IS THERE HOPE IN SOLIDARITY?

Beti Padhai, but could not save her! Waking up to the horrendous news of a rape and murder of a woman doctor was shattering. The gruesome way she had been brutally raped and murdered speaks about how inhuman society has become. How long can men get away with such barbaric acts where even the beast will feel ashamed? What the doctor must have gone through when the monsters were ripping her modesty apart, and how come no one heard her cries? How can the workplace be so insecure for a working woman? Are these the signs of development and progress?These are some of the questions which come to mind. The life of this aspiring doctor was cut short by this rape and murder. Imagine the healers do not feel safe in their environment. 

The power of people took charge in the form of protests, angry young medics were on the street fighting for a safe environment. Protests encompassed both men and women gave hope for the solidarity as women deserve better. There was a time when it was easier to brush a rape case under the carpet and the victim was stigmatised. This is no longer the situation, society is moving on. The agonised and spontaneous response is forcing the authorities to take action. How long can women take the nonsense? When the power of people did get some results in the case of Nirbhya, there is a chance of something concrete coming out of the doctors around the country asking for justice. 

The same power brought about results at the time of Nirbhya a decade ago, where Criminal Law Act, also known as Nirbhaya Act strengthened penalties for sexual offences, introduced the death penalties for repeat rape offenders, and enhances provisions for the protection of survivors, including stricter definitions and punishments for crime such as rape and stalking. Due to the Juvenile Justice Act of 2015, after the Nirbhaya case, the age at high violent offences such as rape may be tried as adults was lowered from 18 to 16. 

The case being handled by the CBI and the Supreme Court of India’s decision to take suo motto cognisance of the case are steps in the right direction where the three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud has constituted a National Task Force led by senior medical professionals to formulate comprehensive safety protocol for healthcare workers across India. The action plan, according to SC must ensure the safety and well-being of medical professionals. Health Ministry too announces a series of measures to provide additional security to healthcare employees at the workplace. 

FAIMA deciding to call off the strike following positive directions from CJI and SC directing that no coercive action against the peaceful protestors and urging the protesting doctors to resume work are the steps in the right direction wherein the power of people is bearing results. The sliver of hope should not get lost in making it a political issue. Nothing should be able to override the dignity of women. Women deserve justice and do not want to be just treated as beneficiaries of free bus tickets. It is high time culprits are lynched in broad daylight so that another one will shiver before committing such a heinous crime. It scares not only the ones of the recent case but a warning for the future on anyone who dares to do it. 

At the same time, we have to address the underlying reasons.  Parents have to stop pampering a child just because he is a boy. Before saving our daughters, let us teach our sons equality from a young age and not spoil them as if they are extraordinary beings who are superior to the girls. From a young age boys have to know that if they make a mistake, they will be punished so that they do not get away with committing crimes when they grow up. 

                             WELLNESS IN WATER

You come home bone-weary after a stressful day at work, choose to go for a bath and return rejuvenated within minutes. That is the power of water. Healing with water is one of the most transformational methods. Mediating during a shower is restoring, cleansing and purifying as it renews us inside out. While taking a shower, concentrate on the feel of water and visualise the stress and anxiety stored in your body moving away and filling your being with relaxation. Water therapy is an ancient Ayurvedic technique. To remove the toxins, drinking water first thing in the morning is beneficial for your health as it not only cleanses it but also revamps metabolism and balances the lymphatic system. So why not embody it in your daily ritual and reap the purported benefits of the elixir of life?

Since the water element in nature mirrors the essence inside humans, water therapy can help shift any stagnant energy and raise vibration. Water is alive, it has memory. When one drinks it, every cell of the body gets enriched, the gut gets healthier, toxins get eliminated,  joints get lubricated and there are lesser chances of constipation. The best cure for heartburn for me is drinking L’eau on an empty stomach taking care that I drink it steadily to get solace from the acidity. Water manifestation is utilising this powerful element for healing with the right intent to let it release specific energy. When you drink it with gratitude and a positive mindset, you will  spot the metaphorical effect in your being. 

