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| STATISTICS: |
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| | • | Generation X is a term for the American and Canadian generation (those born in the 1960s and 1970s) that followed the post World-war II baby boom generation. | | | • | In continental Europe, the generation is often known as Generation E, or simply known as the Nineties Generation, along the lines of such other European generation names as "Generation of 1968" and "Generation of 1914". | |
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| Every mother has created a part of the future | | GALLERY | | CONVERSATION | | | | |
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Seetaa:
I consider myself very lucky to be part of this generation. In today’s world, women are proud to be women. This is an amazing leap from where the fairer sex was just a few decades ago.
Many countries placed women in a slightly lower position with women not even having the right to vote. Women were granted voting rights in the UK in 1918, and in Switzerland after World War II.
During the Women’s Lib movement, women fought to show that they were equal to men. I feel that was very necessary at that time, but still confining. I don’t believe that we need to equate ourselves with men. A woman should never have to pursue a certain career, or make certain choices to consider herself equal to a man. Women who are homemakers have the toughest job in the world. Every mother has created a part of the future. We are different, we are wonderful and we are proud.
To a large extent, women of my generation and upbringing no longer have to fight for their rights. We can afford to take equality for granted to an extent. I am free to explore the limitless possibilities of what I can be and what I want to be. I come from a family that is extremely supportive of everything I do. My parents see me as a person first and not as a daughter. My brothers and I have every opportunity, and yet we are never compared. I take pride in the fact that I am a woman and that I don’t have to prove anything to anyone in order to hold my head high. I have never had to face a situation as a singer, or as a law student, where I was discriminated against for being a woman. I am free to focus on my life and my career. Everyday, I wake up and try to raise myself a little higher and bring out the best that is inside me, as a woman, but more importantly as a human being. For me it’s not about being empowered, it’s about being super-powered.
Having said all this, it is at times saddening to know that the playing field has not been completely levelled in all cases. For just one small example, in India, women are still not allowed to become fighter pilots in the Indian Air Force even after they have completed the same training as men. On the other side of the same coin, women like Kalpana Chawla did India (and the world) proud. I know that it won’t happen overnight, but we will get to a place, where all over the world, gender will be irrelevant and every person will stand tall for whatever they are. The debate continues, but the future looks bright.
Lau Se Lau Jalti Hai
This song is very apt for this occasion, as it states that one flame will ignite many other flames. Originally written for the Athens Olympics when the Olypmic Flame was brought to India), its relevancy can be easily seen. The concept ‘Imagining Ourselves’ from a little spark has become an international movement.
Kavita:
I would like to start off by saying I’m extremely proud to be a woman. Being a Hindu, I firmly believe in rebirth. If you asked me, I would be glad to be born a woman again in my next life. My growing years, as well as my entire support for my career as a singer has come from my aunt and my mother – the two most dynamic ladies of my family. They didn’t have a formal education, and were married very young – at eighteen and fourteen respectively. They spent their lives being good wives and good mothers. They are intensely courageous and intelligent women. The one thing I greatly admire about that generation of women is the grace and dignity with which they handled every aspect of life. It’s my good fortune that despite being born into a traditional Hindu family, I was allowed to pursue a career in music – to travel to Mumbai, where I continued my undergraduate studies along with my training in music. My dream was to be a successful playback singer in Bollywood.
Now, when I look back at the past thirty years of my career, I can, with great confidence, say that being a woman has not caused any impediments in my career. Most women of my generation, born in larger towns and cities, have also been fortunate enough to pursue education, careers and family lives. I have had the same privileges as my male siblings.
Seetaa, my daughter, is the apple of our eyes. My husband and I know for sure that she will not be denied anything she wants in life, the best education will be at her disposal, and the choice of career is hers. | |  | FLAG THIS STORY FOR REVIEW | |
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