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On Womens Day : A Thank You Note

Every year, as the month of March draws near, the world around us goes ballistic over International Womens Day. Talk shows, telethons, concerts, panel discussions, debates and their likes seem to prop up on every television channel. The multitasking woman of today is lauded and celebrated, the downtrodden are encouraged with charity drives and movies like Monalisa Smile and English Vinglish are given generous primetime viewership.

I have always wondered how the men feel about all this. As the newspapers and magazines and social media at large would like us to believe, every other man out there is projected to be the woman-bashing types. The men are supposedly either too narrowminded to let women work, or are too lazy and egoistic to help their partners juggle responsibilities. I shudder to think what would the world have come to if all of it was really true.

This is my Thank you note. To the men in my life who have been with me at various stages in this incredible journey called life...for allowing me to be the opinionated and independent woman I am today, and for sparing me the agony of being judged.

My father was hardly ever around while I was growing up, his job didn't give him the luxury of being home. He has always been shamelessly indulgent with me and spoilt me silly, maybe to make up for his absences?... I don't know. But his indulgence is not why I admire him...it is the free hand that he gave my Mom to bring us up that has earned my respect. He accepted the fact that we'd always be closer to Maa than to him, and he never fought that. My mother has shaped the way I think and approach life, and I don't think I can ever thank my father enough for allowing her to do so.

I have been more comfortable with guys throughout my school and college years. Girlfriends have come and gone, but I don't blame them for ditching me...I had nothing to contribute to discussions about hair, makeup or nailpolish colours. Till date, my closest friends have been guys...and they have been phenomenal as my support system whenever I have needed it. I have made stupid mistakes in life like we all do at some point or the other and these guys have steadied me and made sure I don't mess it up even more.

Sure, there has been betrayal and heartbreak. There have been the awkward silences and sudden outbursts. But I have also found love and acceptance for just the way I am, no questions asked. And that is what gives me, or any woman in general, the confidence and the freedom to go live our dreams.

Thank you to all these wonderful men in my life...and to all the likeminded men out there...for giving the various women in your lives the freedom to be themselves,irrespective of social norms. Thank you for not judging us, for giving us reason to believe that its a beautiful life, after all.

P.S- Happy Womens Day, everybody!

Comments

  1. Aroha7 March 2014 at 23:23

    Ohh!! i loved it! this evening, i saw a video on fb..dedicated to women..wherein a male voice takes you through the video as it progresses through the timeline of a boy's life, appreciating the roles of different women in his life..mom, grandmother, sister, girlfriend, wife and then daughter...when i saw this video, i thought exactly this..that how do guys feel about all that happens around them as around celebrating womanhood as 8th March approaches..do they look at it as an act of defiance, does ego and arrogance come in picture or are they appreciative of it or do they think that actually it is unnecessary because there is no threat to their identity in the first place...i don't know..but as i read your article, i searched a li'l closer...looked at men in my life and yes, i am most definitely thankful to them for being so being so encouraging and supportive and going an extra mile (like Papa breaking away from a dozen traditional ways to support my decisions!).. :) you expressed it all so nicely Pooja! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Pooja Chowdhury8 March 2014 at 13:08

      Hey Aroha...I'm so glad you liked it! Thanks for taking some time out to read this...I guess it's all about being mutually understanding about each others role in life,really...if only people got that sorted, maybe we wouldn't need a special day in the calendar to remind half the world how great the other half is!:).

      Delete
  2. payal8 March 2014 at 21:00

    Wooowwww!!!! Pooja d it was really nice...

    ReplyDelete
  3. drlinda8 March 2016 at 19:22

    Wow..nice and fresh perspective..

    ReplyDelete

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