Water is essential, and an important aspect of survival. Assistance in heart function and kidney function are some of the important roles it plays in our wellness. Good skin and  fewer headaches are the residual effects of drinking enough of it. Hydration aids in temperature control of the body and can influence cognition where mild levels of dehydration can result in disruption in cognitive functioning. 

Swimming is a low-impact way to get fit without jolting your joints and bones. There are some pool exercises for older adults and injured people,  while others can also make it part of a high-intensity workout. Scientific studies have proven that walking for about half an hour near water brings about an instant change in our mood compared to walking in the concrete jungle. Environmental factors like clean air and more sunlight along with the psychological restorative effect of water make the blue spaces a choice for well being. Immersing oneself in the sight and sound of the sea is meditative as the movement and sound of water draw people inwards. 

In Japan “rui-katsu", 'tear seeking' is a service that provides support and a safe place for people to weep. Crying is healing, as you release stagnant and unpleasant energy through this process, even though our conditioning sees it as a weakness. Due to the predisposed cultural stigma attached to it, one grows up closed off accumulating stress. Self-denial and negative perceptions about crying stop people from expressing emotions. There are times when this is the only way your eyes speak when words cannot explain how broken your heart is in life. It is normal to have a meltdown, so cry it out and then refocus on where you are headed in life. However, this does not mean you start crying at the small provocation. Even tears of joy are purifying and uplifting for the spirit. 

The therapeutic effects of the blue space are associated with well-being as is the green space of nature. Stressed out people head to the hills but being near the sea, rivers canals etc is equally beneficial. While enjoying the outdoors near the water spaces, you reap the health benefits, the ebb and flow of sea tides, the cool water of a lake, a pond or a fountain can soothe anyone. Going for a walk in the rain can be invigorating. You feel a transition from reoccurring negative emotions to more peaceful ones when you sit and eye the horizon where you see yourself as a small being among the vast coastal space. You let go of the small things bothering you. How about going out and getting drenched in the rain, swimming in the sea, taking a shower or going under a waterfall to refresh yourself? For me, water is my happy place, calming, healing and rejuvenating. 

          WHEN THE  GENTLEMAN OFFICER LEAVES THIS WORLD….

A soldier and a saint, a man of integrity, a hard taskmaster, an empathetic, polite person for whom seva was Dharma has created a vacuum in his passing away, a vacuum difficult to fill. To appreciate the achievements and encourage the abilities of his subordinates came naturally to him. Earning laurels in the services where he headed the helm of extraordinary appointments did not stop him from staying on the path of seva as he did not think twice before cleaning the wounds of sick people, feeding the poor people on the congested roads of old Delhi, or would not bat an eyelid before picking up a broom to clean the dirty streets where poor people were being fed. The same person then moved on to an appointment at the UN Headquarters standing tall beside the UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, as a Military Advisor in Peacekeeping Operations. The distinguished carrier did not go to the head of this senior officer of humble demeanour and polite nature who had also served as a Sector Commander with the UN Mission in Sierra Leone earlier. 

He managed to make a place in the hearts of the men he commanded and even with the youngsters who had not served with him, visible from the tributes which flooded the social media groups after his demise recently. A life of learning and growing for people who came in touch with him will stay long after he left this world. His legacy will continue to inspire future generations, and he will live on through the hard work of people who he mentored and guided during his lifetime. Apart from being a guide and mentor professionally and personally for us, he was a spiritual pathfinder where his seva bhav motivated us to tread the same path, thus changing our lives completely. His ways of living left an indelible impression on the lives of the people he interacted with in his lifetime. 

Whether in service or after retirement, such brave gentlemen of the forces impact the lives of the people they interact with and continue to do so after they depart from this world.  

