'Hush' the Sex Taboo! 

When the ten year old son, watching a movie with his father asked,"What is a condom? All that he learnt then was to "Hush!" "Hush", for the questions and things that make you uncomfortable.
Same happened with the thirteen year old girl who asked her brother, and that, publicly, to get her sanitary napkins when her periods suddenly started while they were out for lunch. 
Not just these. Even with the kind of increase in the number of rapes, it was not discussed at the dinner table. 'Sex' turned the faces of numerous people on the train when read out loud by him. 
Even with all the modernity, the progress, the development and the education, an indian mind still has a very narrow, descriptive list of 'acceptable' things. 
A phenomenon as natural as menstruation is something that people are afraid to speak of. It has somehow become something impure, something to be hidden and be ashamed of. Why with the kind of modernity that we have accepted, do we need to wrap our sanitary napkins in black polythenes so that no one can see it? 
Sex, something that is as essential for humans as their existence itself, is the one thing that nobody talks about in the family. And then there all these sources for the little ones to know about it. But how much of it is accurate? And what exactly do they really need to know? These questions make the concept of sex education very important but then again, because of the discomfort caused to the learned ones, this topic is not given great attention. 
While giving good values to the new generation, so that they can continue to uphold our 'culture', we make them so narrow minded that as they grow older their capability to question and reason dies and their curiosity to learn new things fades away. 

The next time your kids, your younger siblings or any curious child asks you something or just talks about something 'inappropriate', be mature and grown up enough to respond responsibly instead of 'hushing'.

-Harshita

Harshita is a first year economics student and coordinates campaigns and issue based sessions at Sauhard

Why I don’t support France: Shalkie

Why I don’t support France, 

and any other nation who has decided to wage war, as they say.

Last week after the dreadful terrorist attack in the French capital, Facebook recommended me to add the French tricolor filter to my profile picture to show my support. And I did not. I still won’t because I didn’t support France then, and I don’t today. Before you begin to brand me , I will like you to know that I  like anyone have mourned the loss of life and my condolences are with the families of the victims and survivors likewise, and all the French people who had to wake up to such disaster in their very midst. But I still don’t support France, because if I say that I support France I will be saying yes to the country’s decision for war and the intensified air strikes in Syria. To which I vehemently oppose.

Since the night of the attacks, Raqqa in Syria has been continuously subjected to air strikes by France, Russia, and USA and they have caused the damaged to already ABANDONED posts, hospitals and bridges, cutting off water and electricity supplies for the city. Oh but let me remind you this is nothing new for the Syrian civilians of course, their every night since last five years have been like this. What difference does these strikes make, right? People in the St. Denis suburb of Paris had to wake up to brutal sounds of gunfight between the police and the terrorist congregation on Wednesday morning; it was in all true sense a horrifying experience. But let me again remind you, this is all the Syrians have heard for past five years. My point? If violence does not belong in one part of the world, it doesn’t even belong in another. In fact violence does not belong anywhere. ISIS was born because of the violence, so who are these armed alliances trying to kill by violence, something which takes birth from it? So if the people in the diplomatic positions of these countries think that retaliating to already a retaliated attack is there exposition of not being afraid and an approach towards attaining peace? Don’t try to fool yourself, and don’t even try to fool the world.

Another thing that devastates me is the sudden overturn of the countries’ and several states of one country’s refugee policies. To escape the barbarous torture posed by ISIS, the Assad forces, other neighboring countries’ forces, and many other contributing factors, thousands of innocent souls finally had chance to see the daylight. I don’t know if these countries have realized how lucky they are to stand at such fortunate position where they can afford to give shelter and share their resources with the people in the need, something that many other countries just cannot.  Two things that I would like to highlight from the investigation that has followed are that: 1) all the terrorists were EU nationals, none of them were from Syria they did however travel to Syria to join Islamic State and 2) they did return back to their respective countries with the damaged psyche and some of them may have taken advantage of the refugee route. From the first point we can infer that the process of radicalization for these young terrorists actually began on the European ground. And from the second we can say that it brings forth the faults in the security and the screening process at these EU borders despite these terrorists being on the high alert list. The reason that I have listed these two points is because these are the two developments in the timeline for which if proper measures and precautions were taken at the right time in the history, the Paris attack would not have taken place. So thousands of refugees looking for rehabilitation are not responsible for anything and stripping them of their chance for new life is nothing but an irrational move and a highly political in USA.

