Tepidness on face, warmth in eyes, amicable attitude, courteous gestures, soft touch. There are no barriers of caste, creed, race, religion, class. Those attempts to freak out for dinners and prolong it hop, jig, and spin, swings, whirls at dancing session. Those mornings when you wake up by calls to wish you good fortune to dare not to throw down the gauntlet in battle of life. That remembrance during noon time to show the special place you occupy. The sudden gifts outpoured on you to mark preference for you. Those hugs eschewed, kisses abstained, and few words fought shy of, promises forsweared. Attempts to understand. And enjoy life as moments flow.
It is bothersome when others come up and ask you ‘who is he/she to you?”. The amusement, delight, gratification from unsaid emotion, untold love all spills up. I beg to ask them, “Who the hell are you to poke your nose and ask us to tag our terms? We do not want to have exemplary people around us, just to earmark them to avoid taboos. It is not an anathema to move ahead with life. There is no deception as change is the law of life and time.
Monday, November 12, 2007
Friday, October 19, 2007
it is costly to be a woman
IT IS COSTLY TO BE A WOMAN : A THOUGHT
It is not a new thing to hear loud cries of gender inequality, female discrimination. I would not like to dwelve on any particular case or quote glaring worrisome numbers here as I am in no didactic mood.
Myriad ideas strike my mind as I pen down this note. While conversation during a panel discussion on female foeticide, an innovative idea comes across ‘It is costly to be a woman!”
This statement is affirmed with huge reverence as its strikes the root of all women issues around. A woman has to perform different roles at different stages. The expectations are colossal. Right from the shoes of timid daughter, to obedient adolescent girl, to faithful wife, to meticulous professional, to caring grand mother, a woman has to strive it all.
She is dubbed as wicked, base, immoral, sinful, vile (add many more, if you wish, as atrocities against her does not cease) once she tries to do away with the status- quo which breeds an inferior place for her.
While glancing at frightening facts, across reams in the media, which volumes about gender inequality like female foeticide, persistence of dowry, inadequate representation to women in jobs and government, violence in multifarious form ranging from domestic to psychological. There is no scope for blame game here. The constructivist turn, that the ‘world is a creation of our ideas’, thus we have been perceiving the world the way dominant idea portrays it : women as feeble, weak, incapable, thus marks inequality. Aristotle held inequality would lead to a revolution, so let us begin. The society treated us unequally, we will ask for a change, not in a destitute manner of letting society convey equal status on us, but in a new thought ‘it is costly to be a woman!’
Our tender needs cannot be looked after by men folk. Holism strikes here, our world as entity has priority over its elements. It is a deontological ethic which asks us to be good, do duty to what is right, irrespective of end. What we need to do away is what Sartre held, ‘Mauvaise Foi’, a self deception in which one attempt to evade one’s freedom by denying one’s being-for-itself in favor of the being-in-itself of an object. It can be simply put as ‘sui generis’, literally of its own kind , unique.
We need to get out of solipsism, ironically whose most glaring example is, not speaking out the atrocities committed on you because you are woman. Let us begin by highlighting the way society has ill-treated us, in spite of our great contributions in sustaining the society. We have made way for stability in society, polity, economy by being good daughter mother, wife, sister, professional. This altruism will continue, just because the cost of woman cannot be borne does not mean nihilism form our side. The inherent values of care, regard, warmth, tenderness, affection are too exorbitant to ask from a gendered society.
Amna Mirza
It is not a new thing to hear loud cries of gender inequality, female discrimination. I would not like to dwelve on any particular case or quote glaring worrisome numbers here as I am in no didactic mood.
Myriad ideas strike my mind as I pen down this note. While conversation during a panel discussion on female foeticide, an innovative idea comes across ‘It is costly to be a woman!”
This statement is affirmed with huge reverence as its strikes the root of all women issues around. A woman has to perform different roles at different stages. The expectations are colossal. Right from the shoes of timid daughter, to obedient adolescent girl, to faithful wife, to meticulous professional, to caring grand mother, a woman has to strive it all.
She is dubbed as wicked, base, immoral, sinful, vile (add many more, if you wish, as atrocities against her does not cease) once she tries to do away with the status- quo which breeds an inferior place for her.
