Josh Talks (Ab samjhauta nahi)

“It is time that we all see gender as a spectrum instead of two sets of opposing ideals”… Achieving a gender-equal world requires social innovations that work for both women and men and leave no one behind. Gender inequality being both a challenge and an opportunity should be resolved along with the societal and technological evolution we are having. With an urge to deliver by women and led by men, Bhawanipur Education Society College organised “JOSH TALKS (AB SAMJHAUTA NAHI), an event to establish opinions regarding equity above equality, scheduled on 9th August, 2019 from 9:00 am to 11:00 am at Jubilee Hall(6th Floor).

 

 

Professor Dilip Shah, the Dean of Student Affairs embracing the event welcomed Devyani Verma, the chief guest and speaker of this event. Devyani Verma has donned a number of responsibilities and public speaker and social enthusiast are the titles she has been wreathed with. She is constantly working to inspire and grow the youth of this country. She believes in the potential of the youth of this country and is making every way possible to interact with the school and college students she can. Being a firm believer of equality, she has been working extensively towards creating a society of aware citizens. By aware citizens she means the citizens who are familiar with their duties and rights. Besides she has been voraciously doing campaigns to inculcate the spirit of social entrepreneurship among the students across the country.

As the event progressed, Professor Dilip Shah introduced Josh Talks to the students of Semester 1 which is an initiative by ITC VIVEL, with the theme “Know your rights, be an equality champion”. She started her discourse with an introduction to the rights that women enjoy in our country and the rights that have been amended so far. Moreover she informed the audience about the three beliefs: Not to compromise, journey of women not to be an object of condition, most importantly education and awareness of equal life. A video by VIVEL showcasing Amitabh Bachchan speaking out voices of gender and not biological sex was displayed to all. “A right can never be silenced”, said Mr Bachchan, “Don’t live in the shadows of other’s judgement, Make your own choices in the light of your own wisdom” Gender determination doesn’t depend on the outlook of a person, one may have biological sex of a boy or a girl, but is not bound to do and feel the same. Here comes the stance of acceptability. A person whether a boy, girl, gay, lesbian or third gender or any other type should be accepted in our society irrespective of the gender bias. With a belief that the young generation will definitely bring a positive change to the orthodox mentalities the society has been promoting for centuries must be eradicated only by being aware of the duties and rights of this country, she ended her speech.

With a crowd of 200 students from all the departments, the hall was agog with enthusiasm. As a part of participation the students were distributed VIVEL body wash. It was also announced that each student will receive a certificate of participation. Finally Devyani Verma was felicitated with a memento as a token of appreciation.

Reported by: Preeti Jain

Photography: Rohit Ghosh Chowdhury