Have we acheived gender equality?

Have we succesfully overcomed all our preconceived notions against women or we are still buckled up in our prejudices?

We still don't consider both the genders at par if we still hesitate wearing pink just because we feel that's the colouris not made for men. We are still behind parity if we have a pinch of fear while letting our women folk drive a car. We still aren't equal if we think women earning more than men would bring any ego issues in the family. We aren't equal as long as we don't stop advising parents to save money for their daughter's wedding rather than encouraging them to spend on her education. We still aren't equal if we feel women can't be the active partner while bearing expenses in a family. We are never equal as long as we don't stop judging a girl who hasn't got married till she is 30. We aren't equal as long as we believe women need to touch her husband's feet for blessings. We aren't equal as long we as believe only women need to cook meals. We aren't equal as long as women need permissions for living her life. We aren't equal as long as we need reservations for women. We aren't equal as long as we stop judging the girl who has more male friends than female.

Equality shall be acheived as long as we respect each other's independence and as long as we learn to trust in someone.

My Dad's Last Message

My dad was admitted the previous night at about midnight. His preliminary check-up's were done and his surgery was to be done next day. I was beside him. We talked for some while and agreed to sleep. The night didn't let us sleep. We slept in bits. I woke up and made my dad ready before the operation. He was advised not to have anything. He regularly had tobacco and that day he was looking at me helplessly. I could understand the urge in him and I arranged for his tobacco. He was delighted. I shouldn't have done that but I couldn't resist too. The doctor came and announced. We were both afraid. We were thousands of miles away from home and there was nobody beside who could console me. I was fighting thousands of negative vibes inside me while he was being taken inside. I gave up everything and plugged in my headphone. Music was always my saviour. I tried to go for my favorite playlist but couldn't. I was getting calls from my mother whether everything was fine or not. Even if I had no idea of what was going on inside I kept telling her that everything was fine. Nobody from my paternal kin bothered to give a call. The moment when I needed someone there wasn't anyone to hold me firm from falling. I got plenty of calls from materal kins and close friends. After three hours they came to announce that his operation was successful but I wasn't allowed to meet him. I went to every extent of requesting but the lady turned no ears. I was pushed off by the guard outside the operation theatre. Meanwhile I conveyed everything to everyone who was concerned. We belong to Hindu faith but there were few people who were praying in the village Mosque when my father's operation was going on. Probably that had kept him alive. After two hours I went inside after bargaining a succesful deal with the guard. Dad was lying senseless in the recovery room. I came outside and again made another succesful attempt inside after some time. This time, he was awake. He smiled at me and waved his hand. He was alive and perhaps that was what he was trying to convey me. He asked me show my watch. He saw the time. I was again pushed outside. I made it inside again after two hours. By that time, I was a pro in getting inside and was also used to being thrown outside. Dad's oxygen mask was removed and he wanted to drink something. I approached the doctor and she gave him a cup of warm tea and also threw me outside. I again went it after two hours and this time Dad caught hold of me and he started walking. He walked for sometime inside the recovery room. This time I was not thrown outside and instead the doctors called me up to say that usually patients took at least 24 hours to walk after such a major surgery and Dad was walking withing 6 hours. It was never so easy to hold him away from freedom and even this time they could but only for mere 6 hours. They allowed Dad back to hospital room from the recovery room. The doctor came late night to ask if everything was alright. To their surprise, Dad asked the doctor about his native and children. Dad also asked him to arrange for some good food as he was hungry. Soon there was idli and rice for him. He insisted me on having one idli too. He was hungry but he knew I was hungry too. I knew he didn't walk in the 6th hour itself to prove anything to anybody but only to let me know that I had nothing to worry. We woke up at 3 am again. He wanted to go for a stroll in the floor itself. Initially I held his hand, not firmly but just as a support. He left the grip away and started walking on himself. We saw a very very fat man who was probably thrice as fat as me. Just then after he walked away Dad started with the old nursery poem Humpty Dumpty. We laughed out loud. The nurses too heard us but they were too amused to see a man laughing just after hours of such an operation. Dad died after twenty two days. He left  with a message that one should never stay away from laughter. He believed in sharing happiness.

The Judgemental Indian Neighbour

In India, we don't need CCTV to keep an eye an us. We have our neighbours for that.

