DIWALI GREETINGS

MAY GOD BE ALWAYS KIND TO YOU ALL.

WOMEN EMPOWERMENT

We all talk about women empowerment. We want women to be well educated, self reliant and work at high posts. Politicians talk about it till one feels that he or she is really keen about it. But how many of us really do want this? If one wants women to be empowered is it not correct to change some of traditions of past? Some societies have rooted out many past traditions which demeaned women, examples are Sati System, treatment meted out to widows or not giving a say for marriage to girl, letting girls study as per their choice.  Some still cling to past. As example I speak of triple talaq.

I had been told that as per religious books triple talaq is permitted in a certain way. There have to be gaps between each word Talaq pronounced. The gaps are meant for chance of reconciliation and can be as long as a day. But presently it is said that a husband can pronounce triple talaq in one sitting or even send it by post or telegram or pronounce on telephone or send sms or pronounce on skype. This has sanction of religious heads. How come it is only males who have been given benefit of advancement? In olden days women mostly were uneducated and were confined to homes carrying on with household tasks. Has that not changed now? Are women not mostly educated and working in high positions including Managing Directors of large organisations or even Head of a nation?   Then how come benefit of advancement not been passed to them? To my mind it seems to be a case of selfish interests of men. If not so , then let them also say talaq as dictated in religious books and not take advantage of advancements.

SOME THOUGHTS

There was a time when old persons could sit down and read newspaper at leisure. Now for old persons like me it is an acrobatic exercise. I do not know what has come over publishers of newspapers. I do not think they need any efforts to compete like fashion designers. Even one of famous columnists who's first name I remember is Bachi has written about it and she is surely much younger than me. Let me explain why I say this. I sit down comfortably on easy chair with a cup of tea within reach and pick up newspaper to see what is happening in the world. I unfold it and find many a times that first sheet is half with news printed. I somehow manage to turn it over to see what the next page which is luckily full says. When I continue it is suddenly that I find half page page again inbetween.  Now while I turn it over I lose grip on one side of paper making it fly all over with pages opening randomly. Or there is a folded sheet which opens from left and on unfolding it same process of paper going on it's own will happens. Why can not the publishers stick to newspapers as those were a few years ago without such half or folded pages? They should rather concentrate on reliability of and good coverage of news rather than indulging is these gimmicks.

An Army General gave information about surgical strike in the presence of Prime Minister, why should there be doubts? Or should some persons start talking that these happened earlier also making  us look as habitual at this in the International Forum? What is more important for us - National Pride or Advertising Political Party one belongs to?