Women Beings

"Women are never stronger than when they arm themselves with their weaknesses"
- Madame Marie du Deffand

Two pieces of news (that I came across this week) exemplify this quote and proudly, I support them.

1. There is a good chance you must have already viewed this video thanks to facebook/twitter/other sources of networking/media. Susan Boyle, a Scottish from West Lothian ("a collection of ....... villages" she terms it) is taking part in Britians Got Talent 2009 and clearly, she is beyond this show. First glimpse of her and she must have already got dismissed right before she even starting displaying her talent. But that did not, for once, dither her from giving one of the finest performances ever experienced by any audience in a 'reality talent hunt'.

Here's the video, if you haven't already seen it.


2. The second piece is rather appalling and boils me (sure others too) to even fathom the extent of ridicule and authority the men of Afghanistan must have had in passing a new law that:
- forbids women to leave their homes except for emergencies (To me, even getting groceries is an emergency - how do they define it?);
- forbid women to work or receive education without their husband's permission (Insane!)
- takes away custody from the mothers' right to their children incase of divorce (and create more monsters like them?);
- disallow women to own land of house from their husbands (I'd totally support this 'the other way around' which will happen one day);
- Allow rape of wives by the husband i.e. women cannot refuse sexual relations when the husband demands unless she is sick (such husbands should be hanged, period.).

The women of Afghanistan opposed this law and continue to do so here.

I realize that a lot of the above happen in different countries, different cultures. With all due respect to each culture, I personally believe that any act that:
(a) does not take into consideration respect for an individual;
(b) takes away the right to live with equality; and most importantly
(c) treats women as if they were pawns of a chess board which you pick and move and throw as you please;
needs to be condemned for sure but more than that, punished with utmost severity.

I am not a feminist but by default those genes reside in me. It is a shame indeed, that the very ideologies our predecessors fought for - equality, justice, freedom - do not apply to women. Like I said earlier, such instances happen in different cultures too, some personally known to me. I wait for the day when I can expose these people and it would be a way of doing my bit to fight for this cause.


Susan Boyle, kudos to you for standing up to that crowd who might have initially mocked at you but you truly shut them off!

To the women of Afghanistan and also to those who do face such situations, I pray for your fight, and your cause to win over such
atrocities.

To the women beings -
Citius Altius Fortius

(Swifter, Higher, Stronger)

Go Vote..


Elections are considered a lifeline of a functioning Democracy and India witnesses this event (drama?) in the coming weeks. With preparations on-going, it is indeed a war of the parties with hidden agendas as always. Tomorrow marks the beginning of a long-drawn 25-day agenda culminating into a new (hopeful) government in June. So far, the fight has been between The Congress and the BJP but clearly, with the Third Front forging ahead, would be a crucial decision for the country.

Some claim this to be India's first ever digital election campaign. L K Advani has become a blogger we see! With best practices from the 2004 election campaign - remember India Shining and Feel Good Factor? - there are also various initiatives to drive the citizens for an informed, more conscientious decision-making on whom to vote - Tatas with Jaago Re, Idea Cellular with My Idea, Times of India with Lead India and many more. Then there are the likes of Agni and IVote as well. Not sure of whom to vote in your constituency? How about locating your MLA through Empowering India? And to spice things up, Congress has bought the rights of Jai Ho for its campaign visitations.




I remember election day as being the day when, for once, it would be fun to 'show the finger' around!




Voting in India has changed over the years and contrary to what people may say - their names not being part of the voter registration - no longer holds true. Pan-India drives have taken place through household surveys to ensure eligible voter is included in the data. And after all, it is also the duty of each individual to ensure his/her name exists in the voter registration. Infact, Google India, in partnership with Hindustan Times and nonprofits including the Liberty Institute, has set up the India Elections Center, to enable voters to confirm their registration status, polling booth. So no more excuses out there! Surprisingly, this time around, majority of the young have entered the political fabric of this system albeit greater apathy exists among several who simply cannot be bothered to go vote. "What difference would a vote make?" is a typical reasoning but seriously, if we do not do our bit, how can we expect any wonders to take place?



Let us not be cynical of the drama that unfolds before us during this election; if we truly want to see India Shining, let us be a part of it. So a humble request to the Indian voter out there -
Go Vote, It Counts!