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Struggles Indian Women Battle With Every Day - and Why The ONLY Solution is to Leave It Behind
“Of course life is difficult – you are a woman!”
“Indian women have to make sacrifices and compromises…”
“You can’t expect to have everything that a man does. We are not that free.”
How many times have we heard statements like these? And from people we consider family and friends? Apparently, Indian women have to be repressed and make peace with it too! On a daily basis, in our various roles as daughters, wives, mothers, and working professionals, we see this in action. We battle numerous challenges every day, and they all have one unifying factor: women need to be bound. In shackles, stereotypes and constraints.
Not anymore. On the occasion of the Mumbai Pinkathon, partnered by Bajaj Electricals, we as Indian women now have a new mantra to emerge victorious in our battles. The Pinkathon, an annual event, will be conducted in Mumbai on Dec 18 this year. It is an occasion of great fervour, when women across the city will come together for India’s greatest women’s run – a step toward a nation of healthier and more empowered women.
But before we understand just what this mantra is, it’s important to consider what we are up against. Let’s take a look at some of the battles we fight every single day:
We Need to Put up a Fight to Come into the World, Even When Still in Our Mother’s Womb
The struggles of being a woman in India start early – as early as before birth. It is an unfortunate truth that India ranks high in the list of countries with a twisted sex ratio. Incidents of female infanticide and gender-based abortions are on the rise, as also are incidents of crimes against little girls. They are seen as liabilities in many households – members who will need a hefty dowry with zero contribution to the family income. The gender of these girls becomes the factor that holds them back from being loved or respected as individuals.
Daughters Are Often Denied the Privileges That Sons Have, and Raised to be Docile Rather than Free-thinking and Opinionated
Whoever heard of letting young girls play in the sunlight or climb trees or spend time with boys? Why should they learn to stand up for themselves, fight back, or share a disagreeing opinion with something their elders said? Even though we do our best to raise our daughters without discrimination, we cannot always protect them from the gender bias that’s still ingrained in our society. Girls are apparently born with a set life-plan: to have children and look after another household. This is a fate she cannot leave behind, as per several members of even modern society.
Marriage is Your Ultimate Objective in Life, Even it Comes at the Cost of Your Education, or Worse, Mental Peace
Indian women grow up with a lot of respect for the institution of marriage. But sadly, this is one institution they are forced to adopt even at the cost of other things that matter to them. Hundreds of young women are compelled to leave their education mid-way or give up jobs they like, only to be tied in holy matrimony. But what makes it worse is that, as Indian wives, we are frequently left with little choice to call it quits even if the marriage causes us physical or mental abuse. We need to stick it out, even if we face marital rape or domestic violence, on account of something as helpless as not being able to conceive. Divorce or separation are taboo – scars you can seemingly never leave behind.
Choosing – or Not Choosing – to Have a Job after Motherhood is a Question You Just Cannot Answer Without Criticism from Society
Once you become a mother, your baby becomes the centre of your world and you want to give him the best care. But eventually, you may also want to return to your job. As Indian women, this is a choice that comes with much criticism (“who will look after the baby?”), allegations (“you really are self-centered”) and pressure (“don’t expect baby to love you when he grows up”). What’s ironical is that even if you decide to give up your career and become a stay-at-home mom, this too is rife with judgment! You are made to feel inferior to working women, or to your husband who earns the livelihood. The hundreds of things you do for your family are just not important enough.
This discrimination against women even extends to the workplace, where we are subjected to the glass ceiling, seen as ‘weaker’ because we need maternity leaves or longer holidays, and are passed up for promotions and raises even after putting in equal or more work than our male counterparts.
You are Never Quite Safe – Not Outside, Not at Home – and the Problem is in the ‘Clothes You Wear’ or the ‘Lifestyle You Lead’
Finally, even if you somehow make sense of the conflicts you face mentally and emotionally, there is no guarantee of your physical safety. You’re more likely than not to meet eve-teasers on the road, get catcalls from men in the Metro, be molested in the company cab, and ultimately be told it’s all your fault because you wore non-Indian clothes and spent time in the company of men. Crimes against women have become rampant in India. Sadly, these incidents only seem to suggest that gender abuse is something we cannot get free from.
So, Is There a Solution in Sight?
Well, let’s be honest. Indian women have been subjugated for several years, and it continues silently today, even though we claim to be modern. So, while a solution cannot change things overnight, there is something we can do. It’s something we as women need to start believing and practising to make change happen. The mantra is simple, but powerful: we need to leave it behind.
‘It’ may be something we see as normal or conventional; it may be what our family members asked us to do. But if it holds us back and stops us from moving ahead, it has to go. And this includes everything - from restrictive marriage proposals to abusive partners to people who call you fat or judge your parenting skills. Everything. Check out this powerful video, created by Bajaj Electricals in association with Humans Of Bombay, to fully understand the power of this solution:
https://youtu.be/UKxMOp1uDnA
So Moms, this December, let’s Pledge to Follow through on this beautiful message. Let’s #LeaveItBehind. All the things that are stopping us from moving ahead, everything that’s holding us back from achieving our dreams – let’s leave all of them behind and start afresh.
