched away right in front of their eyes.

But anger does not always make you leave. Sometimes, it makes you hold on tighter.

Preparation leaves few visible traces beyond worn books and borrowed time.

Bargaining

As it slips through your fingers while you weakly try to grasp it, you know you don’t want to give up. No, you can’t give up, not after everything. You can’t leave, but you can compromise; you can negotiate. You can bargain with your own life.

One push harder, one more attempt, one more strategy, one more schedule. After this, you would never have to sit down to cram for hours again. The people in your life will stop being distractions; their company will become a celebration. Opportunities will envelop you as a family’s arms on result declaration; you will touch the horizon, and this time you won’t fall back down again.

The problem with “one more year” is that it seems redundant by the fourth time you say it. Preparation stops being a period of life and becomes the organising principle of life itself. There is a logic to it: after investing so much, stopping feels more frightening than continuing would. The years of effort you’ve poured into it would only be justified if you clear the next attempt.

The future keeps moving, and you keep following it; chasing the next, the next, and the next.

But eventually, the promise of the next attempt begins to lose its shine. You look around and realise that the years you were promised would come later have already passed.

Depression

This is perhaps where the waiting begins to reveal its cost. As it kicks in, you sink.

You notice how the people in your life moved on to bigger things; they graduate, find jobs, get married, all the while you were making decisions dependent on an examination calendar.

Your future leaves you behind.

It’s not that you aren’t working hard. What makes it so difficult is that you are relentlessly doing exactly what you should’ve been doing. Everything that is required of you, you deliver, and yet nothing in your life seems to have moved forward. Your everlasting dream of success fails you; that strange emotional experience of prolonged preparation breaks you not only physically but mentally. It eats away at your hope, at your faith till the time you cannot imagine breaking out of this cycle controlled by an exam.

You cannot imagine a free day without guilt; you feel wasted, abused. Every conversation revolves around your examination. Your life is not yours anymore. It has been taken from you, and now you’re devastated. Utterly helpless.

Days often begin and end at the same desk.

Acceptance

Suddenly it sets in: acceptance doesn’t have to mean accepting failure; it is something more.

Imagine telling every student that they have to give up their careers and that an exam does not matter when it so clearly does. To many students, it matters enormously.

Reality occurs much later for these students; degrees don’t guarantee employment, and employment may not guarantee security. For them, competitive examinations continue to represent one of the few reliable routes to stability. For a system to fail these students is a complete breakdown of trust. How can you tell students to move on after making them depend on these examinations in the first place? How does mismanagement on the system’s part become the fault of a helpless student? The acceptance must be of something else.

The future is not guaranteed simply because you have sacrificed your present for it.

That’s it. Hard work is not a contract with the universe; preparation does not ensure the examination is conducted fairly, and eventual success cannot return to you the years that have passed.

But what happens when you do continue? What happens when you do exactly what the system asks of you?

The Aftermath

Ayushman Singh did what the system asked of him. He continued. But that doesn’t mean nothing was taken from him.

He had bought a guitar in Class IX. By the time he began preparing for NEET, it had become, in his words, “just a piece of furniture” in his house. After the examination, he finally had the chance to sign up for guitar classes. Two days after learning that he would have to sit for the examination again, the guitar, which would finally be strung with life again, sank back into the darkness, camouflaged.

He had to postpone the life he had already started imagining.

Now, one would assume that his greatest loss after this experience would be time. Perhaps confidence. But, what he lost was the trust in his own nation. “Broken systems don’t just leak papers; they destroy trust,” he said.

And perhaps that is the problem with resilience. We see a student continue and assume that nothing was taken from them. We see them return to the classroom, the coaching centre, the examination hall, and assume that they have moved on.

They have not necessarily moved on. They may just have had nowhere else to go.

 

Image Credit: Ayushman Singh

Read Also: The Ghosts of Indian Small Towns: What Changes, What Stays

 

Ahana Dey

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From Gen Z to Gen C: Post-COVID-19 World

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Picturing life after COVID-19 pandemic subsides, including the consequences of present-day actions on our future.

