Water

Lucky are those who get clean water and unlucky those who do not realize its worth. Recently, I watched an advertisement by the non government organization, actionaid, on water wives. The advertisement showed how in certain villages, a man goes on to marry three, four or even more women, so as to ensure that there is somebody to fetch water. Termed as 'water wives', it narrates the story of water scarcity as well as gender injustice. It says it is easier to shout feminism but harder to see the ground realities. Where basic necessities are scarce, gender justice is a far cry. Water is life, it is freedom. Clean water that is easily accessible frees time wasted in fetching it from far away places. Easily available water gives opportunity to women and girls  to do more productive work and to study. It provides gender  equality. Water is undoubtedly the most important commodity, and having easy access to the same is truly a blessing. Water conservation needs special attention so do the efforts to provide clean water to masses living in poverty.

Women and work

It is always an issue whether a woman goes out for work or not. A working mother is often blamed for neglecting her children and house while a stay at home mother is blamed for sitting at home and doing nothing. Recently, even a court went to the extent of calling a woman who doesn't have a job, a parasite on her husband's earnings. Is a woman who is a homemaker really a parasite? She cooks and cleans and provides for the comfort of her family. Her entire day is spent seeing that her home is running perfectly and that her family is happy. Is she really a parasite? She takes care of her children, listens to their problems, teaches them, takes care of all their needs. Is she really a parasite? She sees to the comforts of her husband and often all her inlaws as well as extended family, she tolls all day, unpaid and unappreciated. Is she really a parasite? After working all day long, taking care of everyone and everything, she gets greeted by you are just a housewife, what do you do all day. It is what she does all day that allows everyone else to go out and work or study. She manages everything from behind. Whether a woman has a job or not is her choice. Just because she has made certain life choices does not give anyone a right to judge her or demean her. It is her life and her work. The way she manages it is commendable.

A woman

She covers her bruised soul under a thick layer of foundation
Sharp mascara defines her wet eyes
She walks aloof ignoring the leering eyes
Her every step resonates her pride
She works harder than all those who surround her
Though she earns less on an unbalanced scale
She guards her territory like a fierce tigress
Bearing proudly her glistening stripes

Politics and religion

While the modern secular state envisages the separation of state and church, such an ideal condition us far from reality. In politics, religion akways plays a part in persuading the masses in favor or against the political parties or candidates. Political movements may also sometimes rest upon religious principles and may result into revolutions. The ideal state attempts to treat all religions at par and neither to promote nor demote any particular religion, culture or racial practice. In reality, even in secular states, we see public being swayed on the lines of religious, cultural or racial lines. It is important for the masses to think beyond the demarcations and to put the nation first. Politicians divide people into us and them but people should accept the diversity and protect it to build stronger nation states and a better world.

A woman's freedom

The recent incident of mass molestation of women and girls on new years eve is a matter of shame for everyone. And what adds a greater shame is the fact that various politicians claim that it is the way the girls dress that is responsible for their getting molested. Wearing western clothes is no excuse for molesting a girl. A girl has a right to choose whatever she wants to wear and she has a right to go out of her house. A society that is scared of independent women, of educated girls or working girls is one that finds excuses to attack them so as to force them into a submissive role inside the house. It is shameful that the society cannot provide protection to girls who want to study, work or go out. Women and girls form fifty percent of the population and they deserve the same representation in education and work force. By investing  in girls a country can progress but for that it needs to provide a girl protection from sexual assaults. Failure to protect a girl's freedom is a matter of shame for any country in the world that claims to be a free country.

Questions

Bujhte charago se koi yeh pooche
Shab bhar jalne ka sabab kya hai
Maloom to pade ki yeh jalne wale
Hasrate jalate ya khud hi jal jaate



Woh poochte hain meri khamoshi ki wajah
Main kya bolu, na zabaan meri hai, na alfaaz mere hain

Seasons of mist

My heart holds oceans of grief so deep
My tears are my words left unsaid
The seasons of mist pass so slow
The flowers on the graves are so laid
Deep flow the marks of wounds unseen
Broken are the wings of flight
Some memories cherished the heart holds
Some dreams it holds so tight
Words are but feelings expressed
Though not understood as they are said
They make, they break us all
They leave sometimes debts unpaid