While glancing at frightening facts, across reams in the media, which volumes about gender inequality like female foeticide, persistence of dowry, inadequate representation to women in jobs and government, violence in multifarious form ranging from domestic to psychological. There is no scope for blame game here. The constructivist turn, that the ‘world is a creation of our ideas’, thus we have been perceiving the world the way dominant idea portrays it : women as feeble, weak, incapable, thus marks inequality. Aristotle held inequality would lead to a revolution, so let us begin. The society treated us unequally, we will ask for a change, not in a destitute manner of letting society convey equal status on us, but in a new thought ‘it is costly to be a woman!’
Our tender needs cannot be looked after by men folk. Holism strikes here, our world as entity has priority over its elements. It is a deontological ethic which asks us to be good, do duty to what is right, irrespective of end. What we need to do away is what Sartre held, ‘Mauvaise Foi’, a self deception in which one attempt to evade one’s freedom by denying one’s being-for-itself in favor of the being-in-itself of an object. It can be simply put as ‘sui generis’, literally of its own kind , unique.
We need to get out of solipsism, ironically whose most glaring example is, not speaking out the atrocities committed on you because you are woman. Let us begin by highlighting the way society has ill-treated us, in spite of our great contributions in sustaining the society. We have made way for stability in society, polity, economy by being good daughter mother, wife, sister, professional. This altruism will continue, just because the cost of woman cannot be borne does not mean nihilism form our side. The inherent values of care, regard, warmth, tenderness, affection are too exorbitant to ask from a gendered society.
Amna Mirza
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
heights of stupidity
it irks my sensibility as i pen down, what all nonsense goes around me.
my fellow colleague is not talking to me as he is at difference with me as i do not support the nuclear deal. not that i am anti-US, but that i do not find the deal as feasible in terms of cost-revenue analysis.
wherever i go to dine, the first question that comes from guy across the table, 'u r amuslim, u do not take non-veg?"as if eating non-veg is a brandmark of my religious belief.
the moment you become friendly to a guy, there is a dirty grapevine around, as if 'kuch chakkar hai!'
if i turn down a guy, not that he is a dullard,insane,with ghost in mind,but the ultimate blame game is upon me as the one who is on look out for opportunities.
my brother is always at variance with me and tries to put his 'super cool'( i mean amazingly foolish, may i say!) views on me by calling me 'cow".
if i do not take liquor because there are many bright things in life, like technology, cars, entertainment, music to be appreciated by pure senses, what harm it makes!
while returning home late night as part of routine, the other menfolk have to poke in!why may i ask? is it a crime to be back late alone? or may they do not better work to do!
i like change,colors,innovation, constant learning in work and study, but m sorry for myself that i have fools around me who have no mind to mind their own business!
i appreciate diversity in life, differences exist, we need to respect them, so the other side should not impose their horrendous views upon me.
my fellow colleague is not talking to me as he is at difference with me as i do not support the nuclear deal. not that i am anti-US, but that i do not find the deal as feasible in terms of cost-revenue analysis.
wherever i go to dine, the first question that comes from guy across the table, 'u r amuslim, u do not take non-veg?"as if eating non-veg is a brandmark of my religious belief.
the moment you become friendly to a guy, there is a dirty grapevine around, as if 'kuch chakkar hai!'
if i turn down a guy, not that he is a dullard,insane,with ghost in mind,but the ultimate blame game is upon me as the one who is on look out for opportunities.
my brother is always at variance with me and tries to put his 'super cool'( i mean amazingly foolish, may i say!) views on me by calling me 'cow".
if i do not take liquor because there are many bright things in life, like technology, cars, entertainment, music to be appreciated by pure senses, what harm it makes!
while returning home late night as part of routine, the other menfolk have to poke in!why may i ask? is it a crime to be back late alone? or may they do not better work to do!
i like change,colors,innovation, constant learning in work and study, but m sorry for myself that i have fools around me who have no mind to mind their own business!
i appreciate diversity in life, differences exist, we need to respect them, so the other side should not impose their horrendous views upon me.