Just remember when one migrant boat capsizes, 200 people die.

Also I congratulate French intelligence into preventing another attack.

The only reason why I am writing this is because even when I didn’t belong anywhere in the vicinity of the situation, I was very much disturbed with the attacks and the loss of life, my closest knows. I hold ISIS accountable as much as anyone is and in no way they should escape out of the consequences.

Violence-an eight letter word? : Bhavi Barad

Violence-an eight letter word which has the strength to permanently damage anything and is contagious too. How casually it is said, "Unn logo ko toh chappal uthakar maarna chaiye, ye baato se nai manenge.", "Bau bol nai ek laafo maari dais." and so on...! And also, that saying: "Laato ke bhoot baato se nai maante." As if beating up somebody is the last thing one can do to solve the problem. It's weird how we have restricted our thoughts. We don't think what is beyond one's action. It is unbelievable how easily we have accepted violence as a part of our lives. Since the time we were little toddlers, we are conditioned to behave how the society accepts us. We are taught to be scared than to love each other. Fear gives rise to insecurities and these insecurities become so heavy on our minds that we cannot think of things other than them and this results into frustration. We are taught to suppress our emotions which gives rise to anger, frustration, stress, depression.....VIOLENCE too. Why do we always forget that we are given the ability to feel for a reason? The senses are not for their name-sake, they are to give us the best experience of the beautiful world around us through sensations. Why can't we accept love, friendship, happiness, appreciation, respect, truthfulness, etc. as a part of our everyday life? Is it so hard to live life simply, by not complicating it at all? Sexual harassment, molestation, physical assault, abuse, rape, domestic violence, etc. All are the results of suppression of some or the other emotion.

A child tends to do/ be more attracted to something he is denied to have.(Remember, the times you denied your child not to eat the food in the plate, he/she/it did!) The scenario doesn't change even when the child grows up. If he is already conditioned not to express his/her/its emotions, he/she/it will express them all, but in a different manner. A child notices how elders behave and tend to copy them. If one has always seen violence in movies or anywhere around oneself since childhood, one tends to accept it quite easily and also practice it whenever any such situation arises. We have not seen the better ways to express ourselves and that is why we are stuck in impressing others through our actions. The act of violence has now become the latest trend, an easy way to express, a faster medium to reach out to people and to tell them about your opinion. What a myth!

Gandhiji once said that a non-violent person is stronger than a violent person because to beat up somebody and get your frustration out on someone is quite easy but to be calm and composed in a situation where everywhere, every single thing is provoking you to satisfy your ego and be violent, is difficult. 

"What is right is not always easy and what is easy, is not always right!"

It's FEAR, ohh MY dear: Gaurang Raval

Have you ever wondered why people get so violent on trivial matters and support some highly illogical ideology? Have you ever thought why it's easier to gather mob to spread violence than to gather 10 people to plant trees? Have you ever tried to understand why riots on the basis of religion, region or caste get support from 'educated' or so called 'civilized society' ? 

The answer my friend is...Politics of fear! As a child, most of us have faced the politics of fear when our parents make us do things they want us to do by spreading fear of ghost, cockroach, punishment, police or some really weird animal which actually doesn't exist...! Unfortunately, the politics of fear isn't restricted to families. This politics is actually used by our political and religious leaders on massive scale. World over, leaders create fear among people to divide people and win elections by polarizing votes, silent all crucial questions raised by common people against the administration (poverty, corruption, unemployment etc) or to gain support in favor of dictatorship or sometimes even to sale their products! (Yes products! Don't we know how few powerful counties sale their weapons to other countries by fearing the word on the name of terrorism?!) 

We know how religion, caste, regionalism become so important to people as soon as we witness elections in our country. 'There will be a massive threat of the existence of XYZ religion if ABC party comes to power' 'we need leader of 'our' caste so that he/she can protect our community' 'This election is a battle to protect the pride of our state' 'There is a threat from neighboring country and only one leader can save our country' 'Democracy has not helped this country. We need "powerful" leader'. We do hear such statements very often. Many feel that such statements or ideology do not make much of the damage but such ideology plant fear among common people. Also Such fear questions the existence of common people constantly and when this fear reaches to its saturation point, what all it need is a trigger to fire. Fear plays very important role in spreading all kinds of ideologies in our society. Sometime, fear is the biggest enemy of logic. The root causes of recent incidences in India and elsewhere in the world is fear. Ones insecurity/fear becomes a threat to another. 

