GenZ: An Era of Neo-Renaissance- Jiya S. Divan

Every time period in history is paused and read by certain markers. Every era has its own character. A silhouette derived from an amalgamation of all its quirks and queries.

So, what represents us? What will history say about the famed techno babies? Genocides. Female violation heightened due to rape culture and unregulated porn. Distortions due to unrestricted social media usage. Pandemics. The rise of technology andthe decline of humanity. Coming here and proclaiming this generation to be a second Renaissance, or a much awaited Revival would be like slathering mud and laughing in my own face.I mean, why would it be any of those things?

Maybe because of the millions of voices worldwide that resonated across the strings of patriarchy and political polarization that holds the community in its poisoned hold. Be it uproars against systemic violence, or screams from wounds resultant of ambushed autonomy, to realizations learned at the risk of life and truths that seek to reclaim identity.

What makes it different from the countless wars fought over skies and seas and across seasons since the dawn of time?Awareness. We are a society shaped and driven by heightened awareness as compared to any previous generation. Gen Z functions as a double edged sword; a blade that seeks to radically dismantle the prevalent injustice, sometimes drawing its own blood to cleanse the space to breathe anew.

Daughters wearing the fabric of their mothers' youth. Some might call it vintage aesthetic -for the stories smudged in dust and silk. They listen to voices woven in the strands; lullabies,laughter, a faint ring of anklets. Dreams caged in the golden embroidery. Faint screams still echoing through the ripped edges. Clinging scents of childhood summer winds and monsoon skies. They wear this, spinning tales of newfound purpose and liberation.

Sons shedding the sins of their forefathers. Boys learning to hold hands and trace lines upon skin, born of wonder and affection, as opposed to the violent bruises of standard norms.Boys learning to taste the salt of their tears and read reflections in the bathroom mirror. Boys growing up to sever the narrative of female counterparts being simply an extension.

While the mount of technology threatens human morality, it also paves the way for digital art,communication and varied self expression. With the right guidance, A.I. can become a most useful tool to visualise and manifest newfound imagination. Technology has enabled humans to test the bounds of what is considered impossible, from simulating consciousness in machines to touching the cosmos and glimpsing history.

Contemporary literature was ushered in, the young generation being the eye of the storm,with nothing escaping it's transparent gaze. Every phenomena and emotion and catastrophe found their mark within quill and parchment- or rather, laptops and ipads. Historians of another period would revive and recount this transformation: a transparency that arose to challege systems running throughout centuries. Be it the meme culture or tumbler posts or instagram posts, the youth uses humour both to heal and to expose.

And so, Gen Z came forward. A generation that was cut and stabbed by the jarred ends of unspoken hurt. A broken generation that refused to shatter, refused to hurt or be hurt further and instead solidified its own sharp edges as protective wards.

Days Of Our Lives: The Young Adult Phase- Sanjana Manoj

On a rainy Friday last year, I achieved my most wanted goal – turning eighteen. The current me wonders what all the fuss about turning eighteen was, as a year later, I still find myself—body and soul—stuck in those lockdown days.

As I mentioned, turning eighteen was indeed a goal I had. Being a single child and also the youngest among my cousins, I often used to look up to my brothers and sisters. They studied hard, and some of them are even placed at famous companies. To me, with age came respect and the space to express one’s views. So, a younger me was quite convinced that being an adult—or reaching adulthood—meant gaining some sort of power.

But as I reached high school, I realized that as age increases, so do the difficulties in our life. After high school graduation, I again had a false idea—that in college, both I and the people I met would be mature, as we were now young adults. But I was wrong again. One year into college, and I am still a teenager with very little maturity, surrounded by people just like me.

But things have changed a bit. I often find myself critically analyzing things around me, which for me is a sign of maturity.

The thing is, the young adult days for all of us are often a time of confusion. We are not yet fully adults in our minds, but sometimes we are expected to act like one. On the other hand, we don’t always get the space to express ourselves completely or have a say, because at that time, we are still expected to be teenagers. With all these confusions, we are expected to behave according to society, which can be overwhelming.

