This world is
amazing with beautiful things around, but, one good that makes the world more
beautiful is “Woman”. It is amazing to be born as a woman in free India from
beautiful sun kissed tropical town of Rajahmundry on the banks of river
Godavari. Influenced by great ladies like my grandmother Late Smt. Pushpa Veni
and my loving mom, Smt. Hemalatha. What could have been to my life, if they did
not grow me up with stories of courage
and freedom and mold me. Hoo Alas, I could have never defined myself as I am
today.
This Woman’s day,
many organisations organise talks with influential ladies to inspire you and
one is happening in hubby’s office. Which is a good trend, but everything
begins at home.
If you can respect
a fellow woman, be it at home or at your workplace or wherever you are, that
will build a modern society without barriers. Nowadays I am amazed by young
girls coming from rural backgrounds excelling in whichever field they choose to
be in. And also today you see many
celebrities and common people coming out and sharing the assaults they had to
face in their lives be it on the Oscar stage or infront of the fmaily. Five
years back this was not the case, everyone is empowered thanks to the positive
trend. This is modern society of equality.
Twentieth century defined
the society and brought out the women. Education changed the norms! There
many ladies who inspire us everyday , be it my mom, mother-in law, maid at home,
colleague, friend in church or a lady entrepreneur . I thought to list out
few ladies who who stood out of the perils of society and were successful and
influential in the Indian society before I was born.
Ø India’s
first Governor – Smt. Sarojini Naidu is famously known to all of us as “Nightingale
of India” for her writings and poetry. Very less people know that the first
book on Jinnah was written by her. She
was the Congress president at Kanpur
meeting in 1925. During the quit India movement, she spent 21 months in jail. I
still remember her poems of Bangle sellers, Indian weavers. Her intercaste
marriage, poetry, freedom struggle keeps her apart from many women of those
days.
Ø Durga
Bai Desmukh – Lady Lion. Born in my hometown Rajahmundry she is known for her
social work and freedom struggle. She was a member of the Constituent Assembly
of India and of the Planning Commission of India. An example of this strong
lady - During National Congress meeting in Kakinada, she was asked by Konda Venkatappa
not to send anyone into the meeting without a ticket. She asks Pandit Nehru
entry ticket , everyone was shocked, but
Nehru appreciated her sincerity
and commitment for work. She went to jail in 1930 and 1932 during our freedom
struggle. She went on to work in many roles , whether it is small or big assignment, she
always did with commitment and she had guts to speak if anything was going
worng.
Ø M.S.
Subba Lakshmi – Popular with everyone as MS. Music sings my soul, she defined what is Carnatic
music for my generation. Born in temple town Madurai in Southern India in 1916.
She became the first person from an arts background to win the highest civilian
award “Bharat Ratna” in our country. Her love for silk sarees and especially
the blue color is now known as M.S Blue. Everyone from Mahatma Gandhi, Nehru,
Sarojini Naidu and even the present generation can never forget her. She has made
inroads in millions of hearts.
Ø Indira
Gandhi – Iron lady of modern India. When the super power like US is still
fighting to have a woman president. India had her first woman prime minister
way back before I was born. Leaving apart the legacy from which she became PM
and aftermath. One of the best quotes of her is “There are two kinds of people, those
who do the work and those who take the credit. Try to be in the first group;
there is less competition there. Her memorial is called Shakti
Sthal – meaning place of power
Last but not the
least ... We can’t divide the society on gender
and everyone is exceptional. So do remember - There are amazing ladies
whom we meet in our lives and who give us the stench of positive fragrance!
