Women

Women's day started as "Working women's day", basically as a socialist movement. The day is a celebration of womanhood and all they represent - compassion, warmth, dedication and care.  Although it should not take a special day to express concern about their issues but should be a sustained effort so that they should achieve their maximum potential. How can the world be a better off place if half of the population lags behind socially, economically and politically?

Comparing the condition of Indian women with their peers in western hemisphere we come across stark realities. Indian women although have started coming out of their cocoon and have experienced the liberation but to a very limited extent and that too in urban pockets. The subtle discrimination in urban families and overt discrimination in rural areas keeps the fairer sex devoid of their share of resources and rights. They are conditioned since childhood to sacrifice for others and keep their personal priorities lower in order. With this mindset and upbringing its not only the men that discriminate but women also as mothers and mother-in-laws starts discriminating and imposing their values. The vicious cycle of "humne ye kia to inko karne main kya problem hai" culture keeps repeating and people never have time and courage to have healthy discussions and initiatives to stop this. Even most of the votaries of women rights will be found giving only lip service but refraining to take initiatives at their home, society or locality.

In our quest to women empowerment we should not blindly impose western model of liberation but should evolve our own approach. The approach to women empowerment can't be unidimensional but has to be all encompassing the cultural, economic, social and political aspects as well. 

In the wake of the unfortunate rape case which made the whole of India agitate and demonstrate their anger against such a gruesome deed it is very important to go into deeper and basic reasons for such acts. If we think providing more security, creating separate banks or making more laws will cure all the problems then we are hugely mistaken as there are just the symptoms of the deeper malaise that exists in the society. The "objectification" of women is the most underlying reason that can be cited for such acts. Growing inequality, noneducational and education devoid of values are some of the significant factor that has led to the deterioration of social values and norms. 

Blindly aping western models won't address the problem. Our context is different, our social structure is different, our history is different and our thinking has been moulded in a different way. So how do we address these problem? I think the best way forward is to strengthen the following factors in long term so that our society emerges as one which treats all the person equally regardless of the gender

1. Value based education system: I think the seeds of values that we sow in young minds remain intact with them for the lifetime and forms the basic tenets of ones character. The inculcation of Nationalistic values, Gender issues and emphasis on integrity and moral values in education will be a long term investment in the human resource of the country. 

2. Awareness: Sensitizing people about gender issues and encouraging them to have healthy debates and discussion in families and society so that apprehensions and doubts are cleared. 

3. Police Reforms: The police force is seen as more of an agent today and than a democratic one. Instead of serving public they are seen as serving their political masters. The gender sensitization at cutting edge level is abysmally low. Reforms related to recruitment, training and other issues should be expedited. 

4. Women reservation: Although is a debatable issue but still I think that if not going all for parliamentary reservation we could atleast initiate reforms relating to promoting women canditates in political parties internally. 

5. Stop Objectifying: Wherever possible we should generate awareness and sensitize people to have a broader outlook and perspective that is gender inclusive. 

As India is going though a transitionary phase be it in economic, social or political sphere we need to grab this moment to revolutionize and cement the enthusiasm that has been created regarding gender reforms. 

JaiHind!

Review of Indian Summer: The Secret History of the End of an Empire

The first thing that comes to my mind after reading Indian Summer by Alex Von Tunzelmann is that why does it take a westerner to write such an intriguing story about Indian History. The reason is beyond my comprehension till date as common sense suggests the otherwise. The Indians must be having greater access to archives, letters of iconic personalities and first hand interviews of the survivers. This I am saying as I have also read Indira by Katherine Frank and found it excellent.

The Indian Summer is based on dissection and deep research into the true personalities and personal lives of Mountbatten and Jawahar lal Nehru in the backdrop of Indian Independence movement, giving an microscopic and magnified version of the last few months on the British Raj in India. Although the book starts in a bit sluggish way describing in detail the lives of Mountbattens in 20s and 30s and Indian freedom struggle but one later feels its requirement in order to personify the true characters and lives of the Mountbattens and to build the story. The book catches the tempo in the later half giving not only the details of the events but also the personal conversations and discussions of the personalities we read so much about and allows us to have a closer glimpses at their personal lives. The book presents the facts not only on the basis of here says and rumors but are thoroughly researched based on the letters exchanged between personalities involved and the evidences gathered otherwise. This book unravels the humane side and peels of the layers of their character and brings to life their common and simpler side of some of the greatest personalities of India. We read about the leadership roles of Nehru, Patel and Gandhi in our history books but its very difficult to personify them with just those details. This book fills the gap between political and personal life of leaders and having human insight into their lives.

The writer though falters few times to reach conclusions based on conversations and indirect references but otherwise depicting a neutral account of the events.

Nehru’s personality comes out as a great visionary leader whose intellectual level was way higher than other leaders who sometimes compromised with their ideals and vision in tiring circumstances.

After reading this book I would to delve more into the books that discusses the ideas and experiments of Gandhiji and gives me more insight into the Kashmir problem.

In the end … a good and interesting read.