Here I am again after a lazy spell, pouring out my thoughts into the great wide internet teeming with ideas, innovation, stories and thoughts.

The world is bustling and bumbling, becoming busier by the day. We are in a constant rush to conquer and have learnt to become complacent in this mad rush to make a living, to be accepted and fit in. In all this, we have, however, started to overlook the little things. What do our actions lead to? In our struggle to save time, are we ignoring something more important? Or is it our way of saying we are just part of the crowd?

Where is this chain of thoughts heading? Well, to ourselves. To us who were younger, stronger and more courageous. To our younger selves who had ideals and who had plans to change the world, even through the smallest of actions. On Children’s Day, a lot of messages crowded our inboxes, asking us to look at the child within. The little people that we were more resilient, and more intolerant of the surrounding injustice. Looking back, it was easier to voice our thoughts. But as we grew older, the prying eyes and the judgmental thoughts all changed us into something we are not.

So, getting to the actual point, COP27, held from 6 November until 18 November 2022 in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. COP27 is the Conference of the Parties where the parties are the attending countries that signed up to the original UN climate agreement in 1992. The funny aspect, as highlighted by most climate activists, is that it is nothing but a façade to hide the enormous carbon footprint the countries are really responsible for.

This year there are younger participants joining from different parts of the globe than before. The fact that they are the ones fighting hard to save the planet that they have to live on leaves a definitive question. What have we been doing? Well, struggling to make ends meet, I guess, however, as vulnerable as we have been to the surroundings, the little people of today have a lot to deal with. While we can say that the digital natives have the world at their fingertips, enjoying nature and breathing easily is not.

According to a Statement by UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) AR6 Report, “Today, 1 billion of the world’s most vulnerable children are at extreme risk. If the world fails to act, tomorrow it will be all children. It is past time to put children at the center of climate action.”

Together we have seen the effects of a worldwide pandemic, the intense and destructive climate hazards, the heatwaves, droughts, cyclones, floods, and air pollution to top it off. Our childhoods weren’t this harsh, at least in terms of the climate, and that brings us back to the thought of what kind of Children’s Day is this, really?

We see activists like Greta Thunberg, Xiuhtezcatl Martinez, Nyombi Morris, Licypriya Kangujam and many more, raising awareness about climate change. The young voices have relentlessly been repeating how pertinent it is to take action. The world, however, is still to take heed. The COP27 is yet another platform where the little people are leading the way to change. Makes me often wonder what more I need to do. Zero waste, stopping single-use plastic, go-green and more. Would it suffice to get Earth back to its former glory? And just as we wonder, another bomb drops on a small city somewhere far away, destroying everything in its wake. Switch to another aspect that impacts children the most: conflicts, wars and displacement.

According to stats, “36.5 million children were displaced from their homes by the end of 2021”. The story repeats and tends to continue as people fight for vested interests. Children need safe places to grow in, food to provide nutrition, and a shelter where they don’t have to live in fear. Devoid of such basic requirements, millions of children are still struggling on a daily basis. Then comes education, which again cannot be guaranteed at all times owing to the tumultuous situations in many regions.

So, when we think of Children’s Day, we have to rethink again what we are really offering to the next generation. Change we must, in all ways, possibly slowly and gradually rectify the mistakes we and our previous generations have made directly or indirectly. We can choose to live recklessly, but we can also choose to live carefully. Together, the change can be real, but don’t leave it to the little people alone, for the world is as much ours as it is theirs.

Afraid of what others will say? Let’s do our thing, let the naysayers say whatever they want to say. Believe that you can drive change and set out to make a difference. People will definitely take an interest. Let’s stop being adults who try to fit in and join in with the children who choose to stand out. Let’s speak up when we see something wrong. Let us voice our concerns about wars. Let us not be shy about standing out in a crowd. Taking a bag to the grocery is good and so is taking a container for lentils and whole grains. The good old way of taking a container to buy oil would be great too, but sadly, buying it from the oil mills isn’t an easy option everywhere. Growing vegetables at home, cutting down on electricity usage, using environment-friendly washing agents, and composting food waste is all ways in which we can contribute to reversing climate change. There are tutorials for homemade enzyme cleaners, homemade natural shampoo, and moisturizers, all of which can otherwise add to the plastic pile that we create. Small assertive steps that we take as individuals can contribute towards global change. We might not move the mountain, but we can at least decrease the size.

This is Satrangee Parachute triggering thoughts for change.