Sunday, October 7, 2007
end of relations
Francis Fukuyama will not forgive me here, as I seek to re-interpret what he said in context of end of Cold war. Let me put it simply that cold war has ended with the fall of communism, so the "end of ideas" has come as capitalism prevails. Daniel Bell further redubbed Hegel that we have attained end of History, there will not be any progressive succession what Hegel thought of as capitalist society is the final end. In this context I hate those human beings, who try to view relationship with reference to the end. I will befriend this person as it will help me in promotion. I will call off the relation, not that it has a liking element in it, but it has no future. I will not let my daughter pursue what she wants, not that she likes it, but because it has no scope. Etc. we all keep on making such miser decisions. We do not wish to enjoy life in its multifarious forms. Just want to terminate the progression of history by gross cunning of reason. We are scared to come out of blinkered vision so we want to terminate things by raking end of ideology, end of history, end of relations, end of choices etc... I never cease to disagree with Fukuyama or Daniel bell, because Hegelian idea is challenging. You need to experience to do full justice to life. Not just call it an end because it has no end! So let those who believe in such ‘teleology’ have utmost disgusted existence!
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
INDEPENDENCE OF CONTRADICTIONS
Here comes the echo of celebration of sixty years of India’s Independence. The by-lanes of history have another story to tell. 15august 1945 was the day when the Second World War came to an end, after bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki by United States. The aftermath of the nuclear holocaust continue to haunt the psyche of humanity till today. The nuclear race unleashed after this event has been unprecedented in its own. The question of stockpiles and dangers of annihilation of mankind are well known horrors of nuclear weapons.
Today the hot debates flow on the nuclear deal between India and United States. Have we ever thought that what benefit will this deal give us? The amount of capital investment needed for building up the nuclear plants would be prodigal, whereas in rural areas, the farmers continue to cease lives.
We talk about double-digit growth rate, but its foundations are shaky as we continue to neglect need for agricultural development and land reforms. We rake the debates on ‘Gandhigiri as philosophy of our times’, yet the youth has become ruthlessly callous as we have seen in the road-rages, hit and run cases, rising cases of violence on women in society. We harp on socialism in preamble but all Multi-national corporations have swayed the market where we trapped to hunt for their profit. Our preamble begins with a ringing declaration of ‘We, the people of India’, yet I beg to ask, who are these ‘people’ included in India. The gains of growth continue to bypass rural areas. The villages continue to be what Dr.Bhim.Rao Ambedkar held, ‘den of ignorance, sink of localism’. Does the parameter of Indian nation stretch up to the elites and the middle class only?
We ascribe high values to doctors, engineers, management, but look down upon social sciences as ‘non-lucrative, mundane, arcane, and archaic’. We ignore the need to understand the nuances of social enquiry in its multi-various forms vis-à-vis economics, sociology, Philosophy. Politics, literature etc. Perhaps, this explains the sheer lack of empathy present today.
Every year the tenant at 7, Race course makes colossal promises and claims about the benevolent role of mighty Indian State. Unfortunately it falls short of containing the rising naxal violence, the social fabric is rent asunder as North-eastern areas and Kashmir continue to be in turnmoil. Corruption and mal-administration continue to plague our ethos.
We have developed two judicial systems- one for the rich while other for the poor. The latter continue to bear the brunt of ‘justice delayed, is justice denied’. the Jessica Lal murder case saw the civil society asserting its autonomy to seek justice, but the event begs the merit, that it was a short lived ‘urban phenomena’.
Our ancient scriptures and mythology talk about reverence to women, yet the women reservation bill, which came up for discussion in 1996, has not seen the light of the day.
Although the public school education and higher education is getting better with time yet it caters to the people from higher sections of society.
Every year the tenant at 7, Race course makes colossal promises and claims about the benevolent role of mighty Indian State. Unfortunately it falls short of containing the rising naxal violence, the social fabric is rent asunder as North-eastern areas and Kashmir continue to be in turnmoil. Corruption and mal-administration continue to plague our ethos.
, which complete sidelining on insistence on use of ‘moral force, to change the heart of evil-doer. The Gandhian talisman of our policies benefiting the ‘last man’, remain on mere paper.
