People often accuse me of being Feminist. I am not! Cute Angel emotional comment is the reason I am writing this blog, so she is the source of my motivation. Her comment on my last blog left me flabbergasted and I think its my obligation to put the truth in front of world people. Thanks Cutie.
Women, whatever I say is less for her. Indian women is best among other women's. The life she lives is a life of sacrifice, its a life hard choices, its a life in which she kills her desires everyday for the people she consider her own. Her whole life is an epitome. A case study of how to live for others.
And Indian society! Only a dumb will dare to write about it on a piece of paper. Its practically impossible to write about a country which is more diverse than many continents. Its is called as the Indian continent. But sometimes we love to be fool. I will dare to give you an glimpse of Indian society in the words of Manishankar, as correct as I remember, "An India is the one who does not eat what others fellow Indians eat, An Indian is the one who does not looks like how the others fellow Indians look like, An Indians is the one who does not understand the language spoken by majority of Indians, An indians is the one you has different interpretation of religion than most of the other Indians, An Indian is the one who has different case/ethnicity than the most of the fellow Indians".
My reason of defining Indian in the above paragraph is quite simple. The Indian society is quite complex and its imprudent to make general comments without understanding such a society. We believed in "Unity in Diversity". That is why we live, we survive and we flourish, some believed in "2 nation theory", their foundation is based on distinction rather than similarities. Different choices, different interpretation and followed by different fate.
Before coming to Indian Women I want to say about the revolutions that occurred in India since independence. In the late 1960's Green Revolution occurred in Indian and the productivity increase 4 fold. The farmers converted from sustenance farming to commercial farming and India changed from an importer to an exporter. Its foreign exchange hiked due to agricultural export.
In the Middle of 1980's India went through the Medical Revolution. It means that it was the time where there was a vast spread among people regarding the life saving drugs, the technology that cured the most fatal diseases. The life expectancy of people suddenly started increasing. And the number of Hospitals/medical colleges increased to the number never before. And very soon the middle class people from the neighboring countries started coming to Indian cities for medical treatment as its low in cost and better in service.
What India is going through today is "Social Revolution". And I will talk about it later. Let me tell you something about Indian Women first.
Ancient Indian scriptures show that women enjoyed a respectable position during that time and many ancient texts also talk about women scholars and sages. But gradually the patriarchy tightened its grip over the society and women were subjugated by men due to various reasons. And this subjugation continued in British era and until 1990's.
But with the policies of liberalization, privatization and globalization women got opportunities to express them-self. It was the time when they were given equal education in the middle class and the elite class of the India. Indian constitution since the beginning gave women equal rights. But it was the time when these rights were harnessed.
Now in this era, the news that Cute Angel is posting is showing the in fight of 2 society structures. Its the transition the society is going through. The generation of 1990's women have been nicely educated and is demanding their rights. A single case of rape in Delhi whose population is more than 2 crores is projected as a very heinous crime by media. The reason being women are fighting for their rights. Men are standing with them. With the advent of Green Revolution and Medical revolution they got what happened to be priority once.
Now what they are asking is a society in which women actually gets equal rights. Women's issue is a major issues in Indian democracy. And no political party can neglect it now. The awareness of women's right is spreading like a wild fire. Those who were suffering from last few centuries are now getting a voice and forum to express themselves and Indian media is standing with them like a pillar.
Such revolution is not a new thing in the history of nations. It happened in Ameirca and UK as well. Its happening in India now. And it will last long for 10 years I guess. But in this process of transition where the psyche of Indian men/society will change and women will also play the role Men are playing. And India will emerge a better nation.
There were sicks here, there were perverts here as well. And every country has. The big thing is that Indian's women and young generation is fighting for it and trying to change the old patriarchal system. And to some extent Indian women are already successful. They constitute 35% of workforce in the software industry of India and enjoy the same status, wages and perks as men. They have also made great progress in various fields equaling and even surpassing en as doctors, teachers, engineers, manages, law enforcers and soldiers.