Sharing some links for extra reading if it interests you all.

https://www.unicef.org/stories/young-climate-activists-demand-action-inspire-hope

https://unfccc.int/

https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/today-1-billion-worlds-most-vulnerable-children-are-extreme-risk-if-world-fails-act

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/climate-change-affecting-children-even-before-birth

https://www.unicef.org/migrant-refugee-internally-displaced-children

https://conflictandhealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13031-022-00486-6

https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/10-ways-you-can-help-fight-climate-crisis

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The other day, I happened to watch an interesting movie from the amazing Studio Ghibli collection titled “Only Yesterday”. A simple story about a girl finding/learning love showcased in parallel with her 10-year-old self who is quite lively and courageous in comparison to her current self. As the character in the movie- Taeko Okajima reminisced her past, I reminisced mine. The 7th-period mystery is my personal version of an incident that happened when I was around 10 years old, I think (“Oh dear! My memory fails me”, says the 60-year-old me from a few decades later).

It was a lovely summer, I remember playing around with my friends, telling stories, picking Jamuns, and laughing at the silliest of things. It all changed in the span of 30 minutes. I was suddenly pushed from my innocent or should I say ignorant world into the world of the adults. Little did I know back then, that there was much more to the world of adults than that teeny-tiny jolt that I had experienced on that fateful day.

It was just like any other day at school until one of our teachers suddenly announced that all the girls were supposed to gather at the Physics lab during the 7th period. Wow, Physics lab I thought, the mysterious room with all sorts of weird instruments. It was a spooky room for all I knew, “what if ghosts popped out? No, not when there are many people around right?”, I convinced myself. During those days we had a mixed seating arrangement, and so my bench mates (no prize on guessing that they were boys) were now busy straining their ears to catch any kind of hints about this sudden mysterious female gathering. It was declared that the boys could use this time to play, an announcement that deviated their attention from the element of curiosity for at least a short while. The girls on the other hand had their minds in a jumble, most of us trying to figure out which great ‘social rule’ we had broken (me in particular, coz climbing trees, wrestling with boys, etc. were the common misconducts I was punished for). After almost an hour of excruciating curiosity that was bubbling up, heavily suppressed by mathematical equations we finally made our way to the Physics lab, which to our surprise was already filled with girls from senior classes and almost every female teacher in the school.

“Phew, I guess this wasn’t about me”, I sighed in relief (on second thoughts maybe I thought too highly about myself!). After being ushered in, we found seats, tables, and walls to lean on to and adjusted ourselves to this entirely uncanny and novel situation.

Seeing that we had finally settled in, one of the female teachers took charge and started speaking. It started something like, “you are all growing girls and you will or have experienced certain changes in your body as you grow” … And so, that went on…a long monologue on Mensuration or Periods as we commonly call it. This subject matter for the 10-year-old me was awkward and baffling, mostly because I had never heard of this before. I looked around, there were many heads nodding in unison, some facing showcasing the weirdest of expressions, while some eyes staring so fixedly at the speaker as if every word was of the highest importance. Little did I know that this would be the turning point in my life, and a major transitioning point in lifestyle and every little activity that I was hitherto accustomed to.

After, 30 minutes or so, the teachers had informed us in a totally generalized and kid-friendly way about what ‘IT’ was and whom to contact in case of issues related to it, and then we were dispersed. I could literally see relief written on many faces as if a huge burden had been taken off their chest. I overheard a few seniors discuss among themselves, of how great it was that they could go to the teachers in case of emergency. We walked back to the classroom and luckily the boys were still in the playground and we had 10 minutes at least before they rushed back. The mature ones in our class took initiative and shared stories of how their moms had given them ‘the talk’. Me and a couple of smaller ones (physically), had the blankest expressions because of the unexpectedness of the entire information. I wanted to speak, enquire about many things, however, I decided to keep my questions on hold for now. “How do I ask Mom?”, now that was a task, I had to muster my courage for.

The last period was really tough to endure. There was this general unrest among girls as if they had suddenly become conscious about their bodies and having boys sitting right next to us made the situation a bit tough to adjust to. Somehow, we managed to evade the curious questions and when the bell rang, we all packed in a hurry while the boys continued quizzing. “What happened in the Physics Lab?” “What happened during the 7^th period?”, were the questions that followed us back home as we walked as fast as we could.

