The newspaper looked colorful and carried various articles celebrating the achievements of Women past & present. The occasion- 'International Women's Day'. Another give away from the west to east, like the much celebrated and ShivSena despised Valentines Day. In office, my project team too celebrated the day by cutting a huge cake. Of course the cake-cutting honor went to lady colleagues. While returning from office, I was reading 'Wise & Otherwise' by Sudha Murthy (Philanthropist & wife of Mr. N. R. Narayan Murthy, founder of Infosys). The book is a collection of Mrs. Murthy's 50 personal experiences showcasing the myriad shades of human nature. I turned the page. The Truth about Women: was the topic next. Coincidence!!!! The day somehow revolved round women :)
The first few lines of the topic made my mind wander....
"When women in India won the right to vote, it was seen as a sign of equality and freedom. But, in reality, their social status is not really good. That is why we see a plenty of bride burning, female infanticide & other atrocities committed against women."
How TRUE! We refer to our country as "Bharat Maa" glorifying mother and thereby glorifying women. We worship goddesses from Durga to Saraswati. Our history talks of women like Rani Laxmibai to Sarojini Naidu. We have role models like Mrs. Indira Gandhi to IPS Kiran Bedi in modern times. But then, we as a country also rank at the bottom in various surveys, when it comes to empowerment of women. Do women in our male dominated social echelon enjoy the same freedom and rights? May be FEW do. But in a country of over a billion population 'FEW' is as infinitesimally small !! Don't you think so...
In our society, women are always known and identified in relation to men - as a daughter, wife or mother. Where is her independent identity? Identification, if it is, then she has it by....Visit any hospital's burns division, most patients women. Same age old story of dowry harassment followed by bride burning. Visit any primary school, the number of boys outnumber those of girls. Education to girl child is like a taboo. The prime time television earns its TRP showcasing the plight of women. Many of our metros, are not safe for women. But then, we celebrate Women's day with much fanfare. How Ironical !!
Some may argue "Education" can solve these age-old problems. I don't agree to it completely. Education may provide an economic independence to women. But if providing education to women is empowerment, then I tell you; some of my educated friends of opposite sex still cry and suffer. Why is that? What is then required? A paradigm shift. May be. But to be honest, I don't know the answer. But what I know is; a girl child deserves the equal right to come into this beautiful world like a male child. She also requires the same education to lead an economically independent life. In her in-laws house, she needs to be treated as a daughter & be loved and not to be torched as candle. Women's day is about understanding a Woman is a symbol of beauty, compassion, love and respecting her in form of mother, sister, friend, wife or daughter.
".....wife of Mr. N. R. Narayan Murthy, founder of Infosys... " No comments on this introduction. Still we believe wife of is better way to introduce some one ??? ;) Just a thought to fume some femine hormone...
ReplyDelete"The day somehow revolved round women" I like this statement out of no reason... :)
To add more, we had a dinner get together of totally un-known 15 people who works in different areas job profiles in Bangalore. One thing was common is we all use internet as a part of job and life. I was feeling good that half of them were women and some of them were really proud to introduce them as Single parent and they raise their kids in much better way. And many of them own their own business with out much help and it has all success stories.
Don't you think so India is also changing? At least it started changing from the Upper and above average profiles in the society. This part of the world is also slowly changing. It will take years to get in to the roots since it was built 100 of years ago. This world is no more completely owned by men.
I have a different opinion, It should be male version of the society need training and education on how to respect a women and get the respect back than educating and empowering the female versions on ho to stand against the flow.
That will help women and make their flow smooth with a society which flows in her direction too, not against.
Its been longer comment. I apologise for the length but I like to say it full... :)
Nice piece of writing on Women's rights....
ReplyDeleteAnd I liked the comment given by ur friend കുളത്തില് കല്ലിട്ട ഒരു കുരുത്തം കെട്ടവന്! that male version of the society needs training and education on how to respect women....
@Nicy.. Its no course book. Don't read between the lines n U never say anything out of no reason :) Anyway, I got the hint n your point :)
ReplyDeleteI agree women are being empowered but majority of India lives in lower strata of economic ladder and change from there going to be an uphill task. But nevertheless change is happening & it's a very good sign.
I second Nicy and Elley both of you. I liked the part best "Educating the society; so as to make the society flow in her direction rather against."
@Elley: Good, to hear your view n thnx 4 d compliment.
Hey, its very nice ,very well organized and good thought process.I would definitely comment on it stating that men should be properly trained to respect women in all the forms .
ReplyDeleteEducation to women is not only enough but at the same time education should be properly given to both the genders in order to control all these nuisance happening of the society.
Above all I would say I am proud of being a Women.
Hi Smruti...
ReplyDeleteGood to have u n ur views in my blog. Thnx for the good words. Keep reading n keep sharing ur comments..