The tag of feminist

Misconceptions Overshadowing Empowering Goal
 

 Sidhant Sinha, AIS MV, Alumnus 

Equality in the 21st century is no longer a lofty ideal – it is a basic requirement for any progressive society. In a truly balanced world, all genders would coexist with respect, fairness, and shared opportunity. Collaboration – not competition – would define social structures, and peace would naturally follow. But the reality we live in is far from this vision. Despite advancements, the shadow of historical patriarchy still looms large. For centuries, men dominated positions of power, which has become so ingrained into systems and institutions that they continue to favour one gender over others.
However, change began when a group of strong, resilient, and independent women rose to challenge this imbalance. They demanded rights, dignity, and autonomy – not just for themselves, but for all women. What began as scattered voices became a powerful global movement known as feminism. The term, first coined in 1837 by French philosopher Charles Fourier, grew into a rallying cry for equality. At a time when women couldn’t vote, own property, or even express independent thought, owning the feminist tag was bold, even dangerous.
Over the decades, feminism brought about landmark progress – equal pay legislation, access to equitable education, reproductive rights, and political representation. Studies have consistently shown that when men and women are given equal opportunities, societies thrive. Economies grow stronger, innovation increases, and the overall well-being of a nation improves. Feminism, at its core, has helped make that possible.
Yet, in recent years, the term has become increasingly misunderstood – and, at times, misused. There are growing concerns that feminism is being distorted to serve personal agendas. In some situations, it is no longer about equal rights but about gaining undue advantage; whether in courtrooms, professional settings, or personal disputes. This misuse creates the damaging stereotype: feminism is anti-men. This dilutes the legitimacy of a movement rooted in justice.
It is important to remember that feminism is not about flipping the power dynamic or vilifying men – it’s about dismantling unjust hierarchies altogether. As poet and activist Robin Morgan once said, “Man-hating is a legitimate response of the oppressed towards the oppressor.” While that sentiment may reflect certain lived experiences, applying it indiscriminately, especially against innocent individuals, only breeds resentment. It reverses the roles of victim and perpetrator, leaving genuine grievances unheard and unresolved.
True feminism does not seek dominance, but dignity. It uplifts without tearing down. While strong feminists continue to fight tirelessly for equality, there is a need to ensure that the term itself is not hijacked or misapplied. Using feminism to justify hostility or unethical behaviour undermines the very principles upon which it was founded.
In today’s world, we must return to the true essence of feminism, one that empowers without excluding, and advocates for fairness without fear. Then, and only then, can we create a society where all individuals, regardless of gender, can live freely, peacefully, and equally.

Nurturing global dreams

At Amity, every initiative is rooted in love and foresight so that our students are empowered to fly high in their life journeys. On July 19, 2025 Amity launched Study@Abroad under the aegis of Amity Career Counselling and Guidance Cell (ACCGC), as a pioneering programme that will guide Amitians aspiring for global education every step of the way. With the phenomenal rise in foreign admissions over the years, I have observed that many families face undue stress and pressure navigating this complex process. The overseas consultancy industry charges a hefty fee for requirements like profile building application essays, and Statement of Purpose (SoP). The truth, however, is that most of this is done by teachers at school who guide children through this process. Recognising this gap, Study@Abroad was conceptualised.
Amity already offers a robust foundation with programmes like Youth Power, IAYP, Vasudha, Amity Space Design program, Mental Math, Bazinga, MUN etc – activities perfectly aligned with global university admission criteria. Through Study@Abroad, students will receive full support in writing strong SoPs and obtaining impactful LoRs. They will also get proper guidance as to which activities to participate in so that they can build a portfolio that is in sync with the university of their choice. And most importantly, with the help of expert career counsellors/advisors from ACCGC, who know the child the best. As a first step, an Open House was organised with official country representatives of government department from the USA, UK, Germany, Japan, Australia and New Zealand. This gave students and parents access to first-hand insight into global education. Study@Abroad will ensure that every student’s dream of international education is supported, right at their own school.

Power of scent

The edition you are reading today is fragrant with the history of attar - from its intricate making to its influence on emotions and economy. It’s a story you can almost smell! As I read it, familiar smells came rushing back – from the scent of rain on the lush lawns of my childhood home to the delicious aroma of my mother’s cooking. One of the most vivid scents I connect with, however, is the aroma of mangoes from my village. I come from a region famous for its mangoes, and even today, I could pick my village mango blindfolded out of a dozen different varieties. I also remember something equally special from my college days – two visually impaired friends had learnt to recognise each other by the perfumes they wore! A friend once shared how her favourite childhood memory was not just the softness of her mother’s cotton dupattas but the scent they carried - warm, gentle and comforting. 
As a mother myself, I still remember the first time I had held my newborn baby. I was exhausted, but was comforted to the core by his unique scent. Even today, I can recognise him by that smell, and it’s something only a mother would understand. This tells us how powerful smell can be, and how it can help us in ways we don’t always realise. So, it really made me happy when I recently got to know that many Amitians suggested science posters on ways to capture and recreate scents for ‘Advision’ category in GT. After all, we may not remember how something looked or sounded, but we will always remember how it smelled.

GT M@il

Dear Editor,
Reading ‘Spectac-ular glow up’, the autobiography of a pair of spectacles published on page 5 of GT edition dated July 28, 2025, has made me realise that we, the humans, take many such important tools and amenities for granted. Even when more than sixty percent of us are dependent on a pair of glasses, we fail to acknowledge their importance. Coming to the writing style, the way those spectacles went on to explain the timeline of how they came into existence was masterfully done. It read like an account of how a living-breathing human would reflect on his or her ancestors and evolution. I found the piece enriching not just because it was informative about the history of small important things, but also as it was an excellent demonstration of how the literary device of personification should be used. I would really love to read more autobiographies of this kind, for they are enlightening and entertaining.
Shailja Gauniyal
AIS Gur 46, XI A