You might have noticed that I usually remain silent on the various days, including the women’s day. And I guess I am damned lucky to be able to afford to do so. At my home there would be no celebrations. My father won’t bat an eyelid and my husband is away having a good time with his friend’s in Goa and Mumbai. No one in my family has ever greeted me on this day as far as I jog my memory. But I will tell you why I am so damn lucky.
You could have guessed from the amount of traveling I do, that it would not have happened without the support of my family. I only need to tell them when I need to travel and they will do the rest. Why only when I travel, it is my husband who drops my daughter to the school daily so that I can sleep for half an hour more, as I commute much more than him. On the weekends he would make sure that my daughter doesn’t wake me up when I sleep in till late.
I can work because my father happily keeps my daughter after school hours and never even mentions the fact. Some days I tell them I am very tired and I want to quit my job and both my father and my husband are 100% behind me. Then the next day I tell them it is alright I wish to work for a while more and they laugh and say they knew it all along! So you see I am really truly pampered on all the days but no one ever makes a big deal about the women’s day in my house.
However, I also realize how incredibly lucky I am. Given the recent (or was it always?) atmosphere in India, I would not bat an eyelid if my daughter decides to immigrate to another country. In fact, she will have all my support.
When I decide to travel solo or with my daughter, there is always a nagging worry at the back of my mind. I try to pick up ‘safe’ destinations. I am not even going to get into all those horrid stories that are a part of everyday life of countless women across the globe and in my own country. So, in the end we do need the women’s day after all.
But I absolutely understand why there is no fuss at my home, for us women’s day is not a one day affair, I feel its magic everyday and I should really count my blessings.
PS. Photo Credit- Siddhartha Joshi (Picture taken at Sirpur)
Yes we are the lucky lots.. But there are innumerable ones out there who are not.. Lets highlight our success stories and educate the ignorant to treat their women with respect 🙂
Soulful : She needs closure to rest in peace
Yes Roohi, I agree I am lucky. And I know we have a long way to go.
Very true. Without the support of those silent pillars, it would have been extremely difficult to come so far. You are blessed.
Thank you so much Svetlana.
Very sweet post.
God bless you & your family.
Keep bringing more and more travel tales! 🙂
Happy Women’s day.
Thank you so much Anirudh.
You are indeed lucky – as am I. But there are so many girls and women suffering brutally due to inequality. I dream of the day when we no longer need to highlight a women’s day. I dream of a day when women and men can live as equals and in safety.
I agree with you Lady Fi and I would actually support my daughter if she wants ti immigrate!
All the days are reminders that something is wrong with the society and it needs to be reminded. We would have really evolved when there will be no need for celebrating all these days…
Stay blessed….
Thank you so much Prasad. I agree that we really need to come to a time when we won’t need such symbolism!
You are truly a lucky person! Great read!
Thank you so much Indrani.
Sadly, this is no country for women. Mere speeches about women and how much we value makes no sense when every 21minutes there is a rape.
Why celebrate one day as Women’s day? Does that mean among others things, we will think about women only one day in a year? So women are equal to some other 364 things for us? I don’t understand this concept of Women’s day. 🙁
I agree it is symbolism and it is not a great state of affairs.
Agree with you. We don’t need a day to celebrate womanhood or to ‘honour’ women. Everyday can be women’s day when we’ll have supportive father, brother, husbands and sons at home like you have.
Thank you so much Moon.
Mridula, Kudos to your family and you !!! i guess you recognizing this by heart is their reward
Nilesh 😀 thank you. I guess none of them will read it too!
May the blessings continue!
Great pic here! Shows freedom & happiness! May all women have it everyday & be safe…
Thank you so much Anita.
The fact that you have such men in your life tells you that not all men in India are what they are portrayed to be through some films and news headlines! There are many, many, many women in our country who are just as lucky as you are. Or as I am. Aren’t our men representatives of Indian men too. We need to keep a balanced perspective when looking at the flaws of any society. Just my humble opinion.
I agree Beloo, I don’t consider convicted rapist as the representative of a common Indian. I also hope that things would change for better!
You are fortunate one that you have caring father and husband but all does not have the same. on the other hand women day is only a ritual. Neither has change anything nor will change . Its only a day like other.
Yogi I agree with you on both the counts that I am lucky and that a lot needs to change!
Official – March 8th
Unofficial – All 365 days
And that is how it should be Mahesh. 😀
Great to read your post.
Thank you.
Thank you Rupam.
We are among the lucky few, and you have been blessed with support from the pillars in your life.
True Preethi 😀
You do have a lovely family… Kudos to them to support you as you pursue your dreams. As a free woman in India I so often take my freedom for granted… One only has to look around to notice the atrocities that women are subjected to be it physically or mentally.
True Chaitali, I too take it for granted, almost. But the reminders are everywhere as to why I should not take it for granted.
I simply love your photo… And it happened to know about the reason for that never ending happiness on your face, because of the women’s day concept 🙂 What a sweet family! Lots of love, care and understanding you are blessed with! May God bless you always…
Thank you sooooo much Sindhu.