On the occassion of International Women's Day it is only apt to reflect on what it means to be a woman...
Personally speaking, I find that being a woman in India is one of the most difficult state to be in... challenges, personal and professional are mounted on any woman... and to navigate this maze of challenges always takes a toll on women that they always give up... and never reach their potential... women leave jobs, and make the man the centre of her life.... and that gives her happiness.... if she does not she is slotted as an ambitious bitch who is a ball buster ... implying thereby that she is not to be touched or spoken to cos she has no soul... her soul comes only when she is taking care of her man and her family... such nicely constructed social setting we have ....
I do however see a shift in women power... seeing so many women in the high ecleons of the corporate world has brought about a definite shift in the perception of women... there is a definitely a general acceptance of women being as capable as men... and not being the weaker sex actually... more acceptability to women pursuing a career... young women are graduating and looking for a job before looking for a husband... and women who are not educated are no longer the premium product in the marriage market... as someone said with your education, I think the dowry expectation can be brought down considerably...
slowly women are also finding their power in society... as much society tries to deny it, a woman can actually control the family effectively... no decision can be taken without her consent... some women do not realise this power and hence are treated badly... the influence she has on her children is her ultimate control... and society bends when it comes to that influence and power....
have you ever wondered why the Queen is the most powerful person in the game of chess.... in a game which is all about the army and military positions, its really curious that the Queen has all the powers that everyone else on the chess board has .... The Queen protects the King (who has no power actually) and you have to cut the Queen to get to the king... now I wonder why in ancient India a game with a powerful female was invented.... its not like women rulers were that prevalent....or that women were the actual power behind the throne (well in some cases probably).... so how did we in India invent a game like this??
Does this actual show the actual role of a woman in society... that she has all the powers but she is using the power only for the benefit of her king...and that is where women fail... they lose perspective of what they need to do for themselves... and hence she is treated badly... cos she makes it all about others....
will that ever change?? I hope so ... I hope women fight back against being sidelined... against being slotted as a slut just cos she decided to be bold about her sexuality... against being physically violated cos she decided to take a chance....
and there is a shift in the perception of men as well... men are no longer considered this holy grail of all virtue... as much as there are sluts, there are man - whores as well... the kind who sleeps with anything that moves... not the most stellar of characters in society I would think... and akin to a Bimbo, we have the Man- Bimbo.. the kind whose only aim in life is to bed women... and whose every minute is spent trying to impress the pretty girls... and who would be paying through their nose just to get into bed with someone... and talks openly about his exploits as if he has passed some entrance exam.... classic Man - Bimbo... or Mimbo...
Heres to wishing for a better future for all women out there... may we survive, thrive and grow...
