Sons #ShareTheLoad, This Women's Day...

This Women’s Day was all about being the sidekick to the shero at home when Ariel, the leading detergent brand from P&G partnered with PVR to host a special screening of the movie Captain Marvel.

Ariel’s #ShareTheLoad campaign has already taken the market by storm ever since its launch and their latest campaign Sons #ShareTheLoad emphasizes on the need for sons to #ShareTheLoad when it comes to household chores. On one hand, while this campaign encourages all men (sons and husbands) to partake in household chores and uphold gender parity within the four walls of the home, on the other hand Ariel also invited men to treat their Supermoms and Superwives to a special screening of the female-centric superhero movie Captain Marvel based on the Marvel Comics character Carol Danvers.

Popular television actors and real-life power couple – Ravi Dubey and Sargun Mehta along with Ravi’s mother Sudha Dubey were present at the special screening of Captain Marvel at PVR Select City Walk Mall, Delhi where an up close and personal interaction was hosted by Ariel for consumers and bloggers alike.

While both Sargun and Ravi emphasized the need for gender parity in a relationship and having an equal household, they also thanked Ravi’s mother Sudha for instilling in him at a young age the importance of participating in household chores like laundry and cooking hence enabling them to be a Power Couple today as they #ShareTheLoad.

Sargun was quick to credit Ravi for being an ideal husband for whom equality whether at home or work comes naturally. She also was thankful to her mother(-in-law) Sudha for bringing up a son who believes in equality in a relationship. She was also of the opinion that all men should #ShareTheLoad not just on Women’s Day but every day.

Ravi was thrilled to add that this is the first time ever he was doing an event with both his superwomen – Sargun and his mother  – and thanked Ariel for arranging this.

"Both Sargun and mom have had a deep influence on my life. I want to thank my mom – the original and ultimate superwoman for teaching me early on to #ShareTheLoad. And then, there came Sargun. She has been the perfect partner for me, and I try to be the same for her every day. Being an equal partner and sharing the load is a default setting. After all, it’s our load and not hers alone"

On the other hand, Ravi’s mother was beaming with pride on that fact that both Sargun and Ravi had balanced their personal and professional lives with ease. She also praised their equation and understanding as a couple, be it managing the house, their finances or even taking care of each other’s parents. She also emphasized that as parents, it is on us to raise the next generation as an equal generation, to teach the next generation to #ShareTheLoad and enjoy the benefits by seeing them so successful and happy with their wives when they grow up like she is today!

Ariel further invited men to record a personal message for the Superwomen in their lives (mothers, wives, sisters, daughters), which Ariel will send out on their behalf. To further normalize men doing household chores like laundry, Ariel has put up eye-catching installations at PVR theatres across Delhi and Mumbai. A special screening has been arranged in both cities as part of  Ariel’s #MyCaptainMarvelous engagement and in line with the excitement of Marvel enthusiasts.

Ariel India has one fairly simple message that it wants Indian men to notice and practice #ShareTheLoad – not only on Women's Day but EVERY DAY.

Ariel has been unearthing the reality of inequality within households since 2015 with their award-winning movement #ShareTheLoad. Ravi and Sargun brought forth insightful conversations and personal anecdotes on the disparity within households and changing times today. They highlighted that while more men today are sharing the load than ever before, we are still many steps further from the ideal state of an equal future.

In fact, my better half Jaideep also realized that it takes mettle to balance home and work with panache and thanked me for being the strongest pillar of support back home while watching the screening and after the tete-a-tete with Sargun and Ravi. Moreover, he resolved to partake actively in household chores to share the responsibility and be the man of the house too.

In fact, Ariel's latest Sons #ShareTheLoad raises yet another pertinent question in the direction of household inequality – Are we teaching our sons what we are teaching our daughters? The newest ad film that urges mothers of today’s generation to raise a generation of equals has resonated with many parents, newly married couples, and influencers alike and has already received tremendous support and commendation from audiences across India.

