Its a WOW Post!!!! Yaaayyyyy…!!!
K...girl… I hear you. It’s Women’s Day- the one day in the entire year when you actually go around and wish your “girl” friends and family a very happy “Women’s Day”. Oh, really!!! Happy Women’s day???? Are you kidding me!!
Right from the very moment you were conceived and declared a girl while still in your mom’s womb, your parents have had a trauma. Then followed the arguments and tears on whether to abort you. (Oh you think, I’m from Ancient period?? Open your eyes and see.) You were lucky enough to be born and your life has never let you forget that.
From sacrificing your favourite toys and chocolates for your brother, to being molested dirty-touched by your favorite uncle, your life has just begun. (Oh, don’t give me that surprised look!!).
You are now eight and is suddenly not allowed to ride your bicycle in skirts or frocks. While you are still confused on what had happened, you had reached the so-called puberty. Your parents are even more worried now and your night-outs have practically come to an end. You thought you don’t give a damn and have gotten busy scoring grades, joining a job and being an earning lady. You are now enjoying your “independent” life and then realize that your workplace is also crowded with chauvinists and bigots.
But now, the time has come for you to be “settled”!! Settled?? What does that mean- oh yeah, marriage! You must now be getting married to a nice guy (aren’t good marriages equally good for everybody?) You go teary-eyed when your Dad says, “She is the apple of my eye, from now on her happiness is in your hands. Take care of her”. (At the back of your head it rings, “Does he really believe that the parents of sons have some special rights and parents of a daughter can only ‘beg’ for her happiness”. How else can this dramatic situation be justified.
From “adjusting” yourself to the “new” family (Wait…did the family make any adjustments to accommodate you??) and getting a “new” name (The so-called adding your husband’s surname to yours), you have started giving up on who you were. K… I honestly don’t want to brood over the “MIL” issues also.
Now, it’s been a year after your wedding and you are constantly been asked about your “inability” to conceive a child. (Shocked??? It’s been ONE YEAR, in other words, TWELVE MONTHS, and you are still not having a baby!!! So, it definitely is ‘cos of YOUR not his medical issues).
K…. so, you are a strong, modern Indian Woman. And you reside in a country where she had been worshiped (once upon a time!). But now, beware when you take a step forward, you might be brutally gang-raped, ‘cos here’s a country who says rapes take place because of a woman’s clothes and her behavior. Exactly a year has passed after the gang rape and death of a woman on a Delhi bus. What has changed??? N.O.T.H.I.N.G.
I’m not a feminist. But, I’m a woman who effectively juggles a work life, her social life, her home, family life and traditions and festivities. I’m strong, worldly-wise, opinionated, independent, economically self-sufficient and probably always being judge (just like you).
But, I’m Me – who enjoys my individuality!!!
And you wishing me a “Happy” Women’s Day?? Zip it up. .
This post is also a part of Write Over the Weekend, an initiative for Indian Bloggers by BlogAdda. The post must contain a text conversation ending with someone saying “k”.
dandelionsinwind says
You said it Shalzz …
Another awesome post that I read on women’s day…:)
Shalzzz says
Thanks Dear… 🙂
Ananya Kiran says
Hey Shalzz, I noticed on this auspicious day we have shared the same feeling in slightly different way..
Happy Women’s Day !
Shalzzz says
I know… ♥♥♥ And you have an awesome post there, Lady!! 🙂
The Vanilla Housewife says
Very powerful post!
Shalzzz says
Thanks Jhanis.. hope you liked 🙂
Annie says
V V POWERFUL.. HATS OFFF…PUBLISH THIS ELSEWHERE TOO..MAKE IT MORE PUBLIC… LET MORE PPL READ.. BUTTHE SAD PART IS THAT IT IS NOT GOING TO MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE TO ANYTHING!!!!
Shalzzz says
Thanks Annie… 🙂 And yeah, What point!!! People might simply read and then ….??? Nothing!! Hmm….
susanscottsa says
Good one thank you! OK I’ll zip my lip but here’s hoping you have a great Saturday!
Shalzzz says
Thanks Susan.. I hope you too had a Great Weekend!! 🙂
Rinaya says
Powerfully put.. I agree with you…why do we need a special day at all to celebrate being a woman anyway?
Shalzzz says
Thanks Rinaya… 🙂 Yes, no meaning of celebrating being a woman in this country!! *Sigh*
Melody says
Stopping by from the A to Z challenge. I like your perspective here – great points. Good luck in the challenge!
Shalzzz says
Thanks for stopping by.. 🙂 I’ve been motivated 😀
Inderpreet Uppal says
All the comments above and then some more……you aptly summed up a girl’s life. Well crafted and love the sarcasm.
May I request you to add ‘K’ at the end of the last sentence —”zip it….K”
More powerful that way, I think.
Pleasure reading it…..In spite of the sadness of our lives as women.
Sharing it.
Shalzzz says
Thanks a lot for stopping by. Glad that you liked the post. I thought of adding the K” as you said, but then thought of not doing it- I feel it adds an Indian touch to it 🙂 🙂
Corinne Rodrigues says
Hi Shalini – I see that you’ve requested to join the A to Z group on FB. Are you taking part in the challenge? I can’t seem to find the badge on your blog. Let me know.
Shalzzz says
Hi Corinne, thanks for the prompt response. Yes, Im in for the A to Z challenge, and I’ve pasted the badge on my sidebar. Please accept my request. Im pondering over the “theme” right now 🙂 🙂
mukhamani says
Unfortunately what you have written happens to so many, even now:( And I am lucky such things never happened with me. Thanks .
Lakshmi