Women’s Day is a day dedicated to women all over the world. And although it sounds fancy it has really small and humble beginnings. Do you know why it is celebrated though? Before we get into that, imagine this, you wake up every day and start doing the work at home and then go to a factory to work there only to come back home to work again. And for all the work you do in the factory you only get Rs. 200 while your friend who does the same work gets Rs. 400. And more than that you don’t even get to take breaks in the middle of the work for even a few minutes and you have no say who gets to decide what is good for you. Sounds horrible right? Well, that was just a small peek of what life looked like before Women’s Day. Let’s understand more!

History of Women’s Day

Going back as late as the 1900s, women back in the day were not treated equally to men in any way. They were not allowed to vote, express their opinions, or even get fair pay for their work. In 1908, a group of brave women marched the streets of New York demanding better working conditions, fair pay, and the right to vote just like their male co-workers. This was a huge step back then because people at that time used to think that women were not as skilled as men or as smart as men or anywhere near in comparison to men. This was the first time women dared to ask to be seen as equal to men. 

World War I and World War II gave a space for women to prove themselves as efficient workers outside their homes as men were busy fighting the war, but their efforts were far from being recognised. In 1909, the first National Women’s Day was celebrated in the United States on February 28. Women across the country gathered to talk about their rights and the changes they wanted to see in society.

Soon word spread and in 1910, Clara Zetkin from Germany suggested that Women’s Day should be celebrated worldwide on the same day every year to remind everyone of the struggles and achievements that women have gone through to reach where they are now. And soon enough, many countries across Europe started supporting her idea. March 8 was declared as the official date for International Women’s Day. And in 1975, The United Nations (UN) gave official recognition to the date as International Women’s Day.

What Can You Do?

Instead of just liking posts on Instagram dedicated to women all over the world, and saying Happy Women’s Day here are a few things you can do to ensure every day is a women’s day.

• Never Forget:

Never forget all the love and support you have received from all the women in your life. Thank them with a sincere heart. If you want you can make something to show your appreciation as well.

• Stand Tall & Stand Strong:

In order to help others stand tall and strong you need to become taller and stronger. Not just physically but in terms of your career as well. Work hard to reach a space where you can ensure that other women don’t have to face the same challenges that you had to deal with. And always, and we mean always, stand up for what’s right.

• Dream Big:

At the end of the day, it all starts with a dream! So, dream big and put in everything you have got to make that dream a reality just like the women in history!

• Never Stop Believing in Yourself:

And the most important thing of all is never ever stop believing in yourself. You can pull someone up or help someone when you yourself are in a stable position, physically and mentally. So, to believe in another sister you first need to believe in yourself, sister.

Let’s follow these up and make every day worthy of being celebrated as Women’s Day!

Food is an integral part of our lives as human beings. But did you know that it can tell a lot about who you are and where you come from? It’s all in the ingredients! Looking at the kind of food and the way it is made tells a lot about the place or state in India that you hail from. As the saying goes, “There’s more to food than what meets the eye!” (or maybe we tweaked it a bit), food goes beyond just eating, you experience it through your eyes by looking at its colour, and your nose by experiencing the smell first. And it is this experience that varies from one place to another. Let’s take a look at the food habits in different parts of India to understand the rich diversity and culture of our nation.

North India

Chole bhature, butter chicken, gulab jamun, jalebi, etc. are bound to fill your imagination when you think about North India. And it’s not your fault, North India is known for such rich gravies, bold flavours, fried items and a lot of dairy products in their food. The simple reason this part of India has such dairy-rich and heavy food is because of the cold climates in the North. The dairy-rich, heavy food ensured that people in North India were warm and safe against the biting cold. Plus, the availability of spices and wheat, made roti, naan, and paratha served with spicy, bold flavoured dishes a staple food here. 

