HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY!!

 International Women's Day is celebrated in many countries around the world. It is a day when women are publicly recognized, acknowleged and sometimes even rewarded for their achievements in multiple diverse spheres such as ethnic.. linguistic.. cultural.. economic or political to name a few..

This is a day dedicated to celebrating women and that’s the main reason why I absolutely love it! Growing up in India where it’s often considered a “sorrow or bad luck” to have a daughter.. I love that as an urban people at least.. we are finally acknowledging women and the value they bring to their homes families workplaces.. and to the world as a whole!

I was super blessed and lucky to be born to my parents because my father wanted a daughter with all his heart! He was obviously happy to have had a son earlier.. but when my mother was expecting me.. he was so excited.. decided on a name.. chose a beautiful piece of jewellery for me and barely managed to contain his excitement until I arrived!

Me being the typical “drama queen” baby.. there was high drama before my birth as well.. It was a toxaemia pregnancy for Mummy and even though I weighed just 4 pounds (yes I mean 4 lbs not kgs!) I had to come into the world by Caesarean section! So I was this “precious and very much wanted princess” for my Dad and that continued as long as he lived..

I remember my childhood as a time filled chock-a-block with caring sharing pampering travelling jokes laughter hugs kisses and cuddles with a proportionate amount of discipline and training thrown in for good measure! There were rules accompanied by rewards and punishments as the case demanded.. and expectations with consequences depending on whether they were fulfilled or not..

Not having children of my own but blessed to have a finger in the pies of over 700 children during their formative years I want to say here that there is SO MUCH effort that goes into raising a girl and training her to grow into a fine woman.. one that is worthy of respect admiration love and much more! It includes tireless motivation.. encouragement.. time.. heartache.. sacrifice.. frustration.. sometimes disappointment.. and a seemingly unending supply of patience understanding and unconditional love and acceptance!

Girls grow into young women.. they go through “growing pains”.. usually aren’t encouraged to voice or raise their woes.. are told very often to “suffer in silence” (like their mothers and grandmothers).. Once they are young women.. on the other hand.. they are told to learn to cook.. study hard and do well academically.. work and be successful.. make good money.. get on par with the men in their workspace.. run a great house.. be amazing wives.. raise terrific children.. and all this without a murmur about the “cost to self”!

Create that Powerpoint presentation.. teach the little one how to tie his shoelaces himself.. make the mithai for Diwali using the traditional family recipe.. be dressed well at all times.. talk sense with the husband’s boss and his wife while entertaining them over drinks and dinner.. make sure that the “diya” is lit and the family (at least the children) say their prayers daily.. AND become Superwoman (without the cape) when the househelp goes AWOL!

Woman are blessed with a tremendous capacity to multitask.. to organize.. to calm hysterical babies and senior citizens.. to miraculously find missing homework.. books and car keys that aren’t to be found anywhere.. to instinctively plan menus that appeal to everyone (no mean feat, this).. to balance the responsibilities at “maika” “sasural” workplace and everywhere else as well!

And HOW ON EARTH do they manage to do all this AND smile through the madness? It’s simple.. they (I mean WE) do it from a mindset and space of compassion love gentleness and a deep-seated desire for harmony and happiness around us! And just imagine.. all we want in return is a little respect and affection and acknowledgement of our untiring efforts!

Everyone reading this.. whether you’re male or female.. please stop for a moment.. think of all the incredible women in your life and all that they have done for you.. as mothers.. sisters.. “bhabhies”.. sisters-in-law.. teachers.. students.. friends.. neighbours.. bosses.. helpers.. and ACKNOWLEDGE them.. CELEBRATE them and TELL THEM how special they are.. and that your life is easier better nicer and happier because THEY are in it! THAT will be a true celebration of March 8^th being International Women’s Day!!

Happy Women’s Day to ALL the gorgeous amazing talented creative successful hardworking artistic brilliant and super-duper women out there!! Always remember that YOU rock ladies!!