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Many Women In India Still Await Their Independence Day

Written By: Sonali
August 15, 2020
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More than seven decades of independence and my coursemate still look for permissions to step out of home — my maid has to ask her husband every year if she can get their daughter in the next grade — my colleague seeks her husband’s permission whenever she wants to wear a dress (say a little revealing clothes in his word) — and my neighbour mostly stay at home because sharif ladkiyaan zyada nahi ghumti!

15th August — whenever I think of this day — a part of me feels like trodden off!

We, women, have got accustomed to this modern feminine patriarchy so much that we seek validations — we seek acknowledgements and acceptance to our deeds — so much that we have almost forgotten that we are no less than men in society. We are creators and not just some sort of labels.

Before the urban feministas lash out on me saying how we have evolved and grown over time — and how we are leading the nation flawlessly; let’s clear that in a population of 1.3 billion people, only approximately 48% are women.

Out of 497 million women, only close to 65% of women are literate. Oh, is that pretty high?

An ActionAid UK report found that ’80 % of women in India had experienced sexual harassment ranging from unwanted comments, being groped or assaulted.’ Now that would be pretty low for you? Ain’t it?

While Wikipedia has tried its best to glorify the improved numbers of the different aspects of conditions of women in India, my question is why we are content with such numbers? Why are we satisfied with small inclinations in numbers and not really fighting for it?

Whenever I think of this, I presume that it’s us, the women, who are somehow responsible for this condition of ours. We have been conditioned to think, behave and act in a certain way for generations, and now the whole act of unlearning is taking a toll on us as well as the society.

Have you been to smaller towns and villages? Or stayed there for long periods? From prioritising their husband’s needs over their own, these women are conditioned to live like this — by giving up on their dreams and their fate. And while me or you are fighting, struggling and working hard to fulfil our desires, these women are not. Well, they cannot. Brutal but honest!

Our generation old customs have trained us to live in a particular way. We have forgotten to celebrate our small achievements and credit our success. In a country where more than half of the male population marry only to get a full time unpaid maid for his family, are we really eligible to say that we are independent? Technically yes, but practically no!

And the irony is while such men love to be ‘retrospective progressive’, these are the ones who find it hard to digest foregoing women in their family or society.

While more women are going to college, fewer are working. In fact they are performing nearly ten times the unpaid care work as men. And while I am typing this leisurely from my room, a lot of girls are slogging off somewhere in the farm, mines, pond, house etc. in the scorching heat.

And by now, I’m assuming a lot of men would already be cursing me for writing this, but it’s high time to accept this fact — that women are suppressed in our nation, brutally. And please, no need to compare it with other nations. While I genuinely support women around the world, I’m more concerned about our bhartiya naari at this point in time.

From gender pay gap to child marriage, acid attack, domestic violence, dowry, foeticide, rape and sexual harassments, trafficking, accusations of witchcraft and what not — we are facing it all, and we need a break!

The women of our country need their independence, and I don’t know how long we will have to wait or fight for it. We are yet to get that 15th August of ours which we can celebrate wholeheartedly without a pinch of dejection in the heart.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in the article above are those of the authors’ and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of this publishing house. Unless otherwise noted, the author is writing in his/her personal capacity. They are not intended and should not be thought to represent official ideas, attitudes, or policies of any agency or institution.

Sonali

A 'non-9-5 desk job' ambivert geek who chooses her own audience, Sonali loves sharing stories and finding the corners where humanity still exists! She believes that every individual's story is unique and special. She loves writing about the untouched and unspoken segments of society. When not writing, you can find her listening to someone's stories or playing with dogs. Sonali values mental health and encourages people to speak their heart out!

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Passion To Profession — Five Women Entrepreneurs Who Defied Age To Build Their Business Empire!

Written By: Sonali
October 25, 2020 | 10:58 PM |
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My grandmother never stopped working — not until her last month. And this is what encouraged me to keep working, no matter what the situation in your life is!

That feeling of being self-dependent and making your life the way you wish is incomparable.

People often limit their ambitions — either after a certain milestone, or a certain situation or a certain age. But they do not actually unleash their full potential and do not explore life as much as they should be.

Who says that age is a limit to anything? I’m writing about six such passionate women entrepreneurs who proved that age is just a number, and it’s you who define yourself and your ambitions. 

(L-R: Radha Daga, Harbhajan Kaur, Yamini Mazumdar, Kokila Parekh, Ansuya Shah)

Radha Daga

When Radha Daga started her food business at the age of 69, she wasn’t new to the entrepreneurial space — her garment export business was already a hit. But her multi-crore company, Triguni Food Pvt Ltd, a ready-to-eat food manufacturer in Chennai, became a major success after Indigo Airlines became one of their premium clients and responsible for the 80% of their business profit.

“I work eight hours every day, and though I do take three to four short vacations in a year, I am always available to my team,” says the 78 YO founder and managing director of Triguni Food.

Harbhajan Kaur

When Harbhajan Kaur started her home-made barfi business at the age of 90, little did she know that her business would be praised and recommended by Mahindra group chairman Anand Mahindra. 

Her barfi recipe has always been one of the most demanding and tempting recipes among her family and friends, but she never thought to turn it into a business because her husband was against her working. But on her daughters’ suggestion, she started selling her barfi at Apni Mandi, a weekly organic market in Chandigarh.

“Every week, I make about 5kg of barfi or more depending on the orders I get,” says the 94 YO entrepreneur. “Who would have thought she would get so much success and fame?” says her eldest daughter, Amrit Tulsi.

Yamini Mazumdar

When Yamini Mazumdar started her laundry business at the age of 68, she never thought that she would be able to achieve so much with it. “I didn’t want to sit idle so decided to start something of my own. I go to the office every day and work for four hours. I am still quite young,” says the 88 YO businesswoman.

“My mom’s entrepreneurial genes have made me who I am,” says her daughter and Biocon founder Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw.

Kokila Parekh

When Kokila Parekh started her chai masala business at the age of 79, it was only a way to keep herself occupied during the coronavirus lockdown. Her brand, KT Chai Masala, has received more than 500 orders from Mumbai, Bangalore, Pune, and Ahmedabad in less than a few months.

Her chai masala powder business is handled by her and three domestic helpers. The ingredients include various spices such as dried ginger powder, cinnamon powder, pepper and cardamom, and the whole packet comes with a shelf-life of 6-8 months.

Ansuya Shah

When Ansuya Shah started her spice business at the age of 67, it wasn’t her first attempt in the entrepreneurial space. “From a very young age, entrepreneurship interested me. I have always had good management skills and an inclination to keep busy all the time. One thing was clearly etched in my thoughts – to always be the ‘alpha’ in whatever I do. I think all of this has helped me in my life to be a success,” Ansuya says.

Her home in Ahmedabad would give you a mixed essence of packaged condiments, powdered masalas, and raw spices. She single-handedly set up and built her spice business and made it a success with her husband’s constant support.

I don’t know what I’ll be doing at the age of sixty, but if I stay alive and healthy and feel clueless, I will surely come back to this story to take some inspiration and strength! #PassionToProfession #InfanoWomen

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Sonali

A 'non-9-5 desk job' ambivert geek who chooses her own audience, Sonali loves sharing stories and finding the corners where humanity still exists! She believes that every individual's story is unique and special. She loves writing about the untouched and unspoken segments of society. When not writing, you can find her listening to someone's stories or playing with dogs. Sonali values mental health and encourages people to speak their heart out!

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