South India

Idli, sambar, dosa, puliyogare, rasam, coconut chutney, etc. must have already crossed your mind when you read the sub-heading, “South India”. And who can blame you the food in South India is entirely different from the food in North India. The main reason for this difference is again the climate. The hot and humid climate in South India makes it easier to digest food that is light, tangy and spicy while also cooling your body. Hence majority of the dishes prepared in South India have coconut or rice as a main ingredient. Another reason for rice and coconut being a top choice is their high availability, easy-to-digest and cooling properties. And just like North India loves their Chai, the people in South India love their filter coffees! 

East India

Known for their simple and unique flavours, dishes like macha besara, litti chokha, pakahala, rasgulla, etc. are bound to fill your head when you think about East India. Being close to the coastal regions, seafood is considered a big part of their diet in Odisha, West Bengal and Assam while being a landlocked area makes the dishes in Bihar very simple and requires only a few ingredients. East India being a part of India that experiences both very hot and cold climates has dishes that fit different climates such as Pakhala in summer in Odisha and Santula in winter in Odisha. Mustard oil is another commonly used ingredient in East India’s cuisine. 

Northeast India

Dishes in Northeast India are very different from the rest of the Indian dishes as they are very ingrained in their culture and nature. Some of their dishes are even inspired by Tibetan cuisine like Thupka. Many of their dishes contain ingredients like bamboo shoots, herbs, and pork. People in Northeast India also consume a lot of fermented food to boost their immunity and enhance the flavour of the food. 

West India

Vada pav, dhokla, dal baati churma, fish curry, etc. are the dishes that might pop into your head when you hear the word, “West India”. Though West India consists of four states primarily, i.e., Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Goa, the food that is prepared in each of the states is rather different from one another. Maharashtra has more rich and savoury foods to offer that are a combination of both sweet and spicy. Gujarat on the other hand offers a variety of vegetarian options that are light and airy like dhokla, thepla, etc. Rajasthan being a desert region mostly consists of food items that are dry and spicy like dal baati churma, gatte ki sabzi, etc. Lastly, Goa being a coastal state with a heavy Portuguese influence has a unique cuisine of its own and includes dishes like prawn balchão, vindaloo, etc.

Reasons Behind The Difference in Food Habits

The major reason that the food items differ so much from one state to another is because of the climate and geography of the state. The crops and ingredients grown in a particular state also decide the food that the people in that state consume the most, such as coconut in South India. The history and culture of a state such as Portuguese influence in Goan cuisine and Mughal influence on North Indian cuisine along with their religious beliefs like the people in Gujrat of West India who majorly follow a vegetarian diet because of their religious beliefs also shape the food habits and practices of different states of India.  

Food Practices & Tradition Uniting India

Regardless of the cuisine and food habits, it’s the food practices that are practised in different parts of India that always unite India together. Starting from the habit of eating with one’s hands to enhance the taste of the food, to eating from a big thali or banana leaf depending on the particular part of India you’re in, to having specific dishes that are made for every festival such as pongal during Pongal, biryani during Eid, modak during Ganesh Chaturthi, gujiya during Holi, these are the tiny yet big features across India that ties all the states together.   

Every day when you wake up for school, the thing that probably you and your friends have in common during breakfast is milk. You may love it a lot or you may not like it so much, but it is a big part of your day-to-day life. But have you ever wondered what do people in different parts of India where they don’t have enough grass for cows to graze on like the great desserts of Rajasthan drink instead of milk as they can’t raise cows there? Have you heard of camel’s milk? That’s what they drink. And not only that, just like a cow holds a lot of significance for people in other parts of India, it’s camel’s milk that holds a lot of importance in west India where climate conditions are bad but people still thrive. The United Nations, an international organisation that was founded to maintain world peace and security, declared the year 2024 as the year of Camelids. So, let’s explore these amazing species and their values.

Camelids: What are they?

Every animal in the world belongs to either of the five broad species, they are either mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians or insects. However, within each species, there are a variety of other subspecies. Just like humans, camelids are also part of the mammal family and belong to a certain type of mammal known as Camelidae, which includes animals adapted for survival in diverse and often harsh environments.

It’s very easy for you to spot a camelidae. What you need to look for is a long neck, thin or slender legs and the ability to conserve water and energy for a long time. Reminds you of a certain hump friend? Perhaps a camel? Along with camel, alpacas and llamas are also considered to be a part of the camelids or Camelidae family. 

