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Remembering Sarojini Naidu, the ‘Nightingale Of India’, who was a prolific writer, renowned poet as well as a prominent politician, especially active in the matter of women's inclusion in public life.
Remembering Sarojini Naidu, the ‘Nightingale Of India’, who was a prolific writer, renowned poet as well as a prominent politician, especially active in the matter of women’s inclusion in public life.
Born in 1879, Sarojini Naidu was a child prodigy. She was always a topper in her studies and proficient in several languages. Still in her teens, she traveled to England to continue her studies, and it was there that she met her soon-to-be husband Dr. Muthyala Govindarajulu Naidu.
Young Sarojini Naidu got involved in the Indian independence movement around 1905, and was an active participant in India’s struggles. She traveled quite extensively around India offering her support to help the needy and oppressed, and has been especially vocal about the inclusion of women in public life, leading by example.
– For awakening a passion and vigour in people through her literary talent – For following her heart, be it to marry the man she chose or to fight for the cause she chose – For leaving a legacy of some of the most valuable literary treasures – For working towards the emancipation of the weak and empowerment of women
“We want a new breed of men before India can be cleansed of her disease.”
This is especially relevant now, with the increasing violence against women, with toxic masculinity surging – rare are the men who truly consider women an equal!
“When there is oppression, the only self-respecting thing is to rise and say this shall cease today, because my right is justice. If you are stronger, you have to help the weaker boy or girl both in play and in the work.”
Note – that she does not include only the boys and men, and that she posits justice as a right we should all have.
Shall hope prevail where clamorous hate is rife, Shall sweet love prosper or high dreams have place Amid the tumult of reverberant strife
Need I say anything about this? Just that the lines are almost prophetic, and her vision aligns closely with that of Rabindranath Tagore in his poem Where The Mind Is Without Fear.
In 1925 Sarojini Naidu was elected as the President of the Indian National Congress, and following India’s independence she became the Governor of Uttar Pradesh. Many of her literary works such as The Golden Threshold, The Bird Of Time, The Broken Wing have been read widely and critically acclaimed.
Sarojini Naidu passed away in 1949.
*Photo credit: Old Indian Photos
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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.
It is shameful that in today's world too, women are abused and even killed for giving birth to a girl, and the infant's life is also of no value.
Trigger Warning: This deals with domestic violence, suicide, and violence against women, and may be triggering to survivors.
I am so glad that the esteemed courts are now giving the much-required verdicts regarding certain ideologies that were not at all entertained earlier. I mean we all have studied this much biology at our school level and it is our duty (our generation) to educate our elders about it.
Why someone have to lose a life to bring such awareness to the society. Delhi High Court gave this judgement concerning a case that filed by the deceased daughter’s parents against her in-laws. She committed suicide as she was harassed and tortured for dowry and giving birth to two daughters.
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