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The Stephanian Forum SOCIETY "Neither the life of an individual nor the history of a society can be understood without understanding both" -C. Wright Mills Team Stephania (2024-25) Sep 1 Exploring Socio-Psychological Concepts in Everyday Life Drowning in the endless deadlines accompanying academic life, it is often easy to lose sight of how our academic pursuits fit into the... Avaantika Vivek Mar 2, 2023 Framing Women’s Sports Rethinking How We View Our Female Athletes Why is it that so many people think women’s sports are intrinsically less interesting than their male counterparts? ‘Framing Women’s Sports: Rachel Elsa Jude Feb 7, 2023 Don't We Keep Coming Back? We are all chasing our dreams, or maybe are on the journey of finding them. Although not necessary, it does require moving out of our... The Stephanian Forum Nov 14, 2022 Towards a Greener Menstruation In a scenario, where safe menstruation for every female is imperative, the amount of steadily growing menstrual waste is an equally acute... Rachel Batra Oct 31, 2022 The Juncture of Nature-Nurture Unveiling our connection with the divine, the curtain of nature-nurture. How we are connected with not just each other but the cosmos.... Maria Charles Nov 29, 2021 The Power of Harmless Flattery Flattery is a word with a bad reputation, often considered in a negative context. But is it always that bad? Allen Mathew Sep 25, 2021 Revenge Bedtime Procrastination: What is it and how you probably have it. It’s pretty darn dark outside, and raining; I’m in my room, with the fan running and the tube light switched on... Jane Eliza Cyriac Sep 16, 2021 The Impact of COVID-19: Refugees. According to reports from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), nearly 1 person is forcibly displaced every 2 seconds. Drona Sharma Sep 8, 2021 We are Grateful Dear Corona Warriors, greetings on behalf of your anxious yet grateful human family. Renee Jose Nov 8, 2020 We Need To Talk! The increasing dialogues on mental wellness, in lieu of the rising numbers of suicide cases among the youth, has urged many of us to... Jasjeev Singh Sahni Sep 30, 2020 From Desks to Desktops: The Virus’s Undoing of Education The biography of education in India foretells a constant state of flux in the medium of teaching. From the slate-chalk, the blackboard-chalk Aishwarya Mukhopadhyay Sep 25, 2017 Surviving in a Post-Truth World: Shoma Chaudhury on the needs of the times Disclaimer: The Stephanian Forum does not take any institutional position on its content and would like to inform readers that the views,... Vrinda Sharma Aug 13, 2017 Freedom of Expression and Netiquette Disclaimer: The Stephanian Forum does not take any institutional position on its content and would like to inform readers that the views,... Shreemayi Samujjwala Jul 30, 2017 Unfetter those words now, shall we? Disclaimer: The Stephanian Forum does not take any institutional position on its content and would like to inform readers that the views,... The Stephanian Forum Sep 24, 2016 Comedy is a blood-sport I live to see times when a comedy show that means no harm to any individual, religion, god or the society as a whole, is crucified. To... Pragya Jat Oct 15, 2015 On Secularism and a Happy Co-Existence. Secularism, a term as intrinsic to my understanding of India as electoral competition. But, apparently for some in the current political... The Stephanian Forum Sep 19, 2015 Of gendered spaces and absolute equality. An interview of The SUS President for the year, Aina Singh. The interview team comprises Rishi Bryan (IInd English), Urvi Khaitan (IInd... Vikram Grewal Aug 17, 2015 FIFA 16: Snowballing Feminism into Football. Ignoring the ‘fratricidal’ FIFA wars over Sepp Blatter, the officials at EA Sports gave the masses something unprecedented earlier this... Soumyajit Kar Jul 28, 2015 How much of feminism do we understand? “She feels good when they split all expenses, but also when he buys her flowers. Inside the modern feminist lies an archaic desire.”... Prerna Geeta Manian Jan 10, 2015 Following a Religion- A Façade? “You are a black stain on Hinduism if you love a Muslim man.” “I won’t let you marry a Muslim.” “Muslims are terrorists.” While studying... Soumyajit Kar Dec 16, 2014 Gender and the Epics “Being a woman is a terribly difficult task, since it consists principally in dealing with men.” — Joseph Conrad Hinduism is probably the...

ABOUT US The Planning Forum is a student-led organization. We conduct sessions, workshops and webinars to help students explore careers and opportunities in the field of Public Policy. The Stephanian Forum is an initiative by a few students of The Planning Forum, St. Stephen’s College who aim to create a platform to voice their opinions without a filter. It is an open space where ideas, perspectives and experiences about everything, from a grain of rice to the dire situations we face today, coexist. If you’re wondering who we are and what we do, know this, YOU are us— you define The Stephanian Forum. From the articles you read to the ones you ponder over and finally, those you contribute to this space, all that we are capable of, starts with you. CONTACT US Contact Us The Stephanian Forum is always looking to collaborate with prospective writers and organizations to deliver the best content to our readers. If you have any queries or ideas that you want to discuss with us, send us an email at thestephanianforum@gmail.com or tpf@ststephens.edu each out to us via our social media handles!