We are not arrogant or back-talkers but people in a tough stage of life. The beauty of this stage is that we automatically adjust to the things that happen in life. We learn to accept our fate, and we will always fight for ourselves in any situation.

Like Greg in The Wimpy Kid, we often crave recognition and a place for ourselves in society. I, in particular, like to take up responsibility to showcase my potential and be a responsible individual. Everyone loves recognition, but being recognized for something unique within oneself is truly special. That is what we as young adults need—to gain some recognition in our own unique arena.

No one is perfect. Everyone has to cope with themselves and evaluate their life constantly. But this stage of life—when you meet some good people and learn new things—is when it’s okay to make mistakes, because this is the time you change and adapt the most.

It is hard to live through this phase of life, but it is the time we will all remember for the rest of our lives. All the moments—whether sweet or bitter—will be a treasure to remember. Amidst all this confusion and rapid change in and around me, this young adult phase will always be my greatest achievement.

Growing Up?- Aparna Suresh Nair

 “Growing up is losing some illusions, in order to acquire others.”

- Virginia Woolf

This specific quotation prompts important questions, such as: "Are we genuinely developing, or are we merely desperately holding onto the knowledge that enhances our image or positions us as superior to others? "It is reasonable to inquire why I considered this interpretation. It is widely recognised that as individuals age, they tend to develop a more realistic,practical, and refined perspective of the world, replacing their innocent,idealistic, and fanciful notions. This indicates that growing up entails a constant review of one’s beliefs, where old and incorrect information is replaced with new ideas that reflect a deeper understanding of life’spurpose. Certainly, this process will require several years to finish; every one of these years represents a part of our lives. Nevertheless, the reality is that most young people today are eager to grow up; indeed, they desire tobe older than their actual age. In this context, to maintain the illusion of being grown-up, they are increasingly engaging in dishonesty. The genuine essence of becoming mature or "aging gracefully" appears to be fading in today's generation. I recognize that this generation is not the sole one that desires to attain adulthood; this is a natural human inclination. However, if you were to inquire of a child born in the 1960s regarding their wishes, they would likely respond with desires for superpowers or other fantastical concepts limited to their imagination. Now, let us proceed to the1990s. Their replies are somewhat influenced by the arrival of the internet;many of them wish to be skilled in technology or YouTubers. However, asthe 2000s progress, their attention shifts towards aspirations that adults typically desire in their mid-20s or 30s. One may be curious as to why I hold such negative emotions.The excitement of encountering something unfamiliar has diminished.Interest has ceased to exist. In the past, when Baby Lips balm, Dazzler eyeliner, and Cuticura powder were the height of fashion, children and teenagers were unconcerned about their appearance. In contrast, today’syoung children are inundated with skincare and makeup products that they likely do not require. 

The excitement of looking something up and truly dedicating time to complete that research has diminished. Falling in love now appears to be a process filled with many challenges. Nothing is straightforward; everything tends to become complex. We no longer observe children acting like children and teenagers acting like teenagers. I firmly believe that “THE INNOCENCE OF NOT KNOWING ANYTHING” is now a misconception. Children often feel unappreciated and isolated if they are unaware of current trends in music, fashion, or social media. There are numerous factors that contribute to why children do not mature in the expected manner. One significant factor may be the absence of limits onscreen time. Research has indicated that infants who appear excessively engaged with their screens exhibit high levels of stimulation and display notably disturbed behavioral patterns. The programs that are presently broadcast include material designed to create hyperstimulation, thereby ensuring that the child remains captivated by the screen. There were times when the word “cringe” did not imply avoiding actions that align withone’s beliefs, but rather suggested conforming to societal expectations;during these periods, children exhibited greater self-confidence. There were moments when young individuals did not have to experience intense emotions following a breakup, avoiding the self-inflicted suffering that often accompanies such events. There were times when love simply meant experiencing romantic feelings without the complications of confusing concepts and cultural differences that left unfulfilled individuals longing for the wrong kind of love.