I was home earlier than usual, much to my mother’s surprise. Never had I been this keen on getting back home on time. On normal days, I took my sweet time getting back home. As a regular practice, we would have a rock kicking contest or climb on the Tamarind tree or Jamun Trees near the school and while away the time before getting back home (one benefit of staying within the campus). I quickly freshened up, had my lunch, and scurried into the room I shared with my siblings. It was now or never I decided, time to confront mom. So, while dad and my siblings took their nap, I told my mother that I had to talk. Mom was taken aback by this sudden request and at this point, I am sure she was wondering what prank I was up to. Anyways we walked into the guest bedroom and my mother sat down, waiting to listen to whatever crazy story I had to tell.

“Mom, so the ma’am at school said that we will start bleeding when we get older and bigger. What is that supposed to mean? My friends told me that I am supposed to ask you.” I blurted out. Mom looked dazed at first, after a minute or two she finally pieced the puzzle together. “Ohh…that…”, she said calmly. “I was wondering when I should talk to you about it anyways, come here,” she said. My nerves were killing me now, get done with the mystery I thought. It was too much for my little brain. What ensued was mom’s version of how a girl’s body changes when she reaches puberty, often interrupted by apologies for not being able to explain it well in biological terms.  

“Why must only girls have it? What about boys, don’t they have something similar happening?” I had questions and for some reason, I was extremely angry, but before I could ask anything else, mom was rescued by the sound of my younger brother wailing from his bed. She left me to my own devices and went to pacify my brother. I bubbled with anger and frustration but with no way to find an outlet, I kicked a few toys and decided to focus on my homework. Hence, the discussion was now put on hold, and at some point, I got so engrossed in reading Famous Five that the thought was temporarily shelved.

Back at the school, curiosity stayed alive for a few days. We had discussions amongst ourselves trying to keep it all a secret from the boys, and eventually “physics lab” became our secret code. The 7th-period mystery, slowly became a forgotten story, until two years or so later when I first experienced the excruciating pain, and the first menses struck me like an axe. I panicked, almost hyperventilated, and blacked out, and my father had to carry me home. Then mom sat me down for another talk, trying to reason with me that this was a natural process and that boys too had their own troubles. The pain and anger, the discomfort included left me depressed all through the first ‘period’ experience. The physical changes also triggered changes in my behaviour, dressing, sitting style, and even interactions. I started becoming warier about boys, shied out from playing football, cricket, etc. and tried to avoid climbing trees while wearing a dress/skirt (well, some stupid things I did before). Friendships changed too, it must have been the sudden awareness about the gender difference I think, but I started to keep a distance from everyone around except a select few with whom I felt really comfortable.

Truth to be told, I was angry almost every time IT reoccurred. There were days when I had to stay away from school, it used to be a real task to avoid gossips. While we knew nobody was going to ‘catch period’ by talking about it, the fear lingered around wearing whites, covering stains, etc. The whole experience of constantly avoiding the scrutiny of boys during those days or even otherwise was quite similar to the scenes showcased in the anime ‘Only Yesterday’. It took me years to come in terms with this so-called compulsory process of the female body that allows us to accommodate birth and ensure the continuation of humankind (in a broad sense).

Mensuration is a necessary and inevitable part of our lives, yet there is so much secrecy around it. Right from the way parents shy away from explaining what the Sanitary pads are when we are kids to the way in which we as grown-up girls/women try to sneak them around our classmates/colleagues. As funny as it may sound, I used to think that sanitary pads are some kind of sweat absorbents to be used under our armpits (ROFL).

I admit we don’t have to shout about it from the rooftops, but it is a discussion that is long overdue. Mensural hygiene being a major issue in many countries including India, even more so in today’s situation where the availability of Sanitary pads has become an issue too (1, 2, 3). While there are many steps being taken, there’s still a long way to go. In order to create better awareness about access to safe and hygienic menstrual hygiene products, May 28^th was observed as the Menstrual Hygiene Day. And while hygiene and availability of options remain a question there is also the question of increased plastic content in the regularly available, mass-produced products (4). There are environmentally friendly alternatives available, but much like the awareness about mensural hygiene, it remains accessible to the socio-economically stable populace.

An environmental and cost-effective solution is the need of the hour. Products that can be availed by everybody, irrespective of the societal hierarchy. The steps would include, enabling smaller manufacturers to produce environmentally friendly products that can be distributed even to the smallest of villages, teaching women how to make sanitary hygiene products, how to dispose of them safely, how to take care of themselves, etc. This can only be done by making mensuration hygiene a necessary topic of discussion in every institute that provides secondary education, broadcasting information about it on television and radio (Padman was just the start), and most importantly ensuring that the social stigmas around mensuration are completely destroyed.

Remember You and I are all part of this change. With this thought in mind, this is Satrangee Parachute breezing off into the clouds of memories.

