Time To speak Up!

The sound of silence is shattering too many eardrums!

TIME has done it once again! By declaring ‘The Silence Breakers’ as The Person of the Year (2017), one of the most influential global magazines of our day, has addressed a herd of elephants in the room – and that room is the world! Women, some known, most unknown, some powerful, the rest, not, have grabbed the attention of those who matter, thanks to this important media platform. Each year, readers eagerly await the selection of the cover subject for this special issue (some editions become coveted collectors’ items). Often, these essays reflect the key concerns facing humanity – for better or worse. The process is fairly transparent. But the interesting thing is the gap that yawns between the readers’ poll, and the final choice of the editors. It was no different this year. Twenty-five per cent of the readers’ votes went to the 32-year-old Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia. The women representing ‘The Silence Breakers’ polled just 6 per cent. And yet, TIME thought it more important to feature a few of these outspoken ladies on the cover of this prestigious edition.