It isn't so easy to get that good child certificate from our neighbour. I have figured out that neighbours judge us on three phases from childhood to adulthood. Our school phase is typically judged on our class 10th marks. I have no idea why class 10th marks is so pivotal in our society. In fact, it has no value in real life. People with poor class 10th marks are doing good in life and people with good marks in class 10th are sitting idle. Class 10th marks just helps the kid to get in to one of those top pre-university colleges. In fact,in certain cases class 10th marks are a good excuse to celebrate amongst the elderly without even realizing that they are overrating a child's expectation. The second phase of judgement comes in getting a government job. If you can get it, you are a winner. If not, you haven't been able to prove your worthiness to the society. Even in arranged marriages, the key to get a nod from the girl's parent's lies in it. Our society is not ready to accept people working in MNC's, doing business or self-employed. The third phase of judgement comes when its time to get married. Even today love marriages are a big no from the society. Our society is totally against two independent people deciding themselves if they are ready to live together for the rest of their life. 

When they have judged a person on these three phases of life, they step in to judging the next generation and by that time, the one's who were already judged earlier drops in to judging the next gennerating. Thus, the wheel of judgemental Indian neighbour goes on and on.

Who you should be?

Should you always be what you pretend to be?

We have always pretend to be someone or atleast tried to be similar to a particular genre as per the society. What I mean to say is that we have all accustomed to a particular profession and also have aligned our life style with it. Even if we are actually not the person whom we are pretending to be, we have so much accustomed ourselves to a particular genre of the society that we have actually forgotten what we actually are.

Let me  elaborate.

We all live in a society with most of us dragging ourselves in the 9 to 5 rat race. We have a perfect yearly schedule. On most days we wake up to reach our workplace tired with hopeful dreams and we end our day without any productive work for ourselves. On festivals, we come out wearing traditionals, click selfies with fake smiles and that's how our years are ending. Haven't we ever thought of giving up pretending to be someone and really be ourselves?

We, who are dragging ourselves to work every morning have forgotten that their lives a different person in us with a different hidden dream. If we all go back to our childhood, do we remember saying that our dream was to work 9 to 5? I am sure nobody would have said that. We wanted to be a musician, a traveller or a writer. Perhaps a few of us also wanted to be fire fighters, join the army or play soccer. We have already given up on our dreams or are shattering it everyday and by that it shall be destroyed itself. Is it right? We are working hard to fulfill somebody else's dream. We are all afraid to put our job security at minimal risk just to pursue what we always wanted to do. We are dragging ourselves to work 40 hours a week denying our dreams which would need perhaps 80 hours a week at the beginning. The double effort will yield exponential happiness. 

It would cost a little to be yourself but the effort is worth it.

Submitted for Indispire

Silver Hair Sins - Review

Buy Here - Amazon

Genre - Science Fiction, Suspense, Thriller

Silver Hair Sins is a fiction thriller and the story goes ahead to the time of 2088 AD - 2205 AD. Imagine the barriers and differences that we have today. Hasn't it multiplied in last few decades? Haven't it dug differences amongst us on the basis of religion, caste and other social scenario? If this is the sscenario today then imagine the world about a hundred years from now. The Author, Mr. Saumick Pal takes us exactly to the era when religio-political differences amongst us would be at the peak and technology would take over us to save humanity.  The Author takes us to such a stage where we would be guided through artificial intelligence. However, the evils inside a human mind is such, they do break codes and guidelines with such ease that even the creators would be amused. The author points towards the aspects of today where religion and religious views are moulded by religious leaders in such a manner that they take advantages of the differences and exploit our beliefs only for their interests. The author uses cinematized photographs to take us to the Dystopian world. He uses his narrative skills to create an image of augmented reality, hovercrafts, silver chips embedded into humans and also shows the human greed for power.

The story revolves around a small family - Meera, Aasma and Akbar. The story describes how artificial intelligence takes on human beings and how the balance of sin and holy is maintained in the world. The narration and portray of the charecters are such that throughout the book there has been a curiosity regarding what next would come up. The growth of an innocent child to a matured girl amidst the various religio - political differences portrays the different faces of our society.

Initially the book shall compel you to think that it is about the scince fiction. However as the story goes on gradually, various social isses like patriarchy, hypocricy, fanatacism, intolerance and politics are highlighted. The issues  are drawn from todays point of view and its imapct on future is well depicted by the author.

