Dr A S Bhatia
As it is well said, “The position of women in a society is often reflected as the culture of that society and culture of a society is often the reflection of the religion of the society!” The modern Women’s Day was spurred by the universal female suffrage movement, and originated from labour movements in Europe and North America during the early 20th century. The seeds were planted in 1908, when about 15,000 women marched through New York City demanding shorter working hours, better pay and the right to vote. International Women’s Day is celebrated on 8th March every year around the world. It’s the Day dedicated to recognize Women’s achievements in various social, political, and cultural fields and to promote gender equality, and advocate for women’s rights. .
The first ever women I met in my life was my mother, a teacher by profession and a tough and disciplined lady and a typical Indian Mother. I remember when I gave her a costly card, “Happy Mother’s Day” She smiled and said, “Is there only one happy day for your mother in the whole year! I was a little child and could not understand the deep meaning what she was trying to convey! But I remember my mother as the true form of “SHAKTI” coinciding with what our Indian culture has taught us about the women. As a mother, a woman is always there to help her family, she is the most beautiful creation of Nature. As Mahatama Gandhi once said, “It may be possible to gild pure gold, but who can make his mother more beautiful?” In our culture women have always been given the highest respect as Maa Durga, Maa Lakshmi, Maa Saraswati, Maa Sita. All our great epics have numerous characters showing the strength and respect our ancient religious books have given to the women. Living in Jammu we are witnessing lakhs of pilgrims coming to have dharsan of Mata Vaishnow Devi, Durga the Mother Goddess sitting on a lion. Women have been considered to be more powerful and is regarded as Goddess of Shakti, the power. The Vedas, Upanishads and other Indian scriptures give numerous examples glorifying the womanhood! Even Lord Krishna had shown great respect for women, when he himself listened respectfully and accepted the curse of Gandhari, whose hundred sons were killed on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, did not rebuke her and instead addressed her as Mother. But over centuries the scenario continued to deteriorate and the women lost their glory of the ancient times. I was surprised to read a report of world Economic Forum which stated that “At the current rate of progress, it will take until 2158, roughly five generations from now, to reach full gender parity!”
The next woman who helped me to understand womanhood is Dr Harleen Kaur, professor of Microbiology in Govt Medical College Jammu, whose service, suffering and sacrifices towards the society changed the opinion of many about being women! It was the year of century’s most dreadful covid pandemic when she was given the responsibility to conduct RTPCR testing at IIIM Laboratory Jammu. She remained away from home for months together staying in special accommodation provided by govt, performed lakhs of test and while doing so suffered twice from covid infection and had to battle for her life for a month and still suffering from post covid complications which she acquired while performing her official duties for which she was honored by many International organizations including from UK along with other social, political , military organizations including Govt of Jammu and Kashmir. In an interview published in Daily Excelsior in January 2021, when asked about the position of women in the present world, she said, “Still women is perceived to be weak and frail, she is taught that you are born to fight, fight with society, rituals, myths and men domination, but one should not forget that it was not Chanakya and Ashoka who dreamt of ‘Akhand Bharat’ but she was the mother of Puru, Anusuya who had been killed for dreaming so.” We salute the struggle she faced after losing her mother at the tender age of 12 years, caring a father suffering from Cancer and at the same time serving the society with same strong passion. An Indian woman is a daughter, a wife, a daughter in law, a mother and if the circumstances demand an Indian Woman can be a Jhansi Ki Rani, Durga, a Chandi Mata and above all a Sita Maata. Hats off to all Working Indian women for maintaining a balance between the office and home and it is important to note that the present Government has noticed the true power and potential of Indian women and allowed them to be there not only in Indian military but also in Air force and Navy to fight with the enemies of Nation.”
On this day, I am forced to write about the rotten mind set of many people who curse their wives on the birth of a girl child, the future woman of the society. I myself am a witness to this when; many people around me including some of my very close relations did not turn up to give congratulation (Mubarakbaad, Vadai) to us on the birth of a girl child. I was a very young boy of twenties and could not realize the mindset of our society then, which I am able to analyze now. But my family was very happy on the arrival of a new one in our family. Thank GOD, both my parents were well educated and see how that little baby girl, whose arrival in this world was not even welcomed by many members of our society, became Major Kaur! That little baby girl decided her own course, to serve the nation from the core of her heart. She decided to travel the road less travelled by the girls of her age. she decided to wear the big army boots , when the girls of her age would love to wear high heels. She decided to carry a rucksack on her back, when the young girls would love to carry a beautiful purse , she decided to wear the olive green uniform, when the girls of her age would love to wear Banarasi Sarees! This is all because that little baby girl decided to travel a path less travelled by many others! This is the power of womanhood!
Every a little girl born today will be a woman tomorrow. So need is not only to create awareness on 8th of march but to adopt the slogan , “Beti Bachao, Beti Padao”. It is not only the responsibility of government to have safe, secure and bright womanhood but is the collective responsibility of every citizen of this country, otherwise as Mirza Ghalib Said,
Umar bhar Ghalib yahi bhool karta raha,
Dhool chehre pe thi aur aina saaf karta raha !!
(The author is principal Govt Medical College Rajouri)
The post Women I Know! appeared first on Daily Excelsior.