Wishing all women around the globe, regardless of their diverse backgrounds including race, size, shape, age, ethnicity, and sexual orientation, a joyous International Women’s Day!
In today's age, the concept of Women’s Day has become so ingrained in our culture that we often overlook the fact that it should be foreign to us as Indians. This isn't because Indian women haven't celebrated their womanhood or taken pride in their identity, but rather because there was never a necessity to label themselves as inherently different.
Consider Gargi, mentioned in the Vedas, who engaged in a profound spiritual debate on the existence of God with Yagnavalkya in the court of King Janak, over 4500 years ago. Nowhere in this ancient narrative is Gargi depicted as marginalized or submissive. In fact, she confidently challenged Yagnavalkya when others conceded defeat.
Reflect on the dancing girl, immortalized in the statue proudly displayed at Delhi’s National Museum, dating back over 4000 years. Her posture exudes confidence, every inch of her figure radiating strength.
Delve into our epics, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, and explore the rich depth of female characters. From Sita's feat of lifting the Shiv Dhanush to Draupadi fearlessly confronting her husbands, Subhadra eloping with Arjun, Satyavati boldly stating her conditions to marry King Shantanu, our proto-history is replete with examples of strong, assertive women who stood as equal to men.
This is evident from the fashion in which women are immortalized in the temple sculptures across the length and breadth of India
Even in more recent history, figures like Jijabai, Shivaji’s mother, and Ahilyadevi Holkar, Rani Laxmibai, Rani Chennama, and other warrior queens, demonstrated remarkable strength, commitment, and leadership.
The notion of labeling women as the weaker sex is a Western import. While Western societies historically deprived women of basic rights, Indian women, as depicted in our heritage, were anything but submissive or inferior. Unfortunately, with the influence of Western and Islamist ideologies, the purdah system emerged, leading some Indian women to internalize notions of inferiority and submission.
It's disheartening to witness that even today, many Indian women adhere to colonial and oppressive ideologies, forgetting the strength and resilience of their ancestors. On this Women’s Day, let us remember the bold, empowered women of our past, like the dancing girl, and draw inspiration from their legacy to forge a future where every woman embraces her innate power and agency.
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