However, the author could have elaborated more in the climax. After reading the book, I am still inquisitive on a few how's and why's. However, the author's attempt to maintain brievity while depicting so many social issues on a future reference is also remarkable.

The author Mr. Saumick Pal is an engineer and has also been a script writer. The book is his of attempt of fictional window to social commentary.

In a nutshell, I would recommend this book for people who love reaading thrillers and science fiction. The book would also be interesting for those who are associated with social causes. The use of pictures builds a strong visual impact. The vocabulary and concept is easy to understand and relatable.

I would rate the  book 4.5 out of 5. 

Panei - Jonki

Panei - Jonki is the story of a girl named Panei and a boy named Jonki. They hailed from Lakhimpur, Assam and belonged to the Mising tribe of Assamese community. Panei was born to Niroma (mother) and Tamod (father) who were farmers from a poor family. Jonki's parents had expured since he was kid and he grew up in the village amongst other village families. They were residents of the Subansiri Miri Gaon which was based besides the river Subansiri. 

The Mising tribe is tribe originating from the hills. However continuous warfare has bought them to the plains. They worship clouds, thunder, moon, sun, stars and land. They offer wine, pork and chicken as a offering to the nature. 

Panei, who was then about 8-9 years old was playing besides the river. Jonki, who was then 14-15 years old was also there. Suddenly a bear came out of the forest. The duo got afraid and ran away from there. Panei stumbled upon the rocks. Jonki came back and helped her get up and both of them fled together. 

After some years, when it was the seventh day of Kati Bihu and there was a feast at the village with pork and chicken. While taking the blessings from the priest, Panei-Jonki sat together. Even during the feast when the group got divided on the basis of gender, they sat in oppositie to each other. After the feast, the Priest was asked about the well being of the village and then there he gave an indication that something untoward might turn up for one of the village couple. The village youth danced Bihu till late evening, when Jonki called Panei near him and asked her to meet him as he had something to discuss with her. Panei agreed to  meet him besides the river Subansiri. Accordingly, they met by the banks of river Subansiri. 

Jonki was eager to know if Panei has any likeness for him. He was also confused whether she had anything for Komud (the village Headman's son). Panei confessed that she like Jonki and denied of any likeness towards Komud. Jonki wanted to know if Panei's parents would allow them to get married. Panei asked him to work hard and earn and some money and only then she would be able to convince her parents for Jonki. 

Panei's parents were also worried for her wedding as she was growing old. Niroma wanted her to get married to Jonki but Tomud didn't. Tomud wanted her to get married to Komud as her future would be secured and he would get handsome money as offering. Niroma insisted Tomud to take Panei's consent to which he disagreed. Instead he asked Niroma to speak about Komud to Panei as she would probably grow some affection towards him. Panei, who had gone to fetch water from the river heard her parents discussing about Komud as she returned.

Panei met Jonki and asked how much had he earned by then. Jonki could earn only twenty bucks and said it would take him another six months to earn twenty bucks more and only then he would be able to talk to her parents about their marriage. 

Niroma discussed with Panei regarding Komud. Panei disagreed to the marriage offer and insisted on remaining unmarried. 

Six-seven days later, Komud reached to ask for Panei's hand and offered some monetary offering and seeked blessing. 

Jonki had left the village and was staying at Ghunaxuti, at his maternal aunt's place. His proficiency with Bihu and musical instruments made him famous amoung the young folks of Ghunaxuti. Dalimi, was one of the best Bihu dancers of Ghunaxuti. They started dancing Bihu together. Whenever Jonki would go to the banks of Subansiri to know about the how-abouts of Panei, Dalimi would be sad. Although she knew nothing about Panei, yet Jonki's absence left her sad. Gradually Jonki said Dalimi about his stay at Subansiri Miri Gaon and Panei. Dalimi was heart broken as she had started developing liking towards Jonki. 

Niroma and Tomud often insisted Panei to get married to Komud. However, she always denied. They even left the young couple alone at times so that they could start a conversation but seeing Panei's anger Komud never dared to speak a word. On several attempts, finally Panei said about Jonki. Tomud got furious and he went to the extent of saying that he would disown her as his child if she ever spoke of getting married to Jonki. 