Three months ago, SARS-CoV-2 was a thought none of us were even familiar with. As individuals, communities and countries – we were battling too many other forces of disruption already, in India itself; widespread protests against Citizenship AA-NRC were being endowed nationwide to save the fabric of democracy. In hindsight, all of that seems like a prologue to what feels now is an apocalypse we only read and saw on cinema screens – as a form of entertainment. Oh, how the tables turn.

Covid-19 has crashed economies, broken healthcare systems, and devastated the lives of the working class. Modern society has been disrupted on a scale most of the living people today have never witnessed. We’re living in historic times – something that will so profoundly shape our future from now that we won’t even have time to process what our ‘normal’ past felt like.

According to The Atlantic, all children who’ll be born into a world forever altered by Covid-19 should henceforth be referred to as Generation C. In a post coronavirus world, which in itself is still a luxury to imagine (there is no cure or vaccine for the virus, as of today); our relationship with the digital world will be tremendously interrelated.

If the current round of social distancing measures work, the pandemic may ebb enough for things to return to a semblance of normalcy. But as the status quo of chaos returns, so could the virus. Stephen Kissler of Harvard said, “We need to be prepared to do multiple periods of social distancing.” There’s a greater threat of recovered survivors of Covid-19 being stigmatized by society, a pattern familiar in history with survivors of Ebola, HIV and SARS. There is also a mental health pandemic running unchecked, one with increasing chances of proving fatal due to dearth of community mobilization in these times – isolation, especially in a toxic environment, is dangerous for those who suffer from mental illnesses.

“Over the coming weeks, much will be at stake collectively, and for some of us also individually. Today, uncertainty about what the post-pandemic world will look like is rife, but we do know it will be built upon the words and deeds we choose now”, writes Javier Solana

Feature Image Credits: Joan Wong for The Atlantic

Paridhi Puri

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Say Cheers to Life: Take a Break From It

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In the race of life, at times we must hit the pause button and introspect on our choices and the path ahead.

What a roller coaster ride 2020 has been! We haven’t even reached the quarter of the year and already so many events, some cherishing, and others scaring us to death, have unfolded. The atmos, especially in colleges, is much amped up due to department and college fests; the ongoing, deeply worrying political and social status quo of the nation and of course, the samey anxiety of attendance, assignments and internals.   There was no better way to discover that the most common motivation mantra of our parents “Abhi mehnat karlo, college mein toh aish hai (Work hard now, college is no sweat)” was the biggest con trick of our lives. But like Sisyphus doomed to push a rock uphill for eternity, we, students push on; no matter what.

It is only natural that most students are distressed, face fatigue, loss of interest and lack of focus. If we keep ignoring our physical and mental well – being, the stress can snowball into being overwhelming and lead to serious health problems. Thus, it is imperative to realize the importance of taking a break. The approaching mid – semester break offer us all the perfect opportunity to take some real time off. It has been scientifically proven that vacations and taking short breaks, that give some physical and psychological space from everyday activities, are very rewarding. They boost your memory, spark your creativity, help to build focus and make better decisions. By interrupting the stress cycle, one stands at a better position to restore one’s physical and mental bliss. Taking a break is often labelled as being lazy and wastage of time. Videos and articles on ‘How to survive on 4 hours of sleep or How to work 22 hours per day’ appear almost every month. Being a workaholic is not a bad thing as long as due attention is paid to one’s draining of productivity battery.

So in addition to taking a break, it is vital to make your breaks effective. The effectiveness of breaks depends on an individual’s interests but should chiefly serve the purpose of relaxing your brain. For instance, although enjoyable, a recent survey by Huffington Post found that activities like social networking can significantly increase stress. There are numerous things one can do during his/her break like based on one’s amusements and size of one’s pocket, taking a vacation, staycation or playcation, indulging in hobbies, hanging out with friends and family, catching up on the sleep lost in binging Netflix and/or Prime.