Since its release on January 24, 2019, the film has garnered 25 Million views in a span of merely one month, and the traction has just begun! Ariel continues to bring up this pertinent conversation by making laundry the face of the movement against inequality within households because with Ariel, anyone can get the best results no matter who does the laundry. :)

This post is a part of the #ShareTheLoad movement by Ariel in association with BlogAdda. 

#ThatsMyDate For Menstrual Hygiene With Fortis La Femme...

Menstrual hygiene is imperative for women and adolescent girls alike. However, as much we would like to be #PeriodPositive, matters relating to menstruation and the discussion of all such are mostly considered stigma in many parts of the country, despite us calling ourselves a developing nation.

It is thus crucial to breaking free of the taboos that this sensitive subject is surrounded with. Being open-minded about the same is of utmost importance for us and our girls. Menstruation and issues concerning menstrual hygiene should no longer be faced with closed eyes, covered ears, and hush-hush whispers.

I have always been vocal about this subject which should ideally interest every girl and woman in this world in the past on my blog, and this time, World Menstrual Hygiene Day was commemorated no differently.

Fortis La Femme has always been a crusader for all kind of women rights, through its medical facilities. The core belief behind is that a woman is a very special entity requiring special attention. Therefore, it aims to provide an exhaustive clinical and holistic attention which is designed exclusively for women. This exclusive care intends to cover every stage of a woman's life right from her birth.

In accordance with their core belief, Fortis La Femme in association with Sachi Saheli, a Delhi-based NGO organized a human chain rally to commemorate Menstrual Hygiene Day at Connaught Place in the presence of  Manish Sisodia, Honourable Deputy CM, Delhi Govt. The event was also supported by many NGOs like NAZ Foundation, SARD, Nav Srishti who also participated in the rally.

The rally witnessed a participation of approximately four thousand people including school students who also presented a street play on breaking the myths around this taboo. The overall purpose of the rally was to draw larger attention to the issue of menstrual hygiene, get more people involved in the movement, get media to talk about and build a momentum for something truly sustainable through commitments.

Menstrual Hygiene Day raised awareness towards the challenges women and girls face due to their menstruation. A majority of women in rural India lack information about menstruation including access to menstrual products and sanitary mechanisms for disposing menstrual waste.

According to a study “Sanitary Protection: Every Woman's Health Right”, undertaken by AC Nielsen conducted in 2011 indicated that only 12 percent of women of reproductive age in India use sanitary napkins.

Anika Parashar, COO Fortis La Femme said,

“Menstrual Hygiene is one of the major growing concerns in India and has to be addressed at the earliest. We will soon be starting adolescent and menopause clinics to spread awareness and ensure good health and support the initiative.”

Fortis La Femme has taken the onus upon itself to break the silence and build awareness about the fundamental role that good menstrual hygiene management (MHM) plays in enabling women and girls to be confident and well informed about their health and hygiene. 

#GetSetRoar Against Breast Cancer At #LaFemmeMotarde

Breast cancer majorly occurs in women. But it has a possibility to occur in men too, though the chances are quite bleak. Broadly, symptoms of breast cancer include a lump in the breast, substantial changes in the shape or texture, or bloody discharge. The appearance of symptoms does not imply the severity or stage. Therefore early detection is very important. For this, a regular checkup needs to be done. There are various treatments depending on the stage of cancer. These include chemotherapy, hormone therapy, surgery, and radiation therapy. The chances of its occurring are higher in above 19 years of age.

Fortis La Femme is doing a lot about breast cancer awareness and treatment. A bike rally with female riders was held a few days back on 4th December 2016 in Delhi to present a breast cancer awareness campaign in a unique manner. The rally not only marks the continuance of Fortis La Femme's special offer for breast check-ups at all of its facilities in Bengaluru but also offer a free mammography for hundred underprivileged women. The latter part is in association with the Rotary Club of India.

Fortis La Femme is a state of the art facility. The core belief behind is that a woman is a very special entity requiring special attention. Therefore, it aims to provide an exhaustive clinical and holistic attention which is designed exclusively for women. This exclusive care intends to cover every stage of a woman's life right from her birth.