However, it has to be kept in mind that many of these women who have made great strides, did it braving very adverse situations, shrugging of social criticism and at times have even risked getting ostracized. Now they have won half of the battle. A whole generation got educated. The media, law enforcement agencies, Indian laws and Men are with them. They are fighting against the old system and what you read in newspapers is the stories of that fight cute Angel!
I accept the problems that are present in my system, I give the reason why they are and what are the solutions. I judge leaders, their ideologies and legacies and I comment on them. There may be truth which are inconvenient to our ears, are you ready to accept them? Are you mentally prepared to face the challenges that lie ahead? Do you have courage to think over subjects people find disgusting or people find too sacred to be talked about? The bigger question, Are you a blind follower or the person who use his/her own brain?
Your comments are welcome
Comments
Dear Traveler, first I enjoyed reading your well_written post; In all parts of the world women are trying to gain their respect they really deserve. I listened to a woman who talked about starting a campaign in favor of women; she also demands for men's help. she called her campaign " He for She". In order for us to achieve such a goal first education is necessary because it will help women to gain more capability. we also need men's help throughout the way.
Rahul and Inna I agree with you on this note. And thanks for your comments. Rahul I got you point that difference in ideologies is the main point here! and it take time to get political consensus on serious notes.
The era of revolution is always the hardest....I guess it is hard not only for women but for men too.The good sign is that Indian people are open to changes.
Kudos to you!!
What I can see is a nice article on "Socio-economic" status of women in India and latest trends governing these movements. Yes, India is waking up to a new beginning, an era, which I would say, of a watershed moment in entire history of a great civilization. The current social revolution in India, however, is not just gender-centric, it also has many other dimension (I'll not go deep into the details of what are those dimensions) but women empowerment is what something I feel a thing crucial, of vital importance for any nation-strictly a democracy- to live up to the expectation of "left-half" of its population i.e. women. A nation can neither grow nor develop, nor can it prosper when half of its population is under a fear of continuous gender-centric violence both at their home and outside. No other country than India rightly validates this statement, however a modern society we may call ourselves, ironically, ours is a more patriarchal in both social conduct and behaviour. Sense of equality seems to have become a matter of past. We boast of being a diversified nation of different culture, heritage and society yet there exist a huge ideological difference and divide even in ones own home. I don't see a point calling ourselves a diversified nation but a nation with serious ideological differences which tears apart the spirit of "Gender-Equity",
I just can't imagine the pace of growth and prosperity when we really empower our women in spirit and not just in papers. There is a serious misconception about empowerment among our society, that it feel to make only provisions for women empowerment in terms of law. Every time a violence is reported in the society a new law specifically governing the crime would spring up the very next of the crime crime and, ironically, largely remains a "paper tiger" for the rest of its life. Yes, we prospered in ancient times because of the respect and equity we had for women. Empowerment is not "the" solution, it is a solution towards making India free of violence that its so called male dominated fraternity everyday commit to its women, gender-sensitization programs our policies and planning align itself with to end this tyranny. It is high time that we give our women a respected place in society they rightfully deserves.
Once again, I heartily thank you- Traveller-for bringing such a real and complete article on real issues that Indian women face in India,
Thanks
RahulP
Garima we appreciate the vigor and courage with which you are taking stands.. and my be this female generation will not be able to access their equal rights because of our society, but the fight you are fighting will definitely help the coming generations....And they will definitely say that our mothers foughtfor us that we why we are working in corporate sector.. that is why we are so independent...that is why we are living a respectful life :D
I do agree the road on which Indian women is walking is full of thorns, being a Indian women I am also in the race of bringing out the lady out which has been closed in deep dark doors of old Indian tradition for last so many decades. I respect women I am proud to be an Indian woman! I do advise women to enjoy her life, follow her dreams revolt sometimes, fight for her rights convince you man to cooperate and understand ur desires but sometimes, stand alone nobody can return her joy once she turns old.
Thanks guys! Aayushi and Malkeet.
Malkeet my point from the beginning is about the path, the ideology, the narrative... once we travel the right path we improve.. we have problems but we are on right path. They are wrong elements in society but we are not making them hero.. that is what I wanted to say in my last blog as well!