Sunday 5 July 2015

Not Another Open Letter

Dear All,

I would like to address a popular topic which created a rage because an actress chose to voice her opinion through Twitter and was targeted and insulted. '#SelfieWithDaughter'. An initiative endorsed by our Prime Minister. Clearly, he's a social media enthusiast, but who isn't these days? 

We live in a democracy; no one is denied an opinion here but I honestly don't get people's problems. I know posting a photo on Facebook with a hashtag is not going to make a world of a difference. It's not going to drastically reduce female infanticide either. 

But there is one misogynist father out there who cursed his wife in the morning because she didn't bear a son. The one who does puja every morning, begging God to bestow him with an heir to his royal legacy that is as great as a Kirana Store somewhere in Malad. Maybe that disgruntled father will see all these updates posted by several proud fathers (like mine) and maybe he will get affected. Maybe he will feel something; maybe he will learn something. There are several maybes in my sentence but there are endless possibilities.



A cheesy Hindi quote comes to my mind which is so apt in this scenario, "Boond boond se sagar banta hai". It's effortless, it's widespread. If it were Daughter's Day, you would post it; but since it's a campaign propagated by the government, you criticise it. All in all, I know change is required at a grass-root level and probably, this movement's contribution will be minuscule but it's not hurting anyone! If you don't want to participate, don't. No one is forcing you. But mocking people who are participating, is just not done. 

This is my opinion. I am open towards any initiative that will reduce the patriarchy in our society and improve the lives of women who are subjected to constant patronisation just because they belong to the so-called 'weak' sex. 

Regards,
Ria