When our Hon’ble Prime Minister bows down before every form of Womanhood, he’s is simply upholding the ancient traditions and culture of Bharat Varsh honouring Womanhood which represents the Nourishing Spirit of Humanity in its many Divine forms as Goddess Durga, Saraswati, Kali, Maha Laxmi and many more that Nourish, Enlighten, Enrich and Protect while also Destroying Evil.
From times immemorial, Bharatiya Sanskriti has worshipped Womanhood and our scriptures, mythology & history are full of anecdotes eulogising Women as an Omnipotent Creator, Sustainer and Destroyer. Coincidentally this year’s International Women’s Day comes on Maha Shivratri wherein we seek blessings of Lord Shiva also known as Ardha Narishwar, the Unified Male and Female form of Divinity which in modern terms symbolizes Gender Equality & Inclusivity for Growth of Humanity.
Our ancestors have always upheld Women Empowerment but the influence of invading cultures lead to dilution of our traditional women-centric society and continues to raise challenges in achieving the ideals of Women Empowerment and Gender Equality. We’re in a constant state of advancement as our State and Society strives to eradicate Gender Discrimination and Break the Glass Ceiling’s.
Contemporary Bharat has witnessed pathbreaking ordeals of Social Reformist Savitri Bai Phule, Freedom Fighter Rani Laxmi Bai, Space Woman Kalpana Chawla and countless others who paved the way towards Gender Equality. We must honour them by observing Total Commitment to Empower Our Woman and in doing so, Empower Bharat Mata.
While we applaud every successful woman who breaks the glass ceiling of male-dominated sectors, we fail to appreciate her Ubiquitous role as the Home Maker, her toughest role yet where she keeps excelling beyond herself while moulding Great Men and Women. Let’s acknowledge that the Celluloid ‘Wonder Woman’ is a cinematic resemblance of Our Mothers who are blessed with Supernatural Powers and a Rare Clairvoyance that enables them to protect & nurture entire humanity.
Personally, I believe that the Woman is the Spinal Column of Every Home who supports and sustains the family. Even the shortest absence of the Woman of the House is impactful than that of Man, so while applauding Women Entrepreneurs, Scientists, Engineers, Bureaucrats etc, let’s hear the Loudest Claps for the Omnipresent and Omnipotent Homemakers who mould the Geniuses who run the World.
Many consider Gender Equality an Utopian concept amidst harsh challenges of our gender biased society’s discriminatory sociocultural norms but, I personally believe we can overcome these barriers to achieve an ideal gender balance where our women can enrich themselves to thrive, prosper and achieve their individual and collective potential. For this to happen, the groundwork should begin from our homes. It’s from our humble homes that the Spark of Gender Equality will become a raging fire that will burn down all discriminatory barriers that limit the potential of Nari Shakti.
Celebrating Womanhood entails the family’s primary responsibility to inculcate Respect for Women in our children and teach them to Respect Gender Differences so that they practice and carry these values forward into the society and pass on to future generations.
Let’s understand first hand that only through Women Empowerment can we as a society evolve and progress to be a Better Humankind. Only by ending gender biases forever can we aspire to be an Egalitarian Society.
Empowering the Girl Child with Education is the most crucial step towards Women Empowerment because Knowledge will help hone their innate skills and unleash their boundless energy towards creativity and growth. Alongwith the Women grows her family and community. Equal Opportunities will help unlock their Boundless Abilities to bring Socioeconomic Growth of the Nation. When Nari Shakti is Unleashed in its true form, we shall witness unprecedented progress of an inclusive humanity thus heralding True AmritKaal.
To the Women of Today, I advocate Self-Empowerment as you no longer need the crutches of men to stand up for yourselves. At every point of conflict, be it eve-teasing, domestic violence or denial of equal rights in any form, every woman should stand up for Each Other. Unleash your Nari Shakti and Empower Yourselves.
Whilst International Women’s Day renews our commitment towards Women Empowerment and Gender Equality through Awareness, Legislation andSocial Changes, it is for our Veerangana’s to invoke their Ultimate Power as Creators of Humanity and achieve the Ultimate Potential of their Nari Shakti.
(The writer is the Hon’ble Minister for Tourism, Information Technology, Electronics and Communications, Printing and Stationary, Government of Goa)
