Gender Bender

Time has never been so fitting to discuss the social issues and evils faced by women.

On one hand – A fifteen year old girl was brutally shot for her propaganda on girl education; rate of violence and harassment against women is on the rise each day. While on the other hand – Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma becomes the first woman to take charge as the chief of the African union; Kumud Srinivasan is appointed as the head of India operations for Intel.

So, two entirely opposite conditions are prevailing in the same world. Why is this difference?

Let us dismiss the current situation from mind and go to the beginnings of all this – The Fundamental question. What is the purpose of gender? On an animalistic note, it is for the mere purpose of reproduction. But, we humans claim ourselves to be more than just animals. We devised something called as culture which was meant to override nature. We set up families and created a bond between males and females in the name of relationship. So by culture, it becomes implicit that the gender difference in humans is not for the mere purpose of reproduction. It means much more and relates to everything we do.

By nature, no species tries to dominate its opposite gender. In every species males and females carry out their work instinctively without any comparison. Even humans were like that once. As told in one of my previous articles, there was no problem when man was hunting and woman was at home taking care of the younger ones. As other means of occupation grew, the custom of man doing the outside work continued. But, little did women knew, that it was going to upset their own cause later on.

We started comparing men and woman based on the capabilities of men. Earlier studies were related as to why women had a smaller brain and smaller physique. One of the eminent naturalists, Darwin, stated that it was natural sex selection that made women inferior to men. Maybe the reasons put forward by him were right. But, why do such a study and declare women as inferior, while so many greater qualities were in their possession in comparison to men? Will it be acceptable to compare men and women in baby-care and decide who is better? If women are considered inferior to men in certain things, then it is most certain that men are inferior to women in their own specialities. But the point is not who is inferior or superior. It is about doing, what one feels good at doing.

Malala Yousafzai is a fifteen year old girl who is fighting a nation’s fight single handed. The fact that she was targeted by the Taliban, describes the utterly sick condition of the world we live in. Her fight is not only for girl education, but also for the cause of women in every field. I don’t see her age. I don’t see her gender. I only see her as a perfect example of a human. Her notes and speeches show her immense maturity and rational thoughts, in spite of the adverse conditions she had to endure over the last few years. A similar character who took the world by storm was Anne Frank, another young girl who unfortunately died at the age of sixteen. I salute and bow down to them. These two little girls have sent out a strong statement that women can take it to the next level when given the opportunity.

What is moral? Is it equal for men and women? Most definitely no. Should it be equal? I would say that the moral values expected from women are not their natural traits, but the traits which were conditioned into them by the society. As a result of western influence in our society, women are under the scanner like never before. Think again, am not saying women can do whatever they want. I propose to say that if women are bound to certain morals, so should men; and if men shall get away with whatever they do, so should women.

Once I saw an advertisement hoarding of a high school with an attractive female model on it. I was wondering if I should be surprised. I have always questioned the way women are portrayed as sex symbols in the media. Models and actresses are often criticised for exposing their skin for money. I don’t see a single reason why they should not, if they are comfortable doing so. As far as I know there are far less lesbians than straight men. So who are to be blamed for this; women or men? The society would not let a woman to enter a challenging field on par with men and when they find a way to make money, the society again plots a way to stop them.

A couple of years back there was a huge debate regarding the reservation of parliamentary seats for women. My suggestion to those women who wanted 33% reservation – Do not hang on to the cheap 33%. Do not fight for reservation in the future. Go for the maximum. If women prove themselves as better administrators, then the Lok Sabha deserves 545 women.

Amidst all these burning issues there is a small group of women who are cunning enough to use the current laws to their utmost self gains. The increasing percentage of pre-nuptial agreements in high profile marriages, display the effect of this small group. For these women I say – Equality is a right, not a privilege.

I firmly believe that the day will come when women will no longer need to fight to fulfil their rightful wishes; if not today, then explicitly tomorrow. The society never accepts a giant leap, in any form. But, on the day when it flourishes because of equality between the two genders, it shall be bashful for the lost time.

Swasthika Sang

The Verdict

The 2G scam, Commonwealth Games scam, Indian Coal Allocation scam or the Coalgate as put forward by the media, DLF-Vadra allegations and the list is about to linger further. In a fresh aspersion, the government is accused of receiving pay offs from Ispat Steel during the years when Virbhadra Singh was the Steel Minister. A document seized by the Income Tax Department in 2010 contains details of the pay offs, says a news report.