Twelve-year-olds often behave as if they are in their twenties, feeling that their lives are already over due to issues that are unlikely to affect them inthe long run. I now pose a question to society: "Why encourage children to develop more quickly? " "Why instill the belief that being less childish will increase their worth? " Allow children to mature at their own speed. Allow them to experience the joy of stumbling, allow them to enjoy the excitement of telling silly jokes, allow them to appreciate mismatched outfits, allow them to feel the disappointment of unrequited love, let them be KIDS, let them be ADOLESCENTS. This article cannot be brought to a conclusion, as the experience of growing up is a constant that will never change. Even if it does alter, such changes will occur gradually and with great difficulty. Awaiting the world's recovery, hoping for a better future forthe upcoming generations.

Likes and Hollow Bonds: The Tragedy of Modern Friendship- Maria

 U HAVE 1000 FOLLOWERS ? HOW'S THAT EVEN POSSIBLE ? That's awesome. I smirked at that because it felt like a victory to have my little brother stumbling for words like a gaping goldfish. But this tiny little moment I had with him caved path for questions that I didn't know the answers to (more like how I didn't want to subjugate my brain through this pain) like how many people you actually know, how many of them know about you and lastly but certainly the most important one how many of them actually care about you. And I measure this by how many of them wish on my birthday.

So what's the big deal about birthdays anyway you may very well ask. Well. Simple logic: it's NOT every day that one turns 18. It's obvious. The balloons, the cake, the stories about the birthday. They see it, possibly scroll past it or, even worse, like it and leave. ( at this point a single HBD would've lit up my face with joy) and that's the part that burns you more than the candle wax that falls on your hand - it's not the forgetting- it's the decision to not care. Ignored like the Thursday in a random week. And this turns into not for the birthday wish that's missed but for the version of the people who once remembered you. And birthdays are just the tip of the iceberg. I now know their dog's name, favourite hang-out spot, and their playlists, but we haven’t spoken in months. I’m not their friend, I am just a follower that happens to be on their list.

 Travelling down this spiral made me uncomfortable, to say the least. To be confronted by the truths that you wish were never true, but it unfortunately is and you got to deal with it. If not today - someday. It is the smallest - bite-sized bits of Indifference that tear apart people from each other without them even realising. From giving out a "k" to long detailed paragraphs, a random reaction (often without thinking ) to reels sent by your "loved ones", and to now think that it's these small silent k 's and emoji reactions that light up our screens. The remnants of a dead relationship.

It's crazy and beyond me how our relationships are now surviving on an IV drip of irony. And it's upsetting that at some point even the strong willed-deep convo-only texter will also give up on these K's because soon they'll come to realise that they were the bug in everyone else's inbox and that they are worth so much more than these little K’s. As soon as they stop texting, no one asks why, and they never dare start again. To be just a notification and no longer a person.

In my worldwide quest to find out what makes people do this in general ( because I am a hypocrite who loves to keep people on the edge of their seats by replying after 6 business days) I found the Japanese term Hikikomori literally means "to be confined" and is a form of social withdrawal, to be in your own little bubble; but having rusted to the digital world. In the modern context, it made me think of the ones who keep watching, observing, reading or maybe even reacting but NEVER interacting. Maybe we all are a bit Hikikomori - hiding behind screens because liking someone's story is easier than asking how they actually are.

This isn’t just a global phenomenon that exists in Japan alone. In our very own beautiful, busy country of India, the same thing is in a templated form of gifs, Cut-out stickers of each family member, and rip stickers ( literally can see my lovely dead ones rolling their eyes in their graves), The ones who keep their talkative selves shut. And again, you may ask, so what’s up with the people who put up stories about social issues? Aren’t they reacting? Yes, they are, and my take on this is that the ones that express lively and voraciously aren’t considered normal and are often left with comments like "So that’s triggering you!?”. It’s again way past my 2 brain cells how expressing your opinion on matters is now triggering and is considered "not normal" and how, instead, the ones who do not speak and just hear the stories are “normal”. Interesting.

This is to all the Friendships that were better left unsaid and to those that never bothered- a simple “k” could never replace depth and to realise it better soon than late comes with understanding your needs with a side hit of emotional maturity. To replace the craving for digital hearts with warm hugs and a conversation, a voice from the other side.

