Thursday, March 11, 2010

Revolution of a different kind

Revolution of a different kind

Recently something revolutionary happened in India. Something that was never though of. Something- no other country in the world has been able to implement. Something- which once again proved that India is thinking about day after tomorrow. If you have not got it yet- I am talking about women reservation bill, which was passed by Lok Sabha this week.

Cut to 1999. We were in 3rd Semester of IIP. It was the time when junior batch representatives would take over as hostel president and secretary from our batch. There used to be an election. However- since the seniors were more in number- it was kind of academic. Whatever collectively senior students used to decide, would have happened. On the eve of the election, I proposed let a girl be Hostel secretary this time. And my my… it was opposed with all vehemence. “A girl? Are you crazy? Have you lost your mind? Do you have any special feeling? Etc etc”
Except a few of us, every one opposed it. People who claimed to be progressive opposed, people who had girlfriends thought it was a bad idea, people who used to talk about progressive thoughts said girls are not competent. Every one opposed it. I had thought- I would be able to get it through by a strategic supports from some sections. My friends would definitely understand my logic. Girls in the hostel would support and I would be personally influence a few opposers. Surprisingly- I was wrong. Apart from Kousik Saha most of others took it as if ut was a personal humiliation and a challenge to their masculinity. Even some of the girls were also tentative. “How can a girl face IIP management?”
At the end- I had to give up. What followed was also bitter. But it had opened my eyes on how we still doubted ability and competence of women.

Cut to present- The bill has been passed. From next election onwards- 33% of our law makers would be women. I am sure they would focus much more on development and wellbeing of the neglected half of the country. Once this fairer half starts standing tall, overall progress of India as a nation would definitely get huge acceleration. To echo what Swami Vivekananda had said 100 years back- India would only raise when women power would get completely developed. A bird can only fly only when both the wings are equally strong.
Yes- we are at the brink of that flight. The journey, which had stared in 18th century by Raja Ram Mohan Roy through abolishing of “Sati”, which got strengthened by Ishwar Chandra Vidysagar’s “widow re-marriage” and “women education” movement, has gained optimum momentum. While anticipating the grand flight with all excitement- I am happy to forget the temporary setback, which I had 11 years back, on my attempt to empowering women.