NCPCR Chief, Priyank Kanoongo, National Commission for Protection Of Child Rights, has issued a notice to Netflix for an inappropriate portrayal of children in the web series ‘Bombay Begums’. This has led to a serious controversy around the appropriate way of dealing with critical issues like drug abuse and how not to glorify it.

Here is our take on it.

In a series of 6 narrated episodes, the writers have dipped their pen in many issues that women, or as we like to call them, ‘Queens’ face in order to be successful. The show deals with issues like sexual harassment at the workplace and an uneven playing field for women. It also talks about the invisible bias holding women back at the workplace, a constant struggle to fight for respect, bodily integrity, autonomy of their bodies, and more.

Bombay Begums also focuses on mothers – the cool mom, the empathetic mom, the mom who trades her soul for her kid, to the mom who doesn’t feel like it. Amongst so many issues that mothers face, there is one episode where a 14-year old heartbroken teenage girl consumes drugs because she’s hurt by the rejection of what seems like ‘the love of her life’. She passes out on the floor due to the consumption of too much alcohol and drugs.

Once she recovers, her mother has a heart-to-heart with her. They talk about what it feels like to be heartbroken, about boys, about love. Later the mother also asks her if she was touched inappropriately by anyone at the party. While it’s heartwarming to see the mother and the daughter connect with a bond that’s thicker than blood- connecting by queendom, not once in the show did the mother have a conversation with her daughter about the consumption of drugs and how it could have killed her.

Why is it necessary for the mother to address the drugs issue?

While we do realise that the narrator wanted to speak in a non-judgemental way, trying to somehow justify every action by internal reasoning, we thought it was also necessary for the mother to address the issue of drugs. How a cool mother deals with it would have been a much more interesting watch than ignoring this part altogether.

In our view normalising drugs, abuse or violence is not alright. We can not accept these as a norm or as a glorified behaviour.

Growing up is just not a bodily process, it is not just something that your menses announce. It also comes with a whole lot of wisdom, that no matter what life throws at you, turning to substance abuse is never the answer. The fact that the show doesn’t talk about the ill effects of drug consumption normalises it, and that is where the problem lies. When we talk about things that make us uncomfortable, we get a chance to change things around us. And it is the need of the hour.

The post Queens Talk About It #BombayBegums appeared first on Akancha Srivastava Foundation.

Akancha addresses one of the most frequently asked questions especially asked about children who seem to be using these tools frequently.

Akancha has been leading this initiative for last 3 years raising awareness on this topic & you can watch many more videos on this topic on the channel. She says that indeed social media can be a good influence IF AND ONLY IF it’s used in the right manner & with right intentions.

As Akancha points out, its not the platforms, its how we use it. Even a good thing in excess is injurious, same applies to social media. It can be a great influence when used in moderation.

Internet can not become a replacement for real world friends or activities especially for children.

Social media use by children needs handholding by parents so that they can gently guide the kids. Children are bright, they only need to be able to distinguish between right & wrong with your help.

One also needs to watch for which games children are interested in, are they indulging in any incorrect language, addiction to any platform or are they looking for validation from strangers.

Social media can be a good influence in terms of teaching community learning, collaboration, knowledge treasure trove, team building, information gathering, improving language skills & more.

Please do listen to Akancha on how you can make social media a good influence, not be addicted to it, encourage it’s right use in children, and not over spend time on it.

Stay Aware, Stay Safe.

ABOUT ‘AKANCHA AGAINST HARASSMENT’

‘Akancha Against Harassment’ is India’s largest social impact initiative against cyber harassment. It was founded by Miss Akancha Srivastava in February 2017. Its a not for profit Section 8 organisation.

Honorary Board of advisors

Foundation’s board hosts – Vijay Shekhar Sharma (Founder- Paytm), IG Navniet Sekera (Uttar Pradesh), IG Krishna Prakash (Maharashtra), Ritesh Malik (Founder- Innov8), Princess Diya (MP- Rajsamand).

Goals of this initiative

The initiative aims at Education, Empowerment & Bridging of general population with the authorities.

Support of the Indian Police for the initiative

Bridging is the most unique attribute of the initiative. We have a host of over 50+ senior police officers from across the country supporting us in content & awareness drive.

This unique strength helps us address any victim complaints that come to us as well as inform people about various measures of law enforcement across the country.

Multilingual AI Chat helpline for cyber safety

We run India’s only multilingual AI chat helpline for cyber safety. This helpline is currently available in Hindi & English on our website. It can be accessed from any internet enabled device. You can chat here anonymously, fearlessly.

We do not track ISPs unless you trigger an SOS to Akancha in any crisis situation.

We encourage you to please watch our videos, go to our website, arm yourself with knowledge. Stay Aware, Stay Safe.

Website: www.akanchasrivastava.org

Email: HelloAkancha@gmail.com

Twitter: @AkanchaS

Instagram: @akanchas

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We often shy away from speaking up or even living our life to the fullest for fear of social stigma. But, if we live in this constant fear, we actually never live our life.

If we dont report crimes, if we let criminals get away, we are responsible for the next crime that happens.

Please speak up, please dont be scared of what will people say. Watch this 2 minute video for some strength & motivation. We are here to help you!

The post LOG KYA KAHENGE? #AAH appeared first on Akancha Srivastava Foundation.

We are obsessed with sharing personal details, pictures, location of travel, what we eat, whom we meet- all the time on social media!

This makes it very easy for social media predators to stalk us, know intimate details of our family, children. Such information can lead to serious crimes like kidnapping, burglary, assault!

Please do watch this short video & stay safe!

Website: http://akanchasrivastava.org

Email: HelloAkancha@gmail.com

Twitter: @AkanchaS

(Prelude No. 16 by Chris Zabriskie is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/…)
Source: http://chriszabriskie.com/preludes/
Artist: http://chriszabriskie.com/)

The post RISKING SAFETY OF LOVED ONES? #AAH appeared first on Akancha Srivastava Foundation.

Please listen carefully. Stop others from doing this too.

You can send in your queries to : HelloAkancha@gmail.com

The post AAH PODCAST EP 68: 4 THINGS TO AVOID ON WHATSAPP! #AAH appeared first on Akancha Srivastava Foundation.

It can have very serious consequences as you might be followed, your parents or children at home might be vulnerable and more.
Please do listen carefully.

Website: http://akanchasrivastava.org

Email: HelloAkancha@gmail.com

Twitter: @AkanchaS

The post AAH PODCAST 66: STOP TAGGING YOUR LOCATION ON SOCIAL MEDIA! #AAH appeared first on Akancha Srivastava Foundation.

The 3 lessons were:

1) Life doesnt work in a straight line. You have to be like a river- flowing, taking turns, shaping your path.

2) Opportunities often come cloaked in traumas. Observe what a painful experience is trying to teach you. Then, you can either play victim or get up & do something about it.

3) It’s your responsibility to leave this world a little better every single day, in anyway you choose.

Until we have children begging at street lights, people dying cos they dont have a hundred bucks for treatment- we are not really progressing. And if you think that it doesn’t impact you in any way or its not your concern, you are mistaken. It’s the butterfly effect. Tears of one child will drown us all. It will affect you, your loved ones, all of us- in ways you cant imagine.

Each one reading this has the super power of education. Please use it responsibly, share it widely, do your bit.
#Event #AAH

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