The question is how to we combat the politics of fear? Fear can be combated only by spreading security and safety. And that will be possible only when we as human come out of various masks of identity. We need to see ourselves and other humans above any religious identities, caste based identity and even national identity. If my religious, caste and nationalist identity don't matter to me then how are you going to make me scared? If I just see myself as human then I will be left with only one fear and that Is death which in any case everybody is going to face one day. We must come out of our 'all social identities' and we must start accepting diversity. The more we accept diversity the more we will feel secure with different people and different culture around us. 

 

Remember what Gandhiji said "our fear is our biggest enemy". Do remember this line before you fall on the trap of politics of fear ! 

About author: Gaurang is the co-founder and currently the managing trustee of Sauhard. He strongly strongly advocates principles of  equality and social inclusion.   

Gujjus ROCK: Gaurang Raval

Yeah! This time, Gujjus have not only rocked navaratri with dodhiyu, popatiyu, be tali and heech but also rocked our tradition to celebrate diversity. Gujjus have rocked in real sense by staying united over threats given by a few groups to restrict non Hindus from entering Garba venues. Not only the Khelaiyas, but also the organizers have defeated the shameful attempt to divide people on the basis of religion and create fear among non Hindu youth. 

However, Gujjus known for playing Garba in every possible occasion, showed that love and celebration among communities are far more powerful than hate.

I am sure, we will be able to preserve our true culture of equality and unity in diversity for centuries to come. Don't forget, Christmas, Eid, Kite Flying festival, and many more festivals are coming soon and Gujjus would celebrate all these festivals inclusively !!

About author: Gaurang is the co-founder and currently the managing trustee of Sauhard. He strongly strongly advocates principles of  equality and social inclusion.   

Go ask WHY ?: Bhavi Barad

It is believed that when a child is born, he is born with all the intelligence. The world he sees growing up is something different from his own eyes. He is born with his own talent, abilities and most importantly 'questions' for us. It is also said that, "Every child is born with all sorts of inquisitiveness in him." But the thing that makes me wonder is, why can't we say "Every adult grows up with the same inquisitiveness he is born with." ? Because that is not universally true. Right? O'come on, how many of us raise the same number of questions and with the same type of mindset like the way we used to when we were little kids? Hardly a few. 

It is a bit difficult to figure out the exact reasons for a child's lost level of inquisitiveness, but still a few are playing an important role in killing all the innocence and intelligence by suppressing a young child's questions. It does happen that a child who is all playful and outgoing in his childhood becomes all timid and quiet in his teenage. Yes, hormones do play an important role. But I'd say not every time. The environment a child is brought up in also plays an important role. Your behaviour towards him, towards others, towards yourself is being carefully observed by your child. In Fact, not only your own child but even other children are getting to know about you some or the other way. A child's questions are answered by all the parents, no doubt, in fact that how we get to know the world, but the real question is 'are all the questions a child raises answered?' The answers for this would be:-

1:- Obviously No. Sabhi sawalo ka jawab thodi hota hai. Hum bhagwan toh nahi hai.

(I would say.. it is because of the questions that weren't answered in your childhood. Because if you give such a vague answer in today's tech-driven world, you definitely need to explore your smart phone!)

2:- Somebody might say a Yes. And they would assure us they answer everything their child asks and in fact they would also do some research and get back to their child with answers when they themselves don't know about it.

(I would say...Excellent. Good going!)

See, I don't say parents don't want to answer their little child's questions, it becomes a headache for them only when they are asked in some weird situations. For an instance, we avoid some cliche queries of our child in public/ in a social gathering. We try to avoid the child's questions sometimes because we don't want to look foolish or uninformed in front of them by telling them we don't know the answer. But we shouldn't forget that just because we don't have an answer to the child's question doesn't mean the question doesn't have an answer. It does but it needs to be discovered. How can we forget, when we are all stressed out, our tiny little toddler's touch, his/her smile would make us all fresh and energetic but if, when the same toddler grows up a little and comes up with questions in the same situations, we might drive him away or divert his attention. Why so? Such little things haven't even noticed by us. But they are all being captured in the child's mind. We all grown ups need somebody to talk with, where we can share all that we feel. Right? It is human nature after all. A child is also in search of that 'somebody' where he can get his answers, 'somebody' who listens, 'somebody' who is attentive towards him/her.