Bill Gates, in one of his interviews said, “I think you could over worship and mythologize the idea of working extremely hard. For my particular makeup — and it really is true that I didn’t believe in weekends; I didn’t believe in vacations.…Once I got into my 30s, I could hardly even imagine how I had done that. Because by then, some natural behavior kicked in, and I loved weekends.” He also reads an hour before bed each night and takes a ‘Think Week’ a year to get away and just read and reflect alone. It is true that success demands sacrifice and persistence but it what good will come if we are not healthy enough to reap and enjoy its fruits?

In the end, ‘keep on keeping on’, but is totally fine if at some moment you just sit back, appreciate what you have and ponder over your locus in the universe.

Feature Image Credit: PC Mag UK

Ipshika Ghosh

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A Glance Back in Time: Science in Ancient India

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It is a common misconception held by many that India has been the land of only sages and peers who composed and studied mythological texts and stories. But, on the contrary, the historic Indian civilization has had a very vibrant and comprehensive tradition of science and technology since ancient times.

As historian James Grant Duff once wrote- “Many of the advances in the sciences that we consider today to have been made in Europe were in fact made in India centuries ago.” It is true India was a land of sages and priests, but what is also important to acknowledge is that they doubled up as great thinkers and scientists too. Almost all the prime aspects of human knowledge like Mathematics, Astronomy, Physics, Chemistry, and the practical procedures in which this knowledge was put in practice like surgery, architecture, shipbuilding, etc were covered in great detail by science and technology prevalent in ancient India. Intrinsic fundamental principles of modern sciences have been provided a foundation by the numerous postulates and scientific methods discovered by the Avant garde ancient Indians. While some of these important contributions have been acknowledged, there are many that remain unknown. Here are some ancient Indian contributions in the field of science and technology:

1. The Binary Numerical System

Binary numbers that are used as a language to write computer programmes are basically a set of two numbers- 1 and 0 called Bits and Bytes respectively. They were mentioned by Pingala in his work “Chandah??stra”, a treatise on prosody. Pingala is credited with using binary numbers in the form of short and long syllables, a notation similar to Morse code.

2. The Concept Of Zero

The Indian contribution in introducing the concept of Zero is relatively well known. It was formulated by the mathematician Aryabhatta. This invention is of great importance as it enables one to write numbers no matter how large, by adding zeroes at the end. A. L. Basham, an Australian Indologist writes- “…The world owes most to India in the realm of mathematics..”

3. Theory Of Atom

Famous English chemist, John Dalton is now credited with the development of the atomic theory. However, a theory of the atom was formulated centuries ago by Indian sage Acharya Kanad who speculated the existence of small, indestructible particles called “Anu” strikingly similar to an Atom.

4. Plastic Surgery and Cataract Surgery

Ancient Indian physician, Sushruta had composed in the 6th century BCE, the Sushruta Samhita – one of the mostdetailed books on surgery which mentioned complex techniques of plastic surgery like Rhinoplasty as well as surgery to cure cataract amongst thousands of other procedures and medicines to cure illnesses.

5. Heliocentric Theory

Aryabhatta, the man credited with discovering 0 (zero) had also made other contributions to the field of science like propounding the curvature of the Earth as well as the fact that it rotates on its own axis around the sun. The mathematical genius also made predictions of solar and lunar eclipses, the duration of a day as well as the distance between the celestial bodies of the Earth and Moon.

6. Theory of Gravity

When we think about the concept of gravity, most of us may be aware of the story of how Issac Newton was inspired to formulate the “Universal Law Of Gravitation” when an apple fell from the tree he was sitting under. The world believes that gravity was discovered by Newton, however ancient Indians knew of gravity way before him. India’s familiarity with gravity began with Varahamihira (505-587 CE), an Astronomer who thought of the concept of gravity. He claimed that there must be a force which might be keeping bodies stuck to the Earth, keeping heavenly bodies at specific places.

