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I met Meghna Girish a few days ago. She is truly an inspiration with her calm voice and soft words, that hide a pain that can never go away - of the loss of her son.
I met Meghna Girish a few days ago. She is truly an inspiration with her calm voice and soft words, that hide a pain that can never go away – of the loss of her son.
Women and Strength.
On how many parlances can we weigh a women’s strength? Probably several. Here and there, we hear stories about how a lady has thrown off her shackles and made a mark for herself. But, then you know, there are women out there who are broken from inside, and yet they have lit up others’ lives with everything they have.
I had the privilege to meet a soul like that at the #OrangeFlower event at Bangalore, by Women’s Web.
I met Meghna Girish.
No. She isn’t a celebrity. Or an activist. Or a crusader, for that matter. She is just a woman who has her heart at the right place. A mother. Mother of Martyr Major Akshay Girish, who laid down his life fighting terrorists at his camp at Nagrota, J&K on 29th Nov 2016.
Anything to do with the army is close to my heart. Maybe because of the connect that I grew up with. I have followed Major Girish’s journey closely. Seen his funeral on TV. Saw this lady by her son’s slain body, standing stoic and dignified. And, then started reading her blogs ever since she started to write.
I heard her the other day. Speaking about how things unfolded on that fateful day. There was not even slightest quiver in her voice. She wore a smile as if that’s her most precious jewel. She talked of hope. She talked about strength. She talked about how to make others’ lives better. And, then she spoke about how grief is so personal, and that everyone has their own way of dealing with it.
For her, it was writing.
I met her later that evening. Held her warm hands. Looked into those sad, but deep eyes. Charismatic. Very very pleasing demeanour. Softly she held me and asked, “You write?” I said. “Yes.” And then she smiled and said, “Then you know writing is easier than speaking.” It is difficult to speak about him, you know.
I nod. Words failing like never before.
I left the event early. But, I came back with an experience I will hold dear to my heart for the rest of my life. I had only read her words. Obliviously. Now, I will read her through those eyes, smile and the warmth of her touch. I will.
Meghna Girish, ladies and gentlemen. A mother who lost her thirty year old son. Now, she anchors the entire family. A woman, who knows what grief is. A woman who knows what life is. Perhaps.
And, she smiles. She inspires. She lives.
Here is her blog.
Thank you Women’s Web. I will be eternally grateful to you for this. I mean it.
An avid reader, a blogger, a book reviewer, a freelancer writer and an aspiring author. She has an opinion about everything around. And through her writings she reaches out to the world. A mother of read more...
Women's Web is an open platform that publishes a diversity of views, individual posts do not necessarily represent the platform's views and opinions at all times.
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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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