She’s always led

 

In Parliament halls, a new voice rose,

A whisper of change that steadily grows.

The women’s bill lit a hopeful sky,

Yet politics moved with its own reply.

In counts of votes, dreams too were weighed,

Support and doubt in colors displayed.

Rights written neatly upon the page,

But will they reach hearts beyond the stage?

A woman’s strength is no new art,

She’s always led—just unseen in part.

This bill’s a doorway, not the end,

A longer road lies just around the bend.

In corridors of power, many moves unfold,

Yet truth still flickers, brave and bold.

When intent is pure, change will be real,

Else promises fade like words we feel.

Still she walks with hope held tight,

Rewriting herself in every fight.

When minds transform, not just the law,

True freedom will reach every door.

~ Dawn

A Tale of Two Feminist Narratives

Cinema has long been a powerful medium to challenge societal norms, and both The Great Indian Kitchen (2021, Malayalam) and Mrs (2024, Hindi) attempt to shed light on gender roles and the oppression women face within traditional marriage structures. However, while both films tackle similar themes, The Great Indian Kitchen stands out as a more powerful, immersive, and hard-hitting experience compared to Mrs, which, despite good intentions, falls short in its execution.

 

The Great Indian Kitchen, directed by Jeo Baby, is a masterclass in subtle yet gut-wrenching storytelling. The film follows a newlywed woman (Nimisha Sajayan) who gradually realizes the suffocating nature of her marriage. The monotony of housework, the indifference of her husband and in-laws, and the dehumanization of her identity are depicted with such realism that it becomes an almost visceral experience for the audience. There are no over-the-top dialogues—just the repetition of everyday chores, making it painfully relatable.

On the other hand, Mrs, starring Sanya Malhotra, attempts to present a modern, urban take on a woman’s fight for identity within a patriarchal setting. While the premise is promising, the film leans heavily on dramatic dialogues and predictable conflicts rather than relying on the subtleties that made The Great Indian Kitchen so haunting. Mrs presents its protagonist’s journey with a more polished, commercial approach, which, while engaging, doesn’t quite deliver the same emotional punch.

Nimisha Sajayan’s performance in The Great Indian Kitchen is nothing short of extraordinary. She doesn’t rely on loud confrontations; instead, her exhaustion, frustration, and quiet rebellion seep through her expressions and body language. It’s an organic transformation from subjugation to resistance, making her final act of defiance all the more satisfying.

Sanya Malhotra in Mrs is undoubtedly strong in her role, but the writing doesn’t allow for the same depth of transformation. Her character’s journey feels somewhat rushed and formulaic, making it harder for the audience to truly immerse themselves in her struggle.

Jeo Baby’s direction in The Great Indian Kitchen is meticulous. The cinematography focuses on the daily grind—chopping, cooking, cleaning, serving, and then repeating the cycle endlessly. The close-up shots of oily kitchen sinks, the clatter of utensils, and the mechanical nature of household chores make the audience feel the protagonist’s suffocation. The film’s silence is deafening, forcing viewers to absorb the sheer exhaustion of domestic oppression.

Mrs, directed by Arati Kadav, has a more conventional Bollywood-style execution. The film is well-shot, and the production design is slick, but it lacks the raw intensity that makes The Great Indian Kitchen unforgettable. Instead of letting the audience experience the protagonist’s reality, Mrs tends to explain it, making it less impactful.

Both films raise important questions about gender roles, the expectation of women to conform, and the battle for autonomy. However, The Great Indian Kitchen does it with a quiet rage that stays with you long after the credits roll. It doesn’t rely on grand speeches; instead, it forces the audience to sit in discomfort and truly understand the oppression that millions of women face daily.

Mrs tries to deliver a similar message, but it does so in a more direct, mainstream-friendly way, making it a less powerful critique of patriarchy. While it succeeds in addressing the issue, it doesn’t push the boundaries as effectively as The Great Indian Kitchen.

While Mrs is a well-intentioned film that highlights an important issue, it ultimately pales in comparison to the brutal honesty of The Great Indian Kitchen. The latter is a cinematic experience that forces you to confront uncomfortable truths without the need for excessive drama. If you’re looking for a film that truly challenges the status quo and lingers in your mind long after watching, The Great Indian Kitchen is the clear winner.

Also, keep an eye on Jeo Baby—he has crafted some extraordinary films that will leave a lasting impact on audiences.

~ Dawn

Sometimes the smallest things take up the most room in your heart...!