Feature Image Credits: i Am Healthcare

Abhinandan Kaul

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Arts & Culture

Life Lessons From Haruki Murakami's Work

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Haruki Murakami, an infamous Japanese novelist, always does justice to the expectations of his readers through his distinct storytelling style. The way his words transcend his readers into another world offers many worldly lessons we can learn from. Murakami exclusively uses his talent to knit together a web of words that seem to make perfect sense and the analogies he incorporates into his work produce captivating narratives. His work encourages his readers to think about life and also, teaches them numerous valuable lessons. Firstly, his ability to minutely grasp every detail and putting it on paper encourages you to experience your encounters meticulously. His work stands testimony to the fact that he is not afraid to try new writing styles. In addition to this, he teaches his readers to be keen about experimenting with life and keeping oneself above all others. While many consider his writing style twisted and complex, some claim that the way he gives an explanation about relationships and paints a dreamy, yet completely real picture about them ought to teach his readers a lot. Gehna Kapoor, a student of SGTB Khalsa College commented: “Norwegian Wood, in particular, taught us how a person can love two people simultaneously.” Secondly, his books shed light upon the depth of emotions that are felt by everyone alike. He often talked about loneliness and love that ran alongside each other in his stories. Murakami provides such surreal insight about life that turns everyone to think. In one of his books, he said: “Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional.” His observance of emotions, particularly suffering, brings out narratives that teach everyone to be sensitive towards the feelings of others as well. Bhavya, a student of Daulat Ram College, says, “Murakami’s treatment of emotions is truly eye-opening and stark in nature. It compels you to introspect and look at them, in a new light.” Besides his work, Murakami, in reality, follows an extremely rigid schedule that brings him discipline and he follows that schedule religiously. Murakami is also known for barely making any appearances in media and chooses to lead a simple life while calling himself a simple man. Feature image credits- Paperback Paris Suhani Malhotra [email protected]]]>

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Arts & Culture

Life Lessons From Haruki Murakami’s Work

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Haruki Murakami, an infamous Japanese novelist, always does justice to the expectations of his readers through his distinct storytelling style. The way his words transcend his readers into another world offers many worldly lessons we can learn from.

Murakami exclusively uses his talent to knit together a web of words that seem to make perfect sense and the analogies he incorporates into his work produce captivating narratives. His work encourages his readers to think about life and also, teaches them numerous valuable lessons.

Firstly, his ability to minutely grasp every detail and putting it on paper encourages you to experience your encounters meticulously. His work stands testimony to the fact that he is not afraid to try new writing styles. In addition to this, he teaches his readers to be keen about experimenting with life and keeping oneself above all others.

While many consider his writing style twisted and complex, some claim that the way he gives an explanation about relationships and paints a dreamy, yet completely real picture about them ought to teach his readers a lot. Gehna Kapoor, a student of SGTB Khalsa College commented: “Norwegian Wood, in particular, taught us how a person can love two people simultaneously.”

Secondly, his books shed light upon the depth of emotions that are felt by everyone alike. He often talked about loneliness and love that ran alongside each other in his stories. Murakami provides such surreal insight about life that turns everyone to think. In one of his books, he said: “Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional.” His observance of emotions, particularly suffering, brings out narratives that teach everyone to be sensitive towards the feelings of others as well. Bhavya, a student of Daulat Ram College, says, “Murakami’s treatment of emotions is truly eye-opening and stark in nature. It compels you to introspect and look at them, in a new light.”

Besides his work, Murakami, in reality, follows an extremely rigid schedule that brings him discipline and he follows that schedule religiously. Murakami is also known for barely making any appearances in media and chooses to lead a simple life while calling himself a simple man.

Feature image credits- Paperback Paris

Suhani Malhotra

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Arts & Culture

An Ode to School Friends

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One spends a chunk of their school lives making connections with classmates that continue for life, or do they?

School is indispensable. Most of the late-night stories my father used to recite to me involved him and his school buddies engaging in a ‘shaitaani (mischief)’ and then getting scolded by their Principal. Although, in the end, before sleeping he always used to wonder, where his friends are now?

