Shahnaz Husain
2016 is the year of Indian Girl Power! Girls have made India proud at Rio, bringing home Olympic medals, along with the assurance that our girls can match up to the world’s best. Sakshi won the bronze in wrestling, a so-called male domain. Sindhu bagged the silver medal in a hard fought match with a historic performance, while gymnast Dipa Karmakar got 4th position in death-defying feats. It is ironical that the unwanted girl child, who is still subjected to atrocities, has brought glory and pride to India. It also proves that a country like India, with such a large population, must be having enormous untapped talent.
The need of the hour is upliftment of women in rural areas and education of the girl child. We also have to deal with gender bias and patriarchal mindsets. Also, the quality of life needs to improve in terms of basic health care and fitness. Special attention should be given to extra-curricular activities for girls and women in rural areas. An exercise and diet regime would help both mental and physical health. Every mother should be empowered with education and financial independence, so that she can educate her girl child and inculcate the values of good health, nutritious diet and education. Good health and top level fitness are necessary for excelling in world sports events, like the Olympics. This is exactly what I had emphasized, when I lectured on woman empowerment at MIT, USA.
Indeed, the woman must realize her own potential and strength as an equal member of society. The family has to fight for change. Father and mother must value the girl child and give her equal opportunities. Changes cannot come from outside and by force. It has to come from within the society and within the family.
A woman was created to blossom and bloom, in the colours and fragrance of her choice. The way an unwatered plant becomes parched and dies, so does the personality of a woman, who is struggling to break through the shackles of social conditioning, to achieve recognition as a separate individual, with a distinct identity. The change will be complete when society recognizes that it cannot benefit from preventing the emergence of the pearl from the oyster. Then we will also see the emergence of more Sakshis, Sindhus and Dipas!
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