 

Today I am going to talk about abortion. Yes, without being pregnant you cannot abort right? But I feel without understanding what is abortion? Why is abortion? and How is it done? We cannot understand even why it is there - abortion!

In India pregnancy is usually celebrated and is considered to be a blessing - why not because you got the opportunity to bring a life into this world. And hence, abortion is a taboo. 

" Life is always a rich and steady time when you are waiting for something to happen or to hatch." ~ E. B. White

Anytime you hear about abortion in India, it has to be tagged with health issue or weakness etc. But never one will come and say I did it because I don't want the pregnancy at this time or I am not ready for it or even that it is an accidental or whatever. It's not considered as a good thing - abortion!

Though Abortion has been legal in India for past 50 years under certain circumstances with the introduction of Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act 1971. Abortion can be performed until 24 weeks of pregnancy as per Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act amendment 2021 rules and regulations.

When we look at what is happening in USA, it is true Indian women never had to go through the struggle or march on the road for their rights.

But I feel instead of sharing the real stories that women has gone through, it has become more of a political agenda and even media writes about these in similar manner by going away from the actual topic.

"Let us make pregnancy an occasion when we appreciate our female bodies." ~ Merete Leonhardt -Lupa

I am going to share my story here, I had my abortion at a very young age and it was not a planned pregnancy. As per doctor I have high fertility but then it was something that I had to take during a tough situation. It was not because of my health issues. 

When I was visiting in the beginning, my doctor knew how happy I was but soon I went through a trauma where my mother-in law would measure what I eat and why I eat? In fact as per doctor I got fresh coconut water to drink and when she saw the coconut shell thrown in the garbage she questioned and made a big issue out of it. I tried every way to make it work out even doctor had a one on one to discuss with my mother in-law then but it was of no use. Everything was looked at as waste of money or too much drama for a pregnant woman.

Something I visualized in my mind, if I have to go through this what the child will go through once comes out of my womb? Because I was working those days and everyone liked the money that I bring home but don't like the attention I was getting at that time and then I was thinking about the future..how it will be? I visualized my kid crying and I am coming home from work - that scene in my mind registered in such a way that I was not ready to bring a child at such place. I am fine to lead my battles but I don't want my kids to suffer and that was about it. I made my decision but before that I discussed this with one of the elders in the family because I didn't want this to be unnoticed or something to be swayed under the carpet.

"Life need not be long-lived for it to be meaningful."

When I discussed the scenario with the elders of that family they agreed that things may turn out that way as what I visualized but they stood with me in whatever decision I took. I went to my doctor and requested for abortion. My doctor was not ready in the beginning and she tried her best to convince that things will be fine once the kid is born and I was adamant that's what I don't want because then I won't be able to save the child and will suffer more.

My doctor finally said, I will only do it after looking at your blood (hemoglobin) report and luckily it was good and I got clinically aborted. After that, I was going through depression. I remember I used to often sit and cry looking at the wall. Something, that used to bring anger in me and sadness too. 

Everyone in their family were told that I was not healthy hence this happened and even my mother believed that because I was skinny though I was strong medically fit still society has their judgements - if you are healthy but skinny you're weak, if you are unhealthy but not skinny they think you're in right frame of life. Though my doctor knew the reality and few other members. 

"Do not muffle your cries, for they are the sound of pregnancy loss."

I went back to work and that helped me a lot like a therapy. Today I have two kids thankfully healthy and happy and they both are planned kids. But when I think back, I have no regrets because I reached the doctor on time and yes I often think if it was the other way probably how old that kid must have been now? Or Who that kid would have been? Some things just remain within you.

"I carry your heart with me, I am never without it."

It is very important that we should educate women about abortion, as well as sex education it is so important because knowledge is awareness and everyone can make their decision appropriately. The worldwide report shows from 2000 - 2017, the global maternal mortality ration declined by 38 percent - from 342 deaths to 211 deaths per 100,000 live births. We should bring down this percentage and education will help in doing so. 

Women are powerful and strong so why not educate them about things that relates to them and bring awareness so that they can make better decisions of their life.

Abortion should not be a political agenda, because it's more than that.

"Education is everything - education is your power, education is your way in life for whatever you want to do." ~ Ciara

~ Dawn

Not every sorry deserves an "It's Okay" in return

It's so true that one person has to be courageous and come out and then others automatically gain the confidence and courage to come and share their story.
Yes, I am talking about the #MeTooMovement that has taken like a huge storm and I hope its just the beginning.