The acts of bravery are far from few, and each one is a poignant tale of courage and patriotism. An incident comes to mind when one hears the story of a commanding officer who laid down his life protecting the nation fighting the insurgents. The life of this decorated officer, who volunteered to command the insurgency-laden area in Jammu and Kashmir, came to a standstill on that fateful day. Cry of Long Live amongst the sea of people in his native village, who had gathered there to pay their respects to the martyr, the josh in the air reminded me of the famous Hindi poem, 

“शहीदों की चिताओं पर जुड़ेंगे हर बरस मेले। 

वतन पर मरनेवालों का यही बाक़ी निशाँ होगा॥”

               

                      जगदंबा प्रसाद मिश्र 'हितैषी'

Amongst this sea of people were the faujis, some regiment ones, some senior officers and some course mates who came to pay their respect to the martyr apart from the whole village. His mother will not get her son back, but she will always have the back of these men in uniform. There is also no doubt that even his wife, left alone to be both parents to her children, will have unconditional support from the forced families. The heart-wrenching news has changed her life forever while her children are too young to understand the gravity of the grim situation. While walking behind the coffin amongst the sea of people, I felt we were all walking in the traditional slow march, a tribute to the fallen soldier. His six-year-old son donning a combat dress, saluting his father one last time, brought tears to our eyes. Oblivious to reality, he still sends voice messages on his father's mobile number, entreating him to return before going on a mission. This gentleman officer was deeply involved in the rehabilitation of strayed youth, empowering women and fostering a sense of community in the lives of people in those areas. His dedication to improving their lives extended beyond his military duties. 

These men in uniform impact the lives of people beyond the military arena and speak volumes about their towering personalities, their legacy continues to live forever.

             GRATITUDE FOR THE OVERWHELMING RESPONSE

        MOVING WIH THE MUSICAL TIMES

Sharp, 9 pm. The rap singer comes alive on the stage amidst the loud hooting of the fans. I agreed to escort my daughter to a concert but was a little apprehensive about enjoying a new genre of music. I find myself surrounded by the thundering beats, loud bling lights, rhythmic music and the electric vibration of the youth at a place where I was an odd entity. The vibrancy of the crowd in the backdrop of high-voltage music was surreal as I stood there watching them sing along and groove with the music. An hour long musical extravaganza, where I tried to understand the music and watch these youngsters losing themselves to the beats of the music, was worth the visit, an immersive experience that we will cherish forever. Concert music pleases the ear and nurtures the soul. On the way home, I was pinning for similar music which surprised my daughter. I often listen to the current songs, melodies of the 80s take my breath away, the pulse of my carefree youth.

My earliest memory is listening to Punjabi folk music as a kid that has passed on to my daughter who tuned in to it as a toddler, thus bridging the gap of not two but three generations through melody. My brother and I jived to the beats of Boney M and Michael Jackson and developed a keen ear for Mozart and Beethoven as well, thanks to our dad. 

The cultural scenario impacts the kind of music prevalent in those times. Every generation gravitates towards music that reflects their values as it is not only a form of entertainment but a form of expression too. It can be a common ground between two generations where the grandson rocks with the grandfather through their love for a common song, thus breaking down the stereotypical barriers. 

Mental health issues in the digitised world can be resolved through forging a connection with children through music. The jet-setting life of youth today, where any piece is available at the press of a button, has changed the way today’s youth listen to it. The audio notes are an escape from the digitised world of screens for them. A vast choice of personalised playlists with access to unending songs of today is different from our times when we had to get it recorded from the local musical store. But you cannot continue reminiscing about it and not move with the time and enjoy the easy access in the current times and appreciate its diversity. To understand your children better, it is good to listen to music of their choice. If you are not aware of the current scenario in music and wish to discard it for having no meaning, you will be a misfit at a party or wedding where usually current one plays. You have a choice to be part of the celebration and vibe with the youth or walk out and get glued to social media till the music stops, or find a link with it. It is good to keep yourself updated with the current musical scene and be relevant in these times. 

But when we are distressed, we gravitate towards the tracks of our times, our favourite ones that bring calm into our lives. Imagine listening to your favourite songs in a room and dancing like no one is watching, an exhilarating experience. 

