Independence

Independence - A state of mind and/or body where one can function without the support of other people/things/ideas/influence. You could live in an independent country and still not be independent. When we look at ourselves as a society how independent are we really? Are we not bound by "traditional" (hallowed be thy name!) ideas of how to behave/act/speak!

We have women espousing "feminism" but who still act out the cliched roles of a sister in law/mother in law/wife. These women are the ones digging graves for their own kind. On the other hand we have men who hold important posts in society but who are still despots in their personal lives.

We are still a society where we have to give ourselves permission to be happy. Here, educated women still bear the brunt of domestic violence silently and in self denial. Here, men see-saw between being a good husband and a good son without ever looking at the merits of the case.

Whenever I am asked how many children I have and I reply "two girls" I squirm under the pitying gaze of the inquirer. They are shackled by the ignorance of centuries glorifying the male and I am bound by the rules of "proper conduct" from giving a scorching reply.

This enslavement of the mind makes a mockery of the independence we seemingly enjoy. We do not need a mass leader for this "freedom movement". Each one of us should lead from the front.

I can only think of Shri Tagore's lines . . "Where the mind is without fear and the head held high . . " 

My humble contribution to that immortal poem " Where each woman is respected and each man revered 

                                      Where each life is as worthy as the next one

                                       Where life is a thing to be enjoyed and not endured

                                       Into that society O God lead my country"

                                        

Let us free our mind from shackles of convention and adorn it instead with festoons of mutual respect.