Until regular programming resumes here, some of my writing over at Women’s Web:
- The Adult Indian Woman - on the lack of autonomy for young Indians, and especially for young women
- Freedom from Fashion - on whether fashion diktats can be stifling, and the veil liberating
- And, The Other Woman, review of an anthology of 16 stories revolving around the subject.
Happy Reading, and hope to be back here soon!
While I work on a book review to be put up here soon, do have a look at these two recent posts, both up on the Women’s Web blog.
Strangely, both were inspired by events on Twitter, where I am spending some time to maintain the Women’s Web profile. The first was on an incident of under-age driving - when popular blogger Kiruba tweeted about letting his under-10 year olds drive. The second is really close to my heart; it’s about the abuse thrown at women who dare to be visible in public - do have a look, and if you are on twitter, FB or social media, please show your support in any way you can.
In other news, Women’s Web has completed a year. 
Strangely enough, there was no specific launch date, although the first bunch of articles went up early April 2010. Work has been so busy that I never even realised that a year was up until the end of April! It’s been a challenging year - a year of finding out how little I know about running an online publication - but it’s been extremely exciting too, and I wouldn’t have given up the experience for anything!
An excellent gender-wise analysis of the Indian blogosphere by Preeti - do have a look. She uses it to explore the larger question of whether women’s interests are too narrowly focused - on home, parenting, relationships - and if that is a problem.
What do you think? By ceding the ‘big issues’ such as politics, science, law or technology to men, are we doing ourselves a disservice? I am in two minds - on the one hand, one cannot say that the personal is unimportant, and men can definitely do better at articulation in that space; however, one cannot say either that politics or technology is unimportant - these things drive change and will shape the way the world looks 10 years from now. Are we not interested or just not interested enough to focus on them single-mindedly, or are there female bloggers and writers in this area that have been missed? (I am talking Indian specifically).
Go read and do share your comments. It is a post that a lot of thought has gone into, and I think, a topic much worth discussing.
For generations, women’s achievements were rarely visible. Because women did their stuff within their homes and communities, their lives and courage stayed unsung. Mothers, cooks, home economists, farmers, grandmothers, oral historians, wipers-of-tears, queens-behind-thrones and singers-of-lullabies - yes, women were all these. Many took on the mantle of ‘head of the family’ in adverse circumstances. Today, women’s deeds are more visible, but we can still do with a lot more support.
This year, the 100th year of celebrating Women’s Day, we can all celebrate women by bringing to light the stories of women that we know.
That’s what the FemInspiration contest is all about. If you haven’t seen it already, check it out!
How can I support FemInspiration?
1. By participating and adding your voice to the cause of celebrating women (on your blog or on FB - please go to the contest URL for details)
2. By spreading the word to others who may like to participate
Looking forward to hear all your stories soon!
Forget healthcare research or innovations in renewable energy. What we, the tax-paying public need from our department of science and technology is - yes, of course, a better fairness cream!
Sigh.
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