Today, 8^th March is International Women’s Day, a day to celebrate women across the globe for their offerings to the world. It’s to celebrate their social, economic, cultural and political achievements. It’s also a day to urge others to stand for women’s pride and value around the world. The day, since 1909, celebrates women’s achievement in all spheres of life and calls for gender equality. The day is not linked with any particular group or organisation. But it brings together government, associations and corporations.

This Day is celebrated throughout the world in honor of struggles, joys and the awesomeness of being a woman. Today’s woman is a ‘superwoman’ who is breaking all the labels and the conventional moulds and is managing everything single-handed. Today’s woman is enjoying her own uniqueness, influence, magnificence and gratification.

And this year Women’s Day theme is #pressforprogress !

So How will you #PressforProgress in 2018?

I will #pressforprogress and  

• believe achievement comes in many forms
• value women’s individual and collective success
• ensure credit is given for women’s contributions
• celebrate women role models and their journeys
  

So taking this promise forward, I am not here today, to share ‘my thoughts’ with you, but to bring the considerations of some ‘other’ inspirational women whom I admire myself and  who have created their own identity rather than being known as someone’s daughter, sister or wife.

Here are three inspirational women sharing their thoughts with you to get you in the spirit of Women’s Day! 

Preet Inder Dhillon

Born & bought-up in Punjab, India, Preet rediscovered her own self as she stepped into her  thirties. She has been a regular columnist with the English national, “The Hindustan Times” &  “The Times of India” with over 150 write-ups to her credit. Preet is a proficient radio jockey as well, who has been an important part of All India Radio, Jalandhar for many years. Her absorbing voice and meaningful scripts have been her forte.Recently she turned her dream, of becoming an author, to reality by penning the biography of the sufi king , Hans Raj Hans titled “Rags to Ragas….and Beyond.”  She is currently working for Cina radio 1650 AM , Toronto and has recently finished the adaptation and translation of the script of a regional film to be dubbed in English for overseas viewers.

In case you have missed the “ Go Girl” memes clogging up your face book feed, March 8^th is the International women’s day… On International women’s day we celebrate the inspiring and courageous work women around the world are doing , specifically to secure women’s rights and shape more tolerant and equitable societies. We also try to reflect on the work that remains and remember the many women whose voices go unheard and who continue to be excluded from realising their full potential. All these years I believe, we have seen a lot of talk about this issue and I am fearful that we are celebrating chatter rather than action. Just a couple of days back I  watched this documentary , India’s Daughter , that was banned by the Indian Govt but released by BBC on YouTube. ( possibly the ban has given it more viewers than it would have had otherwise). The thought that cropped up after watching it was that how many of those viewers( including my own self) have done anything beyond watching it?  

Undeniably we need to publicize these issues and its right that people are talking about them , filming them, bringing them to a larger audience – but if that audience does nothing more, what then? Do we see any significant change in the scenario after the “Nirbhaya “ case.? Not really… Women are still unsafe on the streets and discriminated  against at work. At home they are often worse off reduced to slavish drudges and are maltreated in hundreds of different ways. Constantly derided, frequently bullied, sometimes assaulted and occasionally burnt to death…. I wonder, where is the change!!!

International women’s day is not just about celebrating the role and achievements of women, but it’s also about campaigning for change and then making that change happen. Change like charity begins at home but that doesn’t mean it should stop there. Contribute your bit as a woman, mother, wife, daughter, sister… Forget the rest… Don’t wait for someone else to come  and open the gates for you. You be the change…

If Indian women are unable to find a voice, unable to distinguish between slavery and survival , trust me , their social imprisonment will slowly harden and corrode the fabric of the society till it is dragged into a morass. The only good news in the entire picture is that a handful of women are beginning to stir… ripples are there… Dowry deaths have shocked them out of their placid stoicism. Unchecked assaults on their bodies have appalled them. Rising political consciousness has emboldened a growing number and a fertile political milieu has brought them out in the streets to protest against the degradation. And the energy to protest comes from a deeper urge to stand up , to rebel against social calcification of centuries , from a force which if it attains its full potential , can transform society no less fundamental than a revolution. So the only visible road for each one of us is to stand up, hold each other’s hands and march forward – together, hand in hand……”

(PREET INDER DHILLON)  

SHILPA KUMAR

Shilpa Kumar, Founder Director @ ÉKCO Direct, a promotional marketing company, Mumbai. A people’s person, loves working hard as well as socializing, movies & the theater!   Her company, EKCO Direct is a leading corporate gifting solution provider in the country, with an innovative model of “Corporate to Consumer…”

Hi! It’s a pleasure to reach out on this Women’s Day & share my story with you…born to parents who though old in age were progressive & forward-looking. As was the norm in those days, I got married and had children young. Enjoyed bringing them up & being a stay at home mom. But a thought gnawed at me – what would happen when my children stopped needing me 24/7? When I was no longer the centre of their lives? Would I be relegated to playing the role of a neglected mother, a wife always needy and hungry for attention? What about my potential, the education and degree that I had painstakingly acquired with distinctions.

Supported by my in laws & husband, I ventured into & started my own business. Even though on some days I’d rather curl up and go back inside my shell, I’ve stuck it out & held my own. I feel we women have an advantage over men, we handle stress & respond to situations more calmly.

I look back at my journey & realize It’s not just a question of being a housewife or working, being single or getting married, having children or not…it’s a matter of choice by the woman. . I truly believe that when we as a society accept that a woman is equal to & capable of deciding what is right for her & by her, when she has the right to choose to live her life & explore her potential,only then can we truly celebrate Women’s Day.

Love to leave you with a message In the words of Daisaku Ikeda, “We should never decide that something is impossible and buy into the belief, “I’ll never be able to do that.” The power of the entire universe is inherent in our lives. When we firmly decide, “I can do it!” we can break through the walls of self-imposed limitations” .

Thank you!

(SHILPA KUMAR)

BHAWNA SANDAL

Bhawna Sandal, runs her own designer boutique with the name of  “Bhawna Creations”

Bhawna Creations” Boutique,  in the heart of Jalandhar, situated in Model town, has become a premier brand in Ethnic Indian wear for women.They also have international customers from Cananda,USA,Uk & Australia. Bhawan has worked with bollywood celebrities like ‘Ratti Agnihotri’, ‘Supriya Aiman’, ‘Akshay kumar’, Prabhu Deva’, ‘Sonu Sood’ and  ’Tamanna’. 
They do “STITCHING” “DESIGNING” & “CUSTOMIZING” according to their customer’s taste occasion & budget with best quality and customer satisfaction.
With its belief in providing the consumer with: The Best Range. The Best Price. , “Bhawna Creations” is on the road of rapid growth.

Women is the epitome of strength, courage, commitment and sacrifice. She is the beautiful creation of God, and all life springs from her. On this women’s day I salute the power of woman who plays multiple roles in her life. She doesn’t need any comparison, in fact she is the companion of man. Woman has strength that amazes man. She can handle trouble and can carry heavy burdens. Her love is unconditional. You can feel her divinity in the form of the mother, you can feel her care in the form of a sister, you can feel her warmth in form of a friend, You can feel her dedication in form of a wife, She is soft but tough too. She is a WOMAN!

(Bhawna Sandal)