Matters of the heart

The concept of gender equality happens to be one of the most alluring ideologies of our times. So much as it bandied about all around these days, it has been used far too easily as a power tool for the fairer sex. It is, in today's cosmopolitan world a concept that has deviated a bit far from its noble, original ideas.

Women are undoubtedly the casualties of a male dominated society. That violence and oppression hinders women all around the world is a fact that besmirches all humanity. The inalienable rights of women to lead an independent, full life is in tune with the universal sense of justice.


But as is so often the case with the ideologies and movements of our times, this noble idea of giving women more rights in the name of gender equality has gone a step too far in some domains. I object to this inexcusable sheltering in the name of gender equality.

Right through school and beyond, the boys are told that it is always a guy who walks up to a girl and starts the course of friendship. It is a pious law for some girls to compulsorily wait for a boy to come upto to them and introduce himself. Anytihing that follows - a date, a prom party or a proposal for wedlock - they all have to emanate from the boy. Why cannot the female sex do some of these things for a change ? Why mount the burden of initiative only on the male?

I'd like to know how many boys proposed to girls on this planet since the time of Adam and Eve. I'd also like to know how many girls did the same things to boys. I'd also love to know how many girls actually give something to their boyfriends on Valentine's day. How many girls pay the bills of dinner on a date? Let us count the figures on both sides and compare them for argument's sake.

What does one see when this comparison is made? A glaring disparity of an over-stretched idea, an uneven stack of figures that puts the male sex in the limelight of scrutiny. The image now is not of someone dominating society, but of someone who struggles for the better half of his life trying everything in his power to woo the fairer sex. I say with impunity that some men spend indeed an entire life for it.

Male dominance in society, violence and crime against women - they deserve to be condemned in the harshest terms possible. But I also condemn the caviler attitude of women towards men who try to do so much to woo them. Whoever said that the male hormone testosterone makes him more eager to seek a partner is right. But whoever thinks that the female sex dont have urges and naturally dont find the need to take the first move, is a numskull.

Men have feelings, even if it is hidden in a mask of manliness. Men have a heart too. Which means they are as palpable to pain as women are. Men get hurt too. Which ever girl runs away when boy who likes her talks to her affects him so. And how many times have I heard the hackneyed catchphrase of our times saying ' How can you talk/behave/do that to a girl'.

My simple question, which I beg you to consider is just this - why doesn't anyone say ' How can you talk/behave/do that to him' ?

For all the men and boys who have been sad because someone of the opposite sex turned him down or was indifferent to him, I say this -don't be proud to be strong, but don't be afraid to be weak either.

Hope springs eternal

John Keats - To Hope

When by my solitary hearth I sit,
And hateful thoughts enwrap my soul in gloom;
When no fair dreams before my "mind's eye" flit,
And the bare heath of life presents no bloom;
Sweet Hope, ethereal balm upon me shed,
And wave thy silver pinions o'er my head!

Whene'er I wander, at the fall of night,
Where woven boughs shut out the moon's bright ray,
Should sad Despondency my musings fright,
And frown, to drive fair Cheerfulness away,
Peep with the moonbeams through the leafy roof,
And keep that fiend Despondence far aloof!

Should Disappointment, parent of Despair,
Strive for her son to seize my careless heart;
When, like a cloud, he sits upon the air,
Preparing on his spell-bound prey to dart:
Chase him away, sweet Hope, with visage bright,
And fright him as the morning frightens night!

Whene'er the fate of those I hold most dear
Tells to my fearful breast a tale of sorrow,
O bright-eyed Hope, my morbidfancy cheer;
Let me awhile thy sweetest comforts borrow:
Thy heaven-born radiance around me shed,
And wave thy silver pinions o'er my head!

Should e'er unhappy love my bosom pain,
From cruel parents, or relentless fair;
O let me think it is not quite in vain
To sigh out sonnets to the midnight air!
Sweet Hope, ethereal balm upon me shed,
And wave thy silver pinions o'er my head!


And as, in sparkling majesty, a star
Gilds the bright summit of some gloomy cloud;
Brightening the half veil'd face of heaven afar:
So, when dark thoughts my boding spirit shroud,
Sweet Hope, celestial influence round me shed,
Waving thy silver pinions o'er my head!