India’s Political Landscape is Ideologically Bereft Shilpa Mariam Joseph Around the world, right-wing populism is on the rise. Since the mid-2010s, we’ve seen one election after another ending in the victory of a right-wing party, typically led by strong, charismatic leaders who make tall (and often undelivered) promises. India is no exception, with the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance coming to power in 2014 and then again in 2019. There is no question, voters everywhere are aligning with the global far-right. In examining why this happens, it is common for liberals to conclude that promises of jobs and economic growth are what drove voters to the BJP. Modi’s first term was marked by record-breaking levels of unemployment and an economy in downswing. By liberal logic, the results of the 2019 election should have been clear— a resounding defeat for the BJP. Instead, their vote share jumped by 6% Voters did not vote for Modi because of his economic policies, and they definitely don’t deify him for them. Modi’s almost cult status stems from one promise alone- his promise of pride. Modi ran on a platform that pledged to restore “Bharat” to its former glory, glory that 1000 years of foreign rule had sapped. He implied that the government would end reservations for historically disadvantaged groups and leaders from the RSS, BJP’s ideological parent, promised that Muslims and Christians would be “wiped out.” The overarching message was clear— Modi would return India to the “real Indians”, and anyone not Hindu wouldn’t fit the bill. An angry, resentful voter base responded. They were tired of what appeared to be almost institutionalised corruption, they felt abandoned by a government they saw as pandering to minorities, the rapid cultural change of globalisation creating an India they no longer recognised. They were primed for change, and it was change that Modi promised. India’s opposition parties have largely responded by attacking the BJP’s economic failings. And however sound their arguments may be, they simply do not resonate with voters. In an article for Bloomberg, Mihir Sharma argues that to defeat populists like Modi, “you can’t treat them like regular politicians. Voters will continue to support them until you change their minds about what sort of country they want to live in.” And given the results of our most recent Lok Sabha election, the Indian people have made their minds clear. The opposition has caught on, pivoting to an “if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em” approach. The Congress, which has always painted itself as both secular and centrist, proposed the creation of a Brahmin Chetna Parishad that would exclusively address the concerns of the Brahmin community of UP. The Aam Aadmi Party, which rose to prominence as a potential third pole of Indian politics, promised to end corruption and serve the interests of the “common man”. After being unable to make a dent anywhere outside the national capital, AAP appears to be far removed from its origins. It has remained uncritical of the BJP, while continuing to attack the Congress. And its response to the Delhi Pogrom has shown its unwillingness to take any action against right-wing political actors, while continuing to drive out left-leaning ideologues such as Yogendra Yadav and Prashant Bhushan. National opposition parties now peddle what political pundits call “Soft Hindutva”. This shift in politics gives the world’s largest democracy nothing more than the illusion of choice. Voters in India who do not belong to the right are unrepresented and the ruling party is allowed to run amuck without an opposition to check it. The role of questioning the government has largely fallen to civil society, but there are steep costs to pay. Dissent has found no place in Indian democracy. The government has used the COVID-19 pandemic as an opportunity to imprison anyone, from scholars to students, critical of its policies. It has been ceded that without opposition, there is no democracy. But what does it mean for democracy when the opposition is indistinguishable from the party in power? Featured image credits : Khushi Dudi

From the picture-perfect shot with the right angles and lighting to the millions of likes and shares on it, social media has transformed how people consume food in several ways intertwining and diversifying cultures but also creating a monopoly of certain viral recipes. Did you ever think why am I whisking coffee for 30 mins to make it look aesthetically pleasing, something which I can make in 5 mins or using an actor’s recipe to make pasta when my mom makes such good home-made mac n cheese. Social media has not only changed and globalized food culture but also impacted food consumer behaviour in several ways, influencing what people eat, where they eat, and how they perceive food trends. Social Media Platforms like Instagram and TikTok have popularized visually appealing foods, making presentation as important as taste. Dishes like rainbow bagels, freakshakes, and Mugcakes gained popularity mainly due to their hype and outreach. But how is then Instagram killing authenticity of something which came to light in the very first place because of this app. Imagine, you are an Italian cuisine admirer, which is to say you love their tiramisus, Neapolitan pizza and Aglio-olio pastas but what if you wake up one day and hear someone putting pineapple or ketchup in the traditional Italian pizza or using the ‘one-pan, no-boil’ technique for making pasta. These new viral trends introduced by influencers for virality and engagement in essence kills the authenticity of food culture and tradition. The concept of fusion food such as pineapple sandwich or chocolate dosa inherently misrepresents a culture that offers much depth to flavours from something that is just ‘instagrammable’. Authentic cooking, is something that tests your patience