This is the first time I am putting up something serious on a public portal. But I feel there is a strong need to do so, for more reasons than one. Let me not be a bore by talking about reasons and get down straight to the point - the reasons will become obvious on their own.
Well, to start with let me say that we claim of living in the 21st century and belonging to GenY who is fiercely independent and confident about themselves. We claim that we are learned, have earned multiple degrees and have successful white collar jobs. We claim to be bold, open minded and rational individuals who have learned through experiences more than just hearsay. We claim to believe in equality and do not hesitate in voicing out our opinions strongly against discrimination of any sort. We claim we look down upon the silly superstitions and rituals that do not follow logic or reasons of today's age. We claim to have gone beyond the age of rules to an age of rationalism. We claim these and a million more things that give us an image of being a fair, just and open minded individual of the 21st century.
Having said that, these are nothing but so called CLAIMS that we make about ourselves. How many of us actually practice it on a daily basis? How many of us can truly state for a fact that they truly do not carry out any sort of discrimination themselves? Despite having claimed to be a person of a particular kind, what happens when the time comes to adhere to them? Why can't most people stand up for what they claim about? If you are not going to follow it, why make false claims in the first place?
We say we live in an era of equality where men and women must be treated as equals. Yet, when it comes to his own self, a guy expects to marry a homely girl who will stay home and do nothing beyond the domestic chores and putting up a smile for the husband when he comes home - tired and exhausted and completely ignorant of the challenges that his wife has faced through the day. A woman would want the prettiest girl in the world for her son ignoring the flaws in her own blood. The so called claims of equality fall to zero when it comes to the matter of marriage. The guy's family would still have their nasty demands - a lavish wedding, a houseful of dowry and an upper hand in the relationship for a lifetime.
Where does the so called rationalism disappear at such times? What happens to the fair and just and open minded individual of the 21st century then? The double standards of the society fail to make sense to me each time I encounter such incidences.
I am not here to change the world through a few goody goody words. But I do wish. I do wish to live in an unbiased world. I do wish to be in a place where there is no bondage in the way I can talk or dress or think or act. I do wish to be in a place where one is not looked down upon for merely being a girl, where her place in the house is not restricted to the kitchen alone, where she can dine with her family and share her feelings with an open heart, where she is respected for the person that she really is. I wish to live without fear. I wish of a place where I can BREATHE FREE.
Is it too much to ask for?
