#100Happydays/ Day 11
Sometimes happiness is a complex experience. It starts off with sadness about something massively wrong with our society and a feeling of utter frustration as to why humanity disappears when it is most needed. Then comes along a lone clenched fist to take a stand against the injustice and to throw down a gauntlet.
Today I am so proud that my dear colleague and friend Sucheta Pal is the determined crusader to raise her fist and voice against one ugly and inexcusable habit or behaviour in our society - "Eve teasing" or "molesting".
Far too long have the oppressors enjoyed complete freedom and impunity to continue teasing and tormenting the silent suffering female sex - without any care or shame, without any consideration of the physical, mental or psychological scars that these dastardly actions cause on the unsuspecting and innocent victims.
Yet the same inhuman individual will happily join a mob if someone else is caught red-handed in order the beat the offender ruthlessly - sometimes to death. Sometimes the insensitivity and craziness of attitude beggars belief and shows the real dark problems in our social fabric. It is the two-faced side of individuals or even the society which is inexplicable and hence reprehensible.
We somehow have created a social structure which condones or lets such crimes go unpunished by turning a blind eye and avoiding confrontation. With no avenue of self defence or support from the mute and dumb crowds watching the evil acts silently, the victim continues to suffer in silence, while the perpetrator gets bolder and prepares for bigger conquests.
Interestingly, the same criminal while walking out with his family members is very protective and aggressive towards anyone else even casting a glance on them. It all changes in a minute when the shoe is on the other foot. It is no longer just staring... Whistling, lewd comments and various forms of disgusting physical abuses are all at the disposal of the perpetrator who feels his male ego stoked to be able to conduct his evil act.
So how far do we let this senseless mayhem carry on occurring in front of our eyes and keep mute and powerless to act or react? How much longer can we only worry about our own sisters and expect them to be safe in this evil environment? How long do we expect our sisters to continue to respect and pray for us if we are not willing to protect them and their dear friends?
Sucheta and many of her blessed friends are now taking a stand and refusing to let things just remain as they are. They are not accepting meek surrender to this evil multi-headed hydra. There may not be a single solution to address this cancer of our society but they are going to start the fight nevertheless.
Our daughters, sisters and friends are on the brink of a new approach leading to a better social order. It is like a small pulse of pressure or a single block of ice sliding down from the top of a mountain.... Next moment is a pause and then u see the avalanche come crashing down the heights. It brooks no opposition and conquers everything on its path.
We all need to participate in this unique struggle and do our bit to say "Enough"!
I look forward to a new India rising from the embers that Sucheta has lit today. She is doing justice to the beautiful name given to her by her parents. God bless her and everyone joining shoulders with her.
My happy day today is made out of my genuine pride at the battle started by Sucheta and the hope it has given birth too. Pls join her in her fight and help make our country a safer place.
Sometimes happiness is a complex experience. It starts off with sadness about something massively wrong with our society and a feeling of utter frustration as to why humanity disappears when it is most needed. Then comes along a lone clenched fist to take a stand against the injustice and to throw down a gauntlet.
Today I am so proud that my dear colleague and friend Sucheta Pal is the determined crusader to raise her fist and voice against one ugly and inexcusable habit or behaviour in our society - "Eve teasing" or "molesting".
Far too long have the oppressors enjoyed complete freedom and impunity to continue teasing and tormenting the silent suffering female sex - without any care or shame, without any consideration of the physical, mental or psychological scars that these dastardly actions cause on the unsuspecting and innocent victims.
Yet the same inhuman individual will happily join a mob if someone else is caught red-handed in order the beat the offender ruthlessly - sometimes to death. Sometimes the insensitivity and craziness of attitude beggars belief and shows the real dark problems in our social fabric. It is the two-faced side of individuals or even the society which is inexplicable and hence reprehensible.
We somehow have created a social structure which condones or lets such crimes go unpunished by turning a blind eye and avoiding confrontation. With no avenue of self defence or support from the mute and dumb crowds watching the evil acts silently, the victim continues to suffer in silence, while the perpetrator gets bolder and prepares for bigger conquests.
Interestingly, the same criminal while walking out with his family members is very protective and aggressive towards anyone else even casting a glance on them. It all changes in a minute when the shoe is on the other foot. It is no longer just staring... Whistling, lewd comments and various forms of disgusting physical abuses are all at the disposal of the perpetrator who feels his male ego stoked to be able to conduct his evil act.
So how far do we let this senseless mayhem carry on occurring in front of our eyes and keep mute and powerless to act or react? How much longer can we only worry about our own sisters and expect them to be safe in this evil environment? How long do we expect our sisters to continue to respect and pray for us if we are not willing to protect them and their dear friends?
Sucheta and many of her blessed friends are now taking a stand and refusing to let things just remain as they are. They are not accepting meek surrender to this evil multi-headed hydra. There may not be a single solution to address this cancer of our society but they are going to start the fight nevertheless.
Our daughters, sisters and friends are on the brink of a new approach leading to a better social order. It is like a small pulse of pressure or a single block of ice sliding down from the top of a mountain.... Next moment is a pause and then u see the avalanche come crashing down the heights. It brooks no opposition and conquers everything on its path.
We all need to participate in this unique struggle and do our bit to say "Enough"!
I look forward to a new India rising from the embers that Sucheta has lit today. She is doing justice to the beautiful name given to her by her parents. God bless her and everyone joining shoulders with her.
My happy day today is made out of my genuine pride at the battle started by Sucheta and the hope it has given birth too. Pls join her in her fight and help make our country a safer place.
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