Saturday 29 December 2012

The Phoenix Must Rise


As a brave young girl succumbs and her spirited soul loses the battle, the most overwhelming emotion to grip me is profound anguish, unfathomable outrage and a terrible shame – for the very values we take pride in, for the hypocrisy of our people and for a society plagued by prejudice.
It’s all well to play the blame game, pass the buck from the police to the government. There is indeed little doubt that effective security measures need to be implemented all over the country to prevent crimes against women, and that as demanded by the protestors, rapists must be meted out with the harshest punishment to deter others from committing such a heinous act. But would that resolve the core issue? Does the role of the protestors and media end there? Should we be satisfied by these measures, content that we have avenged “Braveheart's” brutal assault?
The bestiality of the crime has shaken the conscience of the nation, and every Indian without exception is unanimous in condemning the incident. But how many really want to delve into the deeper, more sensitive issue of gender discrimination and are willing to admit that they too are guilty of the gender bias that is so deep rooted in our collective sub-conscious?
What can gender bias have to do with rape? It all begins with belittling the dignity of the woman right from the time of her conception. It all begins with glorifying the man just because he happens to be male. It all begins with elders bestowing their ardent wishes on a newly wedded couple that they be blessed with a son to carry ahead the family name. It all begins with families praying for the birth of a boy as soon as the “good news” is confirmed. It all begins with the flawed assumption that no family can be complete without a male child.
Why are people acting so self righteous while condemning the crime, when we as a collective entity are responsible for fueling the utter disrespect that our society shows towards the feminine gender?  How can we expect any change till our women continue to lack self belief, until they continue to resign themselves to play a subservient role, until they too pray fervently to be mothers of sons?
Our country needs a revolution of sorts to get rid of outdated norms and rusty ideas that have no place in a civilised, progressive society. If we really want to ensure greater security for women we need to restore their rightful position as equal, respectable and dignified citizens. This can only happen when we rid ourselves of this age old bias that favours the male and unquestioningly believes in his superiority. The revolution must begin within families - with parents instilling in their sons an intrinsic respect for women instead of giving in to stereotypes that condition boys into thinking that they are naturally superior to girls, stronger than them in every way. It is this erroneous belief that later transforms into either a patronising attitude towards womankind or the desire to dominate and overpower them. In its crudest form it turns into a violent, bestial urge, a means to quell their lust by violating their dignity in the worst possible manner.
Yes security measures need to be in place, more police vigilance and camera surveillance would indeed help bring down crimes against women. But what about the filthy attitudes and the uncouth minds from which acts of such unimaginable brutality are born? What measures are we taking to change those? What are we doing to change the way men think of women, to combat the attitudes that conveniently find fault with her attire or her character, or the assumption that it’s the woman to blame for venturing out after dark?
Bringing the rapists to justice is just the first step to avenging Braveheart’s untimely end. But may she continue to live in our hearts as the spark that spurs our conscience, as a hope that refuses to die. We owe her a social revolution – a promise that will give birth to a new generation of women who can live with their head held high - safe, proud and free. 

Thursday 6 December 2012

A birthday poem for my fourteen year old daughter

You're our cherished dream come true
Everything we wished for and more,
From a happy toddler to the bubbly teen
It's been a pleasure watching you grow.
Bright and friendly, filled with enthusiasm galore;
A tad impulsive, but sensitive to the core.

Safe in your cocoon, a fledgling till only yesterday
The time will come when you fly out of the nest one day
to carve your future, chase your aspirations,
Ready to face the challenges, overcome all the hurdles
With your discerning mind and keen sense of fair play,
In you we have the confidence, we know you'll head the right way

Looking at you today fills us with so much pride
You are our joy, our strength, our ray of sunshine.
When we count our blessings, we count you a zillion times
There couldn't be a better occasion to tell you what you mean to us.
So on this big day, we wish you success, good luck and joyful climes;
May all your dreams come true, may your life with happiness chime.

Saturday 1 December 2012

A Birthday Poem for my nine year old daughter - Anubha



The sweetest little sweetheart, a gift from the heavens above

You've filled our world with warmth, laughter and so much love.

With twinkling eyes, a naughty smile and a heart of gold

A mind brimming with innocence and goodness added a million fold

Your unending chatter we just can’t do without

A cute little imp that's what you're all about

Keep smiling, keep shining, always be the loving girl you are

Your twinkling eyes and golden heart all set to take you ahead by far

May your every wish be granted, may you learn to fly,

Spread your wings, reach out for the stars in the sky.

Be kind and good, true to yourself and you'll stand proud and tall

But for us you'll always be our pretty moonbeam, our little doll.

Here's wishing you a fun filled birthday and happy times ahead

May God bless you forever and joy and cheer follow wherever you tread!


Written on 1 Dec' 2012

We’re really all the same!

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