It is also said, "Never let that little child in you, die." It is true. Because every single thought, revolution, change was brought only when a question was raised. I don't say 'Go. Be a revolutionist.' No, but don't we know change is inevitable? We change every second, every minute. New cells are born whether old ones die. Same has to be with our thoughts too. It has to stay updated. It has to be nourished. How long have you been suppressing your questions on your own inside your mind just because of the fear what others would say/think about you? Being diverted from the questions that you raised in your childhood is not your fault, but due to fear if you let that little child in you die then, my dear, you are at fault. "Ask yourself, What would you do if you weren't afraid, and go do that."

Politics: A dirty game?: Heer Vaghela

Politics, in India the word itself is considered as an abusive word . Well  the youth  of India has one basic and simple view point which is that politics=corruption, power game and scandals. Being sarcastic; if you are in Indian politics there could be two reasons either your forefather's were in same or you are shameless. for some it is a piece of a cake and some a smart business.  youth today is not interested as they see no scope for any improvement .  the lack of knowledge about the democratic system affects here youth being ignorant seem to have no or very less knowledge about Indian politics. 

Black pamphlets, this documentary movie showed insights of campus politics. Well if we see, the student elections should be decent and should provide a platform for the development of new leaders with new and novel ideas and transparency, but it has turned out to be a war. All sorts of crime can be seen, plus the main issue  which is to clear the problems of the students on campus level; to focus on the development of the youth and to give exposure is left far behind. Everyone is just after the chair, the presentation to impress and in this race they just want to win either by hook or crook. The money wasted in such useless presentation is another big issue. 

But the bigger issue is  the goons from where all this power comes, these goons are encouraged by the the political parties and any political party is not concerned with youth development they just want their power and the puppet youth leader with no knowledge. While at the same time the educated youth amongst them, some are really trying to work for the better future and some are just sitting back and watching drama. And after that complaining about the system. Well it's very simply said by PLATO, "One of the penalties of not participating in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors." Thus I have come to the conclusion that politics is a serious matter to be left in the hands of politicians.

Youth and Politics: Reuben Mathew

According to Google,” politics is the activities associated with the governance of a country or area, especially the debate between parties having power or the activities aimed at improving someone's status or increasing power within an organization.” The definition which has been mended by us is,” Politics is the activity aimed at achieving more than nominal status or power with the help of governance of a country or area.” This is the ideology that runs around in the mindset of the youth. As we could notice from the film, the students were less than concerned to participate or even wonder about how the student elections could produce an effect. 

They were not bothered by the power display of either of the contesting parties. Politics has been juxtaposed with hooliganism and a struggle for attaining power and fame. Yes! This is how I think currently.

I tend to disassociate myself from politics, be it taking up a leadership or playing games in order to attain favor. But there comes a catch when suddenly a session can change your way of thinking. Does discussion create a platform for us to act in the future? Can acknowledging viewpoints help broaden our database? The answers could vary. Honestly, even I am confused to pick a side. But I can certainly agree that the first step is the most crucial step as it is the foundation for further acts. So maybe discussion about politics or changing our definition of politics can help change the harsh and brutal reality that is attached to it. “They peg me to be all bark and no bite, but when my bark itself can be so tight, you, Sir, will already be out of my sight.”  

About the author: Reuben is a Second year student of Psychology who wants to make a mark in the society. He is a fresh fellow at the current batch of Sauhard Social Fellowship. He is keenly interested to work for children who are specially able.  

Are we really EDUCATED? : Shubham Malpani

Yes, this question constantly revolves in my mind that are we really getting educated.

Let me share an incident with you. One night, I was just hanging around with my friend who is also pursuing CA. We were talking about future prospects, belief in the institution of marriage, etc.

In the conversation, he said something which astounded me completely and I felt extremely miserable.

