Am i Empowered?

It was a Friday morning. I walked off towards the bus stop to catch my bus to office. I saw a woman running behind her daughter, packing her school bags and lunch boxes. After the kid got into her school bus, few minutes later, similar scene was seen when she packed the lunch and ran behind her husband. Once he got into car she waved her hands, and I believe her husband hardly noticed that. She has dedicated her life for her family, although the decision making and dignity of the running the family still goes to the husband, who is called the bread winner of the family.


Soon I settled in the bus which then crossed a college, where all young girls were happily chirping around with the gang of guys, enjoying their life. They do not know what lies ahead for them, but all they know now is to enjoy their life. At times when I see these young girls enjoying their lives, I envy them. I wonder if I missed the fun which I should have done at that age of my life. Was I wrong to have spent my life, working hard to achieve some goals in my life. I never had time for unwanted diversions, and life ran with a focus, a focus about future, a focus to achieve something in life.


As I entered office, I saw in a conference room where all women along with few men, who all seemed to be a part of the senior management were attending a meeting. They don’t come just to work but are the decisions makers of the organizations.


After completing my work, when I took back the bus, there sat a woman and a man right before me. The man was shouting at his wife in Tamil, thinking others there wouldn’t understand. He was scolding the lady’s family members. She didn’t say anything but was quietly listening. My anger was shooting up the way he shouted at her and more at the way she sat quiet listening to him. I choose to get down at the next bus stop and take another bus as I was all alone at this place and to get into their personal arguments could have been a risky thing for me.


As the day ended, I was confused with the varied roles that women play today. There are those who are being suppressed by men even today. And then there are those who rub shoulders with men and run organizations. There are those who do not realize what their responsibilities are and then those who have dedicated their life for their families.


During the weekend, I attended a film festival. The Movies were about the problem that women today are facing and empowering such women. Soon when then film maker stood up for a discussion , I wondered is the way she described about the women the real scenario, or is she the way women today are, who are supporting by the families to work for the noble cause!


The confidence she had, the authenticity she had, the power she had, the dignity she had, the knowledge she had, the courage she had was all what the women in her documentary didn’t have to fight the world.


I wonder which role of women I am playing in my life. How empowered I am in my life as woman!

21st Century!

As I was in the cab on my way to airport, I looked up at sky, stars twinkling and the moon shining bright. I missed home where I would stand my balcony and admire the star studded sky.



As I reached airport I looked to my left and right wondering which way to go. This was my first ever departure from Bangalore airport. Had it been Delhi probably I would have walked across without noticing anything or anyone. But everything has a first time, once we learn we don’t do the same next time and so was this my first time to learn.


I had reached early due to my bad habit. Well yes according to the definition of this 21st century generation reaching early is a bad. After asking people here and there, where I had to check in, I realized I had to wait for some time for the counter to open. So I looked at other people waiting and saw two gentlemen sitting in two corners of a row with 5 seats vacant in between them. I choose to take the seat right at the center where the two men were sitting.


One who seemed in his early twenties who was dressed in shabby jeans and sweatshirt (Mr.21st century), with his headphone was watching an English movie in his laptop. The person on the other corner who was in his formal dress and blazers (Mr. Gen Old) vigorously was working on his laptop, probably for some presentation and looked completely serious and stressed.


Soon we all checked in and ironically they were both in same flight in which I was. Since it was early morning flight everyone walked towards cafeteria and so did I although I wasn’t that hungry. I grabbed coffee and try to get a seat somewhere in between so that I continue to observe Mr 21st century and Mr Gen old.


Mr 21st century hogged on a combo plate and Mr Gen old preferred some light food and continued to work. As we all got in the bus, the 21st century, was still with his headphone now was listening to song when the Gen old was over the phone talking to someone about some mails.


As I reached Pune, Mr 21st century stood near the conveyor belt besides me booking his cab on the phone and Mr Gen old, walked off his luggage which he already was carrying with himself.


Everyone went their way and I reached office for some fest which was going to take place. To my surprise or was it ironical or what I should call it I don’t know, I saw Mr 21st century in his formals, neatly dressed standing right there and so was Me Gen old there. I initially thought I was hallucinating because I was too tired; I pinched myself to realize I wasn’t dreaming. The fest began and I wondered the way they both reached which was for the same purpose.


Mr 21st century came to me and shook hand and asked “were you the one in spice jet in the morning”. I smiled and said “yes and I believe you were the one watching movie at the airport”. He grinned “didn’t know someone who is going to be here, was watching me”


I attended all the presentations and when everyone was free ,went and spoke to Mr Gen Old asking “Sir were you there in Spice jet in the morning today” to which I got a serious answer “hhhmmm”,which was more of a question than answer which seemed like “so what ?” . I just smiled and walked off. I thought to myself it was a wrong decision to go and talk to Mr Gen Old. Never mind everything has a first time, once we learn we don’t do the same next time and so was this my first time to learn.


As we all boarded our flights back to Bangalore, Mr Gen Old was seated in the middle where as Mr 21st century was seated in the last seat on the right corner window seat. I settled myself in the left corner window seat and we looked at each other and he asked “tired?” I said “Naaahhh, this is my first time when I am flying at night”. He smiled at me “Enjoy”. The flight took off and for the first time I saw from the sky, at the stars in twinkling on the earth below. I again missed home and wished if this flight goes and lands at Delhi airport!

Note: This blog is completely imaginative and has no relevance to any person in real.