Freedom..what is that? I am a girl..

Freedom, did you say? please say again?

I don't understand, don't know the meaning

will you please explain? elaborate?

how do you pronounce it? F-R-E-E-D-O-M

Don't look so shocked, so bewildered

I have never uttered this words, never told

I am a "Girl" born in India, allowed 

to breathe, to come In the world, not killed

Yes, that was my only act of free will,

during childhood, I was told to stop playing

for girls don't play, they become dark you see

When those boys leered at me, 

I was told to keep my head down and walk away

Ruins in Lepakshi- the ancient story of women

Self respect did you say? again what is it?

I chose to wear a skirt, they whistled at me

They said it's against culture, as they 

stripped me naked with their hungry eyes

for how I dared wear "anything that I want?"

Rights did you say? again what is it?

I wanted to study higher, but there was a brother too

and the money had to be given to one only

and what use of me studying? My fate

was sealed, I am girl, Marriage is my future

Choice did you say? again what is it?

I was married off, with not so large money

the scars of which are still on my body

his education degrees were far higher 

than me, my self respect and self worth

Love did you say? again what is it?

Violence at home is a "In-home" matter

I only work at home you know? Don't earn

Marital rape..can I even say it aloud?

I am to be a mother, only of a "SON"

What about me did you ask? 

I am to work, with no retirement plans

to be looked down by my son, 

I am a widow, with no rights anymore

to even live as a human being

You look sad? but why? for me is it?

But I am a woman, I have to live by culture

"Indian culture", where freedom is a word

that I can't say, have or own!!

Indian culture..the logic to every absurd remark..what is it?

Apparently everything seems to be against Indian culture (if you are a girl) these days, I wonder why doesn't Indian culture never says anything to guys..Next time people should give speeches only on what IS Indian culture, atleast we will know what it says.

- Wearing clothes that you want to wear, short skirts, dresses, jeans or anything is not Indian culture

 But leching, staring, commenting on clothes and teasing is? 

Why not give lecture on Indian value to them? Why not give speeches on that? Why not tell them this is not "Bhartiya sanskriti"- I though Indian culture taught to respect women- NOT about commenting and blaming what she chooses to wear

- Going out at any hour, without the support of anybody around and specially if women choose to go to pubs

Where is it written that women can't drink, how is it against the "culture"? - Is it culture when men come drinking home and beat women?? Why don't these so called protectors of  Indian culture go and beat such men? instead of beating women who choose to do what they are doing without harming anyone.

Why would a culture be so intolerant of a harmless "individual" choice? - What I believed was any culture gives you space to be yourself with acceptance and respect.

Also, why isn't the same lecture of morality given to men? - A culture that had foundations in equality has become so unequal? 

- Coming to acceptance and respect- how is it that a sexual preference is against Indian culture? 

Was khajuraho made by aliens who wanted to defy Indian culture? How is that a culture that was build on the foundation of tolerance has become so intolerant towards certain sections of society and dominated by the will of certain? Who put these people on the dais and told them they are the proponents of Indian Culture?

Indian culture or any culture is made by society, it goes through turns with changing times and it adapts. Holding it as a sword to slay certain sections of society particularly women isn't correct. Is it culture to marry young girls? but prevent them from choosing their life partners? Is it culture to rape, beat women? but prevent them from choosing what they wear?  

The sultry dark night and food..

The sultry dark night, illuminated with the flickering candlelight

promise of invigorating conversation, and mischievous laughter

small wooden table amid-st the enchanting flower trees,

decorated with antique borosil diya lights..

The warm scent of the sultry cinnamon infused

green tea, with the whiff of pomegranate

the deep light green reflecting the warmth

as it swirled in the piccolo cups..inviting..

The deep red bell peppers contrasted with

the playful yellow, and the tangy orange ones

lightly sauteed, bathed in the light red

of the tomato sauce, spiked with basil and oregano

The soft strands of spaghetti swirled

in the scent of the garlic in the tomato sauce

the sprinkling of the olive oil coating the herbs

colours clashed with each other in the glass bowl

The warm zucchini salad, splashed in colours of yellow

sparkled in the melamine plates, dancing

on the green lettuce leaves, with hint of vinegar

slightly soft, inviting, in the cool breeze

The dinner continued late in the night

as the steel of the forks and knives clashed with

the beautiful, symmetrical glass and melamine

carrying away the snippets of laughter, love!

The post is a part of "My Beautiful Food", contest at Indiblogger, 

Borosil- http://www.myborosil.com/

Why do we stop caring?

The morning newspaper lying down 

I sit with the hot steaming cup of coffee

the headlines announce, in bold letters

an acid attack case, and I gasp

in horror and disbelief once again

The story reads, like many other

of a woman who dared to say "NO"

attacked with the brutal corroding acid

carelessly thrown over her face, arms

as she gasped for breath, and life

The attacker with the audacity to justify

"he just wanted to be with her,

it's her fault, she refused him"

nonchalantly, he carries on living

knowing his life is not affected

Image source: www.rangerart.com

He burnt her skin, her flesh

the pain more so emotionally

the motions in the clock stopped,

as she lives between hospitals

awaiting justice, for she is THE victim

As people stare at her face,

she wants to hide, but for which crime?

she stopped her education, but why?

the life for her has changed, should it?

I sigh deeply, with no answers

But I carry on with my day, like usual

just like the attacker, as the justice weeps

I see somebody walking by, her face covered

her eyes lock with mine, and I can see the pain

the unsaid, unspoken pain..

And I hang my head in shame,

I care, but what more than just reading the news?

what more than debating and discussing?

why don't we have more stringent punishment?

how can somebody destroy someone's life?

and not even be punished?

I think of you..

When the dark night darkens

And the clouds are thundering

I think of you,

I wrap myself in the blanket

Of warmth, love and care

All of which are you..

When the sun shines hard

And the day never seems to end

I think of you,

the umbrella of shade

Of hope, of dreams and aspirations

All of which are you..

My reflection..

When I stare at myself in mirror

And reflect back sadness,

I think of you,

And the reflection smiles back

Makes me laugh, confident

That reflection is you..

You are my dream, my smile

My shade in the harshest sun

My umbrella in thunderous rain

But most of all you are my essence..

My Role Model..Who taught me to be who I am..

I am writing about #MyRoleModel as a part of the activity by Gillette India in association with BlogAdda.com.

How do you define who is a role model? Not just somebody in whose steps you want to follow, not just somebody who you admire, not just somebody who inspires you, not just somebody who teaches you to dream..its all of these things and more!

My Father, who taught me how to be just me, who taught me I can be anything..that I should dream to fly and understand that I will be hurt, will be lost, will need to say no..

Thanks for being my role model, I am only because you are…

MOM: My essence!!

When I look inside me, I find you

Lost, alone, depressed; I look around, I find you

When I look for inspiration, I find you

love, compassion, selfless, all these are you..

MOM..I can never say in words how much I love you!

Image source: parties.coloringcrew.com


This post is a part of Write Over the Weekend, an initiative for Indian Bloggers by BlogAdda