TestenGOLD- Free

'A' Political Pageant

Outlook|March 21, 2024
Criteria to determine beauty have been challenged by feminists across the world, but some feel it can be liberating
- Abhik Bhattacharya & Agnideb Bandyopadhyay
'A' Political Pageant

IN 2019, after the photos of 30 finalists of the Femina Miss India pageant came out in public, a massive social media backlash ensued, accusing the contest of being 'racist'. When the photos of these women-mostly with similar haircuts and fair skin-found space in one of the leading national newspapers with the headline, 'Who will be crowned Miss India this year?", Twitter went abuzz with a cry against such typecasting. One of the users shared the photo and wrote: "Why can't a Miss India be a dusky or a dark brown or darker chocolate brown? So much for the love of fair skin. I believe we are the most racist country in the world...!"

Notably, this was the same beauty pageant that crowned Priyanka Chopra the title of Miss India.

Anti-colour activist Muna Beatty, while talking to the news agency Reuters, said, "You have youngsters, kids watching this and thinking to themselves 'if I don't fit these criteria or this skin tone, then I'm not beautiful' and... 'I'm not good enough"."

Though these protests were confined within the walls of social media in 2019, the history of beauty contests and the women's movement suggest that since the 1960s, it has always been a matter of concern for the feminists who have been trying to fight the essentiality of beauty and its determination through the male gaze. The Miss World, Miss Universe, Miss International and Miss Earth contests, better known as the Big Four of beauty pageants, that have been around since 1951, have seen an evolution of the stipulations, regulations and the platform through the decades.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der March 21, 2024-Ausgabe von Outlook.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 9.500 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der March 21, 2024-Ausgabe von Outlook.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 9.500 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

WEITERE ARTIKEL AUS OUTLOOKAlle anzeigen
Education for the Greater Good
Outlook

Education for the Greater Good

UEM Jaipur in its Mission to Provide Global Exposure with Innovative Teaching Techniques

time-read
4 Minuten  |
June 21, 2025
Delivering Care Everywhere
Outlook

Delivering Care Everywhere

Innovative healthcare, accessible to all communities across India

time-read
3 Minuten  |
June 21, 2025
First Model Hospital for Global destination with New Benchmarks
Outlook

First Model Hospital for Global destination with New Benchmarks

Yashoda Medicity is a holistic ecosystem, a convergence of medical brilliance, technology, education, and patient-centred values, poised to redefine healthcare delivery in India and beyond

time-read
3 Minuten  |
June 21, 2025
Green Growth: A New Normal
Outlook

Green Growth: A New Normal

Indian real estate embraces sustainable design, net-zero goals and eco-friendly innovation to shape resilient, future-ready urban landscapes.

time-read
3 Minuten  |
June 21, 2025
Precision Meets Expertise
Outlook

Precision Meets Expertise

Pioneering ROBOTIC Knee & Hip Replacements, Dr (Prof) Anil Arora is redefining mobility with advanced technology and compassionate care

time-read
2 Minuten  |
June 21, 2025
The 5 Best Monsoon Treks in Maharashtra
Outlook

The 5 Best Monsoon Treks in Maharashtra

This curated list of the best monsoon treks in Maharashtra highlights both natural beauty and historical significance of the state while also being ideal for lovers of adventure

time-read
3 Minuten  |
June 21, 2025
Batwoman
Outlook

Batwoman

Women have gatecrashed a stag party, smashing their way through the sexist walls of bias and invisibility to live their cricket dreams, no more in the margins but in the spotlight

time-read
7 Minuten  |
June 21, 2025
Elite Bench
Outlook

Elite Bench

Why diversity and inclusion in cricket remain elusive

time-read
5 Minuten  |
June 21, 2025
Outlook

'Write What Should Not be Forgotten'

Chilean-American author Isabel Allende’s latest book My Name is Emilia Del Valle, set during the 1891 Chilean civil war, is the story of a young woman’s search for her identity.

time-read
5 Minuten  |
June 21, 2025
It is Lonely at the Top
Outlook

It is Lonely at the Top

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah faces rebellion from within the National Conference. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha is breathing down his neck. His political rival, Mehbooba Mufti, is sharpening her attack

time-read
5 Minuten  |
June 21, 2025

Wir verwenden Cookies, um unsere Dienste bereitzustellen und zu verbessern. Durch die Nutzung unserer Website stimmen Sie zu, dass die Cookies gesetzt werden. Learn more