He said, " as I complete my CA I would become a brand in the society and would be able to demand as much dowry as I want in the future. My father always say that you are my blank cheque." He said this with sheer pride in his eyes and self esteem in his body language. He also said that this was one of the reason why he was pursuing CA. After hearing this I felt ashamed and embarrassed.

Now, I want to ask that is this the way an 18 year youth should think who is seeking the most prestigious and sought after professional degree in the field of commerce in the country?

What is the meaning of people like them to get education? Is this only what education is meant to be? Not just that, most people think of education as a mere source of income in future which would be able to hold their stomach throughout their life. Yes, I agree that earning money should be one of the purpose to get education but it should not be the only reason for education. You won't be earning money just like that. In return, you will have to give something in return to the society in terms of services.

Our mind and soul should evolve as we are in the process of getting education. What is the meaning of study when we still stick to the old ideas of the society. We should have a clarity that education should always change the perspective and vision of a person. For eg., irrespective of how much we criticize the reservation quotas in our country, when we meet people and get to know their names and surnames, the first thing that the minds of most of us wonder is "to which caste does he belong"

Why do we think that? I don't think that caste should become the basis of our decision making of moving ahead in a relationship or not if we are so reproachful to caste reservation quotas in our country.

We are the ones who are educated and have the responsibility to bring about the change.Just be the change you want to see in this world. The aim of our life is not just earn, spend and die. World is so beautiful, the aim should be to make it even more beautiful and better place to live in. Beauty has no limit. Change is always hard at first, messy in the middle but it's always gorgeous at the end. If change is for the betterment of yourself or just the betterment of your own life, FIGHT.

Fight with your parents. Had the every generation of mankind followed the instructions of their parents blindly, our society wouldn't have developed and evolved this much.

We need to be more responsible because we are young and educated minds of our country.That which liberates is knowledge. It's just a matter of thinking. This micro level activity can definitely bring an optimistic transformation in the perspective of education and the society as a whole in the country.

Parzania – A Black Reminder: Shalkie

The piquancy of storytelling resides in the degree to which you have raised emotions in your audience, and when that movie comes out to be a grim reminder of our existence in the savage society, among the savage coalitions, their savage members and their savage deeds, then emotions are bound to be felt.

Parzania is one such movie based on the backdrop of 2002 Godhra Riots. It tells the story of a Parsi family who were caught in the mayhem of violence and how it led to the loss of their family member, disrupted their lives and gave them a false ray of hope to survive on. It vividly describes the torments on the people of a Muslim neighborhood including inhuman violent massacre, forced immolations, boycott by police and whatever your scariest nightmare may define. So when this film was screened in one of our sessions, teary eyes, soft whimpering, running noses, scarcity of water bottles, and consoling hugs could be observed all over the room. The emotions that were felt, couldn’t be described, the war in the name of religions did not make sense, the question that haunted was whether humanity existed at all, and if it did then who and when had placed it so below in the hinted hierarchy.

The haunting silence of the room was broken by Rafi Malek sir; he led the post screening discussion on Communal Riots in India. He talked about the coinage of the term ‘Hindutva’, how starkly it differed from ‘Hinduism’ and also about the core ideologies of these Hindu nationalist groups in India. To have been the researcher and the activist on the same subject of communal riots, he gave us the flabbergasting details on how ‘unreligious’ the motives are behind these ‘religious’ wars. Statistics indicate how some of these riots are the manipulated shape of rivalry between local goons, how the rioters are mainly composed of disoriented men from lower castes and thus how such barbaric events tend to repeat its history. This discussion saw lots of queries and an insight from young minds also it empowered one such member to make his words count among the rest.

The events of Godhra have been deep etched into the history and the tremors of it can still be felt. With rooted involvements of prominent figures from political and administration background, it has been one of the most disgusted evidence of the genocidal approach towards one of the most prominent segment of our country. The three day long period starting from the morning of 27^th February, saw humanity in pitch dark and what followed is now a grim reminder that how Gandhi was once pushed out of his own land.

Religion is one, But Religions are Many: Mehreen Quadri

Hinduism, Islam, Christianity; are these Religions chosen by a child when she is in her mother’s womb? Does choosing any of these religions give a perfect identity to an individual?

