My four years stay from1950 to 1954 at the small town referred to in my previous write up n my observations regarding the discrimination against women n many other facets of life left an indelible impression on my tender mind but that also strengthened my belief that life could not be accepted as it is;n that if u want change u have to be the change,u have to empower urself to fight ur battles. The oppressor will never help u because they r the beneficiary .But once u decide n empower urself not to accept anything unacceptable in ur life all unknown forces join to come to your help to give u courage of conviction to fight battles.
Even in those days things were different in cities.In villages, presumably they must be worse.The gulf between rural n urban areas has been widening since independence as all the development in various services has taken place in cities only.State of educational facilities in rural areas is still pathetic.
After coming to the city I was admitted to Govt.Basic School in class 5th, n I must say that facilities available there were comparable to the best of modern schools.It was headed by a very graceful ,enlightened n powerful christian lady who had single status.Thereafter I shifted to the Govt.Hr Sec.School for girls where I completed my education upto class 11th.This was, again, one of the best schools of Punjab having all the facilities.This school was headed by an equally able n graceful lady who was staying away from her husband along with her girl child independently, perhaps due to incompatability.Both the ladies-one single n the other independent ,were giving wonderful n inspiring leadership in administration n management .They were highly respected n admired which showed that a silent revolution was on the way otherwise in Indian society a lady -single or without the husband in service, was unacceptable in those days.We had highly qualified n very smart lady staff in both the schools -the reason being all rich people would send their daughters to boarding schools in convents because that raised their chances of getting husbands of high status in army,bureaucracy or otherwise from rich families.They would generally serve till their marriage n their career would come to stop therafter because the girls had no choice of their own .Their marriage was to be fixed with the boys of their fathers' choice n thereafter they were to obey the dictates of their husbands.
However exposure to education has led to a sea change in the empowerment of women in cities in the last six decades because of change in the parents' attitude. Slowly n gradually level of awareness has increased; n girls in the process of proving their mettle are outshining boys in all competitive exams.There is no area in which women lag behind men in their contribution. This has given rise to new problems due to ego-clashes which will find solution with time. Undeniably women, today,do enjoy a sense of prestige n independence but they still have to go a long way ,for the shadow of male chauvinism still lingers . In fact both boys n girls need to understand that they have to work in harmony at work place as well as at home which is happening slowly n gradually.
It is really sad that even in a prosperous state like Punjab , despite spread of education n increasing number of women taking up employment , constantly decreasing sex ratio is a matter of concern. strata. Female foeticide is prevalent- women r being forced by the husbands or their families as a girl still continues to be considered a burden and a boy an asset.
The scene in the rural areas as well as for economically weaker sections ,which constitutes a very large segment of population, is still extremely dismal,The only solution to bring light in their life is through education Poor illiterate women are contributing meaningfully to the economic sustenance of the family but are still subjugated n continue to be victims of domestic violence.
Even in those days things were different in cities.In villages, presumably they must be worse.The gulf between rural n urban areas has been widening since independence as all the development in various services has taken place in cities only.State of educational facilities in rural areas is still pathetic.
After coming to the city I was admitted to Govt.Basic School in class 5th, n I must say that facilities available there were comparable to the best of modern schools.It was headed by a very graceful ,enlightened n powerful christian lady who had single status.Thereafter I shifted to the Govt.Hr Sec.School for girls where I completed my education upto class 11th.This was, again, one of the best schools of Punjab having all the facilities.This school was headed by an equally able n graceful lady who was staying away from her husband along with her girl child independently, perhaps due to incompatability.Both the ladies-one single n the other independent ,were giving wonderful n inspiring leadership in administration n management .They were highly respected n admired which showed that a silent revolution was on the way otherwise in Indian society a lady -single or without the husband in service, was unacceptable in those days.We had highly qualified n very smart lady staff in both the schools -the reason being all rich people would send their daughters to boarding schools in convents because that raised their chances of getting husbands of high status in army,bureaucracy or otherwise from rich families.They would generally serve till their marriage n their career would come to stop therafter because the girls had no choice of their own .Their marriage was to be fixed with the boys of their fathers' choice n thereafter they were to obey the dictates of their husbands.
However exposure to education has led to a sea change in the empowerment of women in cities in the last six decades because of change in the parents' attitude. Slowly n gradually level of awareness has increased; n girls in the process of proving their mettle are outshining boys in all competitive exams.There is no area in which women lag behind men in their contribution. This has given rise to new problems due to ego-clashes which will find solution with time. Undeniably women, today,do enjoy a sense of prestige n independence but they still have to go a long way ,for the shadow of male chauvinism still lingers . In fact both boys n girls need to understand that they have to work in harmony at work place as well as at home which is happening slowly n gradually.
It is really sad that even in a prosperous state like Punjab , despite spread of education n increasing number of women taking up employment , constantly decreasing sex ratio is a matter of concern. strata. Female foeticide is prevalent- women r being forced by the husbands or their families as a girl still continues to be considered a burden and a boy an asset.
The scene in the rural areas as well as for economically weaker sections ,which constitutes a very large segment of population, is still extremely dismal,The only solution to bring light in their life is through education Poor illiterate women are contributing meaningfully to the economic sustenance of the family but are still subjugated n continue to be victims of domestic violence.
I like the word "harmony" in this article as it gives me an insight as a woman to understand the complexity of life. It gives me the direction to motivate those women who in spite of living in the west are a victim of domestic violence, sense of insecurity, lack of confidence and surrender their lives obeying dictates of their husbands or sons. Stand up girls!! Arise and identify the immense strength you have within you. Let the grace and gentleness along with supreme Shakti bring HARMONY in the lives of men and women.
ReplyDeleteThank u for your comments n concern.I think it is a very complex issue n can not be summed up hurriedly .Pl.do read ;Women Empowerment --3 n give your feed back.
DeleteRupinder Grewal jan 20th 2012
ReplyDeleteA woman if she pledges can face and fight any battle.The economic Independence is as necessary to a woman as to a man.What i feel is that we women have to liberate our minds ,stop thinking that some one else will decide for and about us.The change is coming very rapidly but the sad part is the increase of divorces and broken families and then neglected children.I have seen here in the west how the society is loosing family values and how insecure is everyone.A man and a woman have their respective roles towards family, children and society.
Not only the Government but the ladies can help in putting a stop to girl child foeticide.
Thanks Roop .I fully agree with u n Ira .The issues are complex and need to be resolved by both men n women together thru mutual co-operation n understanding ,not by standing against each other or thru hostile n aggressive attitudes.Harmony is very important both for family as well as society.Do read :Women Empowerment---3.
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