References:

1. https://thewire.in/women/coronavirus-menstruation-sanitary-pads
2. https://www.financialexpress.com/lifestyle/menstrual-hygiene-management-tips-for-safe-period-hygiene/1973872/
3. https://www.business-standard.com/article/health/world-menstrual-hygiene-day-2020-coronavirus-lockdown-impact-on-girls-menstruating-rumours-120052800633_1.html
4. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/2019/09/how-tampons-pads-became-unsustainable-story-of-plastic/
5. https://www.hindustantimes.com/sex-and-relationships/world-menstrual-hygiene-day-2020-go-sustainable-with-eco-friendly-products/story-MpMebIdwu3K3oGyiFtN1pL.html
6. https://www.vogue.co.uk/article/best-eco-friendly-sustainable-sanitary-brands-products

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Keep Smiling they all say. Some say your teeth look crooked, so try keeping your mouth shut while smiling. Some say it’s better that you laugh, some say it isn’t. No matter what they say, I smile, coz its my armour. It saves me from false sympathies, and pitying eyes.

As a child innocent and bright, I laughed and played, little did I know the meaning behind those forced hugs and kisses, the reason behind them making me sit on the lap. The day I understood, I was horrified, angry, in pain and distressed and most importantly scared of the world around.

And things just grew worse with time. On some days, an ominous presence followed me around, bared me with the sneering gaze, whistled and leered at me. But, in midst of my friends I smiled. On other days, a hand groped me in the bus, prodded me from the sides. On some days, I was insulted by words. “Too progressive, too modern, look at that dress, Aye haaye… Chamiya…. Are palat na meri jaan, oye maal, pataka, wow look at the Goods man!” Forlorn and annoyed, I still smiled when my friends too laughed at such remarks. On some days, I was stifled, stuck in the corner of a crowded bus or train, flashed at in midst of the crowd, and from the corner of my eye I watched as another girl underwent the same plight.

I vowed to be strong. Started a stare-athon, but I failed. I ignored them, laughed and walked around the streets, strongly gripping the pocket knife or the pair of scissors in my bag. I have walked through it all, now I think I am stronger, wiser, more cautious and more prepared. I know what to avoid, and where to put a STOP when it come to being friendly. Yet, the trauma still remains, the unpleasant memory still haunts me.

So, to hide it all, the pain, the disgust, the anger, the fear… ‘I SMILE’. I hide it all Behind the Thousand Smiles.

For the longest period of time I preferred not to talk or discuss about it. But, then I realized why not? It wasn’t my fault. The people who did it were the ones in fault-sick, crazy or whatever. I might not get an apology, nor be emotionally healed, yet if my saying it out loud makes a difference then so be it. Today when women around the globe share their experience, I gather the courage to say #Meetoo, but no more. Moreover, this is not just about women, it’s about children, about men and transgenders too. So it is #ustoo #wetoo #weallhave.

This is Satrangee Parachute, hoping to witness change and grow stronger with time.

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It has been weeks now since the Gorakhpur Incident was reported. Some images are etched into my mind, and I know that they will haunt me for ever. Impulse or compulsion, I had to pen my thoughts, express my anger, helplessness and a concoction of other emotions, all through this post.

In a nation that constantly cribs about “who eats what” and ‘who wears what’, the immense silence that had loomed post the deaths of 64 infants due to acute encephalitis syndrome (AES) is uncanny. Well, could be counted as mourning. Though the social media, and news agencies have been on their toes trying to increase the national reaction about such a tragic incidence, it seems like the death of children in some part of the nation (from unknown families-if I must add) has nothing to do with ‘us.

While some callously point out that deaths due to AES happens every year, I ask what have we done to prevent it? I thoroughly support Sreemoy Talukdar in saying that we are failing to look at the real issue here.

For those who are unaware, AES is characterized by acute onset of fever and clinical neurological manifestation that includes mental confusion, disorientation, delirium, or coma. The disease has a long history in India. As mentioned in a research journal (published in The Annals of Neurosciences, Sep 2016), titled ‘Acute Encephalitis Syndrome in India: The Changing Scenario’, authored by Sourish Ghosh and Anirban Basu, “The history of AES in India

has paralleled with that of the Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) since the first report in 1955 from Vellore, Tamil Nadu. The first outbreak of JEV was reported in Bankura district, West Bengal in 1973. Thereafter, sporadic cases of AES and outbreaks have been the leading cause of premature deaths due to the disease in India. Based on various surveillance reports and outbreak investigations, Joshi et al. classified the history of AES in India into 3 phases: (a) period before 1975 when a few cases with JE aetiology were identified; (b) between 1975 and 1999 when more JEV cases were reported with frequent outbreaks that resulted in the development of JE endemic regions near the Gangetic plains and in parts of Deccan and Tamil Nadu; (c) between 2000 and 2010, a dramatic change was observed in the AES scenario, which saw the rise in non-JE outbreaks mostly caused by viruses such as Chandipura virus (CHPV), Nipah virus (NiV), and other enteroviruses.”

