Check out 16 Return-To-Work Programs In India For Ambitious Women Like You!
An elegy for choice, an illusion we offer our girls, and as an extension, our women. Because how dare they think for themselves, right?!
“beta! have you decided on what stream you will be taking?” father chides, well-meaning and jovial as ever.
“arrey, arrey! what nonsense-schmonsense this is!” mother says, chiming in. “let girl take what she want!” she proclaims, defiantly staring my father down.
he matches it with his signature grin, and begins his long monologue, god knows how long he’d prepared it for. “beta…you see! the world is heading in a good way! in a science way! its important to take what you want, whatever you like. see…you must have interest! like bank loan!
you must do what you want, yes, yes! whatever you’re wanting! anything! …as long as it’s science!”
i wonder is anything truly my choice?
you can choose to follow your dreams as long as it makes you money
you can choose to work as long as your husband allows it
you can choose to wear what you want as long as it isn’t too revealing
you can choose to use a pad or a menstrual cup as long as you don’t talk about it
you can choose to be anything you want to be as long as it’s straight, cis
you can choose to worship any god as long as its your parent’s as well
you can choose to dream as long as you know
that’s all it is…
what is choice? is it mine? is it yours? is it a collective?
no choice is an illusion
choice is taking the longer road to the exact same place just to prove you’re right
choice is choosing between two left feet to dance
choice is including someone as long as you’re not left out
choice is when even no means yes and a flower is bruised
choice is to find your own voice in a sea of others’ echoes
choice is the lies we’re fed
choice is nothing at all
Image source: a still from the film Mohabbatein
I am Janani Balaji. A grade 10 student, 15 years old and passionate about writing stories, art and poetry. I feel strongly about gender equality, body issues and mental wellness. 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.
Stay updated with our Weekly Newsletter or Daily Summary - or both!
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.
Please enter your email address