Outlook is at it again, sexist gossip column calls woman IAS officer Smita Sabharwal 'eye candy'

Outlook is at it again, sexist gossip column calls woman IAS officer Smita Sabharwal 'eye candy'
Outlook is at it again, sexist gossip column calls woman IAS officer Smita Sabharwal 'eye candy'
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 Weekly news magazine Outlook is in trouble after this week's edition carried a snippet about a woman IAS officer in Telangana Chief Minister's office.  The article, talks about her looks, attire and sudden rise through the ranks, hinting that the rise could have something to do with her looks. In a small write up in its 'Deep Throat' column titled 'No boring Babu', the piece talks about how the bureaucrat is present at every meeting making a "fashion statement with her lovely saris and serves as 'eye candy' at meetings." The piece added that "The lovely lady, known for her ethnic style, recently stunned all by appearing in a trendy trouser and frilly top at a fashion show. And for once, she wasn’t sitting in an official meeting. But this appearance too made for a great photo op." If this wasn't enough, Outlook even carried a cartoon of the IAS officer walking on a ramp as a caricature of the Telangana chief minister holds a camera and politicians in the background winking and cheering her on.   (The illustration carried by outlook in its deepthroat column. Credits: Outlook) This has drawn a backlash from journalists and activists alike who have termed the gossipy-news bit extremely sexist and offensive. Though the article does not name the officer,  many have pointed out that the article alludes to Smita Sabharwal, the first female IAS officer to be appointed by the Telangana chief minister's office. Shame on outlook to write such a sexist piece. This lady officer is one of the most upright, capable officers pic.twitter.com/H7v4YGu6DY — sunitha krishnan (@sunita_krishnan) June 28, 2015  Shocked to read an extremely sexist & offensive piece abt a lady IAS officer in the latest edition of @Outlookindia. Not expected. Bad taste — T S Sudhir (@Iamtssudhir) June 29, 2015 Shame editor Krishna Prasad. Outlook 6th July refers to IAS officer Smita Sabarwal PA to Telangana CM "arm candy" .Obscene sexist cartoon . — indira jaising (@IJaising) June 29, 2015 Smita Sabarwal is an IAS officer ,the first woman Additional Secretary CM Telangana to break male bastion ,not as Outlook says"arm candy" — indira jaising (@IJaising) June 29, 2015 I am shocked editor @Outlookindia passed such an offensive, sexist piece? Officer has a great reputation & has earned respect in districts — Uma Sudhir (@umasudhir) June 29, 2015 The article on Smita Sabarwal in @Outlookindia is the lowest point in journalism. Im sure @vinodedmehta wouldn't have appreciated it — Srivatsava Sesham (@srivatsavahai) June 29, 2015 Smita who is known as the "people's officer" has a lot of things to her credit. Born in 1977, the 2001 batch IAS officer cracked the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) exam and secured the 4th rank, all by the age of 22.Her first independent charge was as Sub Collector, Madanapally in Chittoor. After almost a decade of working in various districts of erstwhile Andhra Pradesh, she took charge as District Collector, Karimnagar district in April 2011.Her brain child programme in the health care sector, 'Ammalalana' that sought to improve institutional deliveries in the public sector was started and successfully implemented in Karimnagar during her regime and serves as a role model for many health initiatives of ‘high risk pregnancy management targeting.This initiative was also nominated as one of the best initiatives for the Prime Minister’s award for excellence in public administration. Karimnagar Town also underwent a complete facelift and was awarded the best district in PM's 20 Point Programme for 2012-2013.She also successfully conducted an incident-free poll in Medak where she was serving as the District Collector during the General Elections 2014 registering a high polling turn out.She was appointed as Additional Secretary to the chief minister's office on June 6, 2014, four days after the state of Telangana celebrated its formation day and has been considered one of the finest IAS officers in the state.This is not the first time however Outlook has been accused of misogyny. Recently, the magazine was at the receiving end of a backlash over it's article on Union HRD Minister Smriti Irani.Read - Have come a long way since Stone Age says Smita Sabharwal IAS in legal notice to Outlook 

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