It further includes adolescence, motherhood, menopause, and beyond. Therefore, medical facilities at the hospital include Obstetrics (Painless Labor), Gynaecology, Neonatology (Level III NICU), Anaesthesia, General Surgery, Laparoscopic Surgery,  Cosmetic Surgeries, Genetic Medicine, and Fetal Medicine.

The whole idea behind the concept of women bikers rally was to encourage women from all walks of life to shed boldly, all their inhibitions when it comes to their own health and care. The woman of our society performing multiple roles brilliantly dares to do anything and everything as far as her family is concerned. But she stays least attentive towards her own health. That was the core reason behind this initiative by Fortis La Femme.

The initiative was launched with this fabulous message from La Femme - Don't be a fence sitter, come out and join many like-minded women who are all fighting for a cause. A cause that is yours. Ride with La Femme to fight against breast cancer and let the world feel the roar that is inside you. It’s time to feel the fear, feel the courage and feel the hope. Register now!

Knotty Tales By Gauri And Pallavee: Of Creative Endeavors...

What?
Knotty Tales Pop-Up

When?
Wednesday,​ ​August 17

Where?
The Lodhi

Mumbai's sought-after event designer - Knotty Tales - a bold venture by Gauri Pradhan Tejwani and Pallavee Rajniesh Duggall - had come to Delhi for its maiden show. And, I was invited to witness the same. 

First things first, I must applaud Gauri and Pallavee's entrepreneurial spirit for going ahead with an idea that aims to showcase sheer creativity and talent - providing budding designers of various genres and forms across the country with a common platform to pitch their products to the masses. 

Encompassing fashion, food, jewelry, beauty, home-decor - you name it, and Knotty Tales hosted it. It was an exhibition that was a potpourri of flair, art and appreciation of skilled presentation, 

It was very endearing to see that most of the participating brands were being steered to success by women, either solely, or in partnership. Either way, it was a welcome move by Gauri and Pallavee to have collaborated with such inspiring creators. 

As matter of fact, some of these participants had come from not just Mumbai and Delhi, but also from other cities spreads across the length and breadth of our country. 

 ~~~ 

Some of the brands which caught my fancy were: 

• Arture - handbags, wallets, purses - made of Cork, non-leather, eco-friendly. 

Arture

• Clutch'D - hand-embroidered clutches, selling in Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Pune, and Chennai. 

Clutch'D

• Bobo Calcutta - artistry on apparel from Calcutta - art which you can wear! 

Bobo Calcutta

Artistic Handbags from Bobo

• Bling Accessories by Srishti Gandhi - one-stop-shop for accessories, based in Delhi. 

Bling Accessories

• Crave Connect - fashionable footwear - quality designer footwear. 

Crave Connect

• Mommy A To Z - cutesy baby clothes - kids apparel - for all occasions! 

Mommy A-Z

• Dhora - jewelry handcrafted from Jaipur. 

Dhora

 ~~~ 

I'm sure all the participating brands and budding designers at Knotty Tales would scale the heights of success in their endeavors sooner or later. Kudos to Gauri and Pallavee for having provided them with such an ingenious platform to showcase their artistic renditions! :)