As I was reading news and on social media about women being harassed at work place or even looked at as a piece of meat, it just gives you to reflect about so many things that has happened in your own life.
Women has the toughest job to do and that is if she doesn't want to be dependent on anyone financially and she takes up a job in a company - then its basically means you're on your own. Because if you complain then the response is 'you better stay at home'.

I know there are many women who have been home makers for this reason. When a woman at work is harassed by her manager and she tries to stop him many times and yet he never stops. It reaches to a point where your colleagues ask you if you're okay because you keep going into you manager's room who keeps calling you in his room for 1 on 1s and you end up going each time because each time he says its about the project and this stress you share at home, it's not necessary that she will get a support from her loved ones saying, lets talk about it or do something about it. They will still let her go to that same workplace, to that same manager and its that same environment where she is being sent.

"We have to have the courage to tell people when their behavior or the way they talk makes us uncomfortable."

Financial support is something a woman tries to do for her family where her thinking is mainly to support her husband and family. When a husband doesn't have a job or has a business which doesn't bring in much income the support system is on the woman. At such time when she is being harassed by her manager at work, what options she has: tell at home and see what they suggest? If there is no suggestion then you know what it means, or you change your job, but whats the guarantee the next manager is going to be good? You're taking a chance but until you find another job you're stuck with the present manager because your family depends on you.

"At the end of the day, don't forget that you're a person, don't forget that you're a mother; a wife and a daughter." ~ Indira Nooyi

Women will suffer for her family and why only women? Because women are raised that way from the beginning. They are taught you're born strong so do all the hard work and yet any issue comes just be quiet and move on because women are supposed to not complain and if it's about men then oh! no!!! never complain about them because women are such a piece of meat that they will be blamed but men won't be blamed and the bad name will come to the women.
She shared with few friends and they said, 'Complain it to Human Resources, but then no idea if the next manager wants to hire you because this will be in the system. They might keep the manager because he is an employee and then they might fire you as you are a contractor".

"Show respect even to the people who don't deserve it; not as a reflection of their character, but as a reflection of yours." ~ Dave Willis

Here the harassment from the manager and no security or help from husband - both are men and what should this woman do? If anyone has an answer then do comment!  

"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter." ~ Martin Luther King Jr.

~ Dawn

Women's empowerment is intertwined with respect for human rights..

I am writing this post today, because I feel we are responsible to fail humanity.

When I was growing up and used to hear stories from people and olden times, I always felt that, oh, that was then! Not anymore!!!

"I think women are foolish to pretend they are equal to men, they are far superior and always have been." ~ William Golding

But even today when I hear women treated like an object whether it’s in under developed country or a developed country – the story of women is in bizarre!

The male dominating society is creeping in like a weed everywhere and they just use women in whatever way they want to and just dump it and don’t even feel ashamed of their deeds. I mean will they be doing the same way with their mother and daughter too? I am assuming that those two relationships they might be holding too close to their heart so can their in humanness be justified if they think from that point?

I had met this young, courageous woman sometimes back and even I didn’t realize if I had any role to play in inspiring her. But recently I heard some happiness entering in her lonely life where she would get a company in life and a father figure for her teenage son. I mean when you’re meeting a single mother and/or single father, there’s certain expectation that even as a society people would expect.

The lady Rose was finally happy that her life which had a very bad and traumatic marriage life with her first one. She had lost hope and faith with the men’s world when she found this guy Jordan, who has a grown-up son too. He meets them, take them home and fulfills the ceremony of engagement and then he ends up to his friend with who’s instruction he wouldn’t do anything. And this person who is supposed to be the friend of Jordan suggests him to dump the girl as you can get many women to sleep with so why you need to marry one?

What an evil thought? If this is how the mind works then imagine how he might be looking at women in his surroundings whether its his work place, community and social gathering events, his kid’s school or for that say his wife’s women friends? I mean such a filthy guy he would be that I felt as a woman he should be exposed so that we don’t want another #MeToo moment to come in any women’s life.

"A stare, a proximity, a smile, a touch-oddly familiar. He knows you wouldn't speak, he knows you don't understand enough to speak; Me too!" ~ Nipunya Panda

Jordan one day sends message on text saying he is breaking up with her. Poor thing Rose, who has no clue why he is breaking up? What she did that she is being punished except that she knows the previous day he went for a hike with his so-called friend.

I have only thing to say to Rose, which is tough for her to handle because she loved Jordan and her son also loved him. Poor kid is going through counseling and therapy sessions as he is still not able to digest why Mom is crying, why Jordan will never come to our home?