We almost have every stereotypical trope in our classes in school. There is a fun gang, a notorious group, the rowdy boys, the toppers, the backbenchers, the teacher’s pet, the lover boy, everyone’s favourite, the snitch, and many more. Along with this, some experiences are also common to all- the infamous love-triangles (I am sure the teachers also bet on them), the made-for-each-other couples, the best friends forever, being the best class of the batch (every class felt that way), the most helpful kid in class, the birthday cakes cut in school in secret, the classes bunked to eat in the canteen, and many more.

School friends play an essential part in our lives. We experience our first bunks, first sprouts of rebelliousness, first crushes, first lies, first heartbreaks, and several other firsts alongside them. These memories shape one’s perspective in college makes the open to new ideas and people. However, the school also builds a wall of problematic bricks that we have to essentially break once we enter college. The infamous process of unlearning is a thing because of the problematic aspects one is fed in school.

Despite that, school friends still remain a close niche, a corner of our hearts is always filled with love for them. Be it that one friend with whom your ties loosened because you got into separate sections, that one annoying boy who used to crack lamest jokes ever, that topper who used to send you all the notes always, or the wittiest and wisest kid in school who is now studying across the sea, everyone is remembered in one way or the other.

Amongst all 120 kids in the batch, only five or six remain the ones whom you stay in touch with. They are safety-net you can always fall back on, a student from Gargi College calls them “her god-siblings”, she added that she could call them at 2 in the morning, crib about her day, and they will be willing to listen. “And I would do the same for them,” she said.

In spite of hectic college schedules, society meetings and practices, extra-curricular activities, and academic burdens, a connection among these friends stays, even if they live in the other part of the country. Social media plays an extensive role in this. It helps in staying connected and updated about each other’s lives, and helps bridge any communication gaps that may occur.

The influence of social media is such that now both my parents are back in touch with their school friends, reminiscing old days and crushing with nostalgia every now and then. My father now texts his school pals to ask how they doing, if he is curious about it.

Feature Image Source: Sakshi Arora for DU Beat

Sakshi Arora

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Jab We Met 12 Years Ago

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It’s been 12 years since one of Bollywood’s biggest Rom-com took over our hearts with a beautiful chemistry after Jab we met was released in 2007. 

Imtiaz Ali has always managed to portray extraordinary stories about love, life and friendships that always have a heartfelt impact on us walking out of the theatre. Jab we met is one of those few Bollywood movies which had a Hollywood remake. A Hollywood movie called “leap year” was inspired by the Bollywood classic and also won several hearts. This story about two completely different people and their journey of finding love in each other in extreme circumstances sounds cliche but in this movie, there’s a lot of craziness and laughter with moments of self-realisation and tears.

Geet, a charming bubbly girl who has unrealistic dreams and doesn’t think much, makes stupid decisions and then endure them like they weren’t the consequences of her own actions, a character we can all relate to. She lives her life unapologetically and doesn’t seek anyone’s validation no matter what the outcome. When she comes across Aditya, a serious guy who always had everything planned out for him and had real pride in his thoughtful way of living. You’d think for a man who reckons so thoroughly about everything and is a lot more serious in life wouldn’t face any sort of setbacks and awful times. That’s when the movie teaches you that you could choose to live either way but life would surprise you in every aspect and you would have to face terrible times no matter what. There’s no winner or loser here. 

This movie has also taught us that no matter how hard you hit the rock bottom, tough times don’t last forever and things work out eventually. This might sound like a utopian thought but it’s just all about perspective. The movie took the common problems of the audience and gave a viewpoint for the way out. The hardships of heartbreak, rejection, being cheated on, issues with family, and career problems. How many times have we seen a future with someone and planned everything with that person and witnessed it turning out a lesson for life? It’s true that things don’t work out the way we always want them to. And it’s fine because there’s always a better side to it. It doesn’t always have to be with the person you’ve had a history with. Jab we met made me realise that it’s not about your first love, but the love of your life.