While the article on Firstpost supports the statements with many other stats, that emphasize the fact that healthcare is highly neglected in a country that has nuclear power, satellite launching capabilities and so on. While the media digs on the issues like unavailability of oxygen, the negligence of the hospital authorities and the coverups that followed, the statement by UP Health Minister SN Singh that “August is the month when a lot of infections and vector-borne diseases and AES (Acute Encephalitis Syndrome) cases comes into BRD.(read the full article here)”, sounds lame and inhuman.

So, assuming that it happens every year, surprisingly instead of witnessing a decrease in number, are the numbers shooting up? And it is not that the Ministry of health hasn’t issued directives. According to Annual child health report for 2015-16, “Vaccination against Japanese Encephalitis (JE) is provided in selected endemic districts.” But, in reality the JE shots have rendered ineffective in the case of AES. In a report related to rising child deaths in Malkangiri district, Odisha in Nov 2016, it was reported that, “of total 313 cases, 161 children have been diagnosed with AES and the rest with JE.”

Don’t blame it on the healthcare practitioners, as the disease itself seems to be a mystery, with around 100 pathogens that trigger it, the West Nile virus, dengue virus, Chandipura virus and chikungunya virus, bacteria like Streptococcus pneumoniae, Orientia tsutsugamushi, and Haemophilus influenzae, to name a few.

Each year hospitals have a hard time arranging beds other equipment and even doctors to handle the sudden flow of patients. My question here, are we falling short of trained healthcare professionals? If so, how do we raise the number and if not what is the real reason?

At the end, investigations point out that this particular incident was the result of violation of protocols that inadvertently led to inadequate oxygen supply which caused the death of all those innocent infants, and to think that some of them were not even named. All we can do now is offer our heartfelt condolences to those parents and try to ensure that such incidents aren’t repeated.

This is Satrangee Parachute signing off with the ardent prayer that political, religious or vested interests of individuals shouldn’t come at the price of human lives.

Ref:

• http://www.firstpost.com/india/gorakhpur-tragedy-annual-cycle-of-deaths-will-continue-as-nobody-wants-to-address-the-real-issue-3930049.html

• https://series.fountainink.in/the-gorakhpur-mystery/

• http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/oxygen-doesnt-seem-to-be-reason-for-gorakhpur-children-dying-up-health-minister-sn-singh/articleshow/60049335.cms

• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5043220/

• http://mohfw.gov.in/sites/default/files/63256458796523654528.pdf

• http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/2016/nov/10/je-shots-useless-as-aes-soars-1536938.html

• http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/gorakhpur-infant-deaths-brd-medical-college-and-hospital-oxygen-supply-shortage-oxygen-cylinder/1/1033185.html

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And yes, you read it right, the title does say Do-worry. A warning to any parent who has a girl child. No offence to anyone in particular but a question to all out there- why does the ‘Dowry system’ still exist? Because, the guy’s parents insist? And, that for sure is the popular belief- true to some extent too. But, the truth is that this system still exists in its raw form or slightly modified versions because the girl’s family insists, because it would otherwise bring down their social status; because their child will not be treated well, because they love their child so much, because, because, because…. And no, it’s not Dowry that they give, it’s a ‘gift'(totally sarcastic).

My only question here is why? Aren’t you giving away your daughter to an able partner who is capable of looking after her? Isn’t she going to be the homemaker and his constant companion and maybe the breadwinner too? Or is it a cost you pay to get rid of the commodity sitting ideal at home? I really am unable to understand, why do parents underestimate their daughters, their capability, their looks, their nature? For once, trust her. Don’t just leave her to be an ornamental object which is kept safe just because of the price that was paid.

And if you still insist on really giving the so called ‘gift’-then give it to your daughter and not to your son-in-law or his family. Say, gift her a Fixed Deposit maybe!- that will at least give her financial independence (in case she doesn’t wish to work). Or if your love is still insatiable, then be discreet for once- let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth.

