Hats off to India on its 61st Independence Day
I'm proud to say that I'm an Indian. I salute all those freedom fighters and the great people of India who have struggled during our independence till date, so that we women can enjoy freedom, liberty, independence, respect, rights, etc. Women have come a long way to be independent since 61 years and they are still going on.....right from Indira Gandhi to the Sunita Williams of today, they have walked the path of success and led in every field they chose, competing with and sometimes doing better than men... The first thing is we should do, is to thank our parents, who have given birth to us women and having taken care of us and taught us sound moral values. I think these moral values are being taught to every child whether it's a boy or girl. Both are equal in every way! With proper planning, financial status, elder's support, positive attitude and spirit, many Indian girls and women are being given a chance to express their talents. Right from being a mother to being a working woman, all women are in one way or the other showing their talents and are in the news today with their success stories of ability and hard work. Doctors say women have more energy than men. In the olden days a girl was not given education, but she was taught moral values. Times have changed, in these fast ages, with the computers, all women are doing something, right from the women who are sitting at home and doing business to the women who are working outside home. But there were times where women were beaten up badly and were also harassed. Even today these things do happen, but they are far less. We should try to help other women in such situations. We should also educate mothers who give birth to children but leave these unwanted children to die. "God " has given us brains and body, but its our duty to use it properly to be successful! Women are now "independent" financially to help the family, emotionally to support everyone, physically to face all the problems and the responsibility of the family. In the business world, within India or outside India, women are making money in many ways from taking tuitions for children, to fashion, beauty, trading in the stock markets, as computer professionals, etc. Previously it was for a change from the drudgery of house work that they spent time on their own interests and hobbies. However, today it has become a purpose in every woman's life. I personally congratulate all the women who are showing the "successful path of life " to other women. There are some women who help other women in one way or the other sharing information, encouraging and giving us support. Isn't this independence? It is true that women have gone a long way in asserting their independence. But have we succeeded in finding an independent identity of our own? This is a question, which women need to ask themselves. If independence means economic independence, then certainly we have succeeded to a great extent. ARLETTE AZAVEDO Mapusa, Goa.
