International Women’s Day 2021
Wishing a Happy Women’s Day to all the incredible and dynamic women who we love and adore, who have shaped and raised us to be where we are! Here’s to all the Divine Women ~ the real superheroes. Our special Shraddha (respect) goes to our Mothers, who had sacrificed so much, for us to have a better life. They worked silently, suffered silently, never complained about their sorrows, or their desires, nor about their sufferings. They only had ‘dreams’, and we are the product of those ‘dreams’.
On this occasion of Women’s Day, let us reflect on one of Swami Vivekananda’s sayings ~ “That country and that nation which does not respect women has never become great, nor will ever be in the future”. The position of women in a society is the one true index of its progress and development.
When asked about widow’s marriage, whether “They should be allowed to get married or not’ ~ Swamiji was prompt to reply, “Why ask me? I am not a widow”? A lady journalist writes, at about the same time, “All my life, I have been told, ‘what to do, what to eat, what to wear, to speak or not to speak. It was the same story when I got married. Now that I am a widow, again some men are deciding, ‘whether I should get married or not’? Why does not someone ask me, “What is it that I want”?
Today, though most countries have come a long way in terms of achieving equality, there are still numerous nations where women cannot vote, they are excluded from high managerial positions, they’re prone to domestic abuse, and several other stigma, stereotypes and violence. The job is not done. We need International Women’s Day now, as much as we did in the 19th century. With the theme of this year’s Women’s Day being set as “Women in leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world”, it is time for us to join this journey as well.
(These Women Leaders Showed the World How To Fight COVID 19 and Flatten the Curve)
Let us take a moment to admire the tremendous efforts by women all around the world in highlighting and removing the gap that remains in achieving complete equality. Even in this COVID-19 pandemic, it is the women who have been at the forefront, leading the way, as doctors, nurses, and other frontline workers. Take Jacinda Ardern for instance, the Prime Minister of New Zealand, who led the state to become the first COVID free country, while other nations are still struggling to do so; truly a splendid example of what women are capable of doing, while at the helm.
Be it Maitreyi, Gargi, Sita, Sabari, Ahilya Devi, Mandodari, Holy Mother Sarada, Draupasdi, Savitri, Jhansi Ki Rani, Mira Bai, Rani Padmini, Savitri Bai Phule, Indira Gandhi, Kalpana Chawla, Arundati Roy, and so many others. India has been the birthplace of selfless, fearless, strong, and inspirational women throughout its history, who have trail blazed the way for millions of young women; and as a land where women are worshipped as goddesses, it will continue to do so.
The world needs Shakti and in India, and almost all the country today, people do worship ‘The Mother Figure’. The power of the feminine; that which creates and nurtures; that which recognizes the sacred and the divine; that which loves and is compassionate and sees the best in everyone. Let us all appreciate the great women in our life. Let us join hands towards doing our part in attaining women’s full and effective participation and leadership in all areas of our life’.
“Nowhere in the world are women like those of this country. How pure, independent, self-relying, and kindhearted! It is the women who are the life and soul of this country. All learning and culture are centered in them”. ~ Vivekananda in letter to Swami Ramakrishnananda (1894)
Happy International Women’s Day!