"Her innocence, to him, was that sexual toy which he broke many times and every time fixed it with chocolates and ice-cream." ~ notypriyanka

Rose, someone tried to play with your wings and while doing that they tried to break your wings. Hence, you’re bruised but I will say get well soon and be thankful that you’re not ending up like Jordan’s previous wives who have either divorced him or have embraced death as by suicide. You need to be there for your son and that too a strong one so that your son can learn too that this world is full of horrible men and he needs to change that face by being a gentleman!

"Educate a man and you educate an individual. Educate a woman and you educate a family." ~ A. Cripps

I feel it’s a good riddance in this form for Rose that she didn’t have to lose her life, her son and her hard-earned money and house. Sometimes awakening happens in different ways and experiences.

Women have to unite to make sure men don’t miss use innocent women and just don’t disrespect when they are vulnerable.

~ Dawn

The next evolutionary step for humankind is to move from man to kind...!

Recently came across a note by friends in social media saying, women who don’t change their last name after marriage – is a sign of women empowerment.

I see women having their own opinion on that note and I feel that itself is a great achievement that they made a choice, they have an opinion – some did change because they like it that way for what so ever reason – may be the culture they grew up with, or be part of their husband’s family and the belonging aspect of it etc. But having changed the last name or not, the truth is does that makes anyone liberated? I mean I have seen women without changing their last name after marriage and yet have not empowered to make any family decisions or even make a decision for themselves when it comes to career or any other choices.

“Some guys will want to change everything about you. But the right guy will not want to change one thing your last name.”

Are we dwelling on the right thing when we say ‘women empowerment’? I am not sure but for these name change and not change things and the identity through those actions... because I feel irrespective of what your name is – whether the name and surname is from your maiden family? Or your name is given by your parents and surname is from your husband’s family? Or your first name and last name is given to you by your husband’s family during the marriage as part of the tradition?

“He stole my heart and I am planning for revenge. I am going to steal his last name!”

In my opinion nothing gives you an identity other than what you do and establish yourself as with your thoughts and actions. Believe it or not, I often say to friends when they ask me if I am Usha, Dawn, Fiza and my response to them is – what’s in the name?

“We cannot despair of humanity, since we ourselves are human beings.”

Yes, what is in the name? I feel specially with the Indian culture and tradition when you see a name your mind opens into – the person is from which religion, caste, language, state and what not. Is this is what you’re defining as your identity? Then hell no!!! I don’t need such identity because I want to be known as a human first and not tied to any religion, caste, state, language or anything such things that divides the human race. I am sure if we were named as numbers because names cause these kinds of issues, still we would come up with who’s the top most and who’s not and would start discriminating based on that.

I have been treated so well the moment people came to know which place I come from and the state, some have treated me so well when they came to know I am Fiza, I got many friend requests and appreciations from Muslim friends, similarly many have asked me if I have married a white guy since I have my name as Usha Dawn – I mean c’mon!!! And to another extent the Dawn is referred as Dhawan and some south Indians they call me north Indian very proudly… I feel sorry for them! 

If people cannot connect with you or your identity without your last name, then it’s better not to connect because it will be a rough pathway.

“Humanity should be our race. Love should be our religion.”

Let’s be human first because that’s what we became as part of evolution and we have not been successful in doing a good job on that itself and we created so many barriers for ourselves in the name of caste, creed, culture, religion and what not!!!

“Find the sweetness in your own heart, then you may find the sweetness in every heart” ~ Rumi

~ Dawn

"People with no ambition never get out of the hole."

Isn't it says, change is good? Yes, it is and I am experiencing it too.
These days my commute to work is so less that I reach home in 20 minutes and first day I didn't know what to do after coming home so early. Yes, it happens when you are used to be stuck in traffic for around 6 years.
This was a change for me and believe me the way I am managing my time is by cooking Maharashtrian food and if not then by reading. Because of my commute I hesitate to read anything because if I take a book to read it will never finish because the continuity is lost but now that's not the case.

"Time is the school in which we learn, time is the fire in which we burn" ~ Delmore Schwartz

Recently, I have been reading a lot about women from history around the world and it's a powerful one because it is inspiring. I always wondered in olden times there were more tough challenges for women and still some were tough cookies who did stand up for themselves and for others.

