Happy Women’s Day! I now live in a country where the biggest women issue being discussed is pay parity and having more women in senior positions. I was born in a country where the right for a woman to live and then grow up to be an adult without being raped, assaulted or pushed is a big deal.
It broke my heart to see the “Daughter of India” documentary because it showed nothing has changed in the past so may years. We still have men talking about women being a commodity and how it is men’s responsibility to protect them. We still associate repression of women with indian culture! And then to top it off, some men who actually rule india decide that it is too sensitive and banned it. WTF! It should be a compulsory viewing in schools and colleges to trigger healthy debates. Till we do not start raising our sons right, how do we expect the mindset to change? Watch the documentary! The link is in my previous blog post. It may trigger a healthy debate in your household.
I was lucky to be born in a progressive household. My dad was the first feminist I saw. He always encouraged both me and my sister and in his mind and actions, there was nothing we could not do. I had a working mom and I have grown up seeing my dad helping out in the kitchen, chopping and cooking. In fact our Sunday breakfast was cooked by dad so many times. He had no qualms doing any household work when my mum was busy or had school work. So he set a high standard for the guy that we were gonna marry!
When I met my husband for the first time, I relayed that to him. He was taken aback at first, India is a very patriarchal country and social pressures are immense but to his credit he did what he thought is right. We had an arranged marriage but I can safely say that I married an amazing guy. He is my best friend and partner in true sense. It takes a very strong man to have a relationship with a strong woman, my husband is one of those. He supports me and always thinks about what is best for our family rather than him. I love him for a lot of traits but letting me be my true self is on the top!
I watched this video yesterday and the two key men in my life shaped me to be what I am just like these women. I now have only one wish; to raise my son right!
My reliance on tech is becoming less and less. I do miss the morning of checking the news but my habit of picking the phone and tablet for everything is diminishing. Yesterday, one of our friends invited us to their place to play Holi. For the first time, I left my phone behind. It was surreal but liberating where I was involved in conversations rather than busy looking at my phone and taking pictures. I asked one of the other mum to send me pictures. Check out Yash playing his first Holi with his friends, he loved it and had a lot of fun! Till tomorrow!
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