Shikha Duggal
Women are in no mood to reinforce harmful stereotypes that make it even more difficult for them to excel. Yes, bit by bit, that is true. Leaving societal expectations at a “nukkad”, we have some cutting-edge women from male-dominated arenas, who are permeating stereotypes. Career development opportunities should be equal, and that’s why they are here to imprint this. Rubbishing the claims that women are not made to think a certain way, our spokesperson proves it that we can always have an alternative approach and be less skewed.
Female pilots are no longer a rarity
Joining us for a special Women’s Day event is an air warrior, flying officer Avani Chaturvedi, who says, “I fly solo, and it’s an experience of a lifetime for me. The aircraft that we women fly are very speedy, so our primary target is the mission given to us, and we don’t have a second to think about what’s happening back at our homes.
There is one thing about the sortees though: after coming out of the cockpit, the feeling is exhilarating.” Is it still risky for a woman to don the shoes of a combat role? Well, she utters, “The hazards society shrieks about are present in every walk of life; am I wrong? I am well-trained for a battle in the sky! Women are as competent as men.
The consequences of a failed mission will be identical for both genders. Life in civil in comparison with defence is way too unalike! The Air Force Academy has made me more disciplined and confident as a woman. It taught us time management! I want every parent to nurture their daughter’s dream even if it’s a warlike situation before her.”
Why can’t women become priests?
My father was very conservative, but as a man, he transformed himself with the changing times for his daughter. Now, he has taken “sannyasa”. But he’s extremely open-minded towards the development of women around him. He is the pillar of my strength — he’s a man. He has taught a lot to my priestesses’ association, which is full of women. I grew up in an environment where the primary focus was truth and bravery! All this made me successful in my professional life. I practise priesthood to showcase equality.
Our society is suffering from discrimination, and it’s hurting me as a woman to this day. Why can’t we be impartial towards women? I advise my followers to develop a conscience within themselves so that they can reflect. Discrimination is foolish. I profess dignity and love through my job. I still remember, becoming a priest in 2009, when my elder daughter was getting married. I didn’t realise when my craft turned into a social reform, and the result of it was: a feature film made on me. Most of the citizens didn’t accept me in the role of a priestess because I was a “lady”.
I am allowed to worship at home but not for social ceremonies, says the so-called society. I was way too serious about this, including the notion that we are considered “impure” when menstruating. To become a priest, one has to study a lot. I appeal to the male priests to think contemporaryly and not be conservative towards a new, pathbreaking priesthood led by women. They must change, it’s high time. We are just carrying forward our old traditions with a new attire—that’s about it,” pronounces Dr. Nandini Bhowmik, a female priestess who is drawing inspiration for all of us.
Igniting fire, she’s fire
Now meet the woman firefighter Taniya Sanyal, who’s been an awardee of several prestigious values and awards. Appointed by the airport authority of our country, the inspiration says, “Female firefighters like me have broken through the traditional gender roles that have long dominated the firefighting profession. My courage, determination, and skill in a male-dominated industry have inspired other women to pursue careers in firefighting and other male-dominated professions as well. Furthermore, the success of female firefighters has served as a source of motivation for other women, reminding them that they too can achieve their goals, regardless of the obstacles they may face.
We have demonstrated that hard work, perseverance, and dedication can lead to success in any profession.” She hails from a Bengali middle-class family, but one that is culturally sound, where along with the formal education she was encouraged to participate in various other activities. While she was still confused about her career, her grandmother’s words helped her find one. The thought of seeing herself as a saviour in the role of firefighter triggered Sanyal. “Such jobs are more male-centric. But the times have changed now for the better. And going forward, I hope we can see the same change in movies as well, as it is happening in reality. Hopefully Indian movies will also reflect the changes we are seeing,” she adds.
Not puny or scared
Most of the attorneys in black robes are men rather than women; this pinch helped Zia Mody shatter the glass barrier. A corporate lawyer today, who is also the founding partner of AZB & Partners, one of India’s leading law firms, is still very busy contributing to the judiciary. She spills the beans, “You can’t have it two ways. What I mean is that one wants incredible valuations but does not welcome the person who is going to give them to them.
It’s dependent on the promoter — where do they draw the line between a he or a she and private equity that is willing to bet on you. The young unicorns are betting on me! I was my mother’s special focus because I was a girl. Our whole family believes in the “bahai” faith, which demands equality between both genders. When I returned from India, I realised a corporate lawyer had to be a plus. Let’s go back to the mid-80s; there were no good corporate law firms then.
I had a challenge before me: get up and argue before a judge who is a thorough professional in Indian law and present myself as a superior “woman” to my male counterparts. By practising American law, I wasn’t better than the system, but I was as nervous as hell in the courtroom. I was concerned that my classmates would make fun of me. Although my male colleagues weren’t mean to me, we were friends, and I shared cases with them. That’s what my religious commandment taught me to do. I became brutally honest, henceforth!”
Shake it up!
This year marks a decade of my working in the alcohol beverage industry. Yes, making a mark wasn’t easy because, coming from a family where we haven’t seen anyone drinking around me, I took up my career in the alcohol and beverage industry. When I told my parents about my wish to explore my interest in this industry, they were shocked. Initially, they thought I was just trying to do something because it’s always been that, you need to study and take up a job with good financial independence, and they thought this wouldn’t be of any help. I was the first girl from Hyderabad to complete level 3 in WSET when I went for job interviews in the wine-related field in India.