#IAmCapable, She Exclaimed!

~~~ 

The day had begun with the usual chant of prayers and the aroma of incense sticks filling the house. It was a special day, however. That day was to be when Deepti had to take the first step towards the professional world and her parents wished her well. Her mother had a certain wish for the Almighty, to make this walk of Deepti's life, a bit different from her past.

Within a few months of obtaining the title of being a graduate, Deepti had landed a job at one of the 'Big 4' firms. It was her 'dream job', so to say, and she hoped to carve a name for herself with her perseverance and sincerity towards work. 

It was not long after she had joined that she gradually proved her mettle to her seniors and received a promotion within a couple of months of her joining. But, blame it on her beautiful physique and elegant mannerism that her colleagues came to think of it as a case of favouritism towards her by the senior management. 

Well, such 'chinese whispers' spread like wild fire and it came as no surprise when Deepti found herself at the receiving end of such rumors as the one doing the rounds. She was, however, used to being judged on the basis of her beauty and being demeaned on the basis of talents she possessed. 

The people around her used to be stunned by her looks and were of the uninformed opinion that her looks were the only positive to her individuality, thus overlooking her efforts in every walk of her life. Her beauty had actually turned out to be the beast in her life, quite literally, thus hampering her concious attempts to make her peers look beyond her appearance. 

Her mother's disappointment knew no bounds when she learnt that Deepti had been subjected to the same false reputation time again. More often than not, it was Deepti who used to talk her mother out of such disappointment and this time around too, it was the same. Though she had always been bothered about such remarks all through her life, Deepti never let it reflect on the outlook and let her work do the talking. 

Deepti thus chose to break the stereotype by putting her desire to reach her potential in the limelight when she was chosen as a representative to a prestigious national summit and had to deliver a presentation on her firm's behalf. She then chose to silence her colleagues who witnessed her efforts and confidence, to realize that they had been in the wrong all this time. 

Now, she is on a much better, level playing field in her professional life and has been able to successfully overcome the judgemental perspective being offered to her. :) 

It's not just about Deepti's experience, but even statistics are of  a similar opinion that one must not judge a woman based solely on her appearance. Nihar Naturals #IAmCapable survey conducted by Nielsen India reveals the following startling facts: 

• 69% of men agree that their judgement of women is based on their looks. 
• 64% of women agree that the judgments passed on them have affected their ability to reach their true potential. 
• 70%of women agree that majority of judgments on women are from family members or friends rather than strangers. 
• 72% of women agree that working women face more judgments on their looks or their clothes than housewives. 

One needs to understand that the age-old adage 'Do not judge a book by its cover' holds true even today, and one must learn to look beyond appearances and appreciate the qualities and capabilities of a self-made individual, be it female or male. 

I’m breaking stereotypes based on appearance by sharing my experience for the #IAmCapable activity at BlogAdda in association with Nihar Naturals. 

#IAmCapable Of Breaking Stereotypes!

Being a professional since the past three decades, I've witnessed a lot many individuals, some of whom have been as swift as the wind, while the others have flourished and blossomed in their fields of work. In this regard, I had witnessed a naive junior once, whom I distinctly remember. Being a dusky, bespectacled girl who had a bunch of freckles on her cheeks, it came as no surprise to me, when I caught a few colleagues demeaning her, basis her appearance and simplistic dressing sense.

However, she was to be my mentee and under my tutelage for the initial days of when she had joined us. Going by my philosophy in life, I attempted to identify her abilities and interests during when she was learning the ropes, and guided her to hone her skills, besides trying to boost her confidence by interacting with her to the fullest. She's been in touch with me to this day and every time she meets me, she's all praises for the way I had taught her to care for no one but herself, but I believe that it's a role of one's own willpower and self-esteem to overlook such inconsequential remarks by others in such regard, in all walks of one's life.

