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In a series of posts called ‘The Women Behind Women’s Web’, we present to you the people involved in bringing you this website – some who’ve been there from the very beginning, and some who joined in enthusiastically during the first year. Hope you enjoy reading more about the team that contributes to Women’s Web. Presented in a Q&A format, this one is with freelance writer, Melanie Lobo, who wrote the first ever article that was published on Women’s Web – on Working during your pregnancy.
Intro: Tell us about yourself in a few lines.
I’m a freelance writer and a full time wife and mum living in Pune. My husband and son keep me on my toes and inspire me with new writing material daily.
Q1. Why do you blog/write? What attracts you to it?
I have always had a passion for writing and have been writing all through school and college as well. I gave up full-time work when my son was born. As he grew a little older, I took the opportunity to start writing again.
Q2. What do you like best about writing for Women’s Web? Of all the pieces you’ve written here, which is your favourite?
I think what I like best about writing for Women’s Web is that the site covers issues that really affect Indian women.
I’ve enjoyed covering all the pieces I’ve written for Women’s Web so far. If I had to pick one, it would be the one on Child Sexual Abuse. It was an eye opener for me, as a mother, as well.
Q3. What do you think Women’s Web can do better/do differently?
I think Women’s Web is doing a great job – just keep up the good work, Aparna!
Q4. What are the things that trigger you to write, that make you go, “I have to write about this!”?
Anything that I feel strongly about and that should be brought to the attention of our readers makes me want to write about that particular issue.
Q5. Who are your favourite women writers/bloggers? What do you admire about them/their work?
My favourite bloggers would have to be the women behind The Mad Momma and Thinking Cramps. The Mad Momma brings out the normal everyday happenings in her life in such a wonderful way – you feel like you are present there with them. Thinking Cramps has an amazing style of writing which is simply beautiful. She can pick an everyday event and turn it into an extraordinary tale.
I don’t have any favourite women writers as such. I read many authors and enjoy the different styles of writing each one brings to her work.
Q6. What would you like to say to people who are interested in writing/blogging but are hesitant to start?
Writing or blogging is a great way to express yourself. Just go with the flow – write one page to begin with. The rest will follow naturally. After all, nothing ventured, nothing gained. 🙂
Previous interviews with the Women behind Women’s Web:
Blogger Hip Grandma
Freelance Writer and Blogger, Kiran Manral.
Founder-Editor of Women’s Web, Aparna V. Singh
Women's Web is an alternative magazine covering real issues for real women. This blog handle usually includes posts about happenings at Women's Web, interesting contests/events, people working on the website and so read more...
Women's Web is an open platform that publishes a diversity of views, individual posts do not necessarily represent the platform's views and opinions at all times.
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What I loved was how there is so much in the movie of the SRK we have known, and also a totally new star. The gestures, the smile, the wit and the charisma are all too familiar, but you also witness a rawness, an edginess.
When a movie that got the entire nation in a twist – for the right and wrong reasons – hits the theatres, there is bound to be noise. From ‘I am going to watch it – first day first show’ to ‘Boycott the movie and make it a flop’, social media has been a furore of posts.
Let me get one thing straight here – I did not watch Pathaan to make a statement or to simply rebel as people would put it. I went to watch it for the sheer pleasure of witnessing my favourite superstar in all his glory being what he is best at being – his magnificent self. Because when it comes to screen presence, he burns it, melts it and then resurrects it as well like no other. Because when it comes to style and passion, he owns it like a boss. Because SRK is, in a way, my last connecting point to the girl that I once was. Though I have evolved into so many more things over the years, I don’t think I am ready to let go of that girl fully yet.
There is no elephant in the room really here because it’s a fact that Bollywood has a lot of cleaning up to do. Calling out on all the problematic aspects of the industry is important and in doing that, maintaining objectivity is also equally imperative. I went for Pathaan for entertainment and got more than I had hoped for. It is a clever, slick, witty, brilliantly packaged action movie that delivers what it promises to. Logic definitely goes flying out of the window at times and some scenes will make you go ‘kuch bhi’ , but the screenplay clearly reminds you that you knew all along what you were in for. The action sequences are lavish and someone like me who is not exactly a fan of this genre was also mind blown.
A new Gallup poll reveals that up to 40% of Indian women are angry compared to 27% of men. This is a change from 29% angry women and 28% angry men 10 years ago, in 2012.
Indian women are praised as ‘susheel’, virtuous and to be emulated when they are obedient, ready to serve others and when they put the wishes of others before their own. However, Indian women no longer seem content to be in the constrictive mould that the patriarchy has fashioned for them. A Gallup poll looked at the issue of women’s anger, their worry, stress, sadness and found that women consistently feel these emotions more than men, particularly in India.
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