International Women’s Day

 International Women’s Day 2023

International Women’s Day, officially celebrated on 8th March, from1977 onwards (adopted by United Nations), completes 46 years today, an age normally considered middle age by the human race. As a nation, we had our moments of pride in women occupying the first position in various fields including as a constitutional head of independent India. Mrs. Sarojini Naidu, Nightingale of India, had the privilege of occupying the first prestigious seat in free India by being President of Indian National Congress and also the  first Governor of United Provinces. Smt. Suchetra Kriplani was the first Chief Minister, Smt. Indria Gandhi, the first PM, Smt. Fathima Beevi, the first chief justice in Supreme Court, Smt. Prathiba Patil, the first President of India and Smt. Droupadi Murmu occupying the said coveted position, now, are to name a very few in the political space. Women led us in the other fields also. Dr. Shanta in Cancer Care, Mother Teresa, Smt. Indra Nooyi* (Chairperson Pepsico), Smt.Arundati Bhattacharya, Chairperson of SBI (the largest commercial bank in India), Smt. Anshula Kant, MD & Group CFO, World Bank, Smt. Kalpana Chowla, first Indian woman astronaut to flew in space (Space Shuttle Columbia), Smt. P.T. Usha, determination personified athlete, Smt. Sania Mirza, the tennis wonder, Smt. Saina Nehwal and Ms.P.V. Sindhu the famous shuttlers, Smt. Mary Kom, the boxer supreme,  are just a glittering few among the shining hundreds, who brought glory to India at different points of time. While the nation and the society stood with these achievers so as to attain gender equality in its true spirits, there were moments of 'shame' like 'Nirbhaya' type of incidents, 'me too' revelations exposing the dirty mind and attempts of persons, who abused their prime of positions in the society. All along, for women in India and all over the world, the game has been an elation of going up the ladder and the pain of getting caught in snakes. The struggle goes on but the positive is the fight is on and is upward.

Two attributes, I feel define woman in a much better shape than her counterpart Man. 

The first was she alone is responsible for the continued faith in God and performance of poojas and rituals in places of worship. When Covid was relaxed the first time, entry was allowed inside the temple in our complex. Only a few came out in the open and worshipped the deity every day. One day, when I entered the temple, I saw two little girls (3-5 years old) doing the"'Pradashina"  (rounds). One girl finished (virtually ran around the temple) and the second was still doing. The first girl asked the second one "why so many rounds?'. She said "my mother told me to do three rounds each for Ganesa and Durga and nine rounds for navagraha. So I should complete". The first girl asked "Why. (Any reason)?". The second girl said "I obey". The second girl got up and she performed the same number of rounds. After finishing, they again ran out to continue their play. This I felt was an eye opener to me that women as mothers inculcate the habit of worship right from childhood and that is why god faith is an integral part of human existence.

The second attribute everyone sees in our daily life. Any competition for children, aged from 6 months to 10 years, in all walks of life - like playground, stage, television channels, online media - we come across inspiring performances from the children. Through the children's speeches, singing, acting, various actions, sports, I always see the women, who prepared them, in their faces. Though the child is talking, acting or singing I visualise the 'invisible behind the screen' woman only in such activities. The child is only an actor and the theme and direction are that of the woman in the form of a mother, sister or a teacher. So the realisation that the future of India and the world lies in the hands of women, who nurture their children to become the men and women to create a better world tomorrow. 

Happy International Womens' Day.

Regards

V.Viswanathan
8th March 2023 

* Happy to share that her father served State Bank of Hyderabad, where I also had the privilege to work for three years.

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