That Boy loved “SUGAR”

Rohaan was all of 25 and being forced into a marriage (he didn’t want) by his “khaandaan”.

The girl came from a rich-well-to do family, was apparently “pretty” and had gone to a convent school and would “bring a fat dowry” – BUT hush hush 
don’t call it dowry always followed…

Oh how he Abhorred that word – DOWRY!

But then Dadi and Ma went onto count out the amount that had been spent on him and his education at Harward. And those people were just giving “gifts” worthy of their family…. they were NOT taking DOWRY!

Sigh – how he wished he could simply tell them to “bugger off”! He loved both women like mad – BUT they made him MAD! Mad at them, and mad at the world…

Rohaan – The Boy Who Loved “Sugar” Continue reading That Boy loved “SUGAR”

THE GIRL WHO NEVER laughed

Rukku was all dressed up in this amazing long red flowing gown. Her hair was perfectly set as straight waterfall like shiney and smooth black depths. Her lips were a ruby red.

The ocean beyond beckoned but she looked onto the stars – as if tempting them to come to her.

“Rukku – where are you?” , came a loving male voice (almost like a caress)

Rukku in Red (this is a free image used from the internet)

Continue reading THE GIRL WHO NEVER laughed

Mere Papa Feminist hain…

“Mere papa feminist hain…” – this is a heartfelt comment made by this gaggle of girls – more as a sense of wonderment than proclamation…

Happy to have interacted with 50 rural and semi – urban girls – of the age group of 10 to 13 yrs in the Ranchi District area.

Our discussion point veered right from what adolescence is to what feminism is – and why is there “so much halla against feminism”

And then the shining moment on how men can be feminists – and then the “Mere papa feminist hain…” moment!

This is a dedication to all girls who have feminist Dads and all Dads who aspire to be feminists – I am sharing ALL that was shared with me today:

Mere Papa Feminist hain

Continue reading Mere Papa Feminist hain…

Dear Mom …. Please Raise me as a Feminist Son!

Drawing inspiration from ALL amazing Moms (and Dads) who are raising amazingly Feminist Sons

These are normal people from all walks of life, from working professionals, to stay at home moms and a few stay at home dads, to some vibrant parents from the Bottom of the Pyramid…

Dear Mom ,

Please Raise me as a Feminist Son!

A Boy – needing to be a Feminist!

Continue reading Dear Mom …. Please Raise me as a Feminist Son!

#BreakTheBias – loved this Titan ad!

It shows so aptly what men and even women do when faced with a situation which can be “gender-charged” just by virtue of the name!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNqwBTCslMw

                           https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNqwBTCslMw

Continue reading #BreakTheBias – loved this Titan ad!

Nirbhaya ke baad?

Delhi became the focal point in 2012 on 16th day of December – for a young girl was brutally raped and then her insides were mauled and mangled (almost as if she was an animal in a slaughter house) – and all because she dared to travel late in the evening with her friend (who was male). She was named ‘Nirbhaya’ by the media. It took a lot of courage for her father to come up and name her – he said – she was Jyoti Singh and she was scared to die! She was NOT Nirbhaya (without fear)!

Its 4 long years – and 4 times there have been candle lit marches, protests – a lot of noise by the political masters, the legal guardians and law makers and implementers – so what has changed?

rape, nirbhaya, gender, violence
Post Nirbhaya – WHAT?

Continue reading Nirbhaya ke baad?

Daayan Pratha : A Negative Gloom

A negative gloom: a detailed discussion on Daayan Pratha / Witch Craft and its prevalence in Jharkhand in the name of social, religious and superstitious beliefs…
To those who know… And to those who don’t.
An ugly reality which women in rural Jharkhand face are being branded a Daayan or a Witch – and then being publically shamed, beaten, paraded naked and finally killed.
The supposed powers of these women accused of witchcraft range from domestic animals dying/disappearing to children dying to people falling ill.

witch craft, daayan, old woman,
Old widowed women are often branded as Daayans

Continue reading Daayan Pratha : A Negative Gloom

5 steps to Empower Women

Fighting Patriarchy is a long journey – filled with strife and rigid mindsets. On this journey we need to start empowering the women around us.

NOTE – this piece is for BOTH men and women who do not believe in patriarchy and would like to have gender equality around them!

BTW – men too are feminist if they believe that women are equal. Remember by the simple dictionary meaning – feminism is the belief that women are equal to men. And NO it does not say that men are inferior!

patriarchy, feminism, woman, man
                                                           Fighting the chains of Patriarchy

Continue reading 5 steps to Empower Women

I like Adichie’s version of Feminism!

I read this piece around the thoughts of acclaimed Nigerian author, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie – on what she thought Feminism was and “raising your daughters right”. She comes from a highly patriarchal society and has faced her own series of struggles and continues to advocate for women’s rights and opportunities.

In one of my favourite quotes Adichie says :

feminism, fighting patriarchy
Adichie’s brand of feminism

Continue reading I like Adichie’s version of Feminism!

Remembering #NayiSoch : Son of Saroj

In a patriarchal set up where you are known by the name of your father and it takes a PIL by a mother in the SC of India, to get the mother names as ‘natural guardian’ – this ad was like a breath of fresh air!

Introducing – Son of Saroj

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMnGA1S2zk0

Continue reading Remembering #NayiSoch : Son of Saroj