I am very proud to be born as a woman. Man and woman are absolutely interdependent; one is incomplete without the other. The most beautiful relationship in this world is the relationship between a woman and a man, be it beloved-lover, wife-husband, mother –son, sister-brother or just two soul mates, so I do not promote any idea of feminism, for me there is a man in every woman and a woman in every man.
Well now coming to the point: on this occasion of International women’s day Mr S K Kulkarni is releasing his book titled” WOMEN IN HINDU SOCIETY” on 13th March at Nehru Centre at 6 pm the book is worth your collection.
THE AUTHOR:
Mr Kulkarni has an interesting writing career! He retired from Indian audit and accounts service and took up as the Director of Finance and Administration at the Nehru Science Centre, Mumbai.
He accidently wrote a column for a news paper, which his friends liked and encouraged him to go ahead with more such columns, lo an author was born! Sometimes we ourselves do not know our hidden talents! He wrote many articles for two news papers “The Daily” and “ Free Press Journal” and a monthly magazine “ One India One People” His articles cover a wide range of topics and have been highly appreciated by readers. So far he has authored four books: Perceptions, Challenges, Focus and Hinduism: Triumphs and Tribulations. The last book is translated into Kannada and Marathi. After his full time work profile this octogenarian puts in consistent efforts and takes almost two years to bring out his work. A very warm, dignified person open to suggestions and discussions, Mr Kulkarni generates respect in whomever he comes across.
I was privileged to go through the manuscripts of Hinduism and also this latest work “Women in Hindu Society”
THE BOOK : WOMEN IN HINDU SOCIETY
It is a very systematic study and careful critical analysis of the status of women in India from the ancient Vedic period to modern times. His style of narration is simple, supported with facts and figures and references, which makes it a passionate read.
THE FIRST CHAPTER: “The Girl Child: Birth and Education” covers the status of a girl child, female infanticide and female education from the ancient period to the twentieth century, review of education policy of 1886 and role of Social reformers like Gurudev Tagore ( whom I hold in great esteem), Jyotiba Phule and Maharshi Karve.
THE SECOND CHAPTER: “Marriage and Widowhood” begins with reference to Biblical story of Adam and Eve, how natural instinct of co-habitation was bestowed upon animals and humans, how humans thought of relationships culminating in family using their intellectual ability is fascinating. He also describes different forms marriages and rituals, covering different communities in India, then widowhood and the plight of widows.
As I went through this chapter I could not help thinking about the plight of women even today when we brag of moving shoulder to shoulder with men in almost every sphere of life. Still women are ill treated and subdued, incidents like rape, dowry death, wife battering, physical torture, female foeticide and infanticide are at least reported sometimes but what about the un reported torture in every woman’s life? Single woman whether she is a spinster, a divorcee, or a widow is not safe at all. Her very status of loneliness is taken as her desperation and any man young or old, married or un married is eager to exploit her, why? Married women are raped in bed rooms by their own husbands, working women are molested..... But why, I really fail to understand. Only way out I think is up to every woman to stand up for her dignity and protect herself, rather than blaming men or society.
THE THIRD and FOURTH CHAPTER : Repression and exploitation of women I and II covers extensively such facts that are really disturbing.
THE FIFTH CHAPTER: Empowerment of women highlights the constitutional as well as legal provisions and economic and political empowerment.
THE SIXTH AND LAST CHAPTER : Manu on Women, is really interesting. It has been my experience that everybody for sure knows one statement of Manu, “ Na Stree Swatantryam Arhati” which translates to “NO woman deserves freedom / independence” even though they may not know who Manu is!
Yes Manu did say “ Pita Rakshati Koumare Bharta Rakshati Youvane . Rakshanti Sthavire Putra Na Stree Swatantryamarhati” ( Manu : 9.3) which means “ A woman needs to be protected by her father in her childhood, by her husband in youth, by her son in her old age and so a woman does not deserve any freedom” we have to view this in the social context that existed in 5th Century BC which is obviously not relevant or acceptable today. But the same Manu has said “ Yatra Naryastu Pujyante Ramante Tatra Devataha. Yatraitasrtu Na Pujyante Sarvastatraphalaha Kriyaha,( manu Smriti 3.56) which translates to “ wherever ( family / household) women are worshiped or held in high esteem, the Gods and Deities reside there happily and where they are not respected all actions remain un fruitful” thus Manu’s views on women create a lot of controversies in our minds.
Why only Manu or other Indian sages like Angirasa, Yagnyvalka are blamed of holding women in poor esteem, even the great philosophers like Plato and Aristotle of the western world too considered women as un intelligent, weak, incapable of taking any worthy decision and Plato kept them just one strata above the slaves, needless to say slaves were never considered as humans. May be this kind of placement of women was based on the fact that men had greater physical strength and valour than women, physical strength and valour were very important for ancient Greeks. Nevertheless Plato also believed that women were integral part of the society, who made excellent home makers, mothers and care takers without whose support no progress in society was possible.
The mindset of society about women that has its roots dating back to many centuries ago is of course going to take its own time for its complete eradication. But the change has started long back, women are emerging stronger each day with the support of men who are their integral part and all women like me will patiently and definitely wait for that day when women will be equal to men in the real literal sense of the word.
A well written article. I specially liked your observation that 'there is a man in every woman and a woman in every man'. Yes, it is only then that things like empathy and understanding spring-up adding a mutually enriching dimension to the man-woman relationship.
ReplyDeleteAlthough there is a change in the attitude of men towards women of late, the number of such men is too small to feel happy about. What is quite disturbing is that many of the so called 'highly educated' and successful men are among those who hold a very narrow view about women and refuse to treat them as their equals. They probably don't realize that by doing so they are only exhibiting their weakness and the sense of insecurity.
Looking at the issue realistically, I feel that it is always the fittest who have survived and the strongest who have progressed. It applies equally to all women. Has the world been any different to the likes of Indira Gandhi, Margaret Thatcher, Rukmini Arundale, Kamaladevi Chattopadhyaya or our present day icons like Hillary Clinton, Indra Nooyi, Naina Kidwai, Chanda Kochar to name a few? Even the likes of Kittur Rani Chennamma and Jhansi Rani Lakshmibai made it to whatever they did, fighting against very many odds. If they were well supported by their men, it was like an extra bonus. Well, I pray - 'may their tribe increase'.
As expressed by Muralidhar KIttur via E-mail
ReplyDeleteI went through the contents. You have expressed your views very lucidly. Keep it up