The 'Art' of Respecting Women...

It is sometimes disparaging to see that somewhere we are claiming to be the country with the highest youth population and on the other hand, we are on top of the lists and surveys, which scream about the condition of women in our nation. If we are actually progressing, if we are actually a bunch of aware and alert people, then where do such biases find their way from? Is it a thing of pride, to belong to a certain gender? We all, at one time or the other, have turned a blind eye to incidents of this chronic problem around us - among relatives, friends, and neighbourhood.

On rumination, I realize the fault lies in the upbringing of children in Indian households. I speak openly and I am not scared of stating the fact that we have a serious parenting problem when it comes to gender bias. It is a common sight to see parents around us contributing towards making their sons typical male chauvinists. Daughters are always supposed to serve their brothers, do the household chores, and not retaliate to any abuses or comments of their brothers. It is this attitude that leads to those kids becoming supremacists in future expecting the same from their own wives. At parenting, therefore, we are facing a serious problem.

It is not a fresh news that I am breaking, but a fact that women-even little girls- in our country, are constantly bombarded by negative, exploitive messages and unrealistic expectations in the media and world in which we live that exacerbate insecurities about themselves. They need to be reassured and reminded that they are beautiful, and that beauty does not mean perfection. When it comes to manners, open the door for her, or hold it open a few seconds longer if she is right behind you. It won't let you down in any way. Let her go first or pass in front of you. If her glass is empty, ask her if she would like a refill. Set or clear the table, and always pay for her meal. Ask her what she likes and dislikes. Chivalry is evidenced by thoughtfulness in action, such as those who pick up and drop off their wives or girlfriends near building entries/exits when it's cold or raining. It's not about men insinuating that women are weak or can't do things for themselves,rather, it's about showing that we care, and expressing kindness in tangible ways.

I am no authority or saint to teach anyone how to treat women, or how to respect them. If respect ever came by reading, then Google would have taught that to Indian men long back. We need to think about this a little more. Think about what women actually mean, and what they actually are... Our country can be on top one day, but for that day to come, we should first respect those brought us into this world.

I would close this perfectly, with a poem which is not mine, and I read it somewhere:-

"The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears,

The figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair.

The beauty of a woman must be seen from within her eyes,
Because that is the doorway to her heart,
The place where love resides.

The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mole,
But true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul.

It is the caring that she lovingly gives,
The passion that she shows,
And the beauty of a woman
With passing years
Only grows..."

Yes, its the time for us to grow and change as a nation - https://www.facebook.com/sftimetochange

The Reverse Gear...

The year has reached its dusk. As we stand here and look behind at the events that took place, we feel nothing but dejected. If there could ever be a crestfallen period for the country, it is now! We are in an alarming situation where we cannot do anything but weep. Yes, we can leave the country and go abroad in search of 'better opportunities', but then that would be running away from the situation, although we can hardly help.

I say that we cannot help, because for sure, we, as normal citizens, cannot hang Ajmal Kasam, we cannot pass the Lokpal bill, we cannot bring the Retail FDI in the country, we can hardly improve the condition of females in this nation, we can never punish the wrong doing politicians at our will... we are pretty helpless in a country, where our roles end the moment we cast our votes. The 'vote bank' politics has lead our country into a crisis where we are although not in recession or depression but definitely a major REGRESSION... Since independence we have been on a path of self destruction where we have no one else to blame.

For the votes of farmers and rural population, the demands and needs of the normal urban youth and families has constantly been ignored - we have to continue consuming the adulterated kirana material even if we want to purchase the up market products. For the votes of minorities, again, the innocent rest-of-population is forced to face dejection in examinations and employment opportunities. For the vote bank of religious groups, we have constantly been living under the illusion of "secularism", where the politicians themselves create a row and again themselves settle it on the account of being secular.
The deteriorating condition of females is still like that bad patch of itching on your body - you know its there, but you don't want to talk about it. Neither they are respected for what they are and nor are their contributions highlighted. They is a major portion of households where still women are treated as a to-be-kept-aside home object. This is absolutely depressing, for until and unless we keep turning a blind eye to this, we will never be a prosperous country - and all that we are left to boast about is a hideous-to-look-at 933 sex ratio.

The few of the above things are just a mug out of the ocean of problems and crisis we are currently facing. We are concerned at heart but we actually can't do anything but suffer. We are a bunch of hard working corporate youngsters and we can hardly collect on streets and shout slogans on each one of those issues. The only thing which we can do, the only thing which is still in our hands, is to talk about it as much as we can - spread it, share it, write about it and bring these issues up every time we get a chance... however even that right is going to be snatched away from us by the censorship on social media, very soon. Ah! we are definitely going through a rough patch of circumstances.

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