Who is your role model? – the question that I never had a right answer to. I wonder would it be my mother, who took a stand against her abusive husband and in-laws for her daughters; or would it be the woman who raised her voice with me when I was abused on the bus; or would it be my sister who fought against the society to fight for her dream to become a pilot! Or would it be Sushmita Sen or Saina Nehwal or Asha Devi or Nirbhaya or Indra Nooyi and the list goes on…
But finally, after juggling with that question for quite some time now – I know the answer. I know the answer – who is my role model?
My role model is every woman, who raised her voice when she was told to be mum! My role model is every woman, who refused to give up her voice when society told her – Tu Bolti Bahut Hai! My role model is every woman with a voice!
We are surrounded by these inspiring women. Sometimes, they are our mothers, our sisters, our friends, our mothers-in-law, and sometimes, a complete stranger! Here’s a short ode to all those women who fought before us; who raised their voices for us so that you and I could have the freedom that they didn’t have!
To The Woman with voice, Thank you!
Thank you for standing for those who never had a voice!
Thank you for reminding the world what women can do when they speak!
Thank you for inspiring so many of us to break our shackles to reach out for our dreams!
Couldn’t tell you how grateful we are that you didn’t stop when people told you – “Tu Bolti Bahut Hai! Ladkiyan Kam Bole To Hi Achi Lagti Hai! (You speak a lot! Women are supposed to speak less! )”
Couldn’t tell you how thankful we are that you didn’t give up on your dreams just because society told you so – “Ladkiyon ko toh time se shaadi kar leni chahiye! (*Girls should marry at the right age!)
Couldn’t tell you how indebted we are to you for showing the world what women can do if they want to; for showing us the true courage!
Thanks for all the times when as our mothers, you fought against the world for our dreams!
Thanks for all the times when as our sisters, you fought against the family to not force us to give up on our studies for marriage!
Thanks for all the times when as our friends, you raised your voices so that our misogyny society doesn’t shatter our souls!
Thanks for the times when as a stranger, you refused to stay silent when we were abused in front of you!
Thanks for the times when as a stranger, you shut the trolls for their misogynist comments on my post!
Thanks for the times when as a stranger, you amplified my voice to bring change to the world to make it better for all of us!
The world is definitely a better place because you refused to give up on your voice! Thank you so much! You are our REAL HERO!
From one rebel to other!
