Yatra naaryastu pujyante ramante tatra devata|
yatraitastu na pujyante sarvastatrafalaa kriya||-Manu Smriti
What do you understand of being a woman? Who is she? What is the meaning of her existence? What does her very subsistence appeal to the world? These entirequestions arise on specific occasions of unnatural events where the dignity of a woman is compromised. Since the very early times, we have narrowed our definitions regarding the boundary of a woman. Our own notions and unjustifiable arguments have forbidden the hem of her dignity to flow with the wind, wild and free rather drape and corner in an old wooden box haunted by maggots and mildew. And so, she is a victim of our habits, like those pebbles down a shallow stream, which never move with the current. Education has been our prime authority in judging between righteousness and erroneous circumstances. The manipulated facts regarding our sense of understanding the society have put into our minds uncontrollably butinside, it runs wild as a horseless chariot running askew. And so, after and ages, we have assumed women to be a creation, created to exist under our protection, where a man shall work to provide her a salvation from atrocities and where a small flame of her renaissance is blown out by the wind of our heavy mocking. Our undigested education has intensified our actions to such an extent that even in this modernized and dynamic era, there are many women who are afraid to stand or have forgotten their muscle. And thus I question- Who are we to atone their suggestions? Who are we to take this for granted that they need our protection? How dare we question their authority? Are we not the creation of the same Almighty, then who are we to dominate their sovereignty and differentiate between gender? Past has taught us many things and as Swamiji has said- The past has moulded our tendencies. We have, by our own man-sized things and concept about feminism have laid down laws, to demonstrate the patriarchy. Now let me question- Why does womanhood needs no supremacy laws to demonstrate the importance of motherhood? The sun needs neither introduction nor assistance to prove its potency. You can feel it even when the sky is clouded. I have deliberately chosen this occasion to speak freely what I feel and what I must say. This does not mean we have that single day in a year where we speak of the vigour of our women. Because, feminism is like the radiance of Sun, there is no requirement to prove what a woman can undergo and perform. Just as the immense gravity of the sun holds the planets, so does a woman holds her family. Just as the light of sun is needed for life on earth, so does a woman is needed to nurture the society. Just as it is dark when the sun sets, calamity befalls a family which is being deserted by the woman. Just as the rising sun brings hopes for a new day, so does a new born girl child brings happiness to a family. Just as the afternoon sun is blazing with radiance, so does a woman when she is exasperated burning everything that opposes her. Just as the evening sun is beautiful with vibrant colours, so is a woman in her old age, ripe with great knowledge. Even after when the sun has set, it gives light to the moon, so does a woman illuminates even when she has left, with her teachings, her words and her life. Just as neither of directions can subjugate the illustriousness of the sun, neither any person, has the ability to equalize her worth. We should never forget that is a father is a tree protecting the house from atrociousness; it is by the light of woman that nurtures the tree.
Dear women! Till this day, many of you have thought differently, felt differently and realized things in a different way or even made to think in some cases. But you never forget that may the elders say whatever they wish, The Creator Brahma, created you, dividing himself into a half so that all this Shakti can rehabilitate, reproduce and represent the symbol of all life in this universe. You sprung from the body of Brahma himself, not from his feet, neither hands nor head, but from him as a whole. You are inseparable from this universe as you and only you bear the power to give life. It is only you whose tears can melt even the man’s heart and wrath can disrupt a society. It is not that I say that you are superior to man but what I say is you are much more than just being their equals. Do not let people question your dignity. If Shakti has the form of Parvati, goddess of fertility, love, family, devotion and wealth then she also has the form of Kali, the goddess of destruction and uncontrollable wrath. Always remember what Swamiji has said- Women must be put in a position to solve their own problems in their own way. No one can or ought to do this for them. And our Indian women are much more capable of doing it as anyone in this world. Gender is merely a bodily distinction, there is no such distinction for the soul. The idea of perfect womanhood is their understanding what being independent actually means.
– Shomik Das Gupta