Latest Stories from Sahil
Exclusive β Rohin Bhatt on navigating queer rights in India
We spoke to the Gen Z lawyer and author about their ground-breaking debut book, the complexities of Indiaβs LGBTQ+ movement, and why bridging law and activism is crucial. Rohin Bhattβs advocacy journey began at a pivotal moment in their life. As a young law student coming to terms with their own identity, they found themselves deeply affected by the landmark legal decisions shaping Indiaβs queer rights landscape. βI remember breaking down reading...
The struggle for spatial equity in India
Across the country, inequality is fundamentally tied to physical safety and freedom from violence. Women and gender minorities face persistent challenges in accessing public spaces, with their experiences marred by harassment, assault, and fear.
According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), almost 32 thousand rapes were recorded in India in 2021, an average of 86 cases a day.
And in 2022, a World Bank study
How gender norms influence womenβs food choices
With societal expectations and cultural conditioning still fundamentally guiding womenβs eating habits, itβs time we addressed the often-overlooked issue of gendered appetites. In kitchens and dining rooms across the globe, an unseen force shapes the way that women interact with food. From portion size to preference, gender norms have long dictated what it means to βeat like a lady,β the pervasive influence of this affecting everything from marketing tactics to...
Controversial topics reintroduced to Indiaβs medical curriculum
In a surprising U-turn, Indiaβs National Medical Commission has revised the medical curriculum, reintroducing controversial topics related to sexuality and gender. This decision has sparked a debate on education, LGBTQ+ rights, and the intersection of law and medicine in the country. Indiaβs apex medical education regulator, the National Medical Commission (NMC), has recently made headlines with its decision to revise the forensic medical curriculum for undergraduate students. Raising eyebrows among progressive...
The impact of Grindr on gay menβs mental health
In the digital age, itβs assumed that dating has never been easier. Yet as the LGBTQ+ community increasingly finds itself struggling to navigate the complex landscape of these apps, many are beginning to question the psychological toll of platforms offering instant gratification. Grindr, with its three million daily active users, has revolutionised how gay men meet and interact. Its design, which sorts potential partners into a grid based on their proximity,...
Why quick commerce is thriving in India
A new retail phenomenon is reshaping consumer behaviour in major cities across the country. But what makes the quick commerce model β which promises deliveries in minutes β so successful? At the heart of Indiaβs quick commerce triumph lies a deceptively simple concept: dark stores. These micro-warehouses, strategically placed in urban centres, are the hub of instant delivery operations which, unlike traditional retail spaces, are optimised for rapid order fulfilment. But location...
India named as the country producing the most plastic
Recent research published in Nature has revealed that the worldβs second-most populous nation is contributing to a staggering one-fifth of all plastic production across the globe. The amount of plastic that India produces has reached alarming proportions, surpassing all other nations globally. According to recent research published in Nature, the country is responsible for approximately 20 per cent of all the worldβs plastic waste. This figure not only...
Olympic medallist Vinesh Phogatβs inspirational fight for justice
In the world of sports, heroes are often defined by their medals. Challenging this notion is Vinesh Phogat, the Indian wrestler whose relentless fight against systemic injustice on her journey to the Paris Olympics has encouraged us to reconsider who we identify as sporting icons. Vinesh Phogatβs journey to the Paris Olympics was nothing short of extraordinary. Both on and off the mat, the Indian wrestler...
The life expectancy of marginalised communities in India is declining
A recent study has uncovered the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on the countryβs most vulnerable. It shows stark disparities in the decline of life expectancy across social groups, gender, and age β evidence of how the pandemic has exacerbated existing inequalities nationwide.
Though the pandemic left an indelible mark on societies across the globe, nowhere has its impact on inequality been more evident than in India.
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Charli XCXβs βGuessβ remix ft Billie Eilish sparks controversy
Billieβs recent collaboration with Charli is hugely popular worldwide. Its sapphic lyrics have drawn backlash, however, and the popstar is facing accusations of predatory behaviour βhighlighting the complexities of celebrity sexuality and public perception. Billie Eilish, the Grammy-award-winning artist whoβs best known for her haunting melodies and introspective lyrics, has once again captured public attention with her latest musical offering. Earlier this month, she collaborated with Charli...
