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I am a girl who belongs to a conservative family, a girl who is the first in her family and who went to college for higher studies. I have noticed so many incidences from my childhood that I thought must not happen with a girl or woman.
For example, the veil system for women, married women are not allowed to do jobs, girls are not allowed to opt for higher studies, girls are not allowed to go out of the house alone, especially at night, and many more things. But among all these things am lucky to have parents who are very supportive and understanding.
MY FATHER
My father is the one who always praises girl for working for themselves and want them to stand on their own feet. People often don’t allow their girls to move outside their house alone. While my father always pushes me to go outside alone and manage my things independently. My father plays a significant role in my life. Whatever I have achieved in my life so far is all because of his support.
This is not something new. In India, where on the one hand, a female is worshipped as a goddess, on the other hand, the fascination of Hindu families to have a boy never diminishes. This was even well captured in the economic survey of India, which talked about unwanted girl child and Son-Metaprefrence.
DISCRIMINATED FOR BEING A GIRL
We are three siblings. I have one elder sister and one younger brother. So when I was born, my grandmother was not happy, as I am a second girl child and she wanted a boy. Sometimes she still used to discriminate against us based on our gender. I was born and brought up in these circumstances where my grandmother used to discriminate but thankfully, my parents never discriminated between us. They always treat us equally.
I always want to do something for girls and women. So I always try to break this myth that only boys can do specific tasks and girls cannot. I try to do my things on my own.
AN INDEPENDENT GIRL- MY FATHER’S GUIDANCE
When I was in class sixth or seventh, I started doing my father’s bank work. He used to teach me everything- how to fill cheques, withdraw money, get entry in your passbook, etc. He used to send me to the shops to understand how we should buy things. Also, he taught me that we should always check the manufactured date and expiry date, and “MRP” on products means maximum retailing price, and no shopkeeper can ask you to give more money than that. Since then, it has become my habit to check everything before buying anything. Afterwards, when I passed the school, my father sent me alone to college to get my admission done.
Like other fathers in my neighbourhood who always accompanied their girl children, my father never did this. He always used to say go alone and try to understand the world around you. When you go alone, you know so many things. It would help if you never relied on another person to accompany you every time you go somewhere. He wants to see me successful in my life.
The primary lesson I learnt through these years is that ‘everybody must understand that we do not know what will happen in our life so we must try to do everything by ourselves and should not depend on anyone else.’
We must believe in ourselves. When I was in college, I even used to go to an NGO on weekends, and my father always supported and respected my decision. He never stopped me from doing anything beneficial for me or my career.
CHOOSING POLITICAL SCIENCE
Being always interested in research work and knowing the political facts about society, I opted for a bachelor’s in political science and a master’s in political science. During my master’s, I got this great opportunity to work with ‘The International Prism ‘as a research intern. I learned so many things on this platform. Several facts about the international affairs of different countries, their analysis, and broad area to work on are a few of them.
LESSONS THE PANDEMIC HAS TAUGHT ME
Now let me talk about the pandemic period. So lessons I learned are – that no one is more important than your family and your health.
Parents cannot think anything wrong about their children, so we must also respect them and their decisions. Although we should make our decisions, It’s our responsibility to make our parents understand that we are willing to take the risk and we want them by our side to support our decision. And for our survival, we must know how to do even household chores, whether it’s cooking, washing clothes or utensils, cleaning the house, or anything else.
We should always prepare ourselves for any circumstances that might take us out of our comfort zone, like the pandemic, where we were stuck inside the four walls of our house for months. We do not know who will we meet after this and what will happen with whom. So seeing all these scenarios, I believe we must be kind to everyone and talk to everyone with respect and give time to our loved ones.
I hope, my life lesson will help others to gain confidence and carry on forward with courage and pride. With this, I am signing off, from the International Prism, and I can’t thank them enough for providing a space for my voice.
You may also like to read, Determining The Value: Tangible Aspects Of An Intangible Life!
About the Author
Komal is a very passionate girl who loves to explore new things. Currently, she is doing Masters in Political Science at Delhi University. In addition, she has a keen interest in international affairs and effectively pursues the same. As a youth of the contemporary world, she aspires to make the Indian population more conscious and knowledgeable by working with The International Prism.
Encouraging words for all women out there!