Dalimi's father had few boats. Jonki asked Dalimi to lend him a boat as he intended to elope with Panei. Jonki said about Panei's sufferings and that left Dalimi in tears. She arranged for the boat.

Panei-Jonki eloped. They stopped near a dense forest. They parked the boat by the bank and stayed in the forest for the night. The let the boat go and wandered by the forest. At evenings, they would take shelter in a forest near Ghunaxuti. The villagemen who were in search of Panei went to Ghunaxuti and found Jonki missing. They were sure that the duo had eloped together. Jonki would gather vegetables and eatables with the money that he saved from Ghunaxuti and they managed to stay in that manner for a month. 

One evening while they were sitting beside the bonfire, Komud along with fifteen other villagemen appeared and they caught the duo. Jonki was taken in to custody by Tomud. There was a tremendous fight between Jonki and Komud. However the tribesmen attacked Jonki and only then Jonki settled. Dalimi's father arrived there with other viillagemen and stopped the fight. Even after being surrounded by such a huge mob, Jonki warned Komud to stay away from Panei or else he would have to face dire consequences.

The matter reached  the court of Lakhimpur. Numerous charges of theft, robbery and kidnapping were levied upon Jonki by Komud, Tomud and other villagemen. The court took Panei's statement and could find out that all the charges were false. The court however asked Panei's parents to take her and added that during her stay with her parents, neither Komud nor Jonki could disturb her. Panei's parents assured that they would settle the matter amongst themselves.

Panei was taken by her parents. Jonki returned to Ghunaxuti. Panei was greeted by her friends on her return. Some villagemen also insulted her. Panei's parents again insisted her to get married to Komud. She said that either she would stay unmarried or would marry Jonki. If forced, she would die willingly.

Komud's father also decided that either he would take the offered money back or would get Komud married to Panei.

Dalimi said Jonki that she has seen his villagemmen go towards the jungle and then she sent her father with a few villagers of Ghunaxuti to save them. She did the best to save the couple. 

Panei eloped again. She learnt that her parents were planning to forcefully get her married to Komud.

The viillagemen again came to Ghunaxuti in search of Jonki at his maternal aunt's home. Jonki got angry and said that Panei had eloped only because of the forceful attempts made by her parents to get married. The villagemen left. Dalimi heard the news and bought whatever money she had saved to Jonki. Jonki also said that he would go in search of Panei. 

Panei's parents realised their mistake. Niroma would often blame Tomud. Tomud, who has hard-hearted all the while was now feeling sad for his daughter. Jonki reached their place asked for their blessings. Panei's parents requested him to bring her out if he had hid her anywhere. Jonki denied, took their blessings and left in search of Panei.

After two days of wandering Panei, reached a Hindu village nearby. They lived a young gentleman whom Panei approached for water. By evening he insisted her for some wine and taking advantage of her intoxication he tried to molest her. Panei was a strong Mising girl and she successfully resisted his attempt. She was about to leave when he got back to his senses. He apologised and asked her to stay overnight. She forgave him and stayed there. 

Jonki was was also searching Panei reached the same place two days later. By the time he reached there, Panei had already left. He again left in search of her. On the way, he was kidnapped and they took his money. After three days and three nights of walking they reached a village above a hill. They gave him dry meat to eat. He could understand that he was taken as a captive and that  he had to stay there as a servant. He stayed there for four months.

One day, while he was working he saw some men bring few women as captives. He could see Jonki in them. They met and decided to elope. They were caught by the villagemen. They were decorated to be thieves. A village court comprising of the village elderly prove them to be thieves. They were tied with a single rope. Jonki prayed that Panei should be spared as she was pregnant. The villagemen gave no ear. They were pulled to the river banks.

It was already six months since Panei had left. Niroma would often blame Tomud. One day, she saw Panei-Jonki in her dream who were in a mountain. They refused to come down. They said it was impossible. They were happy. After Niroma woke up she went to the bank to fetch water. She spotted two bodies grabbed in each other arms flowing with the river. As the villagemen pulled the bodies they could make out it was Panei-Jonki. They were stabbed by sharp bamboos. They left the world in each other's arms.

The eternal love  story of Panei-Jonki shall be forever remembered by the people of this part of the country.