"My Father" - By Tulasi Chendi of BBA First Year 

Picture Credit : Tulasi Chendi 

From the first breath, you held me tight,  

Through endless days and sleepless nights, 

You watched me stumble, fall, and stand,  

With patient eyes and guiding hand.

When others cheered for mother's grace,  

You stood behind, no need for praise,  

Yet every step I dared to take,  

Was rooted in the strength you'd make.

I saw the lines upon your face,  

Etched with love, devoid of place,  

In stories told or songs sung loud,  

Where mothers' are crowned so proud.

But Father, in your quiet way,  

You gave me more than words could say.

You built my world, stone by stone,  

A fortress strong, though all unknown.

Now at eighteen, I understand,  

The silent love, the unseen hand,  

Society may overlook your role,  

But, in my heart, you're my soul.

Author Feature:-

Hans Christian Andersen  was a Danish author. Although a prolific writer of plays, travelogues, novels, and poems, he is best remembered for his literary fairy tales.Andersen's fairy tales, consisting of 156 stories across nine volumes, have been translated into more than 125 languages. They have become embedded in Western collective consciousness, accessible to children as well as presenting lessons of virtue and resilience in the face of adversity for mature readers. His most famous fairy tales include "The Emperor's New Clothes", "The Little Mermaid", "The Nightingale", "The Steadfast Tin Soldier", "The Red Shoes", "The Princess and the Pea", "The Snow Queen", "The Ugly Duckling", "The Little Match Girl", and "Thumbelina." Andersen's stories have inspired ballets, plays, and animated and live-action films.

About his story "The Little Match Girl ":-

The Little Match girl  is a literary fairy tale by Danish poet and author Hans Christian Andersen. The story, about a dying child's dreams and hope, was first published in 1845. It has been adapted to various media, including animated, live-action, and VR films as well as television musicals and opera.

It tells the story of a little girl trying to sell matches in the night during a cold winter. The little girl fails to sell her matches, then lights them to warm herself instead. She sees visions of food and warmth, eventually seeing her departed grandmother, who welcomes her into Heaven.

"Women in India - 2024" An Essay by Jahnavi Malisetty of B.Sc FNBC First Year 

Picture Credit: Jahnavi Malisetty 

In India, approximately 691 million people are women, many of whom face unfair treatment, discrimination, honor killings, child abuse, dowry deaths, acid attacks, female feticide, trafficking, child marriage, and more. Due to age-old superstitions and outdated thinking, women endure numerous challenges. They are discriminated against  men, often denied education, married at a young age, and subjected to domestic violence and workplace harassment. The horrific tradition of sati, although abolished, is a stark reminder of how deeply ingrained some practices were. In sati, a widow was forced to burn herself alive on her husband's funeral pyre, while a widowed man could continue to live and remarry without similar expectations.

Thankfully, many have opposed such unjust practices. For example, Raja Ram Mohan Roy played a pivotal role in the abolition of sati. Even today, women are often forced to obey others’ wishes and face bias in every aspect of life. They are discouraged from pursuing education and are often confined to household chores, child-rearing, and caring for their families. Their individuality is often erased, and they are made to live solely for others.

Even when a woman is educated and capable of supporting herself, she may still face discrimination and harassment in the workplace. Women are often pressured to bring dowries upon marriage, treated as commodities with a price tag, and subjected to domestic violence if their in-laws or spouses are dissatisfied.

A major threat to women in today's society is the pervasive fear of assault, even for a 4-month-old girl. In 2023 alone, "28,811 complaints of crimes against women" were reported, with countless other stories remaining untold, their voices stifled by fear of societal judgment.

In regions with matrilineal societies, where women are seen as capable of handling any task or challenge, the situation is still troubling. In such states, 690 crimes against women were recorded, with only 26% being resolved.

Every day, we are inundated with tragic news: a 4-month-old girl assaulted, the 2012 Nirbhaya case, two minor girls gang-raped in Shillong, the Kolkata doctor case, and the horrifying death of a veterinary doctor who was burned alive, among many others.

Human trafficking is another heinous crime affecting women, with many girls being kidnapped and trafficked to other countries where their lives become unbearable. Even cultured, independent women are not spared; if they reject a man’s advances, they might face violent retaliation, such as an acid attack.

We live in a country where women are traditionally respected and worshipped. The Mahabharata epic is a testament to this, as the great battle was fought to avenge the disrobing and insult of Draupadi. Similarly, Ravana was killed for harboring ill intentions toward Sita Devi. Our ancestors fought for the honor of women, yet today, as their descendants, we continue to struggle for justice for women who have been assaulted.

Women can only feel safe in society when there is collective action to change it. A simple social media post or a “we want justice” slogan won’t suffice. Women must also learn to protect themselves, including through self-defense training. In reality, no superhero will come to our rescue—women must be empowered to stand up for themselves.

A better society for women can only be achieved with stronger laws. Criminals who commit crimes against women must face severe punishment, and justice must be delivered within a year. For a victim, waiting for justice for a decade or more is often more painful than the crime itself. Laws must help women live without fear of discrimination, harassment, or violence.

