Editorial
With parliamentary elections in India only a few days away, the ruling party is bent on enacting a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) and imposing the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). This is seen as a strategy to benefit the party in the upcoming elections. While the very idea...
Fact-Checking Fake News : Critical Thinking in the Era of Majoritarianism
In the current knowledge economy, knowing the facts and knowing them accurately is key. How can you learn to fact-check? Discover here.In the current knowledge economy, knowing the facts and knowing them accurately is key. How can you learn to fact-check? Discover...
Sibling Rivalry : A Healthy Competition or Damaging Feud?
We all know - or have had experience of - sibling rivalry. But can it be taken too far?A sibling, characterised by sharing at least one parent with another person, can be a brother if male and a sister if female. An only child, on the other hand, lacks siblings. While...
Life is So Beautiful
The author argues that “we should know the worth of this beautiful life, spread goodness, comfort others through our presence, and leave positive impressions wherever we tread.” Read to find out more.Life is a marvel. It is indeed a profound journey. People are born;...
Voices Unheard: The Silent Genocide In Gaza
The people who fight for women’s rights, human rights, child abuse, racism, and animal cruelty stand ignorant towards the sufferings of the people of Gaza, which shows their hypocrisy.The world no longer seems like a place with humanity since the genocide in Gaza...
Constitutional Challenges!
(Fr. Cedric Prakash SJ is a human rights, reconciliation and peace activist / writer. Contact: [email protected] )The Election Commission of India (ECI) is expected to announce the General Elections 2024 in a short time! The citizens of India know this is a...
Editorial
Aura turns three! It has been a journey of three fruitful years of insight and inspiration while we made an effort to not only educate, inform and entertain it readers but also to motivate and challenge them. The month of March dawns with two more important occasions...
World Down Syndrome Day ‘2024- End the Stereotypes
World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD), observed globally on March 21st, has been officially recognised by the United Nations since 2012. The choice of this date symbolises the distinctive triplication (trisomy) of the 21st chromosome, the genetic anomaly responsible for Down...
Is Hugging Good for your Mental Health?
Psychologist and Rational Emotive Cognitive Behavioural Therapist [email protected], IG @sanarubiyana15 and twitter @SRubiyanaReduces Stress and Anxiety- A good hug slows down the heart rate and decreases our bodies’ stress hormone cortisol level. In turn, hugging...
Celebrating Constitutionality in Schools
In the previous issue, we featured one example of a school instilling and celebrating constitutional values in children. Here is another example…New Al Wurood International School, Jeddah and Al Khozama International School, Dammam (B.E.S.T Schools) lay a strong...
Creativity Abounds: Imaginative Science on Display
The Scholar School organised a School Exhibition on Saturday, February 3, 2024. The school campus witnessed great fun and frolic as the students and teachers put up subject-specific stalls displaying projects and models created by students. It was a platform provided...
Indian Muslims: The Saga of Distinguishment
IntroductionNarendra Modi, the Bhartiya Janta Party’s parliamentary leader, started his prime ministership’s first tenure after swearing in as the 14th PM of India on 26 May 2014. This gave momentum to Hindutva ideology in India, which is a political code of maxims...
Hind Rajab – Remember the Name
Hey there! I need your attention real quick. Consider the following situation carefully- you find occupiers all around warning you to evacuate your homeland straightaway.Sounds difficult. It is not an easy task to abandon your home and the associated memories - the...
Life
The author is a Class IX student of Insight International School, HyderabadWhat is life? Is it the number of days you are alive or the number of days you are not dead? Should life be spent in enjoyment or earning? Is life supposed to be hated because sometimes it gets...
Editorial
Aura takes pride in presenting its 35th issue, depicting the perception of a blissful married life that ensures harmony in union. The success of a marriage thrives on the ability of both partners to adapt and grow together. It flourishes with proper communication and...
To Live Happily Ever After
In this article, the author Rahamathunnissa explains why marriage is the most natural way of merging minds, bodies and souls for eternal peace and joy.“I am single but not alone.”“Let me settle in my career first.”“I don’t want to enchain myself.”“Let me enjoy my...
Is ADHD Actually Complex Trauma in some people?
Sana Rubiyana Psychologist & Rational Emotive Cognitive Behavioural Therapist [email protected] , IG @sanarubiyana15 & Twitter @SRubiyanaComplex trauma (CPTSD) is not a recognised diagnosis. Even though the research is clear on the impact of complex...
