We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think. When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves

~ Gautam Buddha

Wednesday, March 9, 2016

Women's Day

Arrival of  International Women’s Day, 8th march is knocking  expression in me and surprising silence on I has been witnessing on whats app group. The dual reasons get an outlet as a write- up.
To choose an engaging topic for Whats app group my mind raced and hankered after diverse personalities- then  iconic Suu Kyu, the Nobel laureate, Stateswoman,President of NLD Myanammar appealed most, for her indomitable spirit yet turbulent out of box  way of  life, her marriage to a man one year younger than her. Her education at Cambridge, her mediocre life in Britain, her political career at Burma and subsequent house arrest of 32 years. Her youthful look, her poise, her unfathomable spirit, her landslide victory  at 1915 election and dignified poise to accept the ban for top position.There was allure in everything about her. The subject had been  taking shape in me, and then unexpected I had to undertake the journey—
The train started at usual time at around 6.00 p.m. As the train chugged off, to ease  the encountered melee of startup journey , stretching   on the accomodated space seemed a big relief.
Around mid night the occupant of lower birth made the entry, subsequently a harsh, croaked voice pierced in the compartment.
“Whose footwear is these?”
Groggily someone replied in irritation- “Move them aside and put your luggage beneath.” After her boisterous entry it was her discussion at the audible limit ,from politics to inflation lasted till dawn bereaving  sweet dreams of the fellow occupants. Snatched  out of slumber my attention went to her, an elderly lady in salwar suit ,with cropped hair dos, "Not condusive enough", At first glance I opinioned and tossed on berth with annoyance.
In the morning while going through news paper my engaged attention broke by her query-“Are you a working one?” Smilingly I replied in affirmation. The lady does not seem so crass in the morning. “Where do you work? Sitting on the seat beside me she initiated.
Few moments of mingling revealed more about her. A 65 year old,retired university staff ,diagnosed with multiple maladies ,endured three consecutive operations . She had been fighting the lethal battle of life  on her own.
She was on her way to half yearly follow up to the leading health center.
Her indomitable spirit seemed impressive. I didn’t see a  tinge of apprehension in her voice. The way she had been handling her finance and her ailment without any help was amazing. An enthusiastic raconteur and full of social life she talked on every issue from her food habit to lodging.
During the journey the morning news paper fuelled my the imagination about Aruna Shanbaug,the nurse at KMC Mumbai, her plea for euthanasia got rejected by Supreme Court but her fight for life went on for 38 years.
Then a visit to my daughter's place at metro,I met an young domestic help- a mother of two smilingly greeted me busy in her chores with two small children in tow ,playing near  the stairs.
The women of diverse world invoked many of queries in me “What do keep them going in their world?” Is the biological superiority of female body which is equipped with power of creation? In the mortal world we name it  “ Shakti.”
Then I felt a pressing need to celebrate woman’s day to salute those unwavering spirit who most often go unnoticed.
In my neighbour, I got another lady who had been fighting the emperor of malady. I witnessed her concern for the family-her eyes still focused on child progress and husband needs while fighting her ailment.
Then I get concerned for the next gen feminines  of vibrant intellect who have been single handed juggling their safety, career with myriad other responsibilities.
Heaped with social responsibility, in today’s world Indian woman is the most stressed one. Managing the two worlds of career and home very few realize her unsupported stature in the home and society as a  home Maker or as a career woman. Most often she  lacks much needed support during her life- as a student,  woman, mother,wife and  at work place.
In Indian setup she lacks the facilities like crèche and dignified place or home for parents. Even the mentioning of these needs by her attracts frown from many quarters.As if as a vampire she has been ready to dump children in strangers' hand and ready to leave the old parents without any support and care.
Just be humane and think about the necessary strength she requires to carry out her  the day' s obligations.
It scares me "How long she can sustain the self without pushing  in depression and persistent fatigue.  A common companion of Indian woman!"
The world is changing fast so the woman as an individual- to save the society we need to save the woman. Since century she has been taking care of everyone.
In today's world equipped with education and aspiration she needs some understanding and change in family setup to sustain and showcase her potential. May almighty bestow desired strength and support to the creator of the  world, the woman! Happy women’s day!