Religion was initially introduced as an easy way to worship the supernatural power. The one and only one God. God could never have been more than one, if such a thing would happen, then why wouldn't the Gods create their own world? Why would the different Gods send their worshipers only to one world for spreading terror and fights for the so-called ‘God-worshiping’ religion? The multifaceted God, has different appearances, but the people worshiping him, having the same body cannot be together or even tolerate each other.

Religion is one, but it has a large variety because of the different geographical and social situations. Religion was just a way of spreading faith, trust and love for the Almighty, but  people used and abused religion for their own benefit. Communal violence, frightening riots, honor killing- all these terrifying  events are not a result of diverse religions, but are done in the ‘name’ of religion.

Tall and short, black and white, women and men, if there is so much diversity in the human race, diversity in religion is bound to happen. What is required the tolerance, acceptance and respect towards other religions.

Differences in religion our made by God. If the “religious” people worship their God, they need to learn how approve the diversity created by him.

People of today’s era have made the olden traditions, the Religion of today. The crux of every religion has lost its identity today. The crux is- Unity, Equality, Non violence, Friendship, Brotherhood. The Crux is same to all the religious books, but it is just not reflected in the people studying these books. The crux makes all religions one, people make it many. 

Human Rights: For Common People or for the Goons?: Mehreen Quadri

RIGHTS: the Principles of Freedom. Human Rights are gifted by the world to a child born in any part of the world- the Country which has accepted the Rights laid down by the United Nations. Human Rights are such Rights which are common to everyone-the common man and the powerful one, female and male, young or old, normal or abnormal; under all circumstances.

India, has also accepted the Human Rights. The citizens of India have been given the Right to use any of the human Rights. Few of the human Rights included in the Indian constitution are: Equality to all, non discrimination, gender equality and freedom of expressing one’s opinion.

Are we really free? Do we really have the Right to express whatever we feel? Are we actually allowed to use various forms of expression to express our opinion? Being an Indian, and knowing the reality of the society, we can frankly answer all of these questions.  Candle march, writing articles, putting our opinions on social networking sites, performing theater and making a movie on the topics we wish to- all these are our Rights but they are exploited on a great margin.

Safdar: A documentary on the legend Safdar Hashmi- a communal playwright, lyricist, director and famous for his contribution to the street theater. He went from place to place: villages, cities, different organizations, for spreading awareness and making people realize the importance of peace and brotherhood. Wasn’t this his Right? Was it against the law? On January 1, 1989, Safdar Hashmi was performing a street play in a village near Delhi, where he was stopped and brutally beaten by the goons of a political party. On the next day, he died at the age of 34.

The entire nation was moved and shocked with grief watching this non violent man, killed by violence. He was a man whom the entire nation adored and loved. If such a violation of law can happen with a man like him, what could we say about the common man? Are these human Rights only limited to the powerful leaders and their goons? Does the common man have no Right over them?

Rights are not for exploitation. Rights are minimum standards what a person deserves. People committing crimes like small robbery or cutting animals are putting behind the bars, but what about those who steal the essence of humanity and cut apart the human? more on mental level rather than physical.

Who are we?: Meenakshi Herbha

Who are we? What defines us? Is our religion the hallmark of our purity or characteristics? For few of us religion doesn't matter but unfortunately to the majority it does. On one hand we talk about technology and modernity and on the other hand we still live in the stone-age where we cannot not free our mind from untouchability and religious inequality. 

When someone provokes us in the name of religion why for a minute don't we  ponder over it, why do we simply join the mob and do something that is really destructive.The main purpose of any religion is to bind us and not to become the cause of other’s misfortune.Many people are blindly ready to do anything in the name of god, but does god want us to kill others? People are mad after so called Jihad or Swarag whose existence is not even proven. Understand one thing that no god will spare you for destructing others lives. So, wake up before it’s too late. For all those who really want to follow a religion and want to serve the god, there is a religion. There is a religion which is above all religions that is the religion of HUMANITY. Humanity does not define us a Hindu, Muslim, Sikh or Christian but teaches us to be human.

Have you seen Parzan?: Anshu Verma

I ask you, the one who is reading this blog while enjoying  a cup of coffee, sitting with your friends, listening to music, or thinking about anything else. What you are doing now is not important , the point of concern is have you seen Parzan ? Now you must be confused what am I talking about and why.I just realized, how would you know him.  