Suicide Prevention
Amina Shaikh writes on why it is important to ensure that suicide is dealt with as a social issue, and prevented substantively.On a seemingly ordinary day, the task of a blood sugar test was a part of my daily regimen. Yet, the simplicity of pricking my finger brought...
Marriage – A RunDown On The Lessons From The Qur’an
What are some examples of the best marriages in history, in these tumultuous times for us to be inspired by? Dr Amna Shabi from Pune has a list for you -Marriage is an institution wherein two individuals and two families unite for future generations. The world has...
From Cliches to Wisdom: A Tale of Two Sisters’ Literacy Odyssey
A tale of two sisters as an example to learn from - Rabia Basri spins a tale for the readers in this piece. Read on to find out who are these sisters!In the intricate tapestry of life, we often encounter individuals who, like skilled weavers, leave indelible marks on...
People, Trials or Gifts?
Nuha Maryam Chakwa, from Vaniyambadi, Tamilnadu wants you to know - If we talk about people who are gifts, not every gift will be a gift all the time, some unwrapping of gifts, some openings, and some utilisations will be trials too...Life is a complexly...
The Little Unsung Heroes
Maijabeen Gaihlot Chaudhary Who are the unsung heroes of Gaza? There are many, but as Maijabeen Gaihlot Choudhary takes us through in this piece, the children of Gaza are in a category of their own.No soft toys to hug, no flavours of ice cream to choose from. They...
Political Complicity & Sexual Violence: The IIT-BHU Case & India’s Moral Imperative
Firasha Shaikh Disturbing developments in Indian campuses with regards to gender violence cannot go unspoken, as Firasha Shaikh explores in this story on the IIT BHU rape caseThe harrowing reality of India is that sexual assault incidents have become so routine that...
Bilkis Bano Case – Isn’t the Government Responsible?
In our media watch roundup, let's take a look at the bravehearts from India and Gaza who made news this month. (Bilkis’ letter released through her lawyer after the latest order) It was a sigh of relief when the Supreme Court of India restored the life imprisonment of...
Editorial
Yet another eventful year comes to an end, leaving the world on a threshold of new beginnings, renewed hopes and refreshed enthusiasm. 2023 witnessed a whirlwind of events - triumphs and tribulations that make it imperative to pause, reflect and embrace novel...
2023: The Year in Retrospect for Women in India
Firasha Shaikh Looking back at the year gone by, Firasha lists out some important events that involved women in India...Pc: Al JazeeraOn September 20th, India’s Parliament passed the Women’s Reservation Bill with an overwhelming majority. This piece of legislation...
Unveiling the Global Challenge of Depression: Breaking the Silence, Dispelling Stigmas
Arqama Tazeem At a time when depression is at an all-time high, here is how to break the stigma, as Arqama writes....IntroductionDepression, characterised as a mood disorder and a mental illness accompanied by an overwhelming sense of sadness and loss of interest, is...
The Special Friend
Dr Saima Naeem Bilal Here is a creative story to understand a very special friend, often gone unnoticed - let Saima take you down the route of true friendship.Something was weird in Amina’s house. The most frustrating thing was a copy of the Qur’an lying on the...
Fiction, not Information
The world is full of hoodwinkers.I don’t want information; I need fiction.There are numerous con men ruling.I don’t want information; I need fiction. They are influencing con artists.A hoax of politics encircling.It’s better I don’t get informationBecause the essence...
Care vs Interference
Care vs Interference Shyla: I hate this. Always “do this, do that, take food, take bath…..”Maya: Come on, what happened? Why so angry? Whom are you talking about?Shyla: No yaar. It’s so irritating that I sometimes feel like leaving home. Why doesn’t she understand...
The Failure of the International Community in the Gaza Onslaught
Muarrah Nisar What should the bystanders have done? What have they done? Muarrah sums up the dire situation....In moments of profound suffering, a collective call to prayer unites us, echoing the heavy burden shared for Gaza’s pain. Some countries extend a helping...
BDS, A People’s Movement in the Digital Age: Ten Points to Know
Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) is a Palestinian-led movement for freedom, justice and equality. BDS upholds the simple principle that Palestinians are entitled to the same rights as the rest of humanity. It involves unions, academic associations, religious...
Continued International Law Violations By Israel
Mohammed Salman Siddiqui & Ammarah Ishaq In our Legal Desk, two law students tell us what are the actions of Israel that violate international laws.It has been more than three months since Israel launched a brutal military campaign in Gaza. Nations throughout the...
