Ootapaathram

On this episode, we talk Elections - not just elections, from the land of the free - United States. We discuss on how things unfolded and how the world reacted to it.

In light of Hathras Incident, we discuss the prevalence of rape as a cultural norm in our society. A culture that places the dignity of a family in their women's virginity, protects perpetrators and forces women to make unreasonable sacrifices inorder to survive. 

Ask the women around you if they have received vulgar messages on online platforms. When they answer "just the usual ones", we have to question ourselves on why and how we have let this be the norm. Why does women have to get their guard up to be in a crowd, go to a theatre or simply step out of their house at night? Why is there is an extra tax on women to travel, visit their friends or stand up for their opinions.  How this culture has also disadvantaged men who have been victims of sexual assault, how it has denied them legal or social support. 

• If modest women can avoid being raped, how do we explain rape threats being made to a 5 year old because her dad could not perform in a cricket match? 
• Are rapes about sex or are they about something entirely different?
• Have the spread of online platforms given wings to more rape threats?

Abolishing Rape culture isn't about feminism - It isn't about men or women. It definitely isn't about sex. It's about justice.

PS: In this episode, we bring you more stories from Instagram than Instagram.

During a pandemic, Social Networks like Instagram, WhatsApp and YouTube define our boundaries of human interaction. 

When these platforms threaten to control us and amidst a rat race push us into radical acts, who can save us? 

• Is shutting down these networks the only option? 
• Can we live without these networks? 
• Should WhatsApp be included in basic needs of a human being?
• What can we do to control our networks better? 

and more on this episode on Ootapaathram. 

Joining us are esteemed guests John E Kurien, Christy Benny and Archita Shenoy. 

Special Thanks to John for suggesting this week's topic.

On the heels of moral policing on Samyukta Hedge, we ask our friends their opinions on what women should wear. 

• Is the mob helping women by policing them?
• Who should hold the reigns of what women should wear? 
• How did we end up having so many managers for a women's modesty?
• How do we improve parenting for a better generation? What do we tell parents who are geniunely afraid?
• What can we do to better ourselves as society?

and more on this week's episode of Ootapathram. 

Are foreign reaction channels just another youtube content or should we be careful around them? Do Indians pander to the opinions of foreigners? Can an Indian replicate the success of these foreigners? What makes these reaction channels tick? and more in this episode of Ootapaathram. 

We discuss Rehna Fathima's controversial performance art and the bigger picture of body politics and free the nipple movement.