The status of women

“Karyeshu mantri, karmeshu dasi, pujeshyu matha, sayaneshu rambha”, this is a Hindu saying that means that a woman is as wise as a minister in thinking, as hard working as a slave, a mother to be worshipped, and as beautiful as a nymph descended from the heavens. For time immemorial women have been an inspiration no matter what the cause. . They are said to be the fruits that carry the seeds to grow and nourish mankind.

The 8^th of March is called women’s day all over the world. It is said to be a day of celebration of the women and all that she symbolizes. “Ladies first”, is a saying famous world over. All over the world there are various organizations that work for women empowerment. But all this is like a mountain or battlefield glorious to behold from afar but a bitter truth once within reach.

In the United States on out of every four women is either raped or molested. In our own country everyday there at least five women being raped or molested. The figures are shocking and each has its own heart rendering tale to tell. A lady was raped next to the Chief Minister’s office in Delhi the capital of the country which happens to have a lady as a chief minister.

A girl and boy were found together late in the evening by the police. They were immediately taken into custody but after much persuasion the boy was allowed to go and fetch elders on the condition that the girl would stay. The girl was then taken to the police station where she was raped.

In India there is an act which states that a woman cannot be arrested between 6 am and 6 pm and even other wise a woman can be taken into custody unless there are lady officers on duty. How can one expect help from the law when the law enforcers themselves indulge in such heinous crimes such as molesting a 12 year old girl and then not plead guilty?

Thousands of cases are filed every year with rape or molestation as the subject. Each case is made sensational and hyped by the media, the human rights activists suddenly wake up and everyone is debating the case and demanding that the accused be brought to justice. Everyone forgets about the victim who has to go through the mental turmoil and torture all the while trying to forget the gruesome incident with the media asking questions she has no answers to.

Many victims thinking of the consequences end their life unable to put up with the grief and torture. Some who are strong enough file a case in the court thinking that maybe the law will give them some justice and maybe help in the prevention of such incidents in future but all in vain as by the time the verdict is passed on such a case the victim is no more.

A bill was made to safeguard women and their rights. The media greatly hyped this talking about all its plus points. It would have been able to curb the widespread exploitation to a great extent but sadly there was no news regarding this subject after that. It never was made into an act. Everyone has been debating that why women shouldn’t be given a 33% representation the parliament but even that act has not been implemented.

No wonder there is such wide spread anarchy in our country.

Everyday a lady is killed or harassed in the name of dowry. They are burnt alive and treated as animals. They have to face harassment or lose their life in case they fail to give birth to a male child who is said to carry on the family name. One does not expect this in a country where the women is given the status of the goddess of the household and worshipped.

Girl children born are either abandoned or mercilessly killed by the parents as they are a burden on the family. They are not educated because after all the trouble they have to be sent away while a boy can stay and earn and look after his parents when they are old and invalid. Female infanticide is a crime according to the law but there are so many that break this law and walk freely in society today.

Eve-teasing is rampant in the country. Women are viewed by most in a demeaning way. They use women for their pleasure and toy with them. Women have been reduced to a mere source of amusement, frivolity or pleasure for most. It may seem harmless to many but leaves behind scars that cannot be erased on the mind and a very negative attitude towards all other men because they feel all are the same.

Long before the advent of religion man was said to worship the woman. It is called a pagan ritual now but there is so much truth in it. Women represented fertility, love, tenderness and hope. They symbolized the growth of mankind and still do.

Many may say that today’s woman walks shoulder to shoulder with man and are given more priority in many cases. But in our country alone it is only 4-6% of the population of women who work. Women are chosen over men only because they are more efficient and can multitask easily.

In today’s changing world the woman has carved a niche for herself inspite of having so many predators hunting and preying on her. There are so many women who have made a mark for themselves like-Hilary Clinton, UN Goodwill Ambassador Angelina Jolie, closer home Mrs.Indira Gandhi, Biocon chief Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, Sushmitha Sen, Mrs.Sonia Gandhi, Aparna Poppat, Nisha Millet and so many more to come.

To be recognized in today’s male dominated society is a Herculean task. But the ladies mentioned above represent the new face of the woman.

So many have been burnt alive at the stake and so many atrocities have been committed on this lady. So many times she has been restrained and sacrificed by the higher order. But a day will come when the cries of the abused will echo and these voices will rise to judge the world on the atrocities committed. There will be many questions what will the higher order do then? What will it answer to these voices?

A woman will stay quiet till she can tolerate, never underestimate her tolerance and silence as her weakness because the day the torture crosses the point of tolerance her third eye will open and destroy everything in its path.

One cannot venerate one’s own house by burning or destroying a neighbour’s house. It is most unjust, unfair and heinous to abuse and destroy a woman in society who represents one’s own mother, wife, sister or daughter, each of who is venerated, respected and protected within the household. Self enlightenment is therefore the need of the hour lest the heinous act committed elsewhere in society boomerangs within the protected and sheltered household.

Beware the fury of the patient woman!?.............................

Euthanasia

“Euthanasia” or mercy killing today is a widely debated topic throughout the country. God is said to be the only who has the power to bestow life to us and at the same time he is said to be the only one who has the right to take it away so wouldn’t this be just another form of suicide which is a crime. Then it means that no matter in what condition the mortal body is it is a crime to end its life.
But at the same time if there is absolutely no chance of recovery and if everyday is nothing but a mere struggle for every breath and there is nothing but pain and misery in that very breath wouldn’t it be better to not live at all than have such a miserable existence that you are not the only one suffering but even the people around you suffer along with the you? And you know that in the end its all going to be the same and all you are left to do is wait and wallow in pain for that end which seems so far away……..
Though it is a crime in our country euthanasia is actually legal in many countries such as Switzerland. It has been discussed extensively and has its pros and cons but doesn’t everything? Whether it is electricity or nuclear energy all have their advantages and disadvantages but we continue to use them and have a defense for the same.
It is said that people can misuse this law to their advantage and hence the passing of this has been delayed for a long time. But instead of delaying this all the time wouldn’t it be better to pass this law with a few extra conditions or terms so that its misuse is prevented. How long can we continue to live blindly?
Our country is groaning under the weight of more than a billion people and this will be a easy and good way of relieving many people of their misery. Especially they themselves are tired of the misery. Not only emotionally are they a ‘burden’ but also financially a big drain on the family. This would also be a good way of decongesting so many hospitals especially when there is a serious shortage of good medical felicities.
But in our country murder is not rare. People don’t even need a reason and there are so many ways in which this is committed. Implementing of mercy killing will mark a prominent rise the figures of the number of people murdered and people will easily get away with it by naming it as mercy killing.
There is also the case of people killing their predecessors for property or inheritance they too have a good alibi to get away with by saying the person was too old or ill to carry on and we all know that if handed a sum of money any person qualified to carry out this will do it without any remorse.
Though debated widely across the country we have never been able to come up with a solution to this problem maybe with time people will take time to think more about this and come up with a solution at the same time it would be a good idea to put this question to the public and get their views on it and find out whether they are for or against it and do what the majority feel after all this is for the people.