Parity starts at home

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‘So Varini! Any plans to get settled or still the road runner?’

‘Wanderer!’ Varini chuckled. She dunked the chocolate cookie in her tea and took a bite, ‘you know na, that is our weekend thing. I am toh kab ka settled with my banking job.’

‘Well I meant marriage sweetheart’ She turned to Varini’s father, ‘there’s this boy in Mumbai. He works in a brokerage firm…’

‘Accha marriage’ Varini dunked another cookie, ‘dekh lenge auntie. There’s a long way till I reach 30’s.’ She grinned and left for balcony.

‘Ha Ha ha! She is the chatterer of the house.’

‘Really bhai sahib. But you must be serious now. You have brought her like a son, and a daughter is a daughter; you must start thinking about it.’

‘Behen ji, why would I nurture a daughter like a son. Isn’t it a bit illogical for you to say?’

‘Yes, but this working in MNC amid male colleagues; bike riding, that too 100+ kms. away from home. Pardon me but apne apni beti ko bahot dheel de rakkhi hai.’

‘You mean to say, she’s self dependent, rides bikes, goes to clubs, doesn’t hesitates in taking on the hooligans; this all is boyish trait as a girl should be brought up with house hold values, like sitting in home?’

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‘Yes, she’s a woman after all.’

‘Which scripture do you refer to, when you say so?’

‘Hain? Log kehte hain ye, shaastra-vaastra maine nahin padhe.’

‘Log!’ He laughed, ‘even today there exists a CLASS of ‘log’ that believes colored people are inferior, women must remain in burqa as they are to produce children only, honor-killing is fine, protesting against our own country in a campus is COOL. If only you had glance at our actual ideologies, you would have understood that men & women are equal. If only you were aware that “शक्ति बिन शिव भी शव हैं”.

The Right Education

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“Vande Matram, Vande Matram……”

Kaivalya experienced absolute contentment, while he gazed at the children singing the national song in full spirit.

‘So Mr. Kaivalya.’ A voice brought him out from his bliss, ‘I see your idea has materialized well.’

‘All thanks to you, Ms. Sama.’ He greeted her with a smile, ‘If it weren’t your persuasion, the madarsa authorities might have rejected my plea.’

‘Well, I am always in for a cause. But tell me; wouldn’t it have been better if you had conduct it within grownups?’

‘You see that earthen pot, Mam. Can you reshape it into a glass?’

‘That’s impossible; after the potter gives raw clay such shapes via drying/firing, it will break but won’t reshape.’

‘Exactly, these tiny tots are like raw clay. If their minds are nurtured with apposite manners & dispositions, like singing of national anthem & song, and pinning the tricolor pin; this all will develop a sense of pride and commitment towards their homeland.’

‘And that’s why you visit schools & religious institutions, for sanskaars?’ She smirked.

‘Indeed Ms. Sama, you see its not religionism, but nationalism.’

‘Utilizing education! An M.B.A. who’s aware of his social responsibilities.’ Sama gestured a salute, ‘JAI HIND!’

Are you a V-----?

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‘See, though we have a family business and you don’t need to work after marriage. But there’s no pressure, if you want you may continue; as long as you can balance it with family.’

Rashmi was relieved to hear that, ‘Thanks for understanding. So, do you have anything else to ask?’ Ansh seemed like a nice guy to her.

‘Well, I like the fact that you are an independent woman; but we also value our traditions. Now you are gonna be our family’s bahu. SO, I just wanted to know….. are you a virgin?’

‘Ahmmm! Didn’t you mention earlier that you had a relationship with some girl?’

‘I am a guy. It's okay for us, but a woman must be clean, character wise.’

‘Okay! It means you have been screwing harlots?’ The sarcasm was clear in her voice.

‘Mind your words….’

‘Or, maybe you never did a “girl”. Maybe, you are a bi’.’ A broad sneer emerged on her face, ‘a guy with diversity, I dig that.’

‘I believe your failure to answer my question is an indication of your character.’

‘And how would you know whether I am being truthful; a broken hymen can be due to non-sexual activity. Chauvinist pigs like you would involve in flings, but will seek chastity in women. I bet you won’t allow your sister to go outside, fearing her vagina might get spoiled. It’s a vagina you caveman, not some character certificate.’

‘You dare…’

‘You may now leave, Ansh. You may keep guessing, whether I am….. or I am not, a V.’

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Retired, not from love:

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The maid served their tea in the balcony and left.

‘You have achieved everything you have ever dreamt for, Narein! So, what’s next on your agenda.’ She asked as she prepared tea for them.

‘Well, now that I have got everything under the sun.' He glanced at his reflection in the window glass, 'and aged to retirement; all I now yearn, is YOU. I would like to make it up for all those moments that we spent separately, building our lives. I just wanna be with you, my wife.’ He took her hand into his trembling grip, while her eyes gave way to a couple of tears.

