I do not
drink, do not smoke, and I am religious. But most importantly, I do not judge a
person who wants to enjoy a drink or two, or smoke. I don’t belief about
pre-marital sex and who cares about my disapproval for it. These are my values
and what I believe in, and are applicable only for me. For others, they have
every right to live the way they want. That's their human right. They are
equally right in their way of life, just the way I think, I am.
I have
heard remarks on the US, UK & other developed country from several of
my Indian friends who talk about their non-existent culture. (I am very sure
that these people would jump into the airplane, the very moment they get a
chance to settle down in those places). They cannot be more wrong. In those
places, more than culture I see humanity. People here know how to respect each
other. In the streets of India, I have seen many men staring at girls with
those dirty eyes, and making inappropriate comments. In US, UK or other
developed country, I have seen giving compliments on girls’ looks but never
with the wrong/dirty intention. Here they enjoy beauty in women and respect it.
It is up to us if we want to preserve our
culture. But let's first start with ourselves, and then our children and not
with the random confident and glamorous woman you see on the street. Let's
implement rules on ourselves, and not for others to follow. Let's preach our
culture, but not deny any one of their human rights. Let's abolish the
narrow-mindedness in people that makes them believe that a woman should cloth
or behave in a particular way, so that a man does not misbehave with her. The
problem is not with woman's clothing. If that is the case than, why small girl
Childs were also raped, molested by their neighbors, relatives or
strangers? It is inside the mind of the
sociopath. We should not judge what is right or wrong for others, but for
ourselves. No matter how a woman dresses in public, no man should commit a
heinous crime like rape.
Today
our women are more educated than ever and they can do their own thinking, as to
what is morally right or wrong for them. If a man's clothing in India has
changed from dhoti/kurta to t-shirts and jeans, so has a woman's. She is now
carefree; she is equally glamorous and confident in a mini skirt as she is in a
saree.
Our
culture teaches us to respect our elders. But it doesn't teach us to stand up
for ourselves if anybody elder tries to harm us. That is wrong. In our culture,
we worship “Shakti (Goddess)”, but pass dirty looks on women wearing even a
saree. I find it ridiculous that a significant number of men who worship
goddess in various form and talk about how mighty and superior she is compared
to other Gods; they never accept that men and woman are having equal rights.
They will bow down to the Goddess, but act superior to their own wives not
giving them the mutual respect. That's wrong. Our culture teaches us to forgive
and forget, but not to protest for the betterment of our future! That is wrong.
While the goodness of our culture is something we should be proud of, it is not
something we should live for. It is necessary that we do not blindly believe in
any form of culture, but in humanity. And humanity is the supreme culture.
I love my country. But when I see today's
woman not being able to walk around freely and without fear; when I hear about
the brutal rape cases which are on the rise(more than any other time), it aches
my heart. I hope you all bring awareness to those of your male and female
friends, who think otherwise. Let's teach others, that if a woman travels late
at night/wears revealing clothes/drinks alcohol/parties/smokes, it's not a
welcome sign to touch her inappropriately/molest or rape her.
The male
dominant society in India needs to change. I hope it does, and that men and
woman in India become more sensitive and open to these issues. I sure have
changed my point of view. There was a time in my life when I was a nerd (bore),
did not party (well, I am still not a party animal) or thought badly of the
women who smoke/drink alcohol. But now, I can't remember how long ago that was.
The only reason I would think bad of them is if it affects their health or
family.
Hence, today, I am more human than I have ever
been. And I hope my Indian friends who think otherwise, would give this a
thought. Let's build a better society where there are no more
rapes/assaults/molestations and women are treated equally, not only in words
but also in action.