Regardless of the outcome of the last two accusations, things do not seem to go on track for the ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA). With Trinamool Congress and Jharkahnd Vikas Morcha already withdrawing support recently, it is fair to say that the days of Dr. Manmohan Singh lead UPA government, are numbered.

Reviewing the Tamilnadu Assembly Elections of last year, might give some foresight of what is in store for the UPA. The then ruling DMK took a serious blow to its credibility, when the party faithfuls Kanimozhi and Raja became the prime accused in the 2G spectrum scandal. The effect was evident in the state elections as the DMK hit an all time low in accumulating votes.

Coincidentally, the UPA run Central Government is in a black cloud of corruption scandals and they are being hit with accusations over and over again. The results of the recent by-elections to fill the vacated seats of our President Pranab Mukherjee and Uttarakhand Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna, serve as an ultimatum to the UPA.

One thing I have noticed over the years – Be it a sex scandal of a celebrity or a financial scandal of an organisation; once the first accusation hits the accused, repeated accusations starts flowing in, even if it’s from a decade earlier. One may never find out if the trailing accusations are true or simply directed to attain media publicity. So either one should keep his slate clean or prepared for a backlash.

Coming back to the UPA’s position, who is going to hit the jackpot when they slip up? Is it going to be the NDA again, led by BJP? The centre has failed to create a third party over the years and so one’s loss is simply the other’s gain. That’s what happened in Tamilnadu as well.

If the NDA does succeed, the most favourable candidate for the post of PM is arguably Narendra Modi, who has tightened his grip on party administration over the years; of course by his unique methods. Is he an authoritarian or an able administrator? May be he is a mix of both. Amidst the speculation of his involvement in the Gujarat riots in 2002 and his alleged authoritarian style of rule, he did manage to uplift the state on many fronts. But, if he does become the most powerful citizen of the country, certain subjects have to be pondered upon. How will the Indo-US relations get affected (?), with the latter holding onto a firm stance over Modi. Also certain European countries had cut off their ties with Gujarat. England resumed its ties very recently, but, other countries still retain their position. Will this affect India?

The recent wave of reforms put forward by the government needs time to bear fruit. With hardly 18 months to go maybe it is too little too late already. A look at the achievements of the two-term UPA rule tells that they have controlled unemployment woes, taken bold steps in the international level such as the Indo-US Nuclear Deal, achieved national highs in highway projects, increased FDI in infrastructure and a few others. But, will these be able to eclipse the rising inflation and various corruption related scandals? I don’t think so. What do the people think? The verdict is just over a year ahead.

Swasthika Sang

Mendependent India

With nearly 17 rape cases in the last one month, the state of Haryana is under the spotlight. The government has miserably failed; Bhupinder Singh Hooda is incapable of administration; blah blah blah. All the fuss created about Haryana recently, makes one wonder, if it’s really that big an issue. If the statistics are to be believed, 713 rape cases were registered in Haryana in the calendar year 2011, which accounts to nearly 59 per month. 59 and 17 (?); well, am not too sure about the seriousness of this issue. A cynic might be quick to retort that my statement is harsh on the current victims. No, I did not mean it that way.

The issue came into limelight, only after one of the victims decided that she had gone through enough and immolated herself. The opposition and the media were on to it, all of a sudden. My question is, ‘’What were you all doing when the previous crimes were perpetrated?’’

The opposition wants to dissolve Hooda’s government and they deem Sonia Gandhi’s visit to the victim’s family as a political stunt. While these people are so busy creating politics about this, none cared to come out with a solution. Hey wait; they did put forward a solution. The Khap panchayat members said that removing the restriction on marriageable age would be the fix. It will be dishonouring, even to my puny wisdom, to write a reply to that so called solution. Yesterday, the former Haryana CM, Om Prakash Chautala said, ‘’We should learn from the past. Especially in the Mughal era, people used to marry their girls early in order to save them from Mughal atrocities.’’ What’s next? Are they going to make condoms and contraceptive pills compulsory for these boys and girls to avoid teenage pregnancy? The fact that we are ruled by people with such archaic and primitive mindsets, gives me a sick qualm.

