WOMEN OF TODAY

I am a mother of two boisterous boys and wife to a software workaholic. My day begins as early as 5.30 am and it’s a nonstop rush of packing lunch, making breakfast, sending kids to school, making sure my hubby gets ready for office, bringing my house to order as I find time to fit in grocery and vegetable shopping have a quick lunch before I begin folding clothes, prepare evening snacks, ensure my kids are ready before I chauffer them to their respective classes after which I don the role of tutor. You think my day is done. 

Wrong again. 

I then set about preparing dinner, washing dishes and putting my kids to bed. You wonder where the hubby is…… well him being addicted to his job or as is the case of any it professional he will meander home when his duty ends …..Be it anywhere after 10. So what’s so special about this? This is what any mother of today is doing. Take a working mother and substitute in between chores for office work as she winds of her day with her share of household chores. Women today are women of substance. They are such capable, efficient people who multi task with such ease and juggle their duties with such beauty that would put a professional juggler to shame. Women today mould their children with lofty values and ideals making them strong human beings. 

As Brigham young said “you educate a man; you educate a man. You educate a woman; you educate a generation.”  The role of women at home is much more than just doing wifely duties. She knows what she wants and she goes after it. They think and plan well in advance keeping the well being of all the family members a priority. They try to spread happiness wherever they go and always have a kind word or do a good deed amidst their tight schedule. 

A woman of today understands that each person is unique with an opinion of their own. She understands the difference and is patient and tolerant towards others. She takes responsibility for her actions and she stands by her decisions. She firmly believes that anything is possible and the sky is the limit as she wants only the best for her loved ones. As Eleanor Roosevelt rightly said “A woman is like a tea bag; you never know how strong it is until it's in hot water.”

I take umbrage when a person belittles me for being just a housewife. 

I am a mother and I am a woman of today. 

by

Danusha Chandrashekaran

UNSTOPPABLE WOMEN

History has revealed over a course of time that men have been considered a superior species and women are under them. In the instance of yester years women were always kept at home and treated as fragile beings; to be protected; her home being her universe.

But when we examine the life of women in the villages they have astounded physics with their toiling back breaking work and been of ample support to their men folk working beside them with the same agility and speed in planting crops, cultivating them, reaping and harvesting when machines were unheard of and work was done manually.

 Taking today’s circumstances into consideration women these days are equal partners. You can see them in all walks of life. Fields like construction, driving heavy vehicles, mechanics which were once considered to be strict male domain has now been given a makeover. You find women bus drivers, pilots, women engineers and construction workers a common sight.

 Women have a strong foothold in politics with presidents, prime ministers, chief ministers, members of cabinet, chancellors the list is endless. Women have taken over companies and are running them successfully. Remember Indra Nooyi CEO of Pepsico, Chanda Kochhar head of ICICI bank, Mallika Srinivasan chairperson of TAFE, Aruna Jayanthi CEO of Cap Gemini and many others are all examples of resounding business acumen and success. What has set them apart from the others is their ability to think out of the box and create revolutions in their respective fields. They have proven its okay to take risks and make the ordinary seem extraordinary.

 Surveys have proven that girls excel in their studies and have shown time and again that they score better and join good colleges in fields of their choice. What was once an unachievable dream has now become a reality. Women dream and envision a future where equality rules.

So what drives a woman of today? Women of today know what they want. They are willing to work hard to achieve their goals. They do not go by stereotypes and are willing to break the mould and create new paths for themselves. They know that at times things won’t go their way but are strong enough to bide their time and make things work. They have an open mind and are able to listen to advices and implement the ones that work for them. They are grateful for the presence of others in their lives that make it all the more enriching and worthwhile. They are smart enough to surround themselves with likeminded people who will encourage and support them than give in to the negative speakers who will bring them down. 

Diane Mariechild   said “A woman is the full circle. Within her is the power to create, nurture and transform.”  Women are capable beings with the power to transform their lives at any given point. Today’s women seem to be following the words of Oprah as she rightly said ““It doesn’t matter who you are, or where you came from. The ability to triumph begins with you. Always. ” They are bold, decisive and quick thinking with the ability to do the right things. They firmly believe in themselves and are willing to stand up and fight for what they believe is their basic rights.

Women are the pioneers’ in creativity. Their eye for detail is stunning and it reflects in their everyday lives. Be it a homemaker, designer, a beautician, blogger or chef women have been known to put intrinsic touches and come up with mind blowing designs.

 Women of this era are definitely unstoppable and a force to be reckoned with. Although women today lead a very stressful life when compared to the women of previous generation always having to prove their worth in this male dominant world they have done remarkably well to succeed and prove to the world that they are competent people with nerves of steel.

  Chetan Bhagat appropriately quoted”   Don't just tolerate, but accept and even celebrate our successful women. They take our homes ahead and our country forward. We may have less hot phulkas, but we will have a better nation

Danusha Chandrasekaran