Taking up from where I left - let me today focus on the perils of being a woman in urban India. Women today have come a long way since Independence. They are represented in almost every sphere of life and get an opportunity to rub shoulders with their men counterpart yet there's a nagging doubt which prevails in India when it comes to women.
Everybody wants to cash in on this feeling that they(the men) have done or did something for the women. Take the much hyped instance of a lady becoming Defence Minister - it was actually touted as 'an event' - unlike when a lady became External Affairs Minister. Not to say it's not a great achievement - it surely is - but shouldn't it come naturally as a person being selected for hard work and integrity hence finding place in the Council of ministers as a consequence - that's it - why should we 'segregate' it into something else - a battle of sexes.
Similarly take the Reservation issue - what was stopping political parties across the spectrum from giving tickets to 33% of their women candidates - in election after election only a minuscule percentage of women were given tickets by all parties - but no, first it has to be 'categorized' as something being 'reserved' or kept aside for women - I agree if it's 'reserved' it will become mandatory for all parties to field that many women candidates - but the same result could have been achieved by progressive thinking within political parties that women form the backbone of half the population of this Country and therefore need to be given a voice in the political sphere and decision making of India.
Unfortunately that's the way things move in India. For every move made there are 'manipulative' people 'behind' the 'gratitude' as if crumbs are being doled out. Coming back to the topic at hand women in urban India are still in the 'fledgeling' stage - for every little inch of victory they are made to fight - be it the issue of Triple Talaq or women being inducted as future fighter Air Force pilots, or being given a stellar role in the armed forces.
Sexist remarks at work or while going to work are common without realizing that it's a criminal offence cognizable by law. So the thinking of our glorious males needs to change. Women cannot be made the butt of sexist objects - they have to be respected for their individuality and what they decide for themselves. What they wear eat or drink should be their own decisions. The males in whatever role they maybe - fathers, husbands, or friends need to understand and appreciate this position of women.
If women have to claim their rightful place in society they have to come forward and demonstrate their skills and capabilities to handle problems independently irrespective of male gaze, domination or interference. Women have to stand against discrimination at work places, at home, and in various spheres of life where they have reached through dint of hard labour and on their own.
India is a Nation where Goddess Durga is worshipped and women have been placed on a high pedestal both in our religious scriptures as well as both culturally and socially. So are we evolving as a progressive society or being regressive so far as women are concerned. A small incident of an inter caste marriage evokes a monstrous response. A harmless advertisement giving indication towards 'safe sex' draws ire from various quarters.
We started out by giving tremendous respect to women but as our society progressed we can't get regressive towards women - rather it should be the other way around - there should be equal opportunity for women in all spheres of life and a sense of involvement in taking independent decisions.
The principal Opposition party in India has been led by an able woman who was also at the helm of affairs for the period of 10 years when the same party was in power and the Country progressed at a decent pace. Even today there are several women leaders in the present Cabinet of ministers who are doing very good work quietly and efficiently. Several women are running successful businesses and are heading bureaucracy. India has its fair share of sports personalities in girls and women who have done the Country proud. India has had its share of great women leaders like Indira Gandhi who took the Country forward so there's no reason to feel dejected.
Let's hope India will show the way in treating women as equal partners in its development - Cheers to that sentiment.
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