Are you dumb?

So is the answer No! Definitely a NO! or is there a teeny weeny bit inside you trying to lift its head against the lie. A vehement denial shows the daal is not all yellow(!!). Why the sudden question -- because I feel extremely 'dumb' today. Not the 'I need sympathy, save me, damsel in distress' dumb but the real thing.

World says, jao, udo, spread your wings, make mistakes, lose, experience! Easier said than done Mind You.
It takes some amount of 'daring' to make that mistake, gain from it and move ahead. I remember the first major error I did at work. Now that I look back, it seems pretty tuccha to the potential errors that I may commit now. Back then, it was my end of the world. I also understood the sadists of the world live for such moments, feed on others 'dumb' moments. Doesn't matter if these sad sadist character cannot separate a comma from a semicolon..that is but so not the point.

I don't know what you all smart asses out there do?
But I keep feeling terrible for the rest of the day, turn moody the next day and god save you If you cross my path in the next few days to come. In addition to turning moody, I start reliving all my 'loser' moments..moments which is nicely tucked away in a corner of my heart but does make special appearances. They are sad, creepy, sneaky, spooky and very Dementorish,,suck all the happiness out in a matter of seconds. All achievements, happy moments, success stories are wiped out leaving you blank. A dark cloud takes over and you start re-living the not so nice flashes from the past, voices mocking you, fingers pointed at you, yes now you believe them,, you are the epitome of dumbness!

I wish I could leave with a message of hope and triumph! You forget I feel dumb

Feminist? Real or Fake?

The question of the day to the women out there -- Are you a feminist for the sake of being one? Is there something like a fake feminist? (I strongly believe all male chauvinists are genuine). Do we, the Indian women need saving? I sometimes feel, 'woman empowerment' occupies a prestigious 3rd position in the Oscar of Topics (right after Cricket and everything Bollywood).

I have never believed that I am feminist but I have been tagged as one, and so many times that its amusing. Every accusation brings a smile to my face. But it makes me angry also because I strongly feel I have a neutral outlook towards woman issues. How do I call a spade - a spade without being branded as part of the elite feminist club. I tried shutting up but then..I am an Indian, on top a woman,,that too a Bongali one!

Enough with my plight, and we return to my original question. Do feminists create fake nuisance? Are all their plights fake? Was the lady who reported the Delhi rape case a feminist too? Sound absurd! But If we delve a  little deeper into the problem, we realize that it is our failure as a society that the word exists in the first place.

I am not talking about the newly married brides who are burnt alive, the just born babies put to death, the 4-year old something touched inappropriately..no they are too cliched for us. They should be reserved to fill page 3-4 of our national dailies and provide us company while we gulp down the morning tea or sit through our daily ablutions. I am talking about the slighter notions we hold about a 'woman'.

Why isn't your wife the leading bread-winner for your family? Believe in her and she can be much more than a 2nd grade teacher.
Treat her parents as the real parents too, remember they are old too and need company.
For god's sake, learn to cook and change nappies. They are your kids too, not the neighbour's.
If she is driving, let her. Chances are she is a much safer and pleasant driver than you.
ASK her If she wants to relax after the child comes. Her career choices are to be made by her. You wouldn't like it If she makes work choices for you.

History says women were held in high esteem and occupied positions of pride in the society. We got lost somewhere on the way. Today we pray to 10 different goddesses but don't hesitate to objectify women at the drop of a hat. It is the same India where Kareena Kapoor refuses to change her surname after her nikaah and a rape victim lies on the street for hours for help.

So I do not really care If a 'feminist' concern is genuine, till we assure ourselves of change and promise a fearless tomorrow to future daughters, it doesn't matter.