The recent controversy around Mrs. Shahid Kapoor’s statements at a Women’s Day event doesn’t seem to be dying down. I feel it did less harm and more good to the couple, giving Mira Rajput much-needed public attention.
She has suddenly has become the topic of dining room discussions and topics of many blogs and news stories, finally getting an identity of her own, although for the wrong reasons.
But Mira, I would not blame you entirely. A lot of the responsibility rests on the Event and Entertainment Management Association (EEMA) that planned that event. I completely fail to see the rational behind this choice of speaker.
I mean what did you think Mira would talk about on International Women’s Day. What achievements does she have as a woman? Are we celebrating women who get married at 21 or the art of being parcelled from one rich household to another?
From what she said, I could barely decipher a credible academic, professional or otherwise individual achievement to boast of.
If you nominate your household help to talk about India’s mission to mars in an international gathering, would the fault lie with your wrong choice or the inability of speaker to talk sense?
Although being rich and ignorant can’t be a valid excuse, I would not say I was highly disappointed by her statement. I mean what can you expect from a 21-year-old girl born in to an affluent family and arranged into marriage to a Bollywood dreamland?
But then again, at least one can be expected to have the common sense to research a bit, especially when you are invited to speak on a public platform, or hire a speech writer – something that Mira could obviously afford.
I can’t stop admiring Mira’s confidence in being so frivolously ignorant of the realities of women in India and to display that in public.
There is a whole lot of difference in people who are born with confidence and those who earn it with time and through tough experiences. Mira might find feminists as ‘feminazis’. I would like to know where she has encountered these feminazis who were responsible for the rampant, illogical killing of men.
It is the hard work and incessant struggle of these so-called ‘feminazis’ that enables you to speak on a public platform, to have your opinion and exercise your choices. As the mother of daughter, you should be grateful to these feminazis who have given you the confidence to celebrate a girl child, and opened up the access to equal opportunities, with no discrimination, for your daughter.
Show some gratitude for the confidence you have inherited in being a women, because this was a luxury to most many years back.
I am really glad that you are a proud homemaker and have found someone who understands you in every other way including financially. But not everyone has that chance to be supported to lead a lavish life.
Being a homemaker has long been the world’s most thankless job, with no appreciation or recognition. A girl in our society struggles from the time of her birth. She is fed with lessons on how to accommodate, adjust and bow down to male dominance.
Only the face of subjugation keeps changing, from father, to brother, to boyfriend, husband, in-laws. Women all around the globe are working hard, some to make ends meet, some to support their spouses, some for creating their identity and some for self respect.
In a country with 1.3 billion (census 2011), comprising 48.5% females, we have lower levels of women’s workforce participation than many countries in Sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East. According to a 2013 World Bank study, only 27% of the female population aged over 15 is working in India, out of which nearly 70% would be employed in agricultural labours.
Do you really think these women work for fun? We seldom realize the toil of the common people to make ends meet, but it is not rocket science to look around and see the disparities in access to opportunities and resources among Indians.
Life is not a bed of roses for all women who go out to work.
After all it’s your choice. I know a lot of upper class, rich women, most of them might be in your actress sisterhood, who are busy socializing and leave their children with domestic help. Why are they not part of your puppy love theory?
I am happy for your convenient arranged marriage in a happy-go-lucky situation, but don’t you see that to some extent your happiness lies in your ‘out of choice’ submission and lack of aspirations?
Granted that that is none of my concern, but if you don’t expect to be judged for marrying at 21, and having a baby at 22 or not having a career, other women also expect respect for their choices.
If your dependence on your husband’s money doesn’t belittle you, then how can I be judged for working hard?
I am glad women are taking risks and moving out of comfort zones challenging male domination.
I have heard, Mira, that you have excellent command over the English language. If that is true, I am sure you must be familiar with the word ‘solidarity’.
I’m not sure if celebrations and speeches at International Women’s Day will uplift and inspire women but yes, solidarity and respecting others’ choices will. We do not need celebrity endorsements for women’s rights, but showing compassion and solidarity is the least you can do.