Latest news with #PopulationFoundationofIndia
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
17 hours ago
- Entertainment
- First Post
From Delhi Crime to Guilty Minds: This August 15, watch four inspiring women as they redefine independence
This Independence Day, meet four women protagonists who embody the responsibility that comes with freedom. They exemplify patriotism, social consciousness, empathy and courage. Dr. Sneha, Captain Shikha Sharma, Vartika Chaturvedi and Kashaf not only make space for the feminine perspective in male-dominated realms but also strain against societal prejudices. Each of these women reflect values central to the idea of India, provoke thought and encourage us to imagine and work towards a more equal, just, fair and resilient country. The Test Case Directed by Vinay Waikul and Nagesh Kukunoor, 'The Test Case', though faintly inspired by the Demi Moore starrer 'G.I. Jane' (1997) shattered stereotypes by portraying Nimrat Kaur as the first woman to be 'tested' in a combat role in the Indian army. Kaur plays Captain Shikha Sharma, the only woman in a group of Indian Army officers training to join the Special forces. In scenes reminiscent of Kavita Chaudhary's 1987 series 'Udaan', she falters initially at tasks entailing physical strength and attracts disdain and animosity from her male counterparts. But thanks to her leadership skills and determination, she not only graduates at the top of her training course but also ensures that she gets justice for the trauma she has been put through. The show invites us to envision an India where women will be treated on par with men and will not be made to feel unsafe everywhere. Watch it on JioHotstar. Main Kuch Bhi Kar Sakti Hoon 'Main Kuch Bhi Kar Sakti Hoon' (MKBKSH), is a pathbreaking show ideated and launched by Population Foundation of India across television, radio, the internet, and mobile platforms. At its heart is Dr Sneha Mathur, a conscientious medical professional who chooses to leave the city to work in a village. Along the way, she tries to raise awareness about issues like family planning, domestic abuse, early marriage, sex selection, sexual and reproductive health. With patience, grit and courage, she breaks past barriers of ignorance and prejudice to transform lives. The show sparked conversations around gender equality and also sensitised the audiences to the rural inequities that must be bridged if India has to progress inclusively. The cumulative viewership of 150 million signifies that the show's message travelled far and wide. MKBKSH was directed by Feroz Abbas Khan. Watch it on YouTube. Delhi Crime Richie Mehta's Emmy winning 'Delhi Crime' not only sheds light on the dark undercurrents of gender violence, social disparity and unchecked crime but also celebrates Deputy Commissioner of Police Vartika Chaturvedi (Shefali Shah) who leads from the front to bring hope and justice to victims and survivors of horrific crimes. The police procedural crime drama has tackled difficult subjects like the 2012 Delhi gang rape case and the trails of murders by the notorious Chaddi Baniyan Gang. The drama reminds us what conscientious policing can look like and at the International Emmy Awards held in November 2020, it became the first Indian series to receive the award for Best Drama Series. Watch it on Netflix. Guilty Minds 'Guilty Minds' is an unusual legal drama steered by Shefali Bhushan and Jayant Digambar Somalkar. This series stars Shriya Pilgaonkar as Kashaf Quaze who with her friend Vandana runs a law centre to take up class action and humanitarian cases. Along the way, she comes face to face with many issues that contemporary India is facing but always fights for the underdog and never gives up on her idealism even in the face of disillusion. Be it gender violence, water shortages in rural India or corruption, Kashaf shows us how to take challenges head on and speak up for the voiceless. Watch it on Amazon Prime.
Hans India
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Hans India
This August 15, watch four inspiring women as they redefine Independence
This Independence Day, meet four women protagonists who embody the responsibility that comes with freedom. They exemplify patriotism, social consciousness, empathy and courage. Dr. Sneha, Captain Shikha Sharma, Vartika Chaturvedi and Kashaf not only make space for the feminine perspective in male-dominated realms but also strain against societal prejudices. Each of these women reflect values central to the idea of India, provoke thought and encourage us to imagine and work towards a more equal, just, fair and resilient country. 1. The Test Case Directed by Vinay Waikul and Nagesh Kukunoor, 'The Test Case', though faintly inspired by the Demi Moore starrer 'G.I. Jane' (1997) shattered stereotypes by portraying Nimrat Kaur as the first woman to be 'tested' in a combat role in the Indian army. Kaur plays Captain Shikha Sharma, the only woman in a group of Indian Army officers training to join the Special forces. In scenes reminiscent of Kavita Chaudhary's 1987 series 'Udaan', she falters initially at tasks entailing physical strength and attracts disdain and animosity from her male counterparts. But thanks to her leadership skills and determination, she not only graduates at the top of her training course but also ensures that she gets justice for the trauma she has been put through. The show invites us to envision an India where women will be treated on par with men and will not be made to feel unsafe everywhere. Watch it on JioHotstar. 2. Main Kuch Bhi Kar Sakti Hoon 'Main Kuch Bhi Kar Sakti Hoon' (MKBKSH), is a pathbreaking show ideated and launched by Population Foundation of India across television, radio, the internet, and mobile platforms. At its heart is Dr Sneha Mathur, a conscientious medical professional who chooses to leave the city to work in a village. Along the way, she tries to raise awareness about issues like family planning, domestic abuse, early marriage, sex selection, sexual and reproductive health. With patience, grit and courage, she breaks past barriers of ignorance and prejudice to transform lives. The show sparked conversations around gender equality and also sensitised the audiences to the rural inequities that must be bridged if India has to progress inclusively. The cumulative viewership of 150 million signifies that the show's message travelled far and wide. MKBKSH was directed by Feroz Abbas Khan. Watch it on YouTube. 3. Delhi Crime Richie Mehta's Emmy winning 'Delhi Crime' not only sheds light on the dark undercurrents of gender violence, social disparity and unchecked crime but also celebrates Deputy Commissioner of Police Vartika Chaturvedi (Shefali Shah) who leads from the front to bring hope and justice to victims and survivors of horrific crimes. The police procedural crime drama has tackled difficult subjects like the 2012 Delhi gang rape case and the trails of murders by the notorious Chaddi Baniyan Gang. The drama reminds us what conscientious policing can look like and at the International Emmy Awards held in November 2020, it became the first Indian series to receive the award for Best Drama Series. Watch it on Netflix. 4. Guilty Minds 'Guilty Minds' is an unusual legal drama steered by Shefali Bhushan and Jayant Digambar Somalkar. This series stars Shriya Pilgaonkar as Kashaf Quaze who with her friend Vandana runs a law centre to take up class action and humanitarian cases. Along the way, she comes face to face with many issues that contemporary India is facing but always fights for the underdog and never gives up on her idealism even in the face of disillusion. Be it gender violence, water shortages in rural India or corruption, Kashaf shows us how to take challenges head on and speak up for the voiceless. Watch it on Amazon Prime.