There is a very thin line between passing judgements towards someone and demeaning someone. Men take it as their birthright to be judgemental about women. This is probably one of the weirdest superiority complex men have. That is what probably male chauvinism is all about. Why do men always feel as if they have waged war against women? Why do they always feel inferior to the extent that they keep convincing themselves the only goal they have in life is to demean every woman whom they come across in their life? Otherwise, why are they bothered so much about this divide right from childhood? And this undying zeal keeps accompanying them in every walk of their life. It never dies whether they have been dumped in a junkyard or have been able to achieve new heights in their life. It is foolish for them to take women this way because they too, belonged to a woman's being.

Why are men so eager to observe what a woman is wearing, how she appears to them, how she walks, how she talks and all such observations? They forget to look at her brighter side - what she does, what all has she achieved in her life, what barriers has she crossed and what a brave face she has put to all adversities. A woman is not a showpiece. She should not worry about others' judgements based on what she appears bodily. She should not really prepare herself to look presentable to others in terms of mere eye-candy. Despite all her good efforts, she is always worried about how will she be perceived. Every outfit she buys and wears burdens this prime notion on top of her all the time. Almost 70% of men accept that their judgement of women is based on their looks. Almost 65% of women agree that the judgements passed on them has a drastic impact on their abilities to touch their real potential.  70% of women agree that most impactful judgements on them are from men in the family and friends. 72% of women accept that working women have to face the bigger hurdle of this risk of judgements on their looks or clothes than homemakers.

That is the crux of the life. The reality is that it hurts men when they see women equalling them in talent, growth, prospects and career. In reality, they are brimming with an inferiority complex that was programmed into the mind of a young boy right in his childhood by none other than his own parents, knowingly or unknowingly. The parents are equal bearers in this lowly act. That is my philosophy based on which I never cared for the third person's judgements based on my looks because he foolishly overlooks the peaks I've conquered in my life.

I’m breaking stereotypes based on appearance by sharing my experience for the #IAmCapable activity at BlogAdda in association with Nihar Naturals. 

Where Is That Ray?

I need light at the end of the tunnel. For the last so many years I have been walking, working, sleeping, waking up, eating, playing, weeping, crying; all in the dark. It is like life began in a tunnel and ended in a tunnel. And the worst part is that for all these years there has not been a single ray of light at the end of this tunnel.

This is the story of my country. This is the story of a woman of my country. Probably, it is not only my country that is worried about the heinous crime of sexual violence being committed against the girl child and women in this patriarchal society. It is happening everywhere, irrespective of the stature of a country – developed, developing or underdeveloped.

In fact, a situation is better in certain countries irrespective of this stature. But overall, there needs a stream of serious action in a collaborative manner. There is no sense in wasting energies in a scattered manner in fighting against sexual violence. A girl needs to understand her rights at an appropriate time during her growth and development.

Society and family have to play a major role in imparting this education to the girl child regarding her rights. She must understand quite distinctly right against wrong and good against bad. Because if a girl child develops under fear, she will never be able to impart appropriate knowledge to the coming generations. A suppressed child can never grow into an independent and confident parent.

To avoid a girl or a woman getting caught in a web of fear, lack of education & knowledge, and sexual violence there are few steps that need to be taken care of as mentioned below:
If a girl child or woman is not courageous enough to report or raise the alarm against sexual violence it is shameful for her family, society and the whole nation. What this means is that she has not been given ample knowledge and freedom to trigger an alert in case of crisis or threat.

Right at the first instance of any kind of sexual abuse, a girl or woman must know what the right kind of action that is required is. Usually such things are accepted as a granted abuse of society and result into silence rather than speaking out against it.

Education and knowledge at the right time are the keys to this. A girl must get proper education and knowledge at the right time in her life to understanding her rights against sexual abuse and violence. Education and knowledge must be strong enough to build up a substantial level of confidence in her. It should also empower her to strongly condemn any such act in the open and bring the culprits to the society and law for appropriate action.

Workshops at the school and college level and play a big role in this direction. There is a clear commitment that should come from a nation: administrative agencies, states, colleges, schools, society regarding the safety of women and girl child. 