Last Saturday we had a screening in Sauhard on a movie 'Parzania'. The movie about society, where we live. The society that compares God, religion and even humans. A society where Parzan lives. He is a human,  shackled with fear, an innocent heart. He has wings of dreams which want to be unfolded. He is  one of us. You might know this but where is he and who is he, no one try to question it.Since  I have watched the film, I am trying to find the answer. Is there only one Parzan or there are many others like him. He might be wilting in a dark street. No one can see him, or maybe we are ignoring him. I decided to go and look there. In that dark street, a narrow one it's walls are burnt. There are echoes of the horrific past. He is familiar with them. He is sitting there in gloom, knees folded, he knows no one is there to listen to him. Pale lips which haven't smiled for  years. Now there is nothing.When I entered in that narrow street, I turned  and looked outside. No-one was looking into that street as if they couldn't see or didn't want to see. Some had a glance inside but they ignored it. Some of them were partying outside in the streets. I dared to ask him what happened here, why don't you come out with us ? The hopeless eyes looked at me and replied "They came here, they desolated this place, they told me that I wasn't like them. This city was theirs. They told me that I am one among a violent cult. Am I ? You should not stay here, you cannot change it, go back they will do the same with you also." I don't know whether I can change it or not. But now  I that who Parzan is. I know he is like us, he is one of us.

Beyond Boundaries: Heenakshi Malhotra

In an era full of communal rebuttals and inter-religious disharmonies , these five couples made the hard decision to accept each other and adamantly tie the knots. They opposed popular belief that that inter religious marriages should be non existent and refuted an already irascible narrow minded society.

Beyond Boundaries , a film by mentor and friend, Gaurang Raval drew me closer to the idea that when two people marry , they marry each other and not their Gods.
Ask yourself this simple question-
Would you marry someone who is smart, understanding and compatible or someone who worships the same god as you?
A mentality disregarded as merely anachronistic by most Western people is still sadly prevalent in our country (and the world). Talking on a personal note , even I have had my days where I was counseled by sanctimonious know-it-all preachers against who to marry and who not to marry. I would also blatantly like to admit that my own parents have had concerns regarding this, leaving my own rationality entirely rescind.This film talks not about how society admonished such couples or how they faced a vicious personal diatribe but focuses on a respectful discussion of issues.It has greatly impacted my sense of thinking on this subject and I strongly recommend every young and old person to watch this film.

Beyond Boundaries: Chaitri Vasavada

The first film screening by Sauhard- proud, excited, nervous all at the same time the movie, Beyond Boundaries, basically talks about those people who overlooked all boundaries to follow their heart, they did not let their religion take over their power of love. 

Being a simple human being, often questions regarding religious acceptability arise when it comes to marrying someone outside your religion. Even today when people say they've progressed  and  accepted new cultures and traditions, in the back of their minds, they still fear if there is someone in their family who wants to have an inter-caste/inter-religion marriage.  Through this film, Sauhard has portrayed love stories of five such couples, who fell in love with someone outside their religion and have successfully taken their relationship to another level. Although they had to pass through many obstacles, they did not lose hope. They convinced the world, the people around them who were always against their marriage and had doubts and questions regarding their relationship. The couple talked about how they have successfully passed through obstacles like riots, bomb blasts, where religion played an important role. They supported each other, helped one another instead of blaming their communities, at that particular point of time. This is something that made me respect them. This film teaches us to remove the religious differences and accept the world as a family. No religion is good or bad. Love has the power to overcome all obstacles.. you just have to have faith. The story has also inspired us to think in a different direction, inspired us to follow our heart and believe in it. Those five couples taught us how easy it is for us to bring the change that is required in today’s world, also, accept the change, together. Dealing with problems, together. Facing the world, together. This film has thus, taught us many things that can change our perception and beliefs in many ways and it also proves that ‘love’ is the strongest of all the feelings.

Beyond Boundaries- A Film of Roses: Mehreen Quadri

If Love was not allowed to be left to blossom, this film by Gaurang Raval would not have been made. I understood that love needs no language, age, religion, status, background. This film took my understanding to a greater and broader level.

I was never a part of the immediate preparations of the movie. For me, the movie was a delightful surprise! Sitting in the audience, I could feel the love which was expressed by each couple in the film. The reason may also be that watching the smiling faces of the couples present in the audience I felt the essence of the movie.