Beyond Limits: The Evolution of Womanhood- Aysha

Once upon a time, a woman's life began and ended at the threshold of her home. Her whole life revolved around the inside of a house where her only duty was to keep it clean, prepare food, look after children, iron her husband’s clothes, and silently endure domestic abuse. When she dared to speak up, society, including her family, would say, “Let it go, dear, you’re a woman and it’s your duty,” or they would say, “Suffer it, dear, you are a woman.” “It’s your duty.” That silence was inherited, passed down like generational trauma.

 Fast forward, now she speaks, she leads, and she protests. She wins. The transformation of women’s roles through time is not just about clothes or career paths, but a revolution of thought, resistance, and power. This piece charts the journey from then to now, and the future she’s building.

Back then, marriage was sold as salvation. Girls were taught that a wedding would set them free. This term was believed by most women because they didn’t have their own freedom in their own home. They thought that once they got married, their freedom, rights, and the ability to study further would happen, but the truth is, most women get scammed through these offers.

 In a patriarchal society, women are told to be in a box where they could only be wives, daughters, mothers, caregivers. Education for girls was rare. Marriage was the ultimate option for them. Their voices were expected to be soft, sweet, and have fewer opinions. If they did anything beyond that, there was rebellion, and in those times, women's identities were tied to husbands, fathers, or sons. Her only worth was in gold, dowry, and domestic skills, never in her dreams or decisions.

But even in those times, there were powerful women in history like Indira Gandhi, Rani Lakshmibai, Sarojini Naidu, Kalpana Chawla, and countless warriors. They disrupted the system, sometimes quietly, sometimes like thunder.

Fast forward to today. Women are known as engineers, artists, entrepreneurs, activists, politicians. She is earning her own money, having her own solo trips, speaks loudly, laughs loudly, wears the clothes she likes, and has opinions and choices. Today, education has become a right, not a luxury. Today, women have legal protection, social awareness, and feminist movements which are bringing changes. Today’s girls are chasing their own dreams and ambitions, stepping onto the roles which were once denied to them. From Michelle Obama to Beyonce, Kamala Harris to Droupadi Murmu, women are claiming space once denied.

The world let her fly but demands are still shown.

 Let’s be honest, despite all the talk of progress, modern society still struggles with deeply rooted gender issues. Across industries, whether in corporate offices, hospitals, or businesses, women are consistently paid less than men for doing the same job.

Safety remains a major concern. Women still face harassment in professional spaces, and the fear of walking alone at night remains very real. Even now, many women feel unsafe in public or at work, and unfortunately, the systems meant to protect them often fail to act.

Then there’s the pressure to fit beauty standards. Society still places more value on how a woman looks than on her intelligence, character, or abilities. These unrealistic standards continue to define a woman’s worth, limiting her freedom and self-expression.

MORE FREEDOM, SAME JUDGEMENT?

If you ask if there is any progress here, yes, there is progress, but not a complete one. Women have rights but are not respected enough, opportunities but not always accessible, louder but not always heard. In most places, freedom is promised, but conditions still apply.

Today’s woman is told she’s “free,” but that freedom is hugely managed. She must perform perfection, always presentable, ambitious, kind, but never too much.

As Gloria says in Barbie (2023):

“You have to never get old. Never be rude. Never show off. Never be selfish. Never fall down. Never fail. Never show fear. Never get out of line. It’s too hard! It’s too contradictory, and nobody gives you a medal or says thank you.”

This monologue struck a nerve because it captured exactly what it feels like to be a woman today: constantly edited, constantly judged, never quite enough.

What we call progress today is stitched together from centuries of resistance. The silence has been broken, the doors have opened for us, but even now, the shadows of the past still follow us.

Society says be free but hands us over a new rulebook which says we are allowed to speak as long as we are polite, we can shine as long as we don’t outshine.

True empowerment isn’t just about giving women opportunities, it's about changing how we see and treat women everywhere, every day. So yes, we’re farther than we’ve ever been. Until every woman is seen as whole, without edits, without expectations, we’ll keep pushing. Because womanhood isn’t a limitation, it’s a revolution in motion.