Inspiring Change !
In a world where women are gaining greater heights, the International Women's Day 2014 comes with this theme.
Very apt, I would say, because we are still fighting for reservation and equality, and teaming up against dowry, rape, sexual abuse,child labour and child marriage along with the ever-present evils of poverty and casteism and what not.
Why not think of bringing in the change we want to see ? That's a proactive, responsive thought, is it not ?
That's what Subhasini Mistry thought.
For a woman who was thrown into widowhood when she was just 23, with four hungry mouths yearning for a morsel of food, just because she couldn't afford proper medical treatment for her ailing husband, life didn't come easy. She wasn't educated, yet, she had what most women would've lacked at that time. Determination immeasurable.
She took up any job that she could do, literally anything .
From being a housemaid, to a vegetable seller, to helping with brick laying that was physically demanding and challenging, she worked, toiled hard and saved every single penny she could, spending just the bare minimum to keep them alive. Her sons helped her in brick laying, and supplemented her income with theirs.
All for just one purpose.
The young widow had promised herself that she would build a hospital for the needy, so that many others would be spared the sorrow that she had had to bear.
And that she would educate one of her sons to become a doctor.
She achieved both her dreams.
The Humanity Hospital , near Hanspukur , Kolkata, stands testimony to one thing above all.
The change that a single woman's grit and will power can accomplish in the world !
Read her story here. And salute her resolve.
Wait.
We can even emulate her, can't we ?
Just by utilising what we have to the best possible extent. Just by ensuring that our talents don't get wasted away, however small it many seem. Just by being ourselves, and much much beyond that !!
From Subhasini Mistry, I shift my focus to one woman who has it all.
The will, the knowledge, the courage and the ability to achieve her dreams.
It might be that all her powers are so hidden in her that she doesn't seem to recognise them, or it might be that she's aware of it, but is afraid of the society, or her family, or anything else that she finds intimidating.
Or it might be the fear of failure that holds her back.
Or rejection, may be.
It might even be the lack of encouragement, or the feeling of 'being too old' for anything.
Well, you all know the woman I'm speaking about, haven't you guessed ?
You have seen her at least once in your life. With at least one of those traits evident.
Yes, I'm not naming her, I'm sure your guess is right.
So, this Women's Day, let's take all possible steps to release her. It's better late, than never !
She can try,
She can fly.
She can touch the sky !!
A Happy Women's Day to all gorgeous women, and to those wonderful men in our lives !!
Stay Blessed :-)
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The Write Tribe Festival of Words 3 ends today. Check out the wonderful entries for the day's challenge here. We are winding up this edition with the Women's Day !
