It’s strange but on Friday morning as I was walking into the Club, my mobile in one hand, my dark glasses that were slowly making their way down, perched precariously on top of my head, the bag slung on my shoulder also threatening to slip off, and the two library books in my other hand looking dangerously close to falling I desperately wished I was a Goddess only so that I’d have that many more hands to simultaneously do several things such as :

• open my bag, 
• take out my wallet, 
• remove the membership card, 
• swipe it 

all the while holding the mobile and library books in place and ensuring that the dark glasses remained on top of my head!

So it seemed almost prophetic that this week’s prompt for WOW is “The Goddess.”

Do I really want to be a goddess?

Why?

Well considering that all Indians are constitutionally brothers and sisters having been conditioned to taking that pledge all through school ( remember the line all Indians are my brothers and sisters?) I find it strange that women who are otherwise worshipped as goddesses are often treated worse than chattel. And it is not only the men who are guilty of this crime – women too, indeed mothers themselves, are guilty of perpetrating crimes against their own kind. I’ve seen gender discrimination among the rich and famous, well educated and articulate families where the boys of the family are given the choicest pieces of chicken while the girls are left to suck on the wings or neck! Not only do these families have different rules for boys and girls with the boys given the freedom of doing many things forbidden to their sisters, but their sons are often mollycoddled while their daughters are left to the wind. These same mothers instead of standing by their girls actually tell them to stomach wife beating and abusive in-laws with the homily that they should be able to adjust to their new homes and that if there are any complaints from their end, it would only bring disgrace to their maternal families!

But are all men like that?

Even though we are “like that only”, are we truly a society of misogynists and masochists, insensitive people who treat every woman like dirt?

Luckily for us, the answer to this question is a loud, resounding  NO.  Just as there are women who are their own worst enemies, I’ve also come across men who are real gems – men who’ve nurtured a girl’s belief in herself, supported her every decision, pandered to her every whim and  treated her with utmost respect and love. Yes, for all those women who tar every Indian man with the brush of rapist, male chauvinist and every other uncomplimentary adjective, I’d like to remind them that there are many who do treat their women like goddesses. Yes, a large majority of them.

So what accounts for this regressive attitude?

India is a country which has people who believe in gods and goddesses, demons and devils. We have talismans and rituals to protect our health and our wealth, our families and friends. In our democracy where everyone is free to do what he wants (including imposing on the rights of others to do what they want) we often resort to the theory of Karma as the simple explanation for all  the problems we face or the reason why bad things happen………

Can women be safe from abuse and violence?

People suggest stern punishment, timely resolution, CCTVs, self restraint on the part of women (yes there are people who actually think women are crying to be raped and molested???) and finally an attitudinal change among the men and society at large.

Treating women with love and respect, the fundamental right of all human beings, seems to be the only way to make our women safe. This seems simple and easy, but we all know is quite impossible to achieve. Only God can really help us all in achieving this goal.

So why don’t I want to be a Goddess?

• Well, for one I would have to stand for eternity on some rock, tiger or lotus, dressed to the nines at all times, my face with an inscrutable smile and a look of divine grace.
• I would have to work harder than ever with more than the two pairs of hands I was born with.
• I would have to listen to countless petitions of woe and misery and be expected to solve each and every one. 

p.s. I have deep respect for gods and goddesses and do not intend to hurt anyone’s sentiments with this piece.

This post is a part of Write Over the Weekend, an initiative for Indian Bloggers by BlogAdda.