The global cryfest that’s been 2020 is on the verge of ending! Almost sounds inconceivable, doesn’t it? After all, the year hasn’t given us enough reasons to be upbeat about much really. But as we bid adieu to this outlandish, long-drawn, unanticipated year, looking back at those few silver linings, we can’t help but feel a sense of gratification reading some of the most phenomenal, pathbreaking stories our users shared on the platform this year- stories of hopes and fears, of change and promise, stories that broke out of societal clutches to be read and known, stories that kept us going.
So here’s a roundup of 2020’s 20 most inspiring, distinctive and powerful narratives that defied norms, took charge, made a point and how!
1. This pathbreaking story only reiterates that the lack of public facilities as menstruators step out to perform essential tasks, makes it obvious that women’s reproductive health isn’t a priority in the struggle to keep them in the workforce.
2. This human rights’ activist opened up about counseling survivors of sexual violence, as she herself awaits the trial of her own case.
3. After all, how can arbitrary and hateful cultural barriers decide who can be soulmates?
4. Does the constitutional right to education exist for the children of Kashmir? Let this story answer.
5. However woke we may become, we are still ingrained to believe that everybody should deal with their anxiety and depression and “get on with it”.
6. Stories of young girls forced into marriage and eventually motherhood.
7. For twelve years, a show this popular, continued to accentuate rather positively casteism, sexism and everything problematic!
8. Though body shaming has a broad dimension, the way you categorise the ‘ideal size of boobs’ definitely falls under it too.
9. An intricate and compelling account of the life of a frontliner, who expected just a little more than clanging thaalis.
10. Know who Sharjeel Imam really is, as his brother pens down some of his fondest memories.
11. Except for Bahujans, nobody has the right to decide whether casteism exists or not. So know the truth from the horse’s mouth.
12. “I feel so thrilled with joy when kids address me as “anna” or “cheta” which translates to big brother”.
13. Why does society fear a woman expressing her physical needs? Seriously, why?
14. While popular media hit an all time low, our users like Asra spoke up vehemently against the grotesque witch-hunt.
15. As expected, the post received some interesting-but-saddening comments compelling the user to reassess where we’re heading.
16. “Growing up being bullied is not rare for a boy who is queer, especially when you don’t understand why you’re being bullied.”
17. When the country’s women, especially Muslim women, came out on the streets to resist CAA, of course many pro-act men had ‘no choice’ than to resort to misogyny.
18. The law is an open attack on liberty, on love, on democracy and most importantly, on consent. Let someone in an inter-faith marriage tell you why.
19. This fearless exposé is as concerning and alarming as it is revelatory.