Taking care of a marvel

There are so many wonderful features that nature builds into every human. Every living organism for that matter. The human body is nothing less than an absolute marvel. Not only is the human body one of nature's most phenominal creations, it is also the best tangible definition of perfection.

That we know so little about our own bodies is truely unfortunate. That we regularly choose to insult our bodies through our acts of physical inaction and mental ineptitude is mournful. Most of us have a some understanding of the human body and what is right for it. But for some baffling reason, we often to do what is wrong for it and not pause to realise that we've done ourselves more harm than good.

Physical sluggishness and a sedantary lifestyle is perhaps the most commonly found traits in people. Spending hours in front of a TV, leaning slothfully on a couch while ingesting unhealthy snacks is decidedly disagreeable. Spending hours in front of a computer, or playing video games for instance- all fall in the same category.

If this laziness was'nt enough, we also harm our bodies through the grey matter that exists between our ears. Most of us get angered or provoked easily, wear our hearts on our sleeves and take in far too much emotion than what a human would probably need. We have degenerated into building a lifestyle where we eat and sleep at wierd times. We almost deliberately upset our own biological clocks, and by so doing, denied our bodies the chance to settle into their rhythmic cylces where they function at their best.

Three years ago, I was more or less a person who exemplified all the above qualites. In other words, I did not have a life. It was at this time that I decided to go to the gym everyday.

Exercising has had stunningly remarkable effects on me. Not only has it helped me stay healthy physically, it has also made me mentally strong. Whoever framed the sentence ' A healthybody results in a healthy mind' is a wise one.

Whenever a person exercises for a reasonable period of time, the body releases a natural hormone known as the endorphin. This magical biochemical is responsible for producing a feeling of well being and a calming effect on the mind. Hardly surprising then that I feel so good after I come back from the gym.

I should and will always continue to exercise.

Here on a Mission

I sometimes wonder how I manage to gather the guts to ask God for more and more. There was hymn that we used to sing in school called 'Count your many blessings'. If only I sing that hymn to myself and tell myself that the hymn is absolutely right.

Having a good home, incredible parents, a truly lovely sister and a childhood fostered in the care of magnificent grandparents are things that I ought to be eternally grateful for. Right through my school and now in college I have had the privilege of having a wonderful circle of friends and being under the guidance of some of the best teachers that one could possible ask for.

My father and mother have always given me anything I craved for. It is true that I have shined well academically every single year of my existence. But does academic brilliance alone suffice what I can give back to my parents? I think not.

I have a strong feeling that I am here on this planet for a mission. It is not for nothing that I have been given the ability to sense and perceive things that other people my age cannot. It is not for no reason that I have been blessed with intelligence that has the potential to take me places ( I say this without the slightest trace of conceit). It is also not a mere coincidence that my skills at language and writing are in the realms of being termed as talents.

In keeping with all the things that I've mentioned above, I think one thing is clear. I need to use my multifold talents and inherent capacity to make it big in my life. I need to use them to elevate myself into a postion of authority. Only when I am in a position of authority and influence will I have the power to be an instrument of change in this world - to be an agent to bring about change. Change, in tune with my up bringing, my core ideologies and my strong views and beliefs.

I need to start my journey now - now is the time that is ripe. Now is the time that I have be strong in act, as I have been in thought. There is only one person that will be my sole, irreplacable and powerful friend to take me through this journey, and that is God. I have no other friend who listens to me and who has done so much for me. I have no other friend with whom I speak to so often. He alone is my rock. And I say with impunity that he will never fail me or desert me. :-)

Perhaps the song that would best decribe this journey of mine is Enya's 'My Book of Days' . She has the voice of angel.

Book Of Days - Enya
One day, one night, one moment
My dreams could be tomorrow
One step, one fall, one falter
East or West,
Over earth or by ocean
One way to be my journey
This way could be my Book of Days

No day, no night, no moment
Can hold me back from trying One flag, one fall, one falter
I'll find my day maybe Far and Away Far and Away
One day, one night one moment
With a dream to be leaving
One step, one fall, one falter
Find a new world across a wide ocean
This way became my journey
This day brings together Far and Away
This day brings together Far and Away Far and Away.