Winnie Madikizela-Mandela recently expired after illness and I read this in the news. I always felt she was a strong woman and did lot more than what Nelson Mandela did moreover I have heard many adored her and still many abhorred her and hence this curiosity to know what is unknown made me to dig internet and read about her. A life is that book which gives a story about her personal and public life. How she survived her husband's imprisonment, harassment from the police and the apartheid government, betrayal from friends, solitary confinement and so much more. I strongly feel she was a strong selfless woman who was defiant, charismatic and enigmatic woman and she never got the recognition that she should have got. In this even I feel Nelson Mandela side-tracked her which I find it more painful because while he was in jail Winnie Madikizela kept the struggle flame alight which was not easy for a woman specially with two small kids.
I feel after a certain point even men become selfish when it comes to name and fame and being competitive with their own family member is something I felt hurt for Winnie. 

"I am the product of the masses of my country and the product of my enemy" ~ Winnie Madikizela Mandela

As I was in these thoughts, I did read about Nelson Mandela as well because he was married three times and each wife says about him is that he was no saint! That also tells a lot about him as a person and I don't think I have much admiration for him. I have more respect and admiration for Barack Obama instead.

But guess what, today is Maria Felix's death anniversary, another strong woman from history and a much powerful one too. I think women should learn from Maria Felix's life. She loved herself and lived life and that is her message for other women around the world.

"I have got just one message for the women of my country and of the world: I wish they loved themselves like I loved myself" ~ Maria Felix 

A very brilliant, sober, proud, beautiful and talented woman - an actress and a singer that was Maria Felix. If you get to read about her please do so, I had to get things translated in English as there's tons of material on her in Spanish even poetries have been written on her that's how beautiful she was. Her talent and beauty were never as outstanding as her strength, poise and approach to life. I think that's what caught me and got me interested in reading about her. Internet is good source to get more information on her life, poetry and films which got thankfully translated in English.

She became a Mexican film icon throughout the '50s and won three Ariel Best Actress Awards during her career.

I also saw her video when she was around 80s of her age and all I was thinking about her as a young woman - courageous! Few Mexicans have been outstanding and she definitely is one of them.

"I am a woman with a heart of a man" ~ Maria Felix

It feels great to read about strong women from history because it guides you and helps you to lead your way. I read some of her quotes and I really felt she is one of the stronger and rebellious one.
I loved reading her quotes and here I am sharing a couple...

"Diva is something invented, but I was not fabricated, life made me and made me very well." ~ Maria Felix

"The best way to love someone is to accept them how they are, that is what I do with Antoine, it's not easy, but to only love idiots is easy." ~ Maria Felix 

"Since the beginning of time, men have taken the best part of the cake." ~ Maria Felizx 

"Don't give me advice, I can make my own mistakes" ~ Maria Felix

 ~ Dawn

Discomfort is always a necessary part of the process of enlightenment...!!!

Many times we follow certain tradition because we grew up watching others. As we understand sometimes we do ask questions and sometimes it doesn't bother anyone as part of tradition it's more of celebration and social engagement hence it doesn't come out as a question as why do we follow this norm.

"Too often we enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought" ~ John. F. Kennedy

My story about 'Durga Puja', is somewhat similar to that. Even though born in a Keralite family (Kerala, in South India), I grew up in Pune (in Maharashtra State) and that gave me the exposure to diverse India. The people, food and festivals and traditions. I always felt I am privileged as I got the opportunity to be part of every celebration or festivity whether it belonged to East, West, North and South India - I had friends and their family who had these traditions and festivals that they maintained and celebrated and I just merged with them.

It's with the same spirit I enjoy all festivals here in USA as well. "Sindur Khela" is where every year I look forward to attend as part of Durga Puja, and my thoughts and understanding was limited to as it's part of Durga Puja and it's a fun game. Being a feminist, for me Durga is a symbol of girl-power and every girl must feel proud of being one. It's interesting how we start reading about these when we have to explain to our non-Indian friends about these festivities. 

As I read about it, it totally changed me. My excitement and enthusiasm somewhere vanished. My heart started questioning why do I call this a celebration when it's not something that every women can enjoy?
At the same time Durga Puja and Sindur Khela is all about power of womanhood. If that is true then why every woman is not allowed to participate in Sindur Khela?
Why unmarried, widows and divorcees are not allowed to be part of this Sindur Khela, aren't they women? Aren't they powerful? 

