I have a dream. I want to travel all over the world, as long as possible, as far as possible. But there is a small problem.
I am a girl, I am an Indian.
One of the biggest issue the world has ever faced is living in the rural conservative societies in India. Travelling for an average Indian girl is still a dream that is fulfilled only once she’s married, and hopefully, if her husband permits.
Boys can go out as and when they want to. Girls have to ask for a million permissions to be granted from all, starting from her grandfather to her elder brother. Okay. I exaggerated a bit, but it’s true. Why is it that girls are not allowed to go out when they want to? I would blame the society we live in. India is a country where everyone shouts “All Indians are my brothers and sisters”. God knows how much truth lies in that sentence. In fact, if the society knows that she is out all alone, that is more than enough to brand her with names. The least would be “slut” or a “bitch”. The most petrifying word in the dictionary of Indian parents is “growing daughters”.
Oops. Can’t blame the society right?!
India has a very rich culture and tradition where the Indian women are supposedly asked to “behave” and live according to the patriarchal society.
I am an Indian, I am a traveller.
Waiting to live in my country, the day when women are treated equal to men. To live in a society not fearing what others would say about me. That day is when I will call my country developed. That would be the day when I proudly proclaim:
“India is my country. All Indians are my brothers and sisters.”