Ranita Roy

Kolkota (India), Indian

Edition 2017 - Finalist

Statement: For the average Indian woman the slogan is— »Back to the kitchen ». Man lives his own life in the outside world, while woman pursues faithfully the monotonous round of her domestic duties and household chores. But the fact is – A home is a home because of the housewife. A woman is her husband’s partner in life and a sharer in all his joys and sorrows, partner as well as counselor. A woman’s jewel is her chastity; it is this emphasis on chastity that is the distinctive characteristic of the Indian woman as contrasted with the woman of any other country. It is the importance that is attached to chastity that has made her value a single marriage. So she is entitled to all the considerations and all the opportunities that are customarily allowed to men. It must, however, be admitted that in actual practice we see a wide departure from all these high ideals which are professed. It is observed that man has managed to confine woman to her home and has denied her those opportunities of freedom and growth which the Shastras enjoin.
Chhordima, my grandma. I found a very lively lifestyle of her since my childhood. In the male-dominated society, I got many inspirations from her to walk through the life with positive attitude and happiness. Throughout my life I saw how she carried the happiness with a positive thought process, in spite of the pressure of family matters along with their demand and supply. As she grew older, I saw, a distance created with her children, who got busy in their own professional and family life. She lost her husband and became absolute alone. But still, I found her with a great motivation towards the life. Who accomplish her daily job by her own, tried to keep herself happy with the grand children. She carries a great inner strength along with a self respect and love. It’s my tribute to this great lady in my life. Let us never know what old age is. Let us know the happiness time brings, not count the years.