One’s never too grown-up or proud to try the most childish ways to get over things if it makes them feel better. If it makes you feel better to flush down a picture of a toxic ex, DO IT. If you’re not happy with what you’re doing in your life, it’s never too late to start over, go with it and turn things around. And you don’t always have to hate the people who are not in your life anymore, you can always learn from them and thank them and ace in life. 

Let’s not ignore the unrealistic romantic standards the movie has set for us. If the movie was a happy ending for Aditya and Geet, it was a disastrous end for Anshuman. But let’s face it, we have all been at both ends and after seeing the movie, I definitely do not want to be at the third end where I miss my train at Ratlam station and get lectured about how “Akeli ladki khuli tijori ki tarah hoti hai“.

Twelve years and no other story beats that combination of love, laughter and tears. Thank you for all the life lessons better than any Tedtalk.

Feature Image Credits: IMDB

Avni Dhawan

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Roma and the World of Underappreciated Domestic Workers

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Roma, the most honored film of the year, is turning heads and changing the public discourse around representation. The film puts into center, the unsung heroes of the functional upper and middle class families across the world, the domestic workers. It will break your heart and move you, so watch it to realise your privilege.

Have you watched Roma? You should, if you haven’t. Alfonso Cuarón’s intimate family drama set in 1970’s Mexico is a wonderful masterpiece and an absolute cinematic spectacle. It is a visual representation of a personal diary, a diary of Cleo, a young woman of Mixtec Mesoamerican heritage who works as a live-in maid for a white upper-middle-class family in Mexico City. Prepare to be emotionally moved and wrung out and re-think the way you look at people whom you don’t give a second thought to.
The film is shot in black-and- white with extraordinary clarity and detail, with its majesty and grandeur being communicated through the soft gaze and gentle spirit and vulnerability of Cleo. It takes place inside the house where a gated, open-roofed passage filled with bicycles, plants, caged birds and an under loved, but chirpy and enthusiastic dog named Borras is shown, time and again. Cleo and her friend Adela, the family cook, live at the end of the corridor in a tiny, cramped room, upstairs. In the morning, Cleo wakes the children; at night, she puts them to bed.
From each dawn and until long after dusk, she takes cares of the family who seems unable to function without her help. She serves meals, cleans and carries laundry to the roof, where she washes the clothes in view of other maids on other roofs with their own heavy loads. We see her as she works and also in ways that we don’t commonly see domestic workers, as she makes a date with her first love, exercises by candlelight at night, gossips with her friend, and experiences the most profound forms of loss imaginable.
In Roma, does Cleo’s daily trek to her modest rooftop room, away from the family’s home and her candlelit exercise sessions, the lights-out rule imposed by the family matriarch make you think? Of course, it does. You have seen it happen in your own home. Domestic work has been and continues to be associated with women’s work, and by extension devalued. Domestic workers, can in no way cause inconvenience to the family members. After all, she’s just a maid, right? She’s never fully human for you, maybe a person whom you see every day and take notice and get tensed on the day she decides to take a holiday. Sounds familiar?
How can we forget the emotional labor that’s expected out of Cleo, every time? She’s obligated to express emotions the way her employer wants her to, whether it be politeness, cheerfulness, and in the case of children, love and affection. Well, with Cleo her kindness for the kids is genuine; it comes across as heartfelt, and is returned. “We love you very much,” they tell her. But it’s back to business just a few scenes later, when they ask her to fetch snacks while they watch TV. Her responsibility to provide care places her within the family, and yet her role as an employee places her outside of it. Her relationship with her employer is both intimate and distant, and she is both vulnerable and powerful. Roma forces the audience to look at the world defined by a hierarchy of power and privilege, to look at the “Cleos” of our own world.
Can we ignore the fact that physical abuse and sexual harassment are common, and most full-time workers don’t receive benefits or savings toward a pension? There are no fixed working hours; domestic workers are always on call. There are no minimum wages and no right to safe working places. The entire sector is defined by poverty-level wages, high rates of abuse and few mechanisms for recourse.
This film might force you to look at the harsh realities of domestic workers across the world. Maybe, take a look or two in your own home. Have you ever looked at the woman who comes to your house to do your work or stays at your house to do your chores, all day long? No, you never because honestly, why would you care?
You have a lot on your own plate, and you believe she’s happy too. She seems like it. Take a minute to look at the nannies we entrust with small children, the house cleaners who bring sanity to our homes, and the caregivers who care for our disabled and elderly loved ones. It’s the work that our economy doesn’t recognize, because the people who do it live in the margins and the work arrangements are often informal.
And yet, it is some of the most critical work in our society — caring for what is most precious to us, our loved ones and our homes — and to our economy, allowing millions of people to work outside the home while the domestic workforce takes care of what needs to be done inside the home.

