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Richa Kashyap Bhaskar being an army wife, wishes to write about the challenges they face in pursuing a full-time career and how technology can help them overcome these challenges.
Every month, the Women’s Web team identifies three contributors whose work has really resonated with readers, who have brought something new and impactful to our community. This September 2018, Richa Kashyap Bhaskar is one of our featured Authors of the Month.
Richa through her articles express a working women’s plight and a need for women to be strong by standing up for themselves. She also writes about, travel, relationships and what not. You can read Richa Kashyap’s articles here at Women’s Web.
Authors are often asked this question, but everyone has their own reasons, very personal to them. So, why do you write?
Being an introvert, I have always been less expressive verbally. And therefore, writing has always been my primary way of expression. I enjoy writing so much that I ended up choosing writing as a profession. Though professionally I mostly write about technology and modern-age communication, on the personal front, I write satires on a modern day social evils.
What do you enjoy reading? Does any of it help your writing?
I read anything and everything. I simply enjoy the process of reading. So, I can read anything from a software manual to a Harry Potter book or an Amitabh Ghosh novel with 100% percent interest. Reading helps me widen my horizon of thinking. Different types of content give me insight into the psychology of different kinds of readers as well as fellow writers, which helps me keep my writing contemporary and relevant.
When it comes to writing on/for/about women, what questions and issues drive you the most?
There are three issues that irk me the most:
As I come from a family where me and my brother were given equal opportunities for almost everything in life, I, now, find it strange when some women around me expect me to justify my choices to traveling for work frequently, not being able to cook regularly, and my husband’s involvement in the day-to-day household chores.
Two funny yet unnerving instances that I can’t forget are: One woman told me that if I don’t start cooking soon, it’s a matter of time, my husband will regret the marriage. Another woman, in her late 40s, said that women shouldn’t burden their husbands with domestic issues as husbands slog the whole day to earn money. And I don’t know how many people so far have suggested to me to quit my high-paying job to be able to support my husband with his career.
Could you narrate an issue or incident in your life which you think was gender-related, and you handled it in a way that has made you proud.
There are many. One particular incident that I remember is, ‘being chided for retaining my maiden name’. Someone said that girls these days are so full of self that they can’t even accept their husband’s surname. I responded by saying, “I am sure my husband is quite selfless and wouldn’t mind replacing his surname with mine if you think successful marriages are only about sharing a surname”.
Though I had retained my maiden name after marriage simply to avoid confusing people in my professional network with a new name, I was surprised to see how it was presented as a form of rebellion against misogyny. Looking back at the incident as well as my decision to retain my maiden name, I am quite proud that I didn’t bow down under any kind of social pressure. I did what I felt was best for me.
What are the things you would like to write about in the future for Women’s Web?
After the Supreme Court’s decision to strike off Section 377, I have been thinking about speaking to homosexual women about their challenges and writing their stories.
I also wish to write about how young women can prepare themselves to challenge the misogyny prevalent beyond the safe four walls of their home.
As an army wife, I also wish to offer my perspective on the challenges we face in pursuing a full-time career and how technology can now help overcome these challenges.
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People say that women are the greatest enemies of women. I vehemently disagree. It is the patriarchal mindset that makes women believe in the wrong ideology.
The entire world celebrates International Women’s Day on March 8, 2024. It should be a joyful day, but unfortunately, not all women are entitled to this privilege, as violence against women is at its peak. The experience of oppression pushes many women to choose freedom. As far as patriotism is concerned, feminism is not a cup of tea in this society.
What happens when a woman decides to stand up for herself? Does this world easily accept the decisions of women in this society? What inspires them to be free of the clutches of the oppression that women have faced for ages? Most of the time, women do not get the chance to decide for themselves. Their lives are always at the mercy of someone, which can be their parents, siblings, husband, or children.
In some cases, women do not feel the need to make any decisions. They are taught to obey the patriarchal system, which makes them believe that they are right. In my family, I was never taught to make decisions on my own. It was always my parents who bought dresses and all that I needed.
14 years after her last feature film Dhobi Ghat, storyteller extraordinaire comes up with her new film, Laapataa Ladies, a must watch.
*Some spoilers alert*
Every religion around the world dictates terms to women. The onus is always on women to be ‘modest’ and cover their faces and bodies so men can’t be “tempted”, rather than on men to keep their eyes where they belong and behave like civilized beings. So much so that even rape has been excused on the grounds of women eating chowmein or ‘men will be men’. I think the best Hindi movie retort to this unwanted advice on ‘akeli ladki khuli tijori ki tarah hoti hai’ (an alone woman is like an open jewellery box) came from Geet in Jab We Met – Kya aap gyan dene ke paise lete hain kyonki chillar nahin hain mere paas.
The premise of Laapataa Ladies is beautifully simple – two brides clad in the ghunghat that covers their identity get mixed up on a train. Within this Russian Doll, you get a comedy of errors, a story of getting lost, a commentary on patriarchy’s attitude towards women, a mystery, and a tale of finding oneself, all in one. Done with a mostly light touch that has you laughing and nodding along.
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