You might think why I am so opposed to this system of transactions. First things first- I am a daughter, need I say more? But, this has nothing to do with my husband or his family. No, the real reason is that I have seen the condition of parents who have really struggled to full fill the demands made by the groom’s family. I have seen the scared look on their faces when some demands are not met, scared that their daughter would be hurt they  run around arranging funds, taking loans and go through a really hard time -all for what- just to see their daughter happily married?

When will they understand that by doing so, they set in motion a vicious cycle?

This is how it goes. A wealthy parent decides to give gifts to his son-in-law, the immediate family- his daughter is now happily married. But, this has created a social scale for comparison and the society around starts discussing in terms of how much we can give. Now in a different family, a boy’s parents start wondering what gifts they will get when their son gets married- this is called ‘creating expectations‘. On the other hand, in the same society there is a middle class family, managing somehow to live a standard life, the loving parents have a daughter and a son. When it’s turn for this daughter to be married, the society already has some set expectations, so the parents struggle and arrange things to match the bar set earlier. But, by the time the daughter is married they are too tired of making ends meet and their hearts are hardened due to the pain they’ve undergone. Now they become the malicious kind and start expecting that their son will get equal amount or more- this is called- ‘creating helplessness‘.

Either way, this cycle continues, the situation of the people with very low-income is even worse. They are too scared of the society, afraid that their daughters will stay home as spinsters, and so what do they compromise? The personality, and they send their daughters off to hell with very small affordable gifts.

Unless daughters and their parents take a solid step towards saying ‘NO’ to the gift system. ‘NO’ it won’t do your daughter any harm. And, ‘NO’ the groom doesn’t want it, nor do his parents. ‘NO’ your daughter will not be harassed- and if it happens then you are at fault because you found the wrong guy for your daughter.

That being said you also need to be aware that the so called ‘gifts’ too come under the punishable offence. For starters Dowry/the worry system is defined as ‘an amount of property or money brought by a bride to her husband on their marriage’. Under Indian law, dowry has been illegal since 1961 under the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961.

In this Act, “dowry” means any property or valuable security given or agreed to be given either directly or indirectly.

(a) By one party to a marriage to the other party to the marriage, or (b) By the parent of either party to a marriage or by any other person, to either party to the marriage or to any other person.

See what you are doing? In plain words endangering the life of your ‘precious son-in-law’.

However, let’s not ignore the other side too. In certain communities the groom’s family too present gifts to their daughter-in-law and her family. Where would this fit in? Does fits the definition though- one party to another! 

I say, say ‘NO’ to this too. Why barter, and who is the commodity here?

It’s high time this archaic cycle came to an end and it is upon each and every one of us to raise our voice against such things that are easily observable.

This is all I wish to say, and I hope we get to see the changes soon.

With these serious thoughts, this is Satrangee Parachute flying off in search of ‘Change’.

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Its anger, frustration, and and hour of puking that has led me to my blog today. Suddenly I needed to give voice to the souls of many whose voices lay muffled beneath the layers of societal hierarchy, judicial pile, money & political power and much more….Here’s what they have to say

“The society is not safe for us they say, but who has made it unsafe?”
The spirit of a girl child says, ” I am no longer sad that my parent’s abandoned me, the world isn’t a good place anyway.”

I hear the voices, and they cry out…

“Mother, just let me stay within you
coz, I am safest here.
The world out there is darker than the night,
plagued by grotesque beings.
Let me reside here in this womb,
where love and care will forever be with me.

Don’t let them kill me because I am a girl child,
Don’t let them brand me as a burden in your life.
Don’t let them set their hungry eyes on me,
Don’t let them see me in their dirty minds.
Mother, just let me be..
And Let me stay within you.

Why did you leave me desolate and bereft,
why did you let me be hunted by the wolves.
It would be better if I was never born,
better if I was never born…
So, mother just take me back,
Back into your womb
and, let me stay within you until eternity or doom.”

This is the voice of Nirbhaya, Jisha, Aruna, Suzette many others who died in pain and humiliation; the voice of those rape victims who are forced to live as social outcasts for the crime committed by someone else.

According to Wikipedia, “In the National Crime Records Bureau 2013 annual report, 24,923 rape cases were reported across India in 2012. Out of these, 24,470 were committed by someone known to the victim (98% of the cases).”

When will this change? And this is not just in India, this is happening across the globe. Women and children are hurt and abused the most in warring countries. The refugees in search of shelter are molested, raped and even killed. In India women are killed, abused and tortured in the name of caste, sect, religion, family glory and what not…

The world has evolved technologically, but the people have turned savage. What is the use of education, societal norms and the hierarchy of governance when human life cannot be saved?