When children are taught to respect women from an early age, many crimes against women could be prevented. Home is the first school, and parents are the first teachers. Every parent should ensure that daughters are protected, and sons are taught to respect others.

Society must support women in standing up against unfair treatment and not judge them unjustly, as in the common but harmful notion that “a girl is far more responsible for rape than a boy.” Instead, society should be a pillar of support for victims whose voices are unheard, for those trapped in toxic marriages, and for those facing domestic violence. The society has to be the one to break the shackles instead of binding them in it.

Women will only be truly safe in this society if these changes are made. It is up to people to work hard toward this goal, ensuring that every woman feels safe and proud to be born as a woman.

"The Locked Minds - Conservative People of India" by Heeba subhani shaik of B.Sc FNZC Final Year 

Picture Credit : Special Arrangement 

what is conservatism ?

Conservatism is a cultural, social, and political philosophy, that seeks to promote and preserve traditional institutions, customs, and values. In India after its independence for many years this has always been a journey of hope with challenges, and as each decade passed the hope persisted and the challenges changed. The question arises about what happens to the sense of freedom when Indian society is turning conservative. There is not much desire for freedom to break barriers in social and cultural terms. There is less zeal to change things.

The division in the society :

The narrow mindedness and non progressiveness has led to many kinds of discrimination and division among the people of our own.

Hierarchy - Societal hierarchy is evident in caste groups, amongst individuals, and in family and kinship groups. Castes are primarily associated with Hinduism, but caste-like groups also exist among Muslims, Christians, and other religious communities. Within most villages or towns, everyone knows the relative rankings of each locally represented caste, and behavior is constantly shaped by this knowledge.

Purity and Pollution - In Indian society differences are expressed in terms of ritual purity and pollution, among different castes, religious groups, and regions. Generally, high status is associated with purity and low status with pollution. Some kinds of purity are inherent; for ex - a member of a high ranking Brahmin or priestly caste is born with more inherent purity than someone born into a low-ranking sweeper, or scavenger caste.

Family Authority and Harmony - In the Indian household, lines of hierarchy and authority are clearly drawn, and ideals of conduct help maintain family harmony. All family members are socialized to accept the authority of those above them in the hierarchy.

The Seclusion of Women - This is an

independent country then why...why?.. do the girls still don’t have freedom to work as per her choice, to choose her life partner, to decide for herself when she wants to get married. Family should be a support system which encourages you to persue the life you want but Sadly in our country, conservative families insist on pushing their dreams, rules, ways onto their children. You are entitled to live your life on your own terms.

‘The radical distinction between religious and political order, and the need to build the art of government without depending on the law of God’.

- Karl Mannheim

"The greatest discovery of all time is that

a person can change his future by merely changing his attitude."

 -Oprah Winfrey

SMALL STORY’S OF WOMEN :

and how would you answer it ?....

1. Ruchika a 19-year-old University student steps out of a mall after a quick shopping. She is holding many bags one of them has her wedding dress. Would she want to get married, someday? Yes, she says with a laugh. Love marriage or arranged marriage? Love marriage. Does she think a woman should work after marriage? Of course, says Goswami, who is in the first year of bachelor’s degree in biological science. Should a woman listen to her husband? Not at all, she says firmly, as dusk falls over the mall and the trees glow under the lamps. Does she think there should be reservation in colleges for Scheduled Caste/ Scheduled Tribe students? No, there should be equal opportunity for everyone.

2. Nagar, Bharathi Janardhanan was almost done cooking and cleaning a house. She works in five houses, and there were two more to go that day. Do men make better leaders than women? No, of course not, says the 21-year-old, wearing a golden-yellow kurta, her hair in a braid. Should women work after marriage? “Of course. I make over Rs 12,000 every month and that is important,” says Janardhanan, who had to stop studying after Class V. Will she get married? Maybe after a year. Will it be a love marriage or arranged marriage? Arranged marriage, of course, says Janardhanan.

"True Campanion" by Muskan Begum of B.Sc FSZC Second Year 

Picture Credit: Special Arrangement 

In this journey of life, through ups and downs, 

You’ve been my rock, my loyal hound.
Always guiding me on the right path,
Through moments of joy and moments of wrath.

When I falter and lose my way,
You gently remind me it’s okay to stray.
But with your wisdom and caring heart,
You show me where to restart.

In times of doubt and confusion,
You offer me your clear conclusion.
Never sugarcoating or telling lies,
You bring truth to my eyes.

A true friend who doesn’t just cheer, 

But also helps me face my fear,

You’re not afraid to say I’m wrong,
And for that, I feel strong.

You don’t encourage me towards the wrong path, 

Instead, you steer me away from wrath,

Your presence brings me peace and light,

In the darkest hour or the brightest night.

Like a parent always pointing true, 

You cheer me in all that I pursue. 

With you by my side, I have no fear,

For your friendship is always near.

Through laughter, tears, and everything in between,
You’re the constant in my ever-changing scene.

A companion like no other,
A bond that only grows stronger.

So here’s to you, my best friend,

For being with me until the end.

For showing me the way when I’m lost,
And always counting the cost.

Thank you for being my guiding light, 

For shining through the darkest night.
I cherish our bond and hold it near, 

For in you, I have nothing to fear.