Saturday, June 16, 2018

Self before Gender; Country before Self!




OK, I will address the elephant in the room.

Since when is adhering to a country's cultural lay-downs seen as misogynistic and regressive towards women?

Given all the Indian hypocrisy, aren't there different rules for both men and women in terms of attire, socially acceptable behaviour, sexually inclined conduct in public and so on that we'd like foreigners visiting India to adhere to? Similar patterns and expectations are found everywhere else in the world.

Would it not have been more mature and large-hearted and bigger minded for Soumya Swaminathan to keep her sporting spirit alive and play for her country?

Isn't country first, self second?

Also, playing in a country as a player from another country, in both places where gender issues thrive and women are considered second class citizens, would have been a far bigger win.

What's a mere headscarf to cover a head that encases a magnificent brain!

Social media may keep the issue alive for some time but history would have remembered Soumya more as a winning champ than as a girl who refused to wear a scarf.

While I do understand where Soumya is coming from, I think the examples that women should set must have a larger scope, deeper impression and more profound influence.


Picture courtesy - Pinterest and Elle

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