The beasts who commit such crime should pay for it, and death sentence is the easy way out for them. Hope that an appropriate punishment be devised for such heinous crimes.

Praying that the the souls of those who have died Rest In Peace, this is Satrangee Parachute drifting through dark clouds..

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Yes, the entire trouble started when the chromosomal crossover took place and females became the XX person. From times unknown this cycle has been followed, and as the genes defined the female was born. So whom do we blame for the current plight? Has the life of a girl/women been predefined by the gene codes within her? Or is it the society that decides her fate?

We are mocked, ogled and commented on because of our genes. It’s not our fault, it’s the XX gene that puts us in such awkward state. They say it’s the clothes we wear that brings us suffering, I say it’s our amino acid sequence!

The International Women’s day was celebrated across the globe, sending across messages of courage, strength and achievements. The unforgettable truth however, is that women are respected when they abide to the rules set by the society around. We talk about women who stand victorious in various endeavours, equality. But we celebrate the Women, instead of respecting them (as mentioned in an earlier blog).

It is the year 2015, and we speak about technological advancement, change of governance, ending corruption and also getting rid of the major issues. What do we do about the kids being raped, the women being tortured and murdered? We could say that new laws are being passed, women security has become a priority etc… But is this the fool-proof solution? Or does every female have to carry a loaded gun around?

Violation begins when a male looks at a female with immoral ideas, when a husband takes his wife for granted, or when a child is forced to be fondled. Very often the female is forced to accept it as her fate, and left with no choice but to run. But if she does so, the society casts her out and brands her sinful. The mere fault of being born with XX chromosomes makes her a whore if she walks with or befriends a male, or a slut if she chooses to wear clothes that are flashy.

It angers me that no matter how hard we try the patriarchal society always blames the female for the atrocities she faces. It pains me that no matter how modest the woman, she is violated and killed by some madmen in rampage. Law’s with loopholes, corrupt offices and a whole range of people who think that women need to surrender when they are being raped, hardly defines Women safety. Day after day crime against women is on a rise and the newspapers highlight the plight. (http://www.thehindu.com/sunday-anchor/no-country-for-women/article6969953.ece; http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/300-rapes-and-500-molestation-cases-reported-in-just-2-months/articleshow/46488674.cms)

So what do us, the ones born with XX chromosome do?

Have our genes changes? Stay home after 7pm? Wear clothes that cover us completely? Only walk around with our fathers/husbands? Or stop living as a whole?

It’s high time now, the society needs to change its thoughts. The youth of today show better understanding towards gender equality and mutual respect. However, tens and thousands are still out there waiting like vultures to feast on women, criticise them and censor their lives. The change has to begin from within. Respect your mother, your sister, your friend, your wife. Allow her to live according to her terms. Stop condemning her wardrobe, condemn your thoughts instead. And stop those who preach chauvinistic ideas.

I say this to all the psychic ones out there, you came into this world because of a person with XX chromosome; contemplate on this before hurting another women. If you say it’s our fault, we say it is yours, coz genetics says so.

So, lets correct the fault in our genes by being stronger and bolder. Let’s declare out loud that we are proud women, and shall not be broken anymore. We will fight for justice, we will protect ourselves and we shall no longer accept the taboos put up by the society. We are women, respect us for who we are, and not for our conformity towards societal norms. Accept us as you accept our male counterparts.

Sending out the message of courage, this is Satrangee Parachute, standing strong against the narrow-minded world.

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Lots of things have changed since I posted my last blog, for instance the Prime Minister of our country changed so did the governing party. I quit my job, shifted state and also got married….So much for changes ah!!!

Today as India/ Bharat my mother nation celebrates its 67th Independence day a thought strikes my mind again as always…How independent are we??? Ironical as the maximum number of messages I got today read ” Do not send me Independence day messages, and don’t send me the same because I am married.”
What message does it give, that all married people lack independence. What is independence after all??
Is it only restricted to being free from the colonial powers, the freedom bought by the sacrifice of thousands of brave men and women for whom this nation was not just the place they were deemed to be born? or is it the unending opportunities of trade and commerce that was opened up in the 90’s? Is it the constantly spoken about women empowerment? Is it the freedom to gain residence in a foreign nation without being judged as inferiors?? OR Is it the freedom to be vocal about each and every thought that crosses one’s mind on social media?

