Triple Stream

WOMEN ON THE MARCH

Prof. I. V. Chalapati Rao

We find ample evidence in our Upanishads and scriptures that women in ancient India did not occupy a low position in education and society. Some of the Vedik poets and scholars were women, who distinguished themselves in many ways. They include Ghosa, Sikata, Nivavari, Gargi, Lopamudra and those who wrote hymns in Rig Veda. Sage Yajnavalka taught Brahmajnana to his wife Maitreyi. Devahoti learnt Brahmajnana from her son Kapila. Mandana Misra’s wife Ubhaya Bharati acted as an adjudicator for a scholarly disputation between her husband and Sankaracharya. There might be a few more instances of the kind, their names not known. In ancient India there was coeducation of the grown-up men and women. Taittireya Upanishad contains a reference to this, when the teacher who was about to discuss a topic in Eugenics, asked the expectant mothers to leave the class and return after the discussion. The Upanishads mention a few women as teachers. The Rig Veda mentions the name of a woman who lost her leg in a battle and got it replaced by a wooden leg. Afterwards, there was male domination. Even Manu, the law giver, speaks with two voices. Shastras were interpreted by men for women.

Today women have recaptured the ground usurped by the patriarchal forces and gender chauvinists. All over the world, particularly in India women are on the march. As Margaret Thatcher, former Prime Minister of England said, “When women become equal to men, they emerge superior to them”. There are hundreds of cases when men who are perfectly adequate and accomplished by any standards are becoming out-performed by their women in the modern work place. Women are on the wing. The new Millennium witnessed and chronicled the tremendous progress and resounding victories of women in all fields of human activity including space travel. They have quietly invaded the areas, which were hitherto the exclusive preserves of men who always tried to retain their supremacy in the male-dominated world. Now women advanced their flag in the masculine terrain.

On date there is a shift in the perception of women even in countries like India and Pakistan which used to be conservative and tradition-bound when compared to western countries like the U.S.A. and Europe. They ceased to think like the meek and docile women and started thinking like equality-conscious human beings on par with men. They began to acquire the required knowledge and skills, and work with diligence, devotion and determination to excel men. Today they are not merely teachers, nurses and doctors. They have stepped out of the mundane and routine jobs and acquitted themselves creditably as administrators, engineers, judges, business magnates, industrialists, journalists, soldiers, pilots and astronauts.

A silent revolution has taken place as women made inroads into politics and business, which were regarded till yesterday as man’s world. They have forged ahead and moved into positions of strength, handling the tough tasks and onerous responsibilities and taking hard decisions in business and managerial posts. Still, most of them are willing and able to perform the perfect balancing act between career and home. In short they are making substantial and qualitative contribution to nation-building and economic development. Helping their families through their courage and fortitude, they co-operate with their husbands in putting India on the world map.

Go to any University convocation or take a glance at any list of top-rankers in competitive examinations, you will find that women candidates are bagging all the glittering prizes and gold medals, while the boys are frittering their energies in frivolous pursuits. Besides, women have their own function. They can do things which men cannot. Moreover, they are outshining men in Fashion, Fine arts, Modeling and the Celluloid world of glitz and glamour. Yet they are running their household as homemakers and mothers. As Margaret Thatcher, the Iron Lady who ruled England as Prime Minister said, “A woman who successfully manages the complexities of a home can easily become an efficient administrator, which is the art of handling human beings”.

Women have evolved through the successive stages of education, emancipation, enfranchisement and empowerment. In general, they are morally and ethically strong. Having emerged from social captivity and gender discrimination, they are constrained to break all restraints and assert their social, economic and political rights. How long can the wily politicians prevent them from achieving their demand for one-third reservations of jobs, which is stagnating in the form of a Bill in the Parliament?

Woman is not merely the homemaker to keep the home fires burning. The new breed of Indian women reach out for the stars. They are unstoppable. Indira Gandhi ruled India as a dynamic Prime Minister. Ms. Bandaru Nayake ruled Sri Lanka, Sukarno Putri Megawaty has become the Vice-President of Indonesia. In many countries women like Mayawati, Condoleezza Rice, Angela Merkel, Nancy Pelosi and Sunita Williams are in the limelight. They have excelled in Cricket, Tennis and athletics. They are shining in all arts, games and sports including wrestling.

Despite a plethora of equality laws there is widespread gender bias against women employees. There is sexism in the board room. Negative weight is often given to a woman’s family circumstances, inspite of her professional abilities.

A world action was planned by the Women’s Association on October, 17, 2000. The theme for the world march of women is ‘Bread and Roses’. ‘Bread’ stands for the basic needs of life and ‘Roses’ signifies the demand for freedom and worthwhile lifestyle. It will not be long when brides will demand an M.O.U. from intending grooms about division of chores! Husbands are tacitly accepting their diminished status. The appreciation of their wives’ success is tempered by jealousy where their wives are the great achievers or celebrities. The hand that once rocked the cradle should rule the world. Let us look forward to that new dawn. Hats off to them!

Nomination of Mrs. Pratibha Patil by the UPA government for the post of the constitutional head, whatever the compulsion of circumstances, is a major achievement in the history of Women’s empowerment. The movement should be carried forward to pass the women’s reservation bill.