Featured Image Credits- Vulture

Disha Saxena
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Recounting My First Week at College

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The ‘firsts’ are always memorable. Here’s recounting my first week at college while hoping yours went likewise.

Truest of joys are lived in the coalescence of our dreams. The 20th of July 2018 marked my Orientation Day in college, and it also marked the day I saw my dream of studying at the University of Delhi (DU) come true. While thousands of us approached our colleges in the highest of spirits,  there was a great deal of anxiety too. However, as the week progressed, the anxiety also dwindled. Thankfully, the weather has been blissful, if the resulting muck is not to be accounted for. But this week has been an amazingly informative and inspiring one. The atmosphere increasingly becomes more intoxicating! However, it goes without saying that some inherent downsides were also present. Henceforth, I have endeavored to be more realistic in my account.

Our fear of crowds, seniors, and our own batchmates takes root from the fear of judgement. In this regard, a senior of mine told me, “Everyone judges you, but this is why you are here. You judge people and find in them the requisite companionship. Do not fear this judgement. This is your time, live it fully. Let nothing hold you back.” As repetitive as it sounds, it is an absolute truth. Initially, I was afraid of being laughed at. I feared that a wrong answer to a question would probably diminish my credit among rest of the stellar performers who have made it to my college and course. But at the same time, I reminded myself that if one can make people laugh, it is his or her victory. However, if they laugh mockingly, it is their loss. This week I have learned so much about the discipline that I always dreamt of studying, that every moment in learning this discipline has been an insightful and learning experience.

Undoubtedly, another highlight would be the brilliant people I have come to know. From the learned to the rad, all my seniors have offered the best advise and counsel. A large number of us came here hoping to find friends for life. While many have already struck similar chords with like-minded people, many others have not been as fortunate. After years of being with their high school friends, they find it difficult to fill the void of companionship in a week. Give yourself and others some time because all good things take time, after all. But remember to remain original and true to yourself while creating new bonds, because you are all you have to offer. Presenting any other version of yourself would not do justice to who you inherently are.

Today, after a week of walking straight into a dream, it still feels surreal. And very ideally, it will always be. I do not presume I have learned all in a week, neither should you. But I have witnessed a change already, as have we all. Acceptance and compassion start with us. We all are afraid, varyingly if not equally. But it is in the nature of fear to take away our happiness. Fear is the end of growth. Opportunities will come, but your endeavor to grasp them will determine everything. This idea is my greatest takeaway from this week. Most colleges have commenced their registrations for enrolling the excited freshers in a number of societies – possibly the most celebratory avenues in colleges. Before I entered the gates of my college, I was told about societies,  “Join them all, even the ones you find remotely interesting. Live them fully, as per your interests. Do not ever hesitate.” Now whenever I enter them, my conviction strengthens.

Believe and thrive, grasp and grow. I hope you have an adventure as great as you deserve. I hope we all do. With the first week’s closure, I know one thing for sure, that I will have loads of fun. Will you?

 

Feature Image Credits: Kartik Chauhan for DU Beat

Kartik Chauhan

[email protected]

 

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