A little peek into the discussion forums gave another headache. Starting with the current issue, people end up with Hindus Vs Muslims and North India Vs South India. A few say that the accused men should be castrated. A few others even say that all men of Haryana should be castrated.

Punishment to the culprits and justice to the victims is a must, but, where is the solution to these barbaric crimes?

Dr. Abdul Kalam’s dream of India in 2020 is not just a pie in the sky. It is a calculated visionary. The human resource in India is in its prime; meaning most of the people fall between the age group of 20 to 40. Whilst this age group has a lot of potential on which Dr. Kalam is banking, this group can also go the downward.

Western culture has fully crept into the entertainment media, but, most part of our society remains conservative and the boy-girl norms still exist. The barrier created by stress and tension between boys and girls, continue to stand tall. Restriction and conservatism will only urge the adolescents to do malpractices. Allow them to mingle; give them sex education. They have to understand each other and build a moral bond of trust in between them. A boy, who grows into a man without the access of thoughts and feelings of a girl, would see a woman only as an object of pleasure. If the barrier between boys and girls are brought down in this generation, women empowerment and women equality will automatically ensue in the subsequent generation.

Mahatma Gandhi said that India would achieve true Independence and Freedom only when a woman is able to walk all alone at midnight and feel safe. Going by his lines, we have a long way to go for our Independence. Until then, we are not Independent; we are just Men-dependent.

Swasthika Sang

Lights! Camera! Action!!!

He dons larger-than-life roles, does gravity defying stunts, delivers sharp punch lines with inimitable style, carries an aura of charismatic look, he does not market himself or his movies, yet, he reaches millions of people added with all time high box office collections. That’s what brand Rajnikanth is all about. Don’t get too excited; this is not a solo ride with the Superstar. The Bachchans and Khans from the North, and a few others from the East and the South will complete the story of this generation’s Indian Cinema.

The Indian cinema will freely overcome the Hollywood, in numbers made, but, in terms of quality, one must accept that the latter is in a different grade altogether. Technology being one of the short comings, only tells half the story. In spite of the flicks from our top actors, our movies would be just laughable stock for the westerners. Being an Indian, I myself have been very critical and harsh whilst rating our movies.

In India, you can’t leave out one thing, from anything. If the word ‘politics’ crosses your mind, you are spot on. With many of our actors, later entering politics and a few taking the verso route, one has to wonder, if Indian Cinema is just a medium to attain fame. However, a direct comparison between the Indian Cinema and Hollywood may not be fitting.

Initially, movie making was in its right form of art in India. But later, it had to cater to the needs of a country driven by emotions and sentiments rather than reasons. A protagonist playing a common man, fighting for the people’s rights and well being, reached the people’s hearts as he served a saviour to them. He became equal to real life heroes to them. A perfect example is M. G. R and the people’s affection for him was only to be challenged by Rajnikanth later. It was in 1978 when M. G. R did his last film and incidentally that was the period, when the current Superstar entered the frame. Again the mantra was same; a common man. These two had reel lives in which they were fighting social evils, which the people wanted to live for real, but couldn’t, and had themselves satisfied by seeing their stars perform it for them. Rajnikanth, later went one step ahead, to portray larger-than-life roles which was also accepted by the masses. Much had to do with the conditions prevailing three decades ago, when, very few went beyond school.

Same can be said for the other language film industries, but, they only had a lesser effect on the people because politics and cinema were not intertwined in those regions then, as it were in Tamilnadu.

With the development of society and exposure to the outside world, the blind love of the people for their stars has reduced. One would expect the movies to change as well. But, today’s actors, who are likely to have grown seeing the exploits of Rajnikanth, still try to emulate him. That has led to a total mess and loss of quality; not to mention the presence of ego amongst actors, well evident from the lack of multi starrer projects. While this is the predominant case in South India, Bollywood functions right by the definition of word ‘Showbiz’. In creating a separate genre for themselves called ‘Masala Entertainment’, they daydream about leaving behind Hollywood.

