by Anando Ghosh
Mother Nature through her fingers
intricate,
Weaved a world both harsh and delicate.
For men were supposed to be strong, women
the weak.
Her speech was restricted; she could not
speak.
History is replete with thousands of
atrocities,
That women endured to the best of their
abilities.
Sita had to pass a test of chastity.
Draupadi became a victim of men’s immorality.
Savitri fought with Death to bring back her beloved.
Women in the medieval times took to burqa as commanded by their husbands.
From cradle to tomb, she has been a victim
of discrimination.
The same story rings true for each and
every nation!
Doodh-Piti, suffocation and God knows what all has been tried,
To snap life out of a girl who has just
arrived.
Education for her is too burdensome to
provide,
Marriage is her ultimate fate, parents
confide.
Mothers sell one off-spring, buy another;
all thanks to dowry!
Girls are deprived of the freedom that was
once so savoury!
Being locked within the four walls of
domestication,
They toil hard without any agitation.
Enduring unwanted embraces at night,
They put up with the sharp glances of the
in-laws without a fight.
From a young girl to a woman subjected to
passion,
She becomes a blind partner to nature’s
scheme of procreation.
She is not supposed to dream but fulfil her
duties.
She is depicted without brains, only a
beauty!
Yet during hardships, she must work
outside,
To supplement her husband for she has
children to provide.
But she must cook the meals and return home
early.
Her salary should be less than her
husband’s clearly!
The husband is her boss, her God, her life!
She is just his servant, being
subordinate-his wife!
If the queen dies, the king still retains
his kingdom.
If the king dies, the queen loses her king-dom!
She is now at the mercy of her sons.
She has no place in the house which perhaps
never was hers even once.
Sacrifice is the goal of her life,
In the capacity of a daughter, mother or
wife!
When was the time to contemplate over the
definition of Woman?
To realize that they were the better halves
of men.
Every year, we celebrate the International
Women’s Day.
What purpose does it serve, may I dare to
say?
Just honouring a few who tried their best,
Can never help to liberate the rest.
Love, acceptance and encouragement have
their own place, for sure,
But can they really be the apt cure?
The UN talked about oranging the world,
To stop all violence that has caged these
birds.
Parity is what they should seek,
Be it social, economic or politic.
They must have the freedom to choose their
profession.
Men and marriage should not alter their
decision.
The society must evolve to ensure dignity
of life and labour.
So that none of these girls meet the fate
of ‘Nirbhaya’ ever!
All that men need to say is-‘I am with
you.’
So that we can start the world anew!
Where love, peace and happiness shall
reside,
And the laws of equality shall everyone
abide.
You are the incarnations of Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati,
Oh Women! My humble salutations to Thee!
Arise, awake and realize your potential,
To secure a rightful place, your effort is
essential.
You must rightfully assert your claim,
Putting the head of all sinners down with
shame!
Men and women both are important,
To propel the wheels of growth and
development.
So that all may live at ease,
In a society created out of mutual respect
and peace!