What makes camelids unique is the way they can go days without worrying about water or energy. They not only can take care of themselves but can also help sustain you in the long run by providing you with a livelihood. Given that it’s hard to raise cows and other cattle in deserts like Thar desert or in hilly cold areas many people living there rely on cattle like camels, alpacas, llamas etc. for milk, meat and fibre. These types of cattle that survive in even the harshest conditions are known as camelids. Given their ability to fare through even the harshest of conditions they are considered a very important part of the ecosystem.

If you want to know more about the different types of camelids check out the videos below:

Camelids & India

For thousands of years, camels have been a very important part of Indian culture and heritage, ever since the days of the Silk Road which existed way before the colonisation that India faced camelids have been used to transport goods through harsh and difficult landscapes from one place to another. This transportation allowed India to connect with the rest of the world and hence gave a space for cultural exchange. And the only way India could travel through these difficult roads is with the help of camels.

Known as the “ships of deserts” camels are celebrated in Rajasthani folklore, music, and festivals, embodying resilience and resourcefulness. Events like the Pushkar Camel Fair highlight their cultural importance, drawing global attention to the traditions surrounding camel rearing and trading.

Despite their huge importance, camel populations in India have been declining steadily over the years. According to the Livestock Census of India, the camel population dropped from 4 lakh in 2012 to 2.5 lakh in 2019. This is very worrying as that means that it is harming the overall ecosystem. This decline can be due to several factors:

1. Lack of Awareness: Many urban dwellers are unaware of the ecological and economic contributions of camels, leading to very little appreciation and investment in their conservation.
2. Economic Shifts: With people relying more on modern transportation such as cars, trucks, etc. the demand for camels to transport goods has reduced.
3. Urbanisation: Expanding urban areas have reduced the grazing lands for camels, thus, making it difficult for them to live even on limited resources.
4. Policy Gaps: While camels are recognised as important animals, there is a lack of proper policies that support camel herders and their livelihoods.

Afterword

Thus, the United Nations declared the year 2024 as the year of Camelids to help spread awareness about these species that help mankind survive in the harshest of conditions. Let’s take this initiative forward in the coming year and make 2025 a remarkable year for both humans and camelids.

In a world where we are told not to distinguish between people based on how they look, there still exist people who no matter what end up creating categories. And these categories may appear harmless but they are not so. When you don’t fit into these categories you are seen as an outcast, an “other” and made to stay away from others. A lot of false things or rumours are spread about you to ensure you remain an outcast. And the worst part is nobody bothers asking you if they are true or not and they live in their tiny bubble thinking they know best. This is just a glimpse of what racism feels like to the person you are being racist towards.

What is racism?

Simply put racism refers to the belief in the idea that one’s race is superior to another. Race on the other hand refers to one’s ethnicity or the culture or the descent one belongs to. Race is something that is entirely out of your hands, yet people differentiate or discriminate against you and treat you differently because of something that’s not even in your hands. 

The most common way one can differentiate one person from one culture or descent to another is because of how they may look. Some may have a darker skin tone while some may have a lighter skin tone, some may have bigger eyes while some may have smaller eyes, some may have curly hair while others may have straight hair, etc. are all the features that one may use to distinguish a person from another especially if they belong to different culture or descent. 

There is a difference between knowing someone is different from you and making it known that someone is different from you. In the first case, you know that someone may be different from you because of how they look or talk and many other things and you don’t have an issue with it or try to make it seem like you are better than them just like Sizuka in Doraemon knows that she is smarter than Nobita but she never makes fun of Nobita or looks down on him for that reason. But in the second case, you ensure that the difference between you and someone else is known to everyone as you think you are superior to them just like Gian bullies Nobita because he knows that he is stronger than Nobita and hence, by bullying him every chance he gets he reminds Nobita that he is superior than him. Racism happens when you bring out differences between you and someone else who may belong to a different culture and look different and say that you are better than them, much like the second scenario.

