Women...Are they inferior?

As the recent Sabarimala controversy continues to rock the country, the priests and women activists anxiously wait for the capricious verdict from the Supreme Court. But what I fail to understand is what is wrong with women entering the holy portal?

The Sabarimala shrine, where women between the ages of 10 and 55 are strictly prohibited, is a shrine to male celibacy. Lord Ayappan is said to be the god of the brahmachari. In that case even married men should not me allowed. If women are allowed into Sabarimala, says the thantri, the entire edifice of the temple will collapse and the very reason for the arduous pilgrimage will be nullified. Under the camouflage of traditions, they want to emphasize that religion is pure and women are dirty. The perverted hatred of woman’s body. Purity….How do you mete this quality? Is purity limited to anatomy? What about integrity of soul? Does that insinuate that men entering the sanctified portal are free of malevolence? Forget the common man, even the so called descendants of God succumb under the pressure of meretricious iniquity.

The deeper question is…Are religions hostile to women? Woman is blessed with the inimitable potential of nurturing a new life in her womb. When the nature itself has bestowed her position next to God, who are we mortals to challenge the decision? This issue is not limited to sabarimala; it extends to day today life as well where womanhood is condemned as sin. In most nuclear families it becomes a period of oppression for the woman when the Ayyappa season begins. The kind of trauma a woman undergoes due to this primitive and distorted belief is not yet being debated. It is a silent scream.

With women attempting revolutionary changes to alter the outlook of society which is primitively male dominated, these religious fallacies prove to be major hurdles. The religions are on collision course with modernity, and unless religions reform themselves, societies will never change. So to change the society we have to instigate people to contemplate, instead of meekly accepting the meaningless customs and traditions. Equality among sexes can achieved only if there is social parity and this can be attained only by changing the mindset of the people.

Silken Strands Of Love

When bonds are strong and emotions run deep,
Blood-ties turn immaterial and fervent affiliations reap;
Words seem scarce to express my love for you brother,
And hope this liaison retains its glory forever;

Your soulful eyes, dazzling yet coy;
Your cherubic face, that radiates with joy;
Your caring words and priceless advice,
Bro, you are so affectionate, loving and nice;

On this propitious day, as the sun rise and earth bow,
As the birds triumph the sky and exhilaration comes in tow;
I tie you this silken strand to mark my platonic ardor,
And wish you loads of happiness and success in all your endeavors.

Unsaluted Heroes!

It was an exhausting Thursday. Monotonous lectures had drained me out and I slumped into the comforts of my cushion. I switched on my loyal partner (in crime) and enqueued some of Lata favorites on winnamp. “Aye mere watan ke logon…” Lata’s voice crooned imbibing a nostalgic feel to the jingoistic piece. My mind went through emotional turbulence as always.

Have you ever imagined yourself in the shoes of our altruistic soldier who battles at the border to safeguard our country? 15000 ft above…cold and lonely…chilly winds spanking violently…he crawls up the cruel rugged terrain. It is fear, raw, unalloyed, unrelenting.... and yet he moves, slowly but with determination to fight for the nation. To die for the nation. He scrambles up with the gnawing fear that he may never see his 5 year old daughter again. The sweet little thing with wagging ponytail whose smile lightens up his world…her sparkling eyes…her clinkering giggles… he might not be there for her. It isn’t feared…it’s just a wishful regret. Fear is not in his dictionary. Death is not what matters. What matters to him is the pride of his motherland. Triumphing over obscurity, he proceeds to overpower his tryst with destiny

‘Jab desh mein thi diwali

Vo khel rahe the holi

Jab ham baithe the gharon mein

Vo jhel rahe the goli’

What a noble soul! With this world filled with selfish people and uncertain objectives, our infantrymen strive towards a gallant purpose. ‘What makes them choose armed forces with so many lucrative professions around’…I tried to ponder…Is it the money they are getting from the government... (lol)? Is it the fame which drives them towards this supreme sacrifice? Or is it the pride that one takes in being an Indian? It is nothing but boundless love for motherland

But do our relentless warriors get the honor they deserve? We certainly cannot reimburse the sacrifice but we can at least acknowledge their gallant feat… What say?