Some good efforts sprout here and there, but are fizzled out by big productions houses. The time has come for Indian Cinema to step up to the next level. The trend of creating stories to an actor’s status should change. The hero is meant for the story and not vice versa. Inspirations should be drawn from the experiments carried out by the likes of Kamal Haasan, Aamir Khan and a few other directors. Remaking and adapting a story from other language isn’t a sin, but with many Indian movies being accused of blatant rip off from Hollywood movies, the producers should encourage more original stories.

I once started dreaming about becoming a script writer and director in the film industry, I still do, but that is only prioritised for the longer haul. I hope, when that dream is realised, Indian Cinema shall have changed. Or, let me be in Hollywood; am human after all.

Swasthika Sang

Taboo

L. G. B. T. Yes, I refer to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender. If you feel like ‘eww’, now is the time to navigate to some other page.

We are a perfect society. Aren’t we? And how do we remain perfect? – By neglecting those who aren’t normal. So, being normal makes one perfect. Oh really?

Pankaj was born and brought up as a boy. As he (she) grew, he (she) developed a desire for girl clothing. In teenage years when the boys in his (her) class were developing infatuation towards other girls, Pankaj felt attracted to another boy. When her family discovered this, they were devastated. Her father used to beat her for her sexual orientation. After running away from home and spending years in dance clubs, she finally got her break from humiliation and discrimination. She is Bobby Darling, the Bollywood actress. The life of Rose Venkatesan, the television celebrity, is a similar one.

With Western decadence such as live-in relationships, premarital sex and divorce slowly finding their feet in the Indian society, there is no explication for the already existing anomalies regarding sexual orientation.

A commuter of the Southern Railways is assured to encounter transgender groups clapping their hands and doing a form of forcible begging, preferably targeting the males. One is dumbfounded at the extent they go, to get the money. They might be labelled as ‘hindrance’ to the public, but, what other options have we left them? Most trans-people are born as boy children and recognize their sexuality later. When detected earlier these, children are discarded by the families and they end up in a society which is no better in treating them. 

Very few like the above mentioned, succeed in their struggle against discrimination, but, amongst the rest, cases like begging, suicides, violence are common.

A less affected group is the homosexual ones. Less affected doesn’t mean that the society has accepted them; it’s just that these people can hide their orientation. Homosexuality is a mental disorder, it is a choice made, it can be cured by therapists are some of the myths regarding this; and they are nothing more than myths. These people face isolation in the family as well as in the society. And there is also the issue of cross dressers.

The real biological cause that stimulates a person’s sexual orientation is not yet found, but it’s damn well sure that it’s not their voluntary preference. As put forward by a sexologist – ‘’Being a man or woman is not only related to a person’s private parts. Gender is a social construct/idea that involves how a person acts and relates to themselves and other people in a society.’’

The Indian government legalised lesbian and gay relationships in 2009. In a recent report they also announced provisions for including transgender people in voter’s list when they were denied guardianship by their parents. Further, a Supreme Court notice directs the government to include the category of transgender people as a third category in providing various opportunities and facilities such as the passport, driving licence, ration card and admission to educational institutions.

These are all welcome actions, but, none of these would have any real effect unless the society accepts them. Whatever their gender may be, they are real humans with real human feelings. Giving respectable terms for them alone is not going to help. The society need not do anything special for their betterment; let’s just refrain from discriminating them.

For those trans-people – Consider that being normal is just another excuse for being ordinary. Normal is a standard set by irrational minds; it need not necessarily mean ‘perfect’.

Swasthika Sang

Seasoned Bloom

Most of the time, when it comes to making important decisions or making policies and rules or threading philosophies, only the elder people are looked upon. When seeking knowledge and advice, it is considered wise to approach an elder person. Is it their vast experience alone that gives them this credit? What do younger adults contribute? Can’t they make decisions?

The younger adults have raging hormones and extra energy getting pumped out of their hearts along with blood. In my personal experience, I have noted that when am having abundance of energy flowing through my veins, I have inclined myself more towards entertainment and fun. When am little tired to bring down the roof; that’s when I tend to be more productive. Also, having grown in an electronic age among gadgets, it’s no wonder that I find myself most creative only during the routine power cut of the day. The elders with their hormones having pacified and hearts needing a pacemaker, are more stable; and they still think gadgets are only for those with 007 status. So, is it really Younger versus Older ‘or’ Stronger versus Weaker. These are only from daily activities.

