Sahej Marwah, Author at Arré

Can the Bombay High Court’s Ruling on What Constitutes Sexual Assault Make Committing Crimes Easier for Predators?

Assault and harassment in the form of groping and eve-teasing take place with an alarming frequency in the country. Limiting what constitutes assault to “skin-to-skin contact” like Bombay HC means women are more likely to not report incidents and thus, society as a whole will be neglectful of these atrocities.

Sahej Marwah July 28, 2016

Pop Culture

5 Questions We Wish Oprah Winfrey Had Asked Priyanka Chopra

The last time Oprah Winfrey was in the news, it was for the bombshell interview with Meghan Markle and Prince Harry. So when we heard she was talking to Priyanka Chopra Jonas next, we expected some pressing questions. But like the actress’s new book, the interview felt somewhat unfinished.

Sahej Marwah July 28, 2016

People

“to hate/ is an easy lazy thing”: Why You Simply Can’t Ignore Rupi Kaur & Her Instagram Poetry

It’s easy to hate on Rupi Kaur. Social media is replete with mockery of her work. Yet her fame has only augmented over the years. She has sold millions of copies around the world and given several TED talks. So what keeps people coming back for more?

Sahej Marwah July 25, 2016

Bollywood

Richa Chadha’s Madam Chief Minister Poster Reveals Bollywood’s Caste Blind Spot

Bollywood’s effort at telling tales of India’s caste problem seems insincere. The poster of Richa Chadha’s upcoming movie Madam Chief Minister is proof.

Sahej Marwah July 19, 2016

Gender

Cab-Pooling Only With Women Option Must in Ola, Uber: How Long Will We Segregate Women to Keep them Safe?

According to the latest notice issued by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Ola and Uber must provide a “female-only co-passengers” option while cab-pooling. While regulations like these encourage women to travel, it also raises the question: In 2020, why do we still have to rely on safety in numbers?

Sahej Marwah July 11, 2016

Gender

Socially Distancing from My Razor: How Giving Up Hair Removal Can Be Liberating

For me, being hair-free was like an outfit accessory – I would only look good or “sophisticated” if my skin was smooth and glossy. When salons shut during the first lockdown, I stopped bothering about hair removal. It felt liberating to just be who I am.

Sahej Marwah July 6, 2016

Gender

Little Women: Slumber Parties Are Where Girls Get Their First Lesson in Sisterhood

The sleepovers that my childhood best friend organised were American pop-culture paradise – we watched rom-coms and discussed boys over a feast of pizza, coke, and ice-cream. But that’s not what they were all about. Our talks steered toward periods and acne and the “burden of our boobs”. What we did not know at the time was that we were creating our first, original feminist safe space.

Sahej Marwah July 5, 2016

Coronavirus

Can You Double Up as a Volunteer With Your Full-Time Job? Citizens’ Covid War-Room Shows You How

There’s a sense of helplessness that has taken over all of us as the country struggles to cope with the devastating second wave of the coronavirus. While many of us continue to feel defeated, there are some among us who decided to do something about it. Meet the good folks at Citizens’ Covid War-Room, a group of millennials and zoomers, who have been working round the clock to verify leads and provide resources to patients in need.

Sahej Marwah June 24, 2016

Gender

I Refuse to Use the Menstrual Cup. Does that Make Me a Bad Feminist?

There are numerous advantages to a menstrual cup: cost benefit, safety, larger capacity for blood, and reduced carbon footprint. Yet, I find it hard to accept this imposition at the cost of my comfort. In a world that demands propriety, is it okay to not do the right thing once in a while?

Sahej Marwah June 16, 2016

Pop Culture

How to Make a Show about “Liberated” Women. Just Talk Sex, What Else?

Bhaag Beanie Bhaag gives in to the same stereotype like Veere Di Wedding and Four More Shots Please! Its lead characters are devoid of depth, and their “open-mindedness” only means that they can talk boldly about sex.

Sahej Marwah June 12, 2016