 ~~~ 

I’m writing this blog post to support Amnesty International’s #KnowYourRights campaign at BlogAdda. You can also contribute to the cause by donating or spreading the word.

#KnowYourRights, Dear Ladies!

We are a developing country. We have still not reached a substantial maturity level as far as a nation and society are concerned. We still feel proud in being addressed as a developing country. That is why probably we are not keen to rapidly become a developed country. A country where society is confident about the nation and nation is proud of its societal activities. We live in an isolated state in our country and society. We are least worried of what is happening to others as far as it is not impacting us.

The above might not be true to its fullest what I wrote above. The scenario is changing. We are getting impacted by the drawbacks in our society. These drawbacks are lingering on for so many years but finally we have started waking up from our long sleep. There are a lot of initiatives being taken from various government and non-government agencies in this direction. Despite all these good efforts that are visible, there is a lack of collaboration. There is still a ubiquity of sadness in the country as far as the safety of women and girls is concerned. Every day there are a number of related cases happening in the metropolis that cause a severe cause of concern.

If I have to think of the top three reasons of the rising importance to encourage reporting sexual violence, they would be characterized by three keywords as below: 

Space: We need to give sufficient space to a girl child to grow fearlessly in the family and society. This is not about a mere physical space. It is about intellectual and psychological space that a girl and woman needs in our country. For years, that have to live at the whims and fancies of the dominant male society. Wherever a girl or woman travels, moves or lives, they have to be cautious all the time. There is always a dominance imposed on them. This needs to go off, big time.

Freedom: We need to give freedom to every child, especially to a girl child. This is about freedom of speech, freedom of expression, freedom of development and freedom to live in a dignified manner. There are a lot of impositions on women and girls which never let them survive in a confident atmosphere.

Education: There is a prevalent misconception in the society that a girl child does not need as much attention and education as a boy. The era is gone when a girl had just to gain mastery in domestic work and get married at an early age. Gone is the time when they just had to marry and confine themselves to domestic chores all their life. 

 ~~~ 

I’m writing this blog post to support Amnesty International’s #KnowYourRights campaign at BlogAdda. You can also contribute to the cause by donating or spreading the word.

Deafening Silence...

यत्र नार्यस्तु पूज्यन्ते रमन्ते तत्र देवता: |

यत्र एता: न पूज्यन्ते सर्वास्तत्राफला: क्रिया: || 

 ~~~ 

I am a Woman. 

I have been a silent spectator to the passage of time and the occurrence of events. 

Being the bearer of the virtues and the vices, I stand here to recount my fate. 

Would you like to embark with me on an overwhelming sojourn commencing at the outset of the fourth dimension? 

 ~~~ 

Just as a seed is sown into and sprouts from the soil, so too does one's perspective of societal norms shape up from the root school of  thought. 

Just as it is futile to expect the infertile soil to yield to fertility, so too is it in vain to anticipate the inception of radical sentiment to pave the path to a liberal viewpoint. 

Etched in their minds was that deep-rooted societal norm, which strangled their daughters, who yielded to demise. 

Time and tide wait for none. For them, the time had whizzed past and the tide had turned disastrously. 

~~~

The equivalence of status during the Vedic times had been negated and the balance had been tipped off. Her longing for her right to life, to make it worthwhile, albeit suppressed, made its presence known. 

They were stone-hearted to have posed deaf ears and blind eyes to her innocent wish to embark on a journey of knowledge. For they considered her aspirations to be as inconsequential as her existence. 

She had been ripped off her dignity and reduced to that which they addressed as an object. Oppression and obsession clouded the feminine and masculine divide. 

They had their way by means of force - nipping her in the bud and equating her to an agency of wealth and fortune. 

What they did not realize was that she learned to walk a shackled crawl. The thorns that were strewn in her path were transformed to roses upon her gentle touch. 

They set her to limited means but failed to acknowledge the fact that her goals were infinitive and so was her perseverance to achieve them. 

The strength in her will and the power in her ability were realized when her contributions elevated their social standing. 

 ~~~ 

For, when is it that you see the oppressed aid the oppressor through their innumerable efforts which often go unacknowledged, unseen, unheard? 

They do not realize their folly of having created an unscalable mound of sand, which would take away with itself, their existence as well. For it is in peaceful co-existence that any collaboration is able to strive and thrive for the time to come. 

 ~~~ 

Desirous of an equal footing in terms of societal norms, she does not realize that her true victory would be when the disparity of a discriminative patriarchy and matriarchy are done away with. 

By being special and by feeling so, for her own self, she would be able to equate her existence with freedom, which would reign supreme. 

For, it is in unison that the ultimate is reached and in disparity that the thought is left wandering. 

Thus, it is not a question of want. It is a question of erasing the boundaries which limit our horizons. 

It is in discovering the identity of the being, that you would carve your niche, Dear... 

Weaving one's own silhouette in hues of havoc, 

Observing blueprints to rid oneself of all panic. 

Maintaining rigorous stances in times of crisis, 

Adapting to ever-varying spatial circumstances 

Nestling carefully in oneself, inception of roots 

 ~~~ 

That is how graceful she is. 

Carving Her Nation, INDIA,

The Woman Of Today. :)

 ~~~ 

I’m blogging for the India Today Woman Summit 2015 #WomenPower activity at BlogAdda.