On a broader scale, such as life or business, it’s a little different. Many entrepreneurs and people from management studies, in their early twenties, come out with a lot of confidence that they can change the world, only to find out that they can’t. Why? It is ruled by the older people.

One can say that our own Dhirubhai Ambani, Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Larry Page, Sergey Bin and a few others were youngsters when they started conquering the world. But, that’s just one half of the story we have been told. History doesn’t record the plight of those, who tried to storm the world but found scratching their heads years later. The latter half will overwhelm the former. Younger adults are ‘make it or break it’ type. Elders don’t break things; they don’t make things for that reason either. They are admirable in holding onto things.

They have a lot of experience, they know how the world works; so, why don’t they make things? When someone grows old, he gets a lot of people around, people who are dependable on him. So the risk that is required to make things; he doesn’t have the strength to take those risks. Why don’t they break things? Nearly the same reason; they know the value of what they are holding onto. The younger adults do have people around but they aren’t the dependable ones and they can afford to take the risks. Everyone knows why they break.

Younger see tomorrow and elder see today in development; younger see today and elder see tomorrow in sustainability. The success formula is a fusion of both. That’s why they say every team needs a mixture of both young and old. It’s like having a company with a younger CEO and an older Chairman.

Something that goes parallel to what we are discussing now is the field of coaching and teaching. Back during the days of 10^th and 12^th, when the academics were too rigorous, I used to wonder; why are these teachers pushing me so hard when they themselves haven’t achieved anything. I know now, what a witless grumbling that had been. One reason why certain people make excellent coaches and teachers is because those people failed, may be even failed miserably. So, they know exactly where someone could fail and they can prevent others from making the same mistake.

‘’The years teach much which the days never knew’’ – Ralph Waldo Emerson. I end with this quote as I feel Emerson told in a single line much of what I have tried in many.

Swasthika Sang

Desperate Housewives

They take care of their children, their husbands and the elder people in the house. They do all the household chores. They are the Queens of the world’s smallest kingdom – The Home. How are we ever going to make up for the sacrifice they have done for us? ‘’Let’s pay them’’, says the Ministry of Women and Child Development of India.

As always, many blah-blahs went on among various groups, on the government’s proposal of making it compulsory for a husband to pay 10% to 20% of his salary to his wife. Somehow, I feel that the word ‘genesis’ is the most important while discussing any issue. Let us try to find the genesis of this problem of women not being given proper credit for their work in their homes.

When it was only ‘Hunt and Eat’, the stronger males went out hunting and the gentler females stayed back to look after the young ones. The men did not get a bonus when they hit a deer instead of the usual rabbit. That was one happy family. But as trade and cultivation grew, men were being paid for their outside work in order to buy food and that’s when the problem started. Men got a token of recognition for their work and the women did not. Then came; men’s domination over women and many other related issues.

Today, Indian society is accused of not giving a woman her due respect for her exertions at home and there is the case of abusive husbands as well. The government intends to solve this problem, which actually arose due to money, with money. Well, good luck!

I did not endorse the idea initially. I thought it was like paying a caring mother and a caring wife for her affection. No it’s not. What the government actually intends to do is give some honorarium to the women who spend their lives cleaning the house and washing the clothes; doing overtimes over and over again. That is not a bad proposal at all.

The upper class is not going to worry about it and among the middle class, the percentage of women going for outside work is increasing every day. The lower income groups, who cannot afford house maids, are the ones who are going to have any effect of this proposal. Let’s say there is an abusive husband, who only gives a very little of his earnings to his wife. This proposal of giving 10 to 20% of the earnings is not going to help as it is not going to count any higher than what she was initially getting.

This proposal might help women when there is a really abusive husband; when a husband gives very little or no money. Apart from these cases, I am not sure how this is going to have a telling effect on the broader community. How do you evaluate the work of a housewife? Is 10 to 20% her worth?  I think what a woman might need is love from the family whom she is taking care of. Not money.

The government’s intent of empowering women is immaculate, but, is this the right method of doing it? Giving them allowance in medicinal attention, teaching them self employment methods to get their own income; will these be better ideas?

The solution is yet to be found, but, I guess I do not meet the basic qualifications to take this issue any deeper. I am not married and the real feelings of a housewife might elude me. Open to public view.

Swasthika Sang