For innumerable reasons I have always found this topic very close to my heart. I relate more perhaps because I myself was a girl child and now bloomed into a woman. Taking this opportunity to thank our PM Narendra Modi ji for this initiative. A country that realises a strength of woman, trusts in her ability has a potential to become a successful nation and if India has realised this then it is on right path.
In a country where Sita decided to accompany her husband in exile clearly demonstrates the freedom of thinking and decision making women had at that time. Women weren't only supposed to bore children and look after household. Great heroism shown by Jhansi ki Rani who proved that a son isn't needed to inherit kingdom or carry a baton of family name. There are many many such women of Indian soil who have proved their abilities with time. The making of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is because of his beloved mother Jija Mata. She was the one who narrated stories to him, inculcated discipline in his life. Not only in battles and wars but being a dutiful mother has created some heroes in our history.
India being invaded and ruled by conservative Mughals for a long time has a diverse culture. North India for instance has always been under attacks and women being vulnerable targets, family or in general men had to protect women. One of the reasons North Indian weddings are conducted in nights, which is a custom now was probably for security purposes and were secretly conducted then. The beautiful carvings on many Hindu temples are bold enough to illustrate that artists had free mind and liberty to carve bold sculptures illustrating intimacy between man and woman. I am sure that kind of freedom must have been prevailing in those times and artists have exactly carved what they saw! In all I would like to summarize that we Indians had gender equality in many ways and never had a conserved approach towards women.
For a life to be born it needs a womb and a woman provides it. Clearly, a woman is origin of life and a man can't dare to imagine what it takes to bear labour pains and bring a life in this world. That pain, determination, risk and challenge is not a cup of tea for men! One of the reasons why women are in such a neglected state on my fronts is probably because they themselves are unaware of their capabilities. Due to social pressures she also is forced to desire for a male child that will keep her family happy and her place secure. I have come across many hypocrite pregnant women who want a son. How on earth a woman doesn't want to even think about a possibility of carrying a girl child? Probably she hasn't had a dignified upbringing as a girl is my understanding or she doesn't have self esteem. Some also have a reason that life of a girl in India is very insecure and having a girl adds to extra responsibility but imagine if everyone only had boys and no girls, how would life sustain? Instead all boys and no girls is a more depressing and frustrating situation.
To all those who think a girl is less than a boy then I would like to say them that I am a woman and I feel no less. I am confident, I am smart, I am aware of my capabilities and not a burden on anyone. This was only possible because my parents never discriminated between me and my brother. They believed in educating me. And it is not about me but I know many friends and women out there who are much able and smarter than their contemporary men.
A sapling requires lot of care till it grows into a big tree with roots deep and stands confidently on its own for ages. Nurture your girl child with immense care, good education, teach her to be confident and she will make you proud one day! Don't think about insecurities involved with a girl child, remember everyone is insecure in some or the other way. Change is what you want to see so be a change first..who knows you might have followers...
Beti agar padhegi toh saksham banegi aur kisipar bojh nahi banegi
This post is dedicated to all Women - Believe in yourself, you are allowed to dream