especially in cultures with rich culinary traditions while Instagram has this need for quick, engaging 5-min oven ready knock-offs of the original dishes which are much more simplified yet does not provide the depth of the original recipe. Traditional slow-cooked stews or desserts, fermented home made breads or pickles, or labor-intensive techniques are often replaced by shortcuts that compromise the original taste and integrity. The new in town restaurants and cafes in today’s age design their menus and spaces with Instagram in mind. Neon signs, Photobooth corners, aesthetic plating and posters on walls, and “over-the-top” presentations of food that cannot be also quantitatively justified for the price tag it comes for often take priority over culinary craftsmanship. This leads to dishes being created purely for viral potential rather than flavor or cultural heritage. Food influencers and bloggers also shape this consumer choices by going to restaurants and writing reviews on how they perceive these popular food joints, their review in today’s age has more value than traditional restaurant ads therefore creating an industry influencing food culture for themselves. While these platforms have been instrumental in promoting lesser-known foods and supporting small businesses, the constant pursuit of visually appealing content can create unrealistic expectations. The phrase “phone eats first” has become a reality, where snapping a perfect photo often takes priority over actually enjoying the meal. From dalgona coffee to cheese-pull pizzas, social media has accelerated the rise of food trends like never before. A single viral post can turn a niche dish into a global sensation overnight. Though one needs to understand these food influencers do not have the same level of culinary training as that of a specialised critic despite having significant influence on food consumerism. Their recommendations shape what’s popular, often favoring visually appealing dishes over nuanced flavors. To a certain extent, there is also a certain loss of regional authenticity due to generalization of some popular dishes as the sole thing to offer by that culture or cuisine therefore disregarding regional variation or diverse regional cultures. For example;- Butter Chicken for India, Pad Thai for Thailand, Sushi for Japan, etc. creating a skewed perception of authentic cuisines. While Instagram has helped make food culture more accessible, it has also contributed to the dilution of authenticity. For chefs and restaurants, the key is to embrace creativity while staying true to their roots. Instead of altering traditional dishes just to fit a trend, they can highlight their authenticity while using thoughtful presentation and storytelling to connect with a modern audience. Influencers and food bloggers also play a role in this balance. By focusing on the history and flavors behind the food—rather than just how it looks—they can help people appreciate the real story behind each dish. As diners, we can also make a difference. Instead of choosing a meal just because it looks good on Instagram, we can take a moment to learn about its origins and flavors. Food is more than just something to photograph—it’s an experience meant to be enjoyed with all our senses. The balance between tradition and digital trends is therefore very crucial for preserving food culture that has been going on for decades—food should not just be about what looks good online but about preserving its history, flavors, and cultural essence.

From the popcorn in our fists while you hear someone whistling in the background to the entry of the ‘Hero’ to empty theatres and a series of flops, big production houses that were once known for its legacy and grandeur today vulnerable to produce just one new film, today the Hindi-Film industry is going through a staggering dwindling and unstable period that it itself is not able to come out of. The idea of relatability through repetitive and misrepresented plotlines looks like in the recent movie ‘Naadaniyaan’ starring the debut actor Ibrahim Ali khan which raised a lot of Gen-Z uproar over its failure to connect with the audience through elitist and misunderstood themes of the current generation, this essentially is overshadowing the idea of originality and freshness brought through new talents and scripts. The issue of Nepotism is symmetric in all industries, but original scripts, creative ideas, realistic representation and a connect with the audience is something the Hindi-Film industry is not able to bridge the gaps of. Despite recovery of other industries from the economic wrath of COVID-19, for the Hindi film industry, this recovery has been substantially low. It also connects with the idea of stardom, one that is an age-old fairytale. Today one movie can make or break the actors in the Hindi-speaking Film Industry. The security of these artists and the industry as a whole has become very vulnerable, especially after the tanking of box-office hits and the rise of OTT in the background of COVID-19 which   just further exasperated the loopholes the industry was already facing. CINEMA THAT TRANSCENDS LANGUAGES Today, regional cinema acts as a powerful tool changing the landscape of Indian entertainment industry. Its strong storytelling, message delivery, audience capturing, casting choices and representation of social issues acts as a strong barrier to the Hindi-film Industry. But what marked the change in present times, especially when regional cinemas did exist in their own spheres in post-independence period. Firstly, the idea of accessibility and affordability for film-making and production through technological advancements, this acted as a boon to independent and regional cinemas to go ahead, experiment and create low budget blockbusters like ‘2018’ and ‘Kantara’. This in parallel to very high-budget Bollywood A-star films with repetitive action and