Back to olden days, thanks to “Bharat Band”
Work in this modern-day world is everything. It is hard to imagine a world without work for most people. Even though it governs and pervades our daily life, everyone welcomed the government's lockdown to safeguard ourselves from Coronavirus.
Women play a multi-faceted role in all this. Working women have to play the role of a wife, mother, daughter-in-law along with being a leader, entrepreneur etc. The role of women is vital whether she is working or a homemaker. She is the greatest supporter of her family. She nurtures her children so that they become better human beings, reaching the epitome of success — at the same time managing a work-life balance is like having a beautiful chair with the throne.
Women are engaged in equally responsible and challenging jobs as men. A working woman is still facing unique challenges — unique because all of them are not logical and are just a resultant of the inherited social taboo that the society imposes on them.
A working woman in India has a very different and more challenging schedule as our society has clearly defined work for women and men. New economic equations are challenging the old definition and distribution of work and somehow the redistribution of work today is not done with a fresh idea of justice.
Patriarchal attitude has brought inequality in the value of work as well. Cooking, cleaning, taking care of children are still some of the work which is considered as "woman’s work" in India. It is the toughest test of her patience, ability, energy and her managerial skills at home as well as on the job. On the job or off the job, both the places are like a battlefield for her but still, she is unstoppable — no complaints, no demand, no questions asked.
I was also trying to complete my pending tasks at home. Suddenly my daughter came to me seeking permission to go out on the terrace, I asked her why? She was very excited and said that she would like to see how it looks when everyone is at home and there is no traffic on the road. I casually replied when we were young, the population was less, vehicles were limited and every afternoon the city uses to look like this. She started taking an interest and wanted to know more about my childhood, slowly after spending the entire two days with my family I realised God has given us a magnificent opportunity to be with our family — he wants us to realise the importance of lives he has given us. He wants to make us realise that relations are more important than gadgets.
In today's busy schedule, we have almost ruined our social life and relationships. We hardly get any time to know and listen to each other. Gone are those days when the whole family use to enjoy their food at one time on the shared table. Where every single instant of the day was discussed with the family. In today’s scenario many times we are not there when our family or our children need us. We love them, care for them but due to the lack of time, we are unable to express our feelings. We have almost stopped using phrases like “I love you”, “I care for you” and “I am always there for you”.
Today when we have time to articulate ourselves let’s forget the whole shebang of who we are and just be normal human beings.
1. Say "Sorry" to anyone you deliberately or involuntarily hurt
2. Say to your loved once: "I love you", Express your "love" for them
3. Tell your kids you'll always be there for them, listen to them and win their trust
4. Ask them if they're having any issues in their lives, teach them to solve any life question.
5. Maintain distance but still caress them
6. Call all your near and dear ones to tell them that you love them as they are part of your life.
7. Remember all that is good or bad, laugh at your childhood mischief, share your childhood with your children, and correct your mistakes if you can make them proud of you.
Clap for the women in your life — she has made your world so beautiful and graceful, express her your love, understand her challenges, allow her to express her feelings listen to her. Do everything which you have missed due to your busy schedule. Say “Love you Zindagi” and thank god for this beautiful creation called Human Beings. Stay home, stay safe, Say thanks to all the Doctors, Nurses, workers those who are working selflessly for your safety.
(Dr Nikhat M Hamza is the Director, HR & Faculty Training, at the BS Abdur Rahman Crescent Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai)
