The women have gone where the men didnt.. Well I am talking about the T20 World Cup thats going on. The Indian women's team (which I always hoped I would be a part off but that obviously didnt happen) played its semifinal against New Zealand and lost, rather badly I must add. There are times that we women are grateful that we dont have as much publicity as the men and yesterday was certainly one of those grateful days.
I am not an exponent of winning all matches that are played. I am infact practical enough to admit that its not possible win every match you play, be it men or women. But what is in our hands is to play 'like you want to win'. Now, that attitude can get you going and that way even if you lose you know you were beaten because the other team was better but not because your team was bad.
But can I say that of yesterday's match???? I really wonder if they were too over rawed by the magnanimity of the situation, being seen by millions of people perhaps, the women are not used to it!! Or am I making up reasons for them???
For a person who has been associated with the game for ten years and I have put my heart and soul into this game, I look deeper for reasons and the only one that comes to my mind is, did the Women's team give up even before they started palying the match? Had they lost even without the first ball being bowled? But why should they, for the New Zealand women too mustt have been under pressure? It is a big match and the anxiety levels are bound to be high for both teams alike. But apparently, the Indian women just couldn't handle it. Can we pass on the blame to others or will that not get us anywhere?
Let me think out loud, the Indian team was selected based on a few practice matches that were played between 30 cricketers chosen by the selectors. There arent too many playing the game, but are these the country's best 30 cricketers? I dont think so, there is more talent than what was put before us. There was no 20-20 domestic tournament that was played, maybe we could have unearthed some raw talent most useful for this format of the game.
We live in a country where temperatures are rocketing and we go a few days ahead of our scheduled practice matches to a country which has never seen temperatures of 30 C. So women dont have to get acclimatised to the conditions??? Beats me...
Well lots can be said of our loss but lingering in the past wont help, we need to look into the future. Wat can we do, without expecting too much from the system? We can change our mindset, thats a controllable factor and thats like hitting the nail on the head. We need to start believing in ourselves more and then we can achieve. This is not an overnight change but a gradual one that can be achieved with perseverence.
If anyone begs to differ please do let me know!!! ;)
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Woman Power
The first 'Woman Speaker' has been unanimously elected today!!!
It is indeed a wonderful moment in the history of the Indian Parliament and the country as a whole, a monumental moment infact. When the Supreme Courts are still mulling over reasons as to why the incidents of dowry-related deaths are on the increase, we have a woman, who is leading a house of 552 members, most of them being men and will be controlling the affairs of the biggest household in the country, the house of politics and governance. That is indeed a marvellous achievement.
I am not feminist, but I take great pride in the success of women and the assurance with which women are taking bold steps towards excelling in every posible avenue. When opportunities are presented women have taken it and have come out succesful and yet have never been given their due worth. Maybe Ms. Meira Kumar being elected the Speaker will change this situation. I dont know how, but maybe this will give the women of this country to get bolder and more forceful with expressing their opinions and thereby bring about positive changes in the place that we live in.
Many might say, "Why the President of our country is a woman? Why cant women draw inspiration from her?". Well we all know the reality, dont we. Even a man as a President is nothing more than the theoritical head of the state. Its like in the movies, when the key to the house and its treasure are handed over to the lady of the house, but to open the doors, permission ought to be given by the 'other sex'.
But thats not the way for a Spaeker of the Lok Sabha. They hold power, which one can understand if they go through the Constitution of this country. To quote, "It has been said of the office of the Speaker that while the members of Parliament represent the individual constituencies, the Speaker represents the full authority of the House itself. He/She symbolises the dignity and power of the House over which he/she is presiding. Therefore, it is expected that the holder of this office of high dignity has to be one who can represent the House in all its manifestations." This perhaps exemplies the honour, power and responsibility that this post holds. Party affiliations and personal choices cannot come in the way of a decision a Speaker intends to take and to me, to comprehend that a woman has this power, and therefore more responsibility, is certainly a moment of supreme joy and pride.... Jai Hind!!!
It is indeed a wonderful moment in the history of the Indian Parliament and the country as a whole, a monumental moment infact. When the Supreme Courts are still mulling over reasons as to why the incidents of dowry-related deaths are on the increase, we have a woman, who is leading a house of 552 members, most of them being men and will be controlling the affairs of the biggest household in the country, the house of politics and governance. That is indeed a marvellous achievement.
I am not feminist, but I take great pride in the success of women and the assurance with which women are taking bold steps towards excelling in every posible avenue. When opportunities are presented women have taken it and have come out succesful and yet have never been given their due worth. Maybe Ms. Meira Kumar being elected the Speaker will change this situation. I dont know how, but maybe this will give the women of this country to get bolder and more forceful with expressing their opinions and thereby bring about positive changes in the place that we live in.
Many might say, "Why the President of our country is a woman? Why cant women draw inspiration from her?". Well we all know the reality, dont we. Even a man as a President is nothing more than the theoritical head of the state. Its like in the movies, when the key to the house and its treasure are handed over to the lady of the house, but to open the doors, permission ought to be given by the 'other sex'.
But thats not the way for a Spaeker of the Lok Sabha. They hold power, which one can understand if they go through the Constitution of this country. To quote, "It has been said of the office of the Speaker that while the members of Parliament represent the individual constituencies, the Speaker represents the full authority of the House itself. He/She symbolises the dignity and power of the House over which he/she is presiding. Therefore, it is expected that the holder of this office of high dignity has to be one who can represent the House in all its manifestations." This perhaps exemplies the honour, power and responsibility that this post holds. Party affiliations and personal choices cannot come in the way of a decision a Speaker intends to take and to me, to comprehend that a woman has this power, and therefore more responsibility, is certainly a moment of supreme joy and pride.... Jai Hind!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