The need to belong and connect is inherently human nature, so why not connect with your children through the powerful medium of music to enrich your lives? When it is time to bond, music is the natural source regardless of age. So why not do it and create a harmonious society? 

(PHOTOS FROM GOOGLE AND BY SANAH)

       GRATITUDE FOR THE OVERWHELMING RESPONSE TO MY BLOGSPOT

                 GIRLS  ARE IN THE ARMY NOW……….

  Circa 1992, girls were inducted into various branches of the services as officers cadets for a short commission into non-combat roles,  a breakthrough. There was vigour in the air, highly charged and motivated atmosphere made me ask my classmates to get me a form too. But upon hearing about the level of fitness required to pass the exam, I changed my mind. Destiny had a different way of getting me affiliated with the services as I joined the tribe as an army wife. 

Shakti, a manifestation of female energy, defines their strength. There is a sense of victory with the many windows open to women to be part of the services in our country, a win towards equality in the workforce. Permanent commission, entry as soldiers in the Military Police and opening of the doors to the National Defence Academy as cadets is a long drawn-out path towards gender parity in the military in India. They draw their strength from history from Jhansi ki Rani and Capt Laxmi Sehgal, thus proving the strength of the so-called weaker sex. They are now fighter pilots, combat officers and in command positions apart from holding technical appointments. 

The steadfast effort to boost the representation paid off when Shanan Dhaka, daughter of Naib Subedar topped the first women’s batch for NDA exams inspiring more of her tribe. The recent case of Priya Dhaka, daughter of a jawan, who cleared the SSB for NDA shows the sheer determination of the girl coming from a small village in Jhunjhunu from Rajasthan. There is nothing stopping you if you make up your mind to do anything in life. Girl cadets are getting trained in academics and outdoor training is conducted with minimum changes in the existing curriculum of the NDA. The two schools of thought remain, one professing that women officers are on a par with male officers and the other against combat roles as they feel that the women are not physically and psychologically fit to perform the job. 

Fighter pilot Lt Ananya Sharma, daughter of fighter pilot Air Commodore Sanjay Sharma, took part in the Republic Day parade this year is another example of how girls can achieve anything they desire in life. The Father-daughter duo created history when they flew in the same formation of Hawk-132 aircraft in Bidar in 2022 thus cementing their unique place in the aviation history of the country. Colonel Geeta Rana of the Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers has become the first woman officer to take over command of an independent field workshop in the Eastern Ladakh sector marking the thirty years of commissioned women officers in the forces. 

These high-flying women do include the war widows, Veer Naris, who along with fighting their own battle of loss and pain, decide to join the services themselves. For Veer Nari, the decision to join the services while waking up to the new reality of being both the father and mother to her children, is an act of bravery which has no equal. Swati Mahadik, wife of late Colonel Santosh Mahadik who was martyred in J and K, is one such brave heart who resolved to be part of the army while dealing with her trauma. She showed exemplary courage and strength in the face of loss and reinforced the thought that there is no stopping when one makes up one’s mind to do anything. On commissioning, calming her storm with a peaceful smile, Swati Mahadik stood proudly donning the olive green uniform ready to take her journey as an army officer while her small children and mother smiled in admiration at the grit and determination of this young lady. Her journey was not an easy one. She took up her husband’s dream and made it her own. She is following in his footsteps and making him proud of her. 

Women joining the Core of Military police as soldiers in the Indian Army on their own strong willpower to perform as equals to their male counterparts. I came across one such incredible woman who was managing the traffic at the Army Literature Festival in Delhi. A smart young girl in army uniform complete with a white belt and red beret effortlessly guided the traffic with the confidence of a seasoned soldier. I stopped, congratulated her on being part of this OG fraternity and shook her hand, she gave a confident smile and went on doing her duty. The confident smiling face stayed with me and I am hopeful to see more young girls getting an opportunity to be part of the forces.