ADVOCATE RAMESH MUDHIRAJ, TELANGANA HIGH COURT

For me, being a positive male role model is about understanding and fulfilling the needs of my family, respecting my life partner’s wishes and decisions and supporting her goals. It’s also about maintaining a balance between family life and work life. I believe that stability with your life partner is crucial.
Beyond family, I think being a positive male role model means recognising that there’s no difference between men and women. When faced with problems, I don’t believe in being scared or intimidated. Instead, I try to identify the issue and think of solutions.
To the next generation of men, I want to convey that we should value respect for women and family and seize opportunities without getting comfortable. We should strive to be better versions of ourselves and remain competitors to our own selves.
Personally, my experience as a lawyer shaped my understanding of positive masculinity. I went beyond my comfort zone and memorised the entire Indian Constitution and IPC sections. I also spread legal literacy among people, creating a positive impact on society, especially for distressed women and men falsely accused.
I believe decision-making plays a vital role in tackling problems or taking a step back. Having a positive mindset is essential for strong decision-making.
Regarding traditional masculine expectations, I think men should prioritise self-care, mental health and emotional well-being. In Indian tradition, the husband or elder son is often the head of the family and their emotional well-being affects the entire family.
I believe expressing emotions is essential and men shouldn’t suppress their feelings. We’re human beings, not robots and we can laugh, cry and respond to emotions. However, as men, we should also be strong and face our emotions to resolve them.
Ultimately, being a positive male role model is about embracing vulnerability, respecting others and striving for personal growth.