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Gavya:

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‘Tell me Shomesh, what’s the hullabaloo over cow and it's beef? Why it is haraam in you guys?’ She asked while watching the news, ‘Is this vigilantism & killing justified in the name of cow?’

‘It’s all about common sense Sanam, which seems to be absent in the era of “knowledge everywhere”. The sanatan scriptures revere Cow as mother. Obviously it’s figurative, but has some meaning to it.’

‘Then enlighten me, husband; I am all ears.’ She got up and sat in his lap and wrapped her arms around him.

‘A cow is benign in more than one way to mankind. She produces five products: milk, urine, dung, butter & ghee and every product benefits us & the environment in many ways.’

‘Oh please, that is so gross.’ Sanam distanced herself to the other end of the sofa, expressing disgust.

Shomesh smiled, ‘You know why cow dung is coated in outer walls, cause it shields from radiation. Atomic power centers in India and Russia use cow dung. In fact, when we burn cow dung, it balances atmospheric temperature and kills germs in the air.’

‘No kidding!’

‘Yes honey! And the cow-urine that disgusted you can cure many diseases, curable & incurable. Cow’s milk develops brain tissues, improves intelligence.’

‘Is that the reason why you people use mainly cow’s milk and its products to prepare the sweets and other dishes in religious ceremonies.’

‘Yeah dear, now tell me if in this rate the slaughter will continue, won’t milk and related products’ price inflate. I mean what will happen if beef goes off the menu; won’t affect a heck! But the rising prices will certainly devoid the poor from nutrition.’

‘You’re saying as if the country will run out of Cows?’

‘You’re missing the point, "Rising prices". And not every breed of cow has that effect. You know Desi Cow is the only being that has a Surya Ketu Nadi, passing through her backbone. It is believed that this vein absorbs the medicinal essence from the sun. This and many other reasons, why we treat her Holy. Also, you must know, thousands of cows are smuggled every day, in the most inhumane way possible, and the most literate state is too involved; ain't that hypocrisy. The treatment that those innocent animals receive will ruin the mascara of your eyes, so let’s not discuss that. The act of vigilantism cannot be justified by any way, that’s the act of pseudos. But why there’s no uproar over treatment of cows.’

The Suitable Bride:

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‘Bhai Sahab, we have nurtured our girl in a complete traditional environment; in complete stringent upbringing. You will never hear a single utter from her. You will always find her either in kitchen or household chores.’

‘Wah Trivedi ji! Your daughter is a gau.’

‘Ji bhai sahab.’ He grinned, while his palms remained folded.

‘Doesn't utter a single word, all day!’ Trivesh, immersed in his smartphone, turned to them, ‘Papa! I wonder whether you are looking for a life partner for brother, or a puppet…. Slave fits better though.’ He gave a sneer to both.

‘What do you mean, Trivesh.’ His brows narrowed.

‘Leave it.’ He got up to leave, ‘the problem’s with the centuries of oppressed mindset, that still inhibits us to think right; which turned a woman from ardhangini, to a mere daasi.’

Dress Code

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“And today, our Prime Minister met the German Chancellor. While the opposition pronounces it PM’s another tour; several contracts & agreements signed between the delegations of both countries, indicate the strengthening ties, heralding a new dawn!”

‘I must admit it; this man has definitely worked on our nation’s branding, changing perceptions!’

‘Wow Mom! You seemed to have developed a liking for our dude.’

‘Oh!’ Her face turned red, ‘What rubbish. It’s about our country, that’s it. There, another news breaking.’

“Meanwhile! A Bollywood actress on her promotional tour met our PM. Here’s the complete story….”

‘This girl’s my goddess! She’s so cool na mom?’

‘Now there, why am I not surprised? Any pretty face that garners overnight sensation is your idol. A real icon represents strength and endurance that comes over years and sometimes decades of labor.’ She frowned.

‘Ok Mom cool down!’ her eyes widened in astonishment, ‘We can deal with this success mantra subject some other time. What’s annoying you in actual?’

‘Just see her wearing, legs exposed. Is this how you represent our country? You are meeting in person with the PM, where’s the decorum?’

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‘First thing first! Dressing must never be a criterion to judge a person.' She rose, 'Second, she’s not a diplomat, nor she was in Germany for political reasons. Instead, I appreciate her for visiting our PM out of blues. Don’t you see goodness in that?’

‘But Beta….’

‘Have you researched our scriptures enough to claim her dressing as a sign of sluttiness. You once taught me that it’s our sanskaar that matter, and now you judge a woman for her dressing? That’s not you' She looked her in the eye, 'but centuries of oppression speaking, mother. As we failed to realize our heritage, our actual values.’

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