The Women's Day 2020

The euphoria of Panipat Pinkathon on Women's day 2019 had not yet died down and 2020 dawned upon me in a place different, on a role changed. By the time this special day of women started drawing near, I floated the idea to the elite Rotarians of Panchkula to celebrate the day as tribute of gratitude to the women who mattered as professionals, house wives, teachers, journalists and so on and so forth. The idea clicked to them and I was keenly waiting for the day to attend the function so hosted by the menfolk for expression of their thankfulness to the women from maids to Madames. In a solemn and sensitively organised function woman after woman shared their journey as doctor, as sportsperson, as a housewife. It was very enlightening to hear speakers' lauding roles not just of their mothers but also mothers-in-law and vice versa- despite all the humbug we see day in and out on TV related to this relationship in dark demonic light ! How the role of a working woman demanded act of balancing both hearth of home and the work but that the work in itself was thereupatic and healing for them - simply the whole truth- evoked in me the spntaneous appreciation of such wonderful expression . Another woman speaker asked the women in audience to speak of their one achievment last year, this , I feel, must have been provocative for all to think. More than the awards they received, the women seemed to be unequivocally voicing how awarded they felt being a woman, the wish they cherish in their next lives too to be fulfilled.

Another event was 'Youme Khawateen Mushaira' organised by the Samanvya and Mind Veda NGOs. The aura of Urdu Academy Auditorium was mesmerising when a little girl Dhara's classical musical renderings accompanied by her brother Apaar's tabla reverberated the small audi with 'ash -ash' by all present.

The release of a book followed by poetic compositions of amaeture and mature poetesses was tribute unparelleled to the women and their male counterparts and on their roles as complementary human beings rather than competitive.

I was wondering that haven't we really come a long way from feminist movement of 1980s to clamouring of 21st century women who are empowered and empowering yet bear the brunt of having to prove their mettle being looked at eagle- eyedly by the unforgiving society for their lapses that they cannot afford to make. The 'struggle' and the 'strife' is still on but the male have proven beyond any shadow of doubt their supportive attitude towards educating and empowering women as fathers, brothers or husbands.

Its comforting to feel at the end of the day that its the men who have started taking lead in organising 'celebration' of Women's Day. The gesture bespeaks of their volunteerism in recognition and support as well as keen ear to what afterall the women want to give 'the voice' to. Long live this solidarity !!