Freedom could be all these. Independence on the other hand is a self manifested state. We the people of this generation were never slaves. But each day we choose to be slaves to many vices that have no part in our lives. If today a married person considers himself/ herself to be dependent that I would say is ones own making. Independence is yours, but to be in that state one has to ask for it. In marriages that might be through talks. In jobs through negotiations. The truth is its you who enslave yourself so its only you who can take the steps to be independent.

In a nation where changes come and go more in writing than in practice, it would be a change in itself if each individual would take charge and follow Gandhiji’s words “Be the change that you wish to see in the world”.
So people out there who think you are in dependence.. stand up, and be independent. Remember, Independence does not only mean earning and standing on your feet, for those who are house makers it means that your home and household becomes helpless without you.

India might be independent, but she is a long way from being free. freedom from poverty, corruption and lots of things. But as you all know no fight begins without an individual. So begin the change reaction within and around us to create a truly free and independent country.

With these thoughts, it is Satrangee Parachute taking a step towards change….

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These are dark times..for females and the humankind at large..Narrow mindsets, patriarchal societal structure has become more evasive. Its scary to be out on your own. Every now and then you see sneering faces, stalkers, hormone filled predators lurking from the corners, taunting you with their wild smiles……We are talking about a safer Delhi, but the fact is that nowhere is safe enough….and that brings me to the question AM I SAFE???

Should I go out alone? It’s too late and its getting dark….maybe I should postpone my plan. I could call a friend to accompany me.Oh no I should call a dozen of my friends, Or maybe I should call for police protection. But what If…..?????

The news of what happened to a 23 year old in our Nation’s capital has been haunting us for weeks now. On one hand Civil societies, women’s groups have been protesting continuously for speedy justice. The case is to be fast tracked. While on the other hand we have a culprit who is pleading to be juvenile??? It is just outrageous, What part of his being juvenile justifies his crime?

This hideous crime has however made me highly insecure. My thoughts go haywire from time to time. Dark lanes, uncrowded roads scare me. I prefer traveling during day time… It is not the first time that such a news caught my eyes, but why has this particular incident rocked me to the core? Why have nightmares become common for most of us? The savageness, the brutality that killed a girl has affected us all in one way or the other. Parents have become even more protective, boyfriends and husbands more possessive, those of us who used to be scared once in a while now live in fear.

Who is to be blamed for what happened? The Girl? because she got on the wrong bus with only a guy as escort (maybe a girl should have at least two bouncers as escorts). The Guy? because he could not fight off six men (it looks like a piece of cake in Bollywood movies). The authorities? for giving permit to such a covered up school bus (with tinted windows??). The people? because they failed to notice the presence of a school bus at a particularly odd time roaming in their elite neighborhood. The Public servants? because the protectors of law who didn’t seem to have the possible insights and intuition. Or maybe the families? because the families of such sick perverts let them loose….The blame game will just go on, but will be quite inconclusive.

The question that haunts my mind is that what are we who were destined to be born with XX chromosome supposed to do? Are we supposed to stay hidden in our mother’s womb, or sheltered behind our fathers?
Stay home, wear burkha, wear unprovocative clothes? Or like some really wise old men said only go out with your husbands or relatives, or maybe when the shani, rahu and ketu glide away from over the heads of all the females, we might as well be free from the fear of some sick men lurking in the dark corners of our cities waiting for the right time to pounce upon their prey.

What is the solution? Pepper spray, knife, chilli powder, taekwondo lessons? Ideas might vary, but i think the solution begins in the families. Teach our brothers, sons, fathers, friends to respect women. The male dominance that has been passed over from generation to generation needs to end. Let us all be equal, Let us all be human….

It is a long journey between Human Being & Being Human….
Let’s travel at least a one step daily to cover the distance….
With this prayer this is Satrangee Parachute floating though the grey clouds……
 …..”For each time a girl is wronged or hurt I am hurt.
       I die a thousand deaths each day I live, Coz somewhere across the world I am being killed”

This Blog is dedicated to all the brave-hearts who suffered yet fought back for making the world safer for us.

Note:
These news articles point out that it hasn’t stopped even after such a mass outrage.
http://zeenews.india.com/news/nation/i-never-had-thoughts-of-leaving-her-and-running-away-delhi-gang-rape-victims-friend_820801.html
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Girl-gang-raped-thrown-out-of-vehicle-in-Bengal/articleshow/18021836.cms
http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-12-28/india/36035491_1_sajal-jain-bijal-joshi-gang-karan-jain
http://ibnlive.in.com/news/gujarat-exmlas-nephew-3-friends-allegedly-gangrape-girl-for-over-3-years/314933-3-238.html

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