My friend in England said that they do not celebrate International Women's day there and that it is American. Finally we do something which the English do not believe in. May be a welcome symbol of us getting out of the clutches of the 'English Syndrome' unintentionally. May be and it is just a may be.
Not that I am a hard core feminist but the optimist in me was expecting that atleast this women's day would turn out to be a day of retrospection. In the wake of the recent developments after the Nirbhaya case, this women's day would have been a perfect occasion to reflect on the society, recent degeneration of values and a path to resurrect it. I received a comment from another friend of mine saying what do we do for Independence day, Republic day, Deepavali and Pongal. Why do you expect something different only for women's day? May be it is there in our genes to just celebrate irrespective of the occasion or the need of the hour.
Nirbhaya case was the trigger point for all the woman activists and groups to agitate. Candle light marches followed. Women danced, walked and sung to mark the 'One billion rising'. Then came the international women's day. All malls were flashing colourful banners with wishes. Radio stations were competing with each other to scream their wishes to the women folk. Movies on female infanticide, wicked in-laws, suspecting husband occupied primetime in televisions. Major spas and beauty salons announcing special offers. So-called liberal men praised the mother, sister, wife, daughter and what-not in every woman. And the women folk accepting these wishes happily oblivion to the fact that she is only respected for the role she performs and seldom respected for the soul in her. Nevertheless celebrations were in full swing. Everything was bountiful but still something was conspicuous in its absence.
Sense!
The very essence and strength of womanhood.