It was really challenging, as the acceptance rate for women in the field has been very low. There have been times when people have not been really appreciative of women being behind a bar or a woman being a trainer for them for a day. I was really looked down upon, which kind of gave me disappointment in the initial days. I believe that raising kids without a bias towards their gender and making them believe that women can also do everything that a man does is surely going to make a lot of difference.
In fact, there have been instances where even women couldn’t believe that there was a woman behind the bar and doing a good job. Initially, my parents were a little sceptical, but now they’ve been supporting me on this path that I’ve taken. And today, I’ve opened my own academy called Liquid Art Bart School. I believe that along with the family, even the workplace needs to support women,” shared Spoorthy Kondapaneni, mixologist.
Conquering mountains
It’s time to communicate with a courageous mountaineer now, Radhika Iyer Talati, who may have conquered summits but also emerged victorious over the challenges she faced in the process, like breast cancer. She tells us, “Victory is very subjective. I have never intended on winning any journey; I have just followed the path as it appeared in front of me every time I climbed a mountain. Mountaineering gave me life. It gave me the freedom to be who I was. I understood myself every time I climbed, and I could feel this deep connection with nature every time I trekked. I know that these are the journeys that have paved my life as it is today.” The latest trek to Baraadsar was a daring feat for her.
The distance, terrain, and summit literally took her life once more before she could finish it. The Himalayan range gave her a glimpse of all the seasons during the excruciating 23-hour trek on the final day. According to the mountaineer, without both her daughters and the Sherpa, it would have been impossible to have returned alive from this trek. When she looks back, the agony has paid off. She continued, “Women have always juggled mountains of many things before. And now that the spot light is focusing, it definitely is a validation for us. Mountains teach us to rise above the mundane!
They allow us to transcend shallowness and help see the world in a very different light. When you climb, you can change. You become calmer, and if you allow nature to guide you, then this journey gets deeply rewarded.” She feels more women must climb to experience this magic! The confidence that climbing a mountain can give will help improve the quality of life. Climbing can make us both physically and mentally strong, and it can help us navigate through life more effortlessly. Also, “After thirty years as a married woman with three children and a full-blown career, I can safely say that life is like a mountain. The summit has to be kept in mind, but the journey is where the joy is; for if you can take this journey slowly, consciously, and mindfully, it will give you a deep sense of self-worth and tonnes of peace, one step at a time.”
Shaking up everyone’s perception of gender equality
Akshita Gandhi, an internationally acclaimed photographer, has taken photographs that tell remarkable stories. Spotting her was a healthy sign of our growing artistic community. So, to know her creative approach and how she is a collective voice for other women out there, we had a pleasant interaction with her. She told us, “”n a recent article, one is able to comprehend the contribution by women photographers since the early 40s. The history of photography is hard to imagine without our contribution!
Thanks to these bold women, the techniques, approaches, and themes changed. It can be said that women photographers revolutionised the history of photography more than their male peers. Photography is more than documenting the present; it gives the viewer an insight into the mind of the artist and helps them understand why certain elements and documentation are important. A modern digital medium still finding its place in the art world is definitely growing with more women like us bringing a sense of freshness to the medium and exploring its scope.” The issue has never been a lack of talent but a systematic obstruction to education and patronage to exhibit art, feels the multimedia artist. “Because we live in a patriarchal construct where women are viewed as nurturers and their gender roles are prioritised over pursuing a career actively, we know of more male photographers than female!
Living on their own terms is still looked down upon by members of our society. I strongly believe that the attitudes of a whole society that have existed since the beginning of time and been reinforced by systematic religions can be changed by one person at a time. Every person matters. As an aspiring artist, the two cents I would like to share with young women, irrespective of what they want to pursue, is: “Wear horse blinders! There will always be discouragement, failure, and criticism. Pay attention, but don’t allow it to consume you. It is easier said than done, but it comes with practice. When someone says something, we forget: we have a choice whether or not we allow it to affect us. Exercise that choice. The second one is, do not get complacent. Because if you do, you will be replaced. Constantly innovate, sharpen your skills, and keep learning. Your journey is about you; stay original and focused. Success will follow.”
The Quintessential Woman
The quintessential woman
Walks down the aisle
Festooned with flowers
It’s no less than a soirée
As she sways with grace
Sashays onto the holy space
But, is it only to be placed on the altar and remain a mute spectator?
Calling her a Goddess makes her no stronger
Nor ‘being so fathered and so husbanded’
O quintessential woman
Open thy wings and fly
Up in the sky
Walk around the world
with head raised high
Make your own choices
And just be You
Lead your life like a normal being
You are not a super perfect woman
All-sacrificing and all-forgiving
Easier said than done one may say
All women are not the same
Different struggles surface on the dusty road
‘Tis not a fair game we know
For some there’s no glass ceiling to break
The global pandemic has shown it’s all so fake
Are we prisoners of our deep -rooted social conditioning?
Sadly, that’s a fact
Slowly and steadily we need to start
Sweeping away this dark cloud
With determination and faith
Envisioning a better tomorrow
By embracing equity
That be the aim