Editorial
The last two months have witnessed a continuous onslaught on millions of innocent Palestinians in Gaza and beyond, with occupying Israeli forces carrying out relentless attacks with the encouragement and abetment of global powers. Terms like ‘ceasefire’ and...
Deepfakes Are Women’s Privacy At Risk
In our cover story, Maliha explores howdeepfakes work and their risks and consequences,particularly for women.Credit: DWDeepfakes have been around since 2017. Deepfake AI is a type of artificial intelligence used to create convincing images, as well as audio and video...
Emotional Intelligence in the School System
Dr.S.Reshma (Principal, British Curriculum School, Sharjah, UAE; andGroup Director – Quality Assurance & School Welfare, British Curriculum Schools in UAE) writes on how the emotional brain is important to the quality and functioning of our school...
The Permanent Cessation: Death
Sajida Zubair Healing is a nonlinear journey, marked by moments of resilience and introspection. Healing isn’t easy. Healing is messy, but healing is possible - Sajida Zubair writes.“Do people think that they will be left alone because they say, ‘We believe,’ and will...
Rediscovering The Essence of Family: A Call to Reconnect
Simran Shaikh's call to action reminds us that amidst the chaos of the modern world, the value of family remains an indispensable cornerstone of a fulfilling and meaningful life.In the hustle & bustle of the modern age, where social media dominates our lives, it...
Are RTE Breakfast Cereals worth the hype?
Saleha Mohsin Eat your breakfast - the most important meal of the day, we hear - but what should we eat, and what should we avoid? Let consultant dietician and homeopath Dr Saleha Mohsin answer your questions…Breakfast is often referred to as an important meal of the...
Can we talk about how confused men are?
Sana Rubiyana, who is a psychologist and Rational Emotive Cognitive Behaviour Therapist, asks this pertinent question in this short exploratory piece - do men need help, and if so, how?How are their emotions denied, or mocked? How have they been told that their role...
The Friend I Wish I Never Had
Heba Shakeel in this introspective piece writes on the importance of good friends - and how they affect the quality of our lives.Embarking on the adventure of life, we find ourselves on a winding road, where every twist and turn reveals encounters, challenges, and...
Children’s Corner
Facts about Human Rights #1: By freeing slaves, allowing freedom of religion, and establishing racial equality, King Cyrus the Great of Persia (600-530 BCE) recognises a basic concept of human rights.#2: In 1215 CE, a group of barons forced King John to sign the Magna...
Tackling the crisis of meaning through faith: Offering faith-based solutions for social issues
Firasha Shaikh, who holds a postgraduate degree in Political Science and works at Centre for Study and Research (CSR), New Delhi, ponders on how faith functions in the era of modernity. IntroductionModernity, specifically secular modernity is plagued with many...
Remember, Remember the 6th of December
Dr. Amna Shabi traces how the exploitation of religious sentiments has led to the present moment, through the anniversary of the demolition of the Babri Masjid.Introduction The Bhoomi Pujan (ground-breaking ceremony) of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya concluded on...
For Palestine, You are No Match
Boldness personified is PalestineThe souls of its people are pristineYour bombs to them are mereAllah’s wrath, you should fearTheir confidence you can’t tearYou are the ones scared, that’s clearFor them, success is being a martyrDespite all the trials they are...
Dear Palestinians
This poem is for the innocent souls who have lost their lives,writes Zenith KhanI don’t know how it feelsSo I can’t tell you how it will heal.I can’t tell you I have been thereBecause I am in my room without any of that stress.Trust me when I say that, with Allah is...
Here and There
I have a baby in my hand whose smiles fill my day.She has a baby in her hand with airstrikes filling her day. I have a baby in my hand with birds chirping on the tree.She has a baby in her hand with bombs dropping on a spree. I have a baby in my hand with food cooked...
The Sky Gaze
It so happened to me one night,That sight crossed limits of sight.On me this realization dawned,That I could look even beyond.As I watched the starred sky,Stars did not appear high.Pasted they seemed on some background,Although hazy was that background.And there I saw...
The Roads of Gaza
TestimonialA crowded road it wasBetter than empty roads here. To reach there, tough journey it wasBetter than simple journeys here The pain was slight after all that was borne. Oh people why so you cry, I am not dead why do you cry?Oh my people I am with the best...
Jacinta Kerketta Declines Award
Renowned poet and journalist Jacinta Kerketta, celebrated for her sensitive and grounded writings addressing injustices faced by Adivasi communities, made a brave decision on 21st November 2023. She received a call and later a message notifying her of being selected...