The simple difference between caste and racism is that racism is more or less global as it depends on one’s race while caste pertains to just the Hindu religion. On one hand, caste doesn’t pay a lot of attention to how one looks but on the other hand, racism primarily focuses on how one looks.

Racism: Origin & Today 

Charles Darwin had come up with the theory of “survival of the fittest” which means that only the fittest will survive and others will die as they won’t be able to adapt to different situations. He also implied that only a few races among many are truly fit, thus, they are considered to be superior. However, the idea in people’s minds that one race is superior to others existed even before Darwin. In ancient Greece and Rome, people were enslaved or forced to be slaves to certain people because they looked different or spoke a different language. But back then these differences were not based on one’s race only hence it wasn’t just racism but other kinds of discrimination also took place.

It was only during the European colonisation of the world that racism became rampant. European colonisation refers to the time in history when Britain and other European nations like Spain, France, etc. set out to capture different nations and make them more “civilised”. The very fact that they thought their ways of living were “civilised” while having no regard for someone else’s culture and lifestyle marks the beginning of racism. The entire basis of European civilisation was based on the belief that their ways of living and culture are superior and everyone must follow the same. They did rely a lot on Darwin’s theory of “survival of the fittest” deeming themselves as the superior race.

Barring culture and lifestyle there was also the assumption that the colour white symbolises purity, and given that barring the Europeans no other nation had people with lighter skin tones or complexion they assumed that they were superior to the others as they were “pure”. And given that people from other parts of the world, especially those who possessed darker complexion were considered “impure” they were thought of as being closer to animals and not considered as humans. Thus, began the largest migration in human history as many of these so-called “impure” people were forcibly removed from their homes and country and shipped off to Europe to work as slaves in “pure” people’s houses. They were not even allowed to have a name of their own and were rather named by the “pure” people they ended up working for. 

During the Renaissance age, which was also known as the “Age of Reason” or “Age of Enlightenment” as it marked the beginning of the importance of science many still provided illogical “scientific evidence” (illogical because in today’s science, it won’t hold any meaning) that justified racism leading to “scientific racism”. And that made the situation all the worse for people who belonged to a different race than the Europeans.

These injustices continued as people were not given the basic rights that you and I today enjoy as it was thought that they were nothing more than savage animals and didn’t deserve to be treated like other humans. With the end of colonialism and the beginning of revolutions for equal rights racism slowly started to decline. With the coming up of democracies that acknowledge that every individual citizen is equal many laws were also passed to reduce racist behaviour. 

But to date, racism does exist in one form or another though it is more subtle now it still exists. The very fact that if you are a tourist in another country you have to be extra careful as if anything goes wrong they think it’s your fault highlights racism still works on people’s minds. The increasing number of violent attack cases against people from different cultures who live in the USA or the UK also highlights the increasing prevalence of racism. Let’s watch a video to understand it better:

How to combat racism?

Though there are many ways to combat racism the few ways that you and I can contribute to ensuring that racism doesn’t thrive anymore, include; creating an inclusive space for everyone by treating everyone the same and ensuring that all of them receive the same opportunities such as celebrating every culture’s holiday if you live in an area where there are people of different cultures; becoming more aware of racism and spreading this awareness is also another way of ensuring that people become more educated about this problem and do something about it; and lastly the best way you can combat racism is by not being blind to the racism that happens in front of you and raising your voice against what’s wrong. Though racism still exists today, that doesn’t mean staying silent about it will make it go away, hence, raise your voice and end the chain of hatred.

India is a land of diverse cultures. But sadly it’s not always that being different is celebrated. Sometimes being different is looked down upon and made fun of. Although it shouldn’t be this way, the society just never gets it. And sometimes these differences are created by society. It may not be something physical or mental but rather a category that society creates and puts people in because of something as stupid as someone’s birth, something that nobody has control over. It’s like Nobita’s friends refusing to play with Doraemon because he is a cat and not a human. Doraemon has no control over it so how can you really blame him for that? This category that I am talking about that is still very much prevalent or common in India is what is referred to as the caste system.

