The Indian Woman: Epitome of Perfection
By Rajshree Rathore
‘Women are the poetry of the world in the same sense as the stars are the poetry of heaven- clear, light-giving, harmonious, they are the terrestrial planets that rule the destinies of mankind’ – Hargrave
Such is the species called ‘women’. God created this universe with abundant love and bestowed its nerve center, i.e. the cradle of civilization, in woman’s lap. Throughout history women have gained a strong foothold in every sphere. Some of the finest examples are Margaret Thatcher, Indira Gandhi and Razia Sultan (a medieval times female ruler).
India is a land where ‘womanhood’ still needs to be elevated to its rightful position. An Indian woman with her dusky complexion, clad in a sari (5 meter cloth to drape the body) with sindoor (red powdery substance put in hair to signify that she is married) smeared in her hair is slowly shedding her meek image. The societal norms, age-old rituals that have kept her oppressed for ages are now giving way to a new confident and modern Indian woman. A strong tool that has aided her in this feminist battle is – education. In the past, education was an exclusive privilege of boys whereas girls were basically left to handle household chores and get married. There was even an attempt to banish them before they were born- i.e. killing the female fetus.
Today the picture seems slightly improved with iron lady Kiran Bedi, first Indian woman police officer, Pratibha Pail, first woman President of India, many other women joining the defense services. The above examples are testimony to the fact that yes, Indian woman have taken the spotlight in their search for self-respect, individuality and more importantly an ‘identity’. It may not be correct to say that evils like rape, dowry harassment, physical abuse have completely left their passage. Even today, 90 % of rape cases are not registered; the reason being that the woman is emotionally and physically tortured to keep her mouth closed or else become a helpless puppet in the hands of few males hungry for her bosom.
Though all is not murky; the Indian woman in metros is now venturing out, doing well in her job viz. corporate world, politics, theatre etc. It is worth mentioning here the fine act of balancing that she does of her family life and professional life, making her the finest creation of the Almighty. She wears many hats; that of a perfect wife, loving mother, caring daughter-in-law, adorable sister etc. Well, it must have been even perplexing for God to understand this creation! Shedding the saris and now clad in shirt and pants/skirts, meet the new ‘INDIAN WOMAN’ ever so confident breaking the shackles that bound them in traditional subordinate and slavery. Today, after 50 years of Indian Independence, the Indian males are finally understanding the woman and giving them their dues. She is truly a creation of the Almighty leading to perfection.
To conclude:
‘ There will never be a generation of great men until there has been a generation of free women-of free mothers’… -Robert B. Ingersoll