The most beautiful line for me was what Neha Desai (youngest couple) said “After the marriage, I never had shocks. There were just happy surprises. One was, his mother is now my mother.” For me, acceptance is an important aspect in a marriage. By watching the movie, I felt that acceptance will be there at some point of time what is required is time and patience. 

The eldest couple  touched my heart the most, they were the youngest by heart, Nafisa and Rajoo Barot. They had to wait for more than a decade to give an acceptable name to their love courtship. After 33 years of their marriage, those 11 years seem to just fade away. Love is alive in their hearts, strong as ever.

I believe that the movie just showed Roses and not thorns which cling to an “Inter-caste” marriage. But this gave out a very strong message that there are some couples, who despite  all the sufferings, are eventually happy and content with their lives. The discussion in the end of the movie raised a few questions in my midn, but the couples confidently and positively answered them. Many messages were given by the couples, but the one which moved me was “Due to such marriages, Love grows between the partners and also lead to communal Harmony which is highly necessary at the societal level”

Beyond religions and with love: Anushka Gupta

On Saturday, 21 November, 2014,  Sauhard launched a film "Beyond Boundaries" which was screened at Gujarat Vidhyapith. The film was basically about 5 couples who were from different religions and got married.

Inter religion marriages have been talked about quite often in our country. But according to me this film did miracles in depicting what people who fall in love with someone who  is not from the same religion feel. It came directly from the mouths of the original couples and that's what gave it its unique value. It was sweet and romantic. It was also entertaining because it contained not one but five great love stories. Also seeing the couples present at the premier instilled a sense of respect and made emotions flow through me. They shared experiences beyond the movie and these were enough to prove their greatness and the sanctity of their love for each other.

This film was definitely an emotional ride for me. It taught me how religion and love should be kept separate and how people with different religious identities can still become one soul and be happy. It taught me about how if ones love is strong enough the world cannot stop them from being together.

Personally I feel more  can be done with this film. It can be converted into a whole 3 hour movie with more experiences of the couples. In fact all of the country should be given the opportunity to admire this masterpiece. Beyond boundaries is definitely a movie which has developed a new religion, 'LOVE' and this religion is the greatest of all other religions.

Breaking Boundaries: Shalkie Kumar

Love isn’t only for poets to fathom nor is it only to be cherished young, immeasurable and incorrigible; it cannot be contained within boundaries. An affair of two, an affair between two, but unfortunately it isn't as idealistic as it sounds especially when your envisioned better half has a different God than yours.It is shameful when concepts like ‘Love Jihad’ brim in a country such as India, which glorify diversity. 

Not only it is hypocritical but also gives an outreached evidence of how religion as a tool is capable of enslaving and dividing people. In the 21st century living in a democratic country, we should be rational enough to not include religion in something as beautiful as falling in love. Why run from emotions and feelings only because he/she reads Quran, Geeta, Bible or anything else for that matter? Why cannot we keep the religion aside and judge the person and his/her family for who they are? Why do we let other personalities interfere and flare doubts in our judgments? And most importantly why have we made religion an epicenter of our decisions? It is not even the head ruling the heart, in fact it is a set of beliefs ruling everything (Doesn't sound rational to me!).So what happened when one fine day, in a random meeting, Gaurang Bhai announced his plan to make a movie on the same idea? Clue: It made us admire him more.  So Beyond Boundaries is a short documentary film coming from the efforts of people who were cognizant and insights and contributions from the people who made this cognizance possible. The twist is that it doesn't talk about the hardships of the interfaith couples instead it plans to leave a smile on your face rather than dewy tears.  It celebrates the lives of five couples from Ahmedabad, whose lives like the city itself, is a beautiful confluence of two cultures. For some friendship blossomed into love, some tested the cruel incomings of time and emerged winners, for some celebrating the festivals of both religions was an untamed joy, for some perceptions were changed for better and some received the consent for the marriage from the family member after judging her ability to sway through the traffic. These are the stories that encapsulate the simplicity and liberalness of the closest and purest of associations, marriage.So with all the respect and gratitude, I congratulate all the couples who have dared or are daring to live life on their terms and also all the families who have supported them in their decisions. And of course to all the mediums and popular culture that have recognized, accepted and celebrated not only lives but a certain revolution.