A journey of 60 years...

Yesterday, I watched the movie “Chak De India!” A movie inspired by real events in the life of Mir Ranjan Negi. The shocking history of how the sincere and faithful captain’s life and reputation was tarnished by some abject, rumor-thirsty media. And in spite of the failure and humiliation, Mr. Negi comes back after seven years to mentor the Indian Women’s Hockey team. Trials and tribulations unfold one after another, and the man proves his worthy leadership by uniting a team of 16 sportswomen, each bent on proudly representing their own state. It’s a wonderful combination of emotions and humor: a tale that beautifully engages you to the reality behind our National Game and the burgeoning discouragement faced by many of its players. But Negi constantly keeps reminding his players, that women can do anything and everything that men can, perhaps with better sincerity. And this was one of the most significant issues that the movie touched.

In her journey of 60 years, India rose from a third world nation to a developing one: An economy that was once driven by agriculture is today driven by services and industry. A number of economic and social reforms have elated the condition of her citizens. And women are in the forefront of revolution today. This is a notable observation made in some of the rural areas of India, where women are taking great strides to overcome all barriers of gender, race, and caste – and alleviate the issues in their respective village. Thus, the role of women in shaping our society is more significant today, than ever. Women could always do anything and everything that men could; nature never gifted any one of them with more abilities than the other. It was and has been largely our belief, and our history gives enough evidence of the ugly face of inequality.

But things have changed today. It’s quite the opposite now- women are leading all the fronts, and they have a certain degree of sincerity and dedication, a leaf worthy of noting for all men. That’s me included, by the way. Yes, I am firm of the belief that the next big revolution in the Indian society will have women playing a chief role in it. Why, even the movie showed the team finally bagging the gold medal at the world cup; the very same women’s hockey team that often was used as a convenient specimen for scoff. We all need to grasp the reality of our present, and together we can strive to change. Together we can make the difference. And it’s done through small acts in daily lives, by you and me. Let us take this opportunity, on the sixtieth year of our priced independence. As John F. Kennedy righteously stated, “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.”