Reflections - A Journey Through Life

Imprisoned in limelight The jeep rumbled through the jungle, twisting and turning every now and then. The jungle was deep and it was late into the night. We sat huddled inside the covered jeep excitedly looking out through the windscreen for any chance animal. The beams of the headlight created a lane of light merging with the surrounding darkness. Tall trees with their thick foliage stood comfortably talking to each other in their own language. We were the only humans in this all-encompassing darkness. The jeep moved on with muffled roar of the engine—a cocoon of light and warmth jogging noisily without any heed to the surrounding peace. Suddenly we heard the crashing sound of a big body moving through the jungle. The driver excitedly whispered, “Look look, an elephant.” Craning my neck, I could just see the big broad posterior of an elephant vanishing away fast in the darkness. My friends sitting behind couldn’t see anything. They were a trifle disappointed. I was no ex...

If only I could fly free… Liberation or freedom? What is the difference? Which word should I be after? Struggle went with freedom, women went with liberation. And so, I chose liberation first. Soon my head filled to the brim with all the liberating efforts and movements from the dawn of civilization…who knows perhaps from before the dawn. Men suppressed women in all spheres of activity and relationships. Through ages. Women have to bear the children and make the home. All serious matters of the world are for the men to deliberate upon. Women thinkers? Not usual. Women leaders? A rarity. Even if some come up, the power brokers remain to be of the male kind. During childhood, a female belongs to her father, growing up she progresses to be the property of her husband and in advanced age she is under the care of her son. In between she bears the children with all its associated hassles, transforms the house to a home and satisfies the needs of all in the family. Oh, we hav...