Bajaj Electricals, as inspiring partner of the Pinkathon, India’s biggest women’s run, salutes Indian women who face and rise up against several problems every day. Let’s come together to leave our problems behind and move towards a new beginning. Read more
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Fun and Interesting Facts About Switzerland for Kids
We all know that Switzerland is a beautiful country filled with watches, chocolates, and banks, but many other interesting facts about the country are worth learning! Explore some fun facts about Switzerland and discover what makes this country unique and special.
History of Switzerland
Switzerland, a beautiful country located in Europe, has a rich history full of invasions and changing rulers. The earliest Swiss settlers were the Helvetians, and the Celtic thrived between 500 BC and 400 AD. The country was later taken over by the Romans, who were responsible for building towns, roads, and schools in the country. The Swiss have gone through many other invasions from countries like France and Russia. However, they later claimed their independence in the early 1800s, and Europe finally recognized their desire for neutrality. Neutrality here means that they decided to be a country that did not want to take sides with anybody in a war or a disagreement.
Geography And Culture of Switzerland
Switzerland is often known as a landlocked country because there are no borders that touch the ocean. Most of the country is covered by mountains, and these include the Jura mountains and the Swiss Alps, and one of the tallest mountains of Europe is located on this Swiss-Italian border. The northern part of the country also includes a large plateau, a flat area of raised land, and the climate depends on which part of the country you are staying in. The southern regions of the country are warmer, while the northern parts of the country are colder. The temperatures and rainfall in the country are usually exceptionally unpredictable.
One of the most popular Switzerland culture facts is that it has four official languages - German, French, Italian, and Romansh (a language spoken by very small sections in the country). Switzerland is one of the wealthiest countries in the world and is famous worldwide for its clocks and watches.
Education Facts of Switzerland
A few popular educational facts are:
There are 12 universities in Switzerland.
The largest university in the country is the University of Zurich, and around 25,000 students are studying here.
The oldest university in Switzerland is the University of Basel that was established in 1460.
One of the best physicists to ever exist, Albert Einstein, came up with his Special Theory of Relatively in Switzerland, in the city of Bern.
The country is linked to about 114 Nobel Price Laureates.
The most prominent laboratory for particle physics on Earth, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, is located in Geneva, Switzerland. It is also known as CERN.
In tertiary education, the country is second, right after Australia, for the highest international students.
Economy Facts of Switzerland
Check out these few economic facts about Switzerland for children:
Switzerland’s biggest business partner is Germany.
The country ranks at the top in terms of the skilled labor force.
It is the 19th biggest economy on earth according to nominal GDP.
Switzerland is the 17th biggest importer of goods in the world.
According to a report by the World Economic Forum, the country’s economy is the world’s most competitive.
During the 20th century, Switzerland was considered the wealthiest nation in Europe.
Switzerland is the 15th largest exporter of goods in the world.
Famous Things In Switzerland
Switzerland is famous for a lot of stuff, and some of these include:
Switzerland is renowned for its cheese, chocolate, watches, mountains, and banking.
The largest producer of chocolate in the world is Switzerland. They also eat more chocolate per capita when compared to the rest of the countries in the world.
Instant coffee was invented in the country, and the first one to manufacture it was Nescafe.
The World Wide Web was created in 1989 by Tim Berners-Lee, an English scientist staying in Switzerland.
The country is famous for its mountains. The highest peak in Switzerland is the Dufour Peak, and this is the second-highest mountain located in Western Europe.
Karl Elsener invented the world’s most miniature toolbox, and it is called the Swiss Army Knife.
Other Switzerland Facts For Kids
A few other fun and weird facts about Switzerland include:
The biggest birds of prey in the country are the golden eagles, and they can grow as large as 7 ft (2 m).
Switzerland is home to around 7000 lakes, and these lakes include some of the best ones to swim in. The largest lake in the country is Lake Geneva, and it is shared with France. The largest lake within the country is Lake Neuchatel.
The country has one of the highest gun ownership rates, but it still has one of the lowest crime rates globally. However, many people own guns in the country due to the mandatory military service, after which they are allowed to take their guns home without ammunition.
According to The Global Innovation Index, Switzerland is believed to be the most innovative country globally.
It is still one of the smallest countries in the world, such that California is around ten times larger than the country.
Switzerland is one of the most expensive countries to live in, but the people there get value for everything they spend. The country shines when it comes to nutritional, medical, and access to basic knowledge.
It is also the least obese country in Europe, where only around 17.5% of the population is overweight.
Two of the most livable cities in the world are Geneva and Zurich, Switzerland. The concept of liveability is assessed by considering Healthcare, Stability, Education, Culture and Environment, and infrastructure.
