Being a Woman: Gratitude, Reflection and Hope...

Being a Woman: Gratitude, Reflection and Hope...
God created us in pairs : man and woman; not as competitors, but as equals designed to complement each other. Together, we form a balance that drives growth, nurtures families and strengthens society. This harmony is crucial, yet history and social norms have often distorted this balance, creating inequalities that persist to this day.
On International women's Day, reflecting on my journey as a woman, personally, I find myself filled with gratitude. My family, my father & mother, siblings, husband, in-laws, even my son and my close friends have upheld the values of equality, not merely as a concept but as a way of life.
In my world, being a woman never meant being "less than". 

I have had the freedom to express myself, live  my dreams, and stand as an equal. I have been empowered to pursue my ambitions, voice my thoughts, and contribute meaningfully to society. I feel blessed and grateful for the same.
Yet this gratitude is accompanied by a heavy heart,  an awareness of the countless women who live a vastly different reality. For many, gender roles have turned into shackles, limiting their potential, suppressing their voices, and denying them the dignity they deserve. Their strength is overlooked, their rights compromised, and their existence reduced to societal expectations.
Many are deprived of education, financial independence and personal freedom. Some are made to feel inferior simply because of their gender. Worse still, many suffer the trauma of harassment, discrimination, or violence.
Even more disturbing is the threat that lurks in places where girls should feel safest, their homes, schools, and neighborhoods. Stories of young girls falling victim to heinous crimes like rape shake our collective conscience. We often hear about perverse minds reducing  women to mere objects of gratification, violating not only their bodies but also their spirits. Can we claim to have progressed as a society when such atrocities persist?
Yet, my reflections don’t stop there due to recent media reports that wrongdoing isn’t confined to one gender. While countless women are victims,  sporadic reports of men suffering abuse are also being heard. Violence and cruelty are not bound by gender; they are reflections of deeper social fractures that require urgent attention.
What, then, is the path forward?
For society to thrive, men and women must function as two well-oiled wheels of the same vehicle — distinct yet interconnected and working in harmony.
True progress will come when we stop looking at each other as adversaries or threats and instead embrace our roles as partners in building a better world. Respect must replace prejudice; compassion must overcome hostility; and equality must become the foundation of our homes, workplaces, and communities.
We must celebrate the strength of women and address their challenges.
Education can be the most useful key. By teaching our children, both  sons and daughters  the values of respect, empathy, and equality, we can dismantle outdated biases. By raising boys to respect women as partners, not inferiors, and by encouraging girls to embrace their strength and potential, we can build a better future.
Being a woman is a journey of strength, resilience, and hope. While I celebrate the blessings I have experienced, I remain mindful of those still fighting for their rightful place in society. My gratitude fuels my responsibility, to speak up, to support, and to strive for a world where no one feels less because of their gender. We have much to learn from nature or 'animals' where queen bees are rulers of the beehives or prides of lions are led by lionesses.
Change may be slow, but with collective effort, we can ensure that men and women — as equals — move forward together, creating a world where humanity thrives and makes "Vaisudaiva Kutumbakam" a reality...

R. Vimala, IAS

Compassionate Bureaucrat & PhD Scholar, IIT Bombay 

Kaikeyi: The Forsaken queen – A quest through Bharatanatyam

Kaikeyi: The Forsaken queen – A quest through Bharatanatyam 

It was a moment of both anticipation and excitement when I received my posting orders as the Resident Commissioner of Maharashtra in Delhi. Beyond the administrative responsibilities, I was eager to experience the city’s rich cultural life—its vibrant music, dance , theatre, art scene, historic monuments and intellectual discourses.
Just as I was imagining the possibilities, I received a call from Deepti Nambiar. Her niece, Mridula Nambiar was set to present a Bharatanatyam performance on the character of Kaikeyi at the India Habitat Centre on March 3, 2025. Without hesitation, I accepted the invitation, intrigued by the thought of witnessing a classical dance portrayal of one of mythology’s most misunderstood persona. 
Kaikeyi, in the Ramayan, has always been painted as a villain—the queen responsible for Rama’s exile. However, little has been explored about her inner turmoil, her role as a mother, and the betrayal by her brother which she faced helplesly. Mridula’s performance, titled "Kaikeyi: The Forsaken One," sought to challenge these long-held perceptions.
Through the grace of Bharatanatyam, the narrative traced Kaikeyi’s journey—from a spirited princess to a fierce warrior, from a beloved queen to an ostracized mother. The dance brought forth emotions often ignored,  her pain, her love for her son, the special love she had for Ram who was her favourite, and her regret. Was she truly selfish, or was she simply a mother fighting for her child in a world that favoured one over the other?
From her very first dance steps, Mridula captivated the audience. Her expressions—bhavas—breathed life into Kaikeyi. The transitions in her dance captured the grace of a princess, the power of a warrior, the cunning of Manthara, and the agony of a mother torn apart from her son. Each movement conveyed the depth of Kaikeyi’s emotions—her ambitions, her choices, and the weight of her actions.
A particularly haunting moment was when Kaikeyi, through abhinaya (expressive storytelling), questioned:
"A mother’s love should be equal, but what happens when a father chooses only one?"
In another poignant scene, she lamented:
"Doomed to be lost in the shadows of history… was I wrong as a mother?"
These words echoed through the auditorium, leaving the audience in reflective silence.
"Kaikeyi: The Forsaken One" was more than just a Bharatanatyam recital; it was a narrative re-evaluation. It urged the audience to look beyond the traditional black-and-white portrayal of characters and embrace the shades of grey that define human emotions. 

Mridula’s interpretation of Kaikeyi was neither a justification nor a condemnation—it was an invitation to understand.
Beyond doubts the performance was a testament to the power of classical dance as a medium of storytelling. It was a reminder that history is often written by victors, but art has the ability to give voice to those lost in its margins.
As the final sounds of the music faded into silence and Mridula took her bow, the standing ovation she received was not just for her impeccable dance but for her courage to tell a story often left untold.