romance plotlines and poor message delivery acts as a stable and secure choice with greater return of investment. Secondly, on the idea of authenticity, Marathi film industry insiders believe the freedom to tell real stories which connects to the linguistic diaspora with a scope of experimentation caters well for multiple regional language industries. This despite being regional has a wider influence on a national and global level as seen with movies like ‘All We Imagine As Light’, ‘Baahubali’ and ‘Super Deluxe’. Their striking visual aesthetics, bold and intuitive storyline, and being a masterpiece in acting proves it to get traction and attention on a wider level compared to it being restricted to local spheres. But thirdly and a transformative change on the level of prominence of OTT platforms that has made it far easier for an individual to navigate the cinema they like not bound by regional accessibility or individual’s language barrier. Platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime pushing the success of movies like ‘Vikram Vedha’ or ‘Maharaja’ shows the diminishing prominence of box-office in the present times. There remains one reason above all why regional films like Sairat, Kantara, Pushpa or RRR go on to become one of the most successful films to have carried the baton of their regional industry to global forum, it is essentially two-fold. Firstly, the Authenticity that it provides to the viewer who comes from the similar background of social and cultural realities and therefore is able to connect with the story more but also on the idea experimentation, no restriction from the audience to create a story or a script which is acceptable of a pan-level. The love for cinema drives these artists to create stories having a meaning and hence such a message delivery gains importance. It is exactly why the Hindi remakes of the same scripts or films do not have that much popularity as the original one. We need to also understand that while recovery of the Hindi Film Industry from this economic and creative stagnation is very important, as a collective Indian film industry, the shift of viewership to regional cinemas only shows that the audience now has shifted their focus from conventional plotlines and scripts to creative and thought-provoking themes and messages. Regionalism hence becomes very important medium as it promotes culture-sharing and original ideas and therefore if films like these represent the country at the global level, not only do they become representation of our culture and nation but they also break a lot of stereotypes of inherently how the West views Indian content which is shaped by Indian realities. Regional cinema therefore is re-defining today the inclusivity, creativity and originality of the Indian Entertainment Industry. These industries provide a platform for diverse storytelling.

The first semester of your short yet glorious Stephanian life is truly one for the books. The experiences range from being startlingly new to being filled with fun and laughter. It’s a time when many of us step out from the comfort of our homes, leaving behind familiar schools and playgrounds, into a space that is said to play a pivotal role in shaping one’s life. Once you join college, you’re immediately swept up in a whirlwind of classes, morning assemblies, societies, and new friend groups. It’s easy to get lost in the excitement and emotions of this time, but for some, it can also be anxiety-inducing. Making friends can be a challenge—expressing your true, authentic self to attract people who vibe with you is something we all desire. However, when everyone around you is trying to do the same thing, you may find yourself surrounded by people who might not end up being your lifelong friends. Yes, the saying “The first friend group never really lasts” rings true for many of us! But don’t worry—this is all part of growing up, and eventually, the right people will come into your life and stick around. :) Classes are filled with an enthusiastic (a little too enthusiastic in the beginning) bunch of classmates and not so enthusiastic bunch of professors. Professors will show up right on time, ready to kick out the poor student who just didn’t get enough sleep last night or ended up having a small chitchat with their neighbour. And if you show up late to class? Well I guess that's up to the teacher to let you in without the bat of an eyelid or just straight up yell OUT! Without the bat of an eyelid as well.  As the semester progresses, you start to find your rhythm amidst the chaos. The initial fear of being lost in a sea of unfamiliar faces begins to fade as you start recognizing friendly smiles in the hallways. The awkward small talk transforms into deeper conversations, and before you know it, you’re sharing laughs and secrets over late-night study sessions or spontaneous coffee breaks. It’s in these moments that you truly begin to create memories that will last a lifetime.  Joining College Societies not only helps you explore new interests but also connects you with like-minded individuals. Whether it’s debating, coding, or even drama, these activities become a sanctuary where you can express yourself freely and build friendships that may last beyond college. The thrill of participating in competitions or organizing events adds an extra layer of excitement, making every moment feel worthwhile. As the semester winds down, you may find yourself reflecting on how much you’ve grown. The challenges faced, the friendships forged, and the lessons learned all contribute to shaping your identity. While the journey may have its ups and downs, it’s essential to embrace every moment. After all, this is just the beginning of a beautiful adventure in your Stephanian life, filled with endless possibilities and experiences waiting to unfold. So, take a deep breath, cherish the memories, and look forward to what lies ahead!