"Tradition is an explanation for acting without thinking" ~ Grace McGarvie 

These thoughts really crushed me and made me feel dejected. In the name of Durga Puja and Sindur Khela it's again the hypocrisy of manhood that is celebrated in the veil of womanhood. The male dominant society created another tradition which seemed like for women to socialize, celebrate and pray for the happiness of husband and children. Shouldn't that be the same for the husband too? He should also pray for his wife and children's happiness so why not men has any traditions to follow? How do we justify single moms or widow moms? Don't they also want their kids to be happy and safe?

"Myself worth isn't determined by others"

Marriage and sindur is all about men and about their manhood. It's not about women celebrating themselves. 
I am an ally at the LGBTQ community and I believe in equality in every respect and this is something against my belief. Hence something all these years I rejoiced getting decked up and getting colored in red sindur and socialized with friends and others has made me to think.

I don't think there is sindur khela for me next year because I don't support something that discriminates any human being at any level.

I have though seen and witnessed some of the divorcees participating in Sindur Khela in the events that I have attended and it only made me happy to see that but my real thoughts are with those who are barred from participating in Sindur Khela. In their name, I decided not to enjoy anymore such traditions.

If we believe in all traditions then 'Sati Pratha' was also a tradition that was followed in ancient India and one should follow that too, isn't it?

I think we all must question these traditions just like how we question our constitution because things have to change with time and for the betterment of the human beings and our society. Otherwise, unknowingly we are supporting discrimination and we must not give wrong message if we are sure that we don't support it.

"Life should not only be lived, it should be celebrated"

Now, I am only going back and thinking about those moments where without any idea my heart was enjoying the celebrations and festivities with friends and family...and someone from inside says, 'It's okay because you didn't know about it'!

"Sometimes your heart needs more time to accept what your mind already knows"

~ Dawn

Happy International Women's Day

Today is International Women’s Day...!

As we all agree there should not be a day or time to appreciate someone because if someone has done something for you good then you must respect and appreciate them always.

These days when I see there is so much of hype about gender discrimination, all I want to say is please don’t divide and don’t increase the gap.

I grew up in a family of four. Mom, dad, brother and myself. I always felt we complete the family because for me my dad is there and for my brother my mom. You can call it opposite take care of each other or whatever but that was a team. My brother being the elder was always calm and obedient and I being the black sheep of the family, who always was curious about things and liked to find reasons for everything. I never settled for an answer which says ‘it used to be like that and so you also do the same’! No, I always challenged those situations and I never felt that I am doing certain things because I am a girl.

I remember me and my brother’s birthday times we both used to have clothes stitched and at times we both used to wear it to go and watch children’s show (kid’s movie) and it used to be trousers and shirts. There was nothing specified that I should wear a frock or skirt. Probably those are the things that dared me to do things which was not common with girls in India. I used to climb the guvava tree that was in front of my house and play with boys. I did all that a boy would try to do or learn such as bicycle riding or bike riding, to the extent that I became a field hockey player which mostly parents wouldn’t send their girls because they feel what if the girl break their leg who will marry them!

I give so much credit to my mom, the woman in my life who brought me up with certain values that I cherish even today. Its true that my mom was very strict when I was a kid, she was like a strict principal of a school. She would be so strict in making me eat all the vegetables whether it’s cauliflower or bitter gourd I should finish and the reasoning she would give that time is to have beautiful skin or long thick hair. I feel as a mother how much a mother should do to teach her kids because if you make the learning fun then kids adapt fast but then there are some lessons for which one should be strict.

My life as a high-school kid was amazing, I enjoyed my freedom and being me. When I started my college, I decided what to choose as a subject instead of my parents pushing me into something. My mom only had one thing to share with me and that was to be financially independent.

I remember my mom had a condition where she said she will marry my dad only after getting into a job. This was in 1965, and I am sure then there was bigger discrimination between men and women. But I guess those days everyone just gave in to whatever role society decided for them. Sometimes, even if there are certain society and cultural impacts one should speak up for their rights and wishes to be fulfilled.

I remember as a kid I was very sure of what I want and when I want. I was very open in asking what I want and my dad being the best man in the world always fulfilled those for me irrespective of what time it is. I think that skill and nature I get from my mother who was determined of what she want and she made sure she gets it.

I truly believe the woman who always taught me to be financially independent, the same message is applicable for today's women as well.

I have only one wish, that if we raise our kids as kids and not as boys and girls then lot of selective teaching will stop and kids will pick what they want to learn and do in the world.

Let’s treat everyone as equal. If you treat a woman great then you must treat the man too as great – because there is no difference as human other than biological differences.

I want to wish every woman a Happy International Women’s Day and say let’s not discriminate anyone!

~ Dawn