Though Swiss contains less than 15% of the Alps, the country is still famous for the Alps when it comes to tourism.
One of the most expensive pieces of meat in the world is Swiss meat.
The country has enough nuclear fallout shelters to accommodate all its people and is already prepared for nuclear war. The laws also require its government to create bunkers accessible through the buildings or nearby for everybody, and the bunkers are kept entirely secret by the military.
The longest tunnel in the world is the Gotthard tunnel, and it is located in Switzerland.
These interesting facts about Switzerland will surely make your children want to go to the country to explore the place themselves!
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With a Newborn, Life Revolves Completely Around the Baby's Feeding and Sleeping Patterns
We often hear that being a mom is a beautiful feeling. Of course, it is a wonderful experience, but nobody talks about the transition that a mother goes through from being a woman to a completely responsible mother. A woman learns responsibility on seeing a tiny little human who is totally dependent on her. That human needs her the most. And when it comes to a child's needs, it’s completely a mother’s choice whether to breastfeed or formula feed her baby. A new mom goes through body changes too, and they can be distressing. A mom may be tired and exhausted, but people still come and visit her and the child. People also advise you regarding feeding and sleeping patterns of your baby. However, only the mother knows about what is suitable for her baby.
The mother has to take care of the baby despite latching problems among other things. Baby's feeding, massages, diaper changes, sleeping, bathing, changing clothes, burping, cleaning and entertaining are all the things a mom has to do every single day. A mom also has to do research on baby products to find out which ones are best suited for her little one.
Everyone comes and holds the baby, but who will hold the mother?
A woman needs love and support from her friends and family at this time. If you are in this phase, always remember to be clear and firm with your thoughts regarding how you want to nurture your baby. Take help and hire help if you need to. Share your difficulties and weaknesses with your friends and family. Reach out when you need to.
For me, initially, breastfeeding was a big problem. Even the nurses weren't supportive. I was told that I need to express milk either by hand or through a syringe barrel till the milk settles. It became so painful for me that I wanted to cease breastfeeding completely. I was so naive that I had no knowledge about breastfeeding pumps and how easy they can be. After I got discharged, I researched and learnt about them and life got easier.
So moms, if you want to share your experiences about what you have gone through or help other moms with helpful messages, do it in any way you can.
Disclaimer: The views, opinions and positions (including content in any form) expressed within this post are those of the author alone. The accuracy, completeness and validity of any statements made within this article are not guaranteed. We accept no liability for any errors, omissions or representations. The responsibility for intellectual property rights of this content rests with the author and any liability with regards to infringement of intellectual property rights remains with him/her.
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Dr Priyanka Kalra has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due this month
13 hours ago
Q. i am 39 week of pregnant and having AFI level of 8 is this normal?and is delivery possible for me?
Dr Priyanka Kalra
Obstetrician and Gynaecologist
5 hours ago
A. yes. better to show to specialist always as they get the correct diagnosis. try to avoid self and extra medication that will only complicate this and create more damage to the childdo ultrasound n necessary tests after consulting a specialist. without proper check up we can't advise or help you.. Avoid shirt cuts when it comes to health if mother n baby. ok.
Vandana Sharma has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
7 hours ago
Q. please tale me how much dengerous for may 7 days old baby and she was 2.9 kg.
Vandana Sharma
Nutritionist
5 hours ago
A. Hello mom the blood sugar level of baby is quite low , could say hypoglycemia as well .
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
5 hours ago
Q. hlw hospital bag main baby nd mom ke liye kiya kiya le jana chahiye???
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
5 hours ago
A. hospital bag mein baby ke essentials Deni hogi aap YouTube per dekh sakte hain. if there is no relief it is better you see your doctor for proper examination particularly physical examination if there is need for doing investigations to find out the problem and treatment ok
Rashmi has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
5 hours ago
Q. my last period was on 29 February 2024 according to which I am 8 weeks 4 days pregnant but my usg scan shows 7 weeks 3 days
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 7 m old girl
4 hours ago
A. For this purpose I’d like to tell you plus -1 or two weeks is completely normal to be seen during ultrasound till the time doctor does not say anything in order of you need to worry about the don’t worry like I said this can be commonly seen in one plus or 2+ weeks or minus weeks is fine
Ashima Malhotra has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 5 months
4 hours ago
Q. Am craving to have a burger at McDonald’s. Am 15 week pregnant.
Is it safe to have
Ashima Malhotra
Mom of a 10 m old boy
3 hours ago
A. avoid it
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 6 months
3 hours ago
Q. It's my 12th week of pregnancy but last night I noticed some bleeding. So, my doctor prescribed Duphaston for 2 weeks. Is there anything to worry about? Please guide me.
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
3 hours ago
A. at present take rest and use medicines as advised by the doctor. if there is no relief it is better you see your doctor for proper examination particularly physical examination if there is need for doing investigations to find out the problem and treatment ok
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