This India is far away from Tagore’s vision of nation, ‘where the mind is without fear and the head is held high.’ There is no scientific temper and rationality, of what Pt.Nehru dreamt of. Democracy extends beyond political frontiers, it is a social process. Indifferentism as displayed caste based aggression in Yavatmal, Nagpur, Jhajjar make mockery of co-existence in us.
Where are we heading towards? Will we balkanize? Did we have a glorious non-violent freedom struggle for this nation, where the chasms continue to haunt us? How long can we continue to turn blind eye to our problems?
Let us be optimistic. Our freedom is hard-earned. Let us care for it. “Chak-de! India”. Let’s gear up again to participate in building a nation on fraternity, equity, integrity, so that we all can once again can proudly asset ‘Mera Bharat Mahan!”. It’s only our action that can make a difference as good things in life come in small packages.
Today the hot debates flow on the nuclear deal between India and United States. Have we ever thought that what benefit will this deal give us? The amount of capital investment needed for building up the nuclear plants would be prodigal, whereas in rural areas, the farmers continue to cease lives.
We talk about double-digit growth rate, but its foundations are shaky as we continue to neglect need for agricultural development and land reforms. We rake the debates on ‘Gandhigiri as philosophy of our times’, yet the youth has become ruthlessly callous as we have seen in the road-rages, hit and run cases, rising cases of violence on women in society. We harp on socialism in preamble but all Multi-national corporations have swayed the market where we trapped to hunt for their profit. Our preamble begins with a ringing declaration of ‘We, the people of India’, yet I beg to ask, who are these ‘people’ included in India. The gains of growth continue to bypass rural areas. The villages continue to be what Dr.Bhim.Rao Ambedkar held, ‘den of ignorance, sink of localism’. Does the parameter of Indian nation stretch up to the elites and the middle class only?
We ascribe high values to doctors, engineers, management, but look down upon social sciences as ‘non-lucrative, mundane, arcane, and archaic’. We ignore the need to understand the nuances of social enquiry in its multi-various forms vis-à-vis economics, sociology, Philosophy. Politics, literature etc. Perhaps, this explains the sheer lack of empathy present today.
Every year the tenant at 7, Race course makes colossal promises and claims about the benevolent role of mighty Indian State. Unfortunately it falls short of containing the rising naxal violence, the social fabric is rent asunder as North-eastern areas and Kashmir continue to be in turnmoil. Corruption and mal-administration continue to plague our ethos.
We have developed two judicial systems- one for the rich while other for the poor. The latter continue to bear the brunt of ‘justice delayed, is justice denied’. the Jessica Lal murder case saw the civil society asserting its autonomy to seek justice, but the event begs the merit, that it was a short lived ‘urban phenomena’.
Our ancient scriptures and mythology talk about reverence to women, yet the women reservation bill, which came up for discussion in 1996, has not seen the light of the day.
Although the public school education and higher education is getting better with time yet it caters to the people from higher sections of society.
Every year the tenant at 7, Race course makes colossal promises and claims about the benevolent role of mighty Indian State. Unfortunately it falls short of containing the rising naxal violence, the social fabric is rent asunder as North-eastern areas and Kashmir continue to be in turnmoil. Corruption and mal-administration continue to plague our ethos.
, which complete sidelining on insistence on use of ‘moral force, to change the heart of evil-doer. The Gandhian talisman of our policies benefiting the ‘last man’, remain on mere paper.
This India is far away from Tagore’s vision of nation, ‘where the mind is without fear and the head is held high.’ There is no scientific temper and rationality, of what Pt.Nehru dreamt of. Democracy extends beyond political frontiers, it is a social process. Indifferentism as displayed caste based aggression in Yavatmal, Nagpur, Jhajjar make mockery of co-existence in us.
Where are we heading towards? Will we balkanize? Did we have a glorious non-violent freedom struggle for this nation, where the chasms continue to haunt us? How long can we continue to turn blind eye to our problems?
Let us be optimistic. Our freedom is hard-earned. Let us care for it. “Chak-de! India”. Let’s gear up again to participate in building a nation on fraternity, equity, integrity, so that we all can once again can proudly asset ‘Mera Bharat Mahan!”. It’s only our action that can make a difference as good things in life come in small packages.
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