Caste System: What Is It? (Popular Belief)

The caste system in India has its roots in the varna system that puts people into certain categories depending on the type of work they do. Unlike today, back in the day generations of family used to do the same work. If suppose your father or mother worked as a craftsman then there is a high chance that you will also end up working as a craftsman because it’s easier for you to learn the necessary skills from your parents or your grandparents. Back then by which I mean before the Britishers came to India, we rarely had any universities or colleges that helped people hone these skills. So, their only way to learn something is to learn about that particular skill, such as carpentry, business, etc. by either finding a guru who will teach them these things or being born into a family that has been practising the skill they want to master for ages.

One of the theories behind the caste system that supports the concept that caste is decided at birth is the theory that the caste system is decided based on which body part of Lord Brahma, the creator one, comes from. The popular belief is that the Brahmins who are known as the intellectuals come from the head, the Kshatriyas who are known to be fine warriors came from Brahma’s arms, the Vaishyas who are known as traders come from Brahma’s thighs, and lastly the Shudras come from Brahma’s feet and hence were assigned all the menial jobs.

Caste System: What Was It? (A Brief History)

But this belief though popular is sadly not accurate. According to Dr. Subramanian Swamy, a former member of the Rajya Sabha who is an Indian economist and statistician, the varna system which is very popularly known as the caste system today was actually meant to create a division of labour, i.e., categorise people based on the work they do and not be determined by one’s birth. The varna system was the idea of two rishis, Rishi Bhrigu and Rishi Bhardwaj. According to both of them, there were four major sources of power in society, Knowledge, weapons, wealth, and land. They felt that no two people in different professions should have more than one power as that may lead to them becoming a bully, as you have seen with Gian from Doraemon, who is to say he wouldn’t bully people more if he also had the brains for it. 

According to the rishis, the Brahmins will possess knowledge but not land, weapons, or wealth. The Kshatriyas will be masters in handling weapons but need to consult Brahmins regarding policy decisions. The Vaishyas will have the wealth but their status in society will be determined by their need to help others or philanthropy. The Shudras back then were just a few in number and it was decided that their children would be integrated into the society and not considered to be at the bottom. Plus one’s varna or caste is decided based on the work they do and not by their birth into a certain family. 

Then how come a system based on the division of labour suddenly changes into one based on birth? The answer to this question lies in India’s history of colonisation. With the Britisher’s arrival came their curiosity to understand our diversity in India. And what better way to do that than by categorising people into separate categories that are decided at birth? Why at birth? Because it makes it easy for them to understand us. If it’s based on the work one takes up then one can change their profession anytime in their life and their varna or caste will change with it, but if it is by birth it’s unchangeable. Plus it is also very similar to the class system that they follow in Europe, wherein, the Clergy or the Priests are at the top, the Noblemen in the middle and then the peasants or common people. It is also true that back in those days many people used to continue in the line of work their parents or grandparents used to be masters in. But they still had the option to choose what caste they wanted to be in depending on the kind of work they wished to do. To give some examples of people practising this choice back in the day, let’s look at the cases of Maharishi Ved Vyasha, who wrote the Mahabharat and is regarded as a Brahmin though he is a son of a fisherwoman; and Maharishi Valmiki who wrote the Ramayan was also considered as a child of a Dalit woman but is regarded on an equal stature as a Brahmin. But the Britishers ensured that this choice was taken away. But how did they do it?

Simple by keeping a record of people born in India, i.e., through the Census. It is through this that the caste system that we know today was created as a section when it came to personal data collection. And once it became a written document stating which caste one belonged to it became harder for people to change their caste as the document states that they are part of one caste and a written document is permanent.

Casteism in India

Thanks to the efforts of the Britishers to make their understanding of us easier we are not left with a very evil system that runs on making people feel inferior. Thus, the caste system that we know today led to a rise in casteism or treating people differently based on the caste they were born in. Though certain laws have been passed to fight this evil system and the discrimination that comes with it, sadly it all boils down to how people change their behaviour. So, the best and most efficient way to fight casteism is by changing our attitude towards people from different caste. The more inclusive we become the better we learn to live together.