India Today
6 days ago
- Politics
- India Today
India Today Woman Summit: Meet the leading ladies
(NOTE: This article was originally published in the India Today issue dated August 18, 2025)Be it pioneering a scientific breakthrough, winning an Olympic gold, running a government or transforming a business idea into a successful venture, there is no limit to what women can accomplish. To celebrate this 'she power', the India Today Woman Summit 2025, held recently in Delhi, brought together some outstanding women from diverse chief minister Rekha Gupta set the tone early in her session, 'She's the Boss: Governing the Capital of the World's Largest Democracy', putting across the message that 'courage and decision-making have no gender'. Legal luminary Pallavi S. Shroff made a powerful case for equity, saying that it isn't about being pampered but about being trusted with tough decisions. Senior IAS officers Mugdha Sinha and Anju Sharma spoke of the hidden tax on women in bureaucracy and the emotional toll of over-performance. Wing Commander Vyomika Singh said 'the sky became mine because someone believed in me' while Colonel Akriti Sharma highlighted that 'women no longer just join—they lead, command and transform'.The summit also amplified voices in science and social change. Poonam Muttreja of the Population Foundation of India called out gender imbalances in reproductive rights; Dr Dhriti Banerjee of the Zoological Survey of India spotlighted the ecological and institutional gaps women leaders continue to bridge. Panels on sports, OTT, entrepreneurship and safety showcased how women aren't just demanding space, they're creating them. The summit made one thing clear: females are not the future, they are already the present. Subscribe to India Today Magazine- Ends advertisement
India Today
08-08-2025
- Politics
- India Today
India Today Woman Summit 2025
Be it pioneering a scientific breakthrough, winning an Olympic gold, running a government or transforming a business idea into a successful venture, there is no limit to what women can accomplish. To celebrate this 'she power', the India Today Woman Summit 2025, held recently in Delhi, brought together some outstanding women from diverse chief minister Rekha Gupta set the tone early in her session, 'She's the Boss: Governing the Capital of the World's Largest Democracy', putting across the message that 'courage and decision-making have no gender'. Legal luminary Pallavi S. Shroff made a powerful case for equity, saying that it isn't about being pampered but about being trusted with tough decisions. Senior IAS officers Mugdha Sinha and Anju Sharma spoke of the hidden tax on women in bureaucracy and the emotional toll of over-performance. Wing Commander Vyomika Singh said 'the sky became mine because someone believed in me' while Colonel Akriti Sharma highlighted that 'women no longer just join—they lead, command and transform'.advertisementThe summit also amplified voices in science and social change. Poonam Muttreja of the Population Foundation of India called out gender imbalances in reproductive rights; Dr Dhriti Banerjee of the Zoological Survey of India spotlighted the ecological and institutional gaps women leaders continue to bridge. Panels on sports, OTT, entrepreneurship and safety showcased how women aren't just demanding space, they're creating them. The summit made one thing clear: females are not the future, they are already the present. - Ends
Hans India
12-07-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
'India's population at crossroads, not a crisis'
New Delhi: An NGO, Population Foundation of India, has urged a shift away from fear-driven debates on overpopulation or fertility decline, calling instead for policies that centre on dignity, rights, and opportunities, particularly for women, youth, and the elderly. The NGO, in a statement on World Population Day 2025 on Friday, asserted that India's population challenges are not about numbers but about justice, equity, and investment in human potential. "India's population story is not a crisis, it's a crossroads," Poonam Muttreja, Executive Director of the Population Foundation of India, said during a function marking the occasion. The first is realising the gender dividend; family planning must move beyond female sterilisation to a range of contraceptives, with both men and women sharing responsibility. The second is harnessing the demographic dividend, with over 250 million young people. India has a unique opportunity to drive inclusive growth by investing in education, skill development, reproductive health, and mental well-being, especially for adolescent girls. The third is to prepare for the silver dividend, noting that by 2050, nearly one in five Indians will be over 60, the foundation called for immediate investments in elder care, pensions, healthcare, and age-friendly infrastructure and see older adults as vital contributors and not as dependents.
