VDay apparently is not only another hue of feminism but also the dead end of feminism. A survey conducted by a feminist writer depicts that girl students cannot buy the word ‘feminism’ as it implies hating men and indulging in male-bashing which is grossly ERRONEOUS. Feminism in reality connotes ‘equality of sexes’ and ‘empowerment of women’. VDay is the new entrant into the world of phenomenon that seeks to create a safe and peaceful environment for women over the world.
The concept of VDay is inspired by Eve Enslers play “Vagina Monologues” that hit the famous Broadway theatre in the late 90s to showcase violence suffered by women across the world. In India the play has already been staged twice and now it made a comeback with VDay 2009, to stop assault against women. The play is directed by Mahabano Mody Kotwal of ‘Kumars at Number 42’ fame. That’s how I know her. I first watched her in that comedy soap opera on Star World, when I was in higher secondary. It was a witty show with wry humor. Sadly, it’s not on air anymore. I wish she made a comeback with that show as well. Eve Ensler spoke to about 200 women across the world and wrote this play, that portrays violence on women in the 90s. The very title of the play has shock value and one ponders why it had been named so? Vagina comes into play in most of the experiences of a woman’s life. It could be love, sex, menstruation, birth, orgasm or simply a physical aspect of the body.
As you can see, it is a monologue and not a dialogue. A monologue is when a person speaks to oneself. The other characters in the play cannot hear the initiated character but the audience can. It is a monologue because society compels a woman to push these experiences under the carpet, stuff meant to be locked in a closet and not to be uttered aloud! As a literature student, I’m drawn and inclined to theatre because Drama is a literary genre. People often confuse Shakespeare to a writer or novelist but he is first a playwright and all his plays were written to be performed and staged. Drama is a powerful tool: a voice for change and a call to action. Every monologue in the play is associated with Vagina. I have not watched the play but as a literature enthusiast read the same. One monologue goes “my vagina was my village”, which chronicles the witnesses of women put in rape camps, in Bosnia. The play keeps adding new monologues every year with more and more women being upfront and outspoken about the violence meted out to them.
‘Progressive’, is the apt word in todays global context; with the coming of age of science and technology but unfortunately violence against women never stops. There are stray instances of a Swapna who died of acid attack recently, of Rehanna, the popstar who was beaten black and blue by her boyfriend, of a school girl molested by a bus conductor and nevertheless the Mangalore pub attack on women. They might be strangers but they are bounded by a common thread of violence. Why? Because they are the fairer sex and can be taken for granted? Its time we say enough is enough and make the elusive goal of eve emancipation a reality!
Democracy is the best thing that can happen to any country. Liberty, equality, fraternity are the ideals synonymous with democracy; and right to freedom of speech, right to religion, right to equality, right against exploitation, cultural and educational rights and right to constitutional remedies are the basic fundamental rights of any citizen in India; and yet these rights are denied to a greater populace in India. Democracy, I must say is taken for granted in India when there are countries like Pakistan, Cuba, Russia and African countries writhing in pain to break away from totalitarian models of government.
Today, the words ‘elections’ and ‘political parties’ carry the connotations of corruption, criminalization, communalism, casteism etc. The very thought of it, puts one off. This could be one reason why the common citizen trivializes elections. I believe and say that this is one reason why you should NOT be sleeping or showing slack during elections. Its time, we citizens condemn these ills of democracy and vote for an unbiased party that believes in the well being of all, irrespective of class, caste, sex and race. Most political parties today employ tools to entice people. What I hate is the fact that parties promise TV, Cycles, Laptops and sundry to poor people. Apparently, the rural, illiterate masses in India fall in to the snare laid by these parties. Illiteracy and poverty should not become fodder for exploitation. Political parties should work for the upliftment of the down trodden communities like introducing some schemes and incentives for poor farmers, weaving and textile industries rather than making false promises of offering luxuries. A common trend noticed in the latent opposition parties is destructive criticism. Parties should engage in constructive criticism and not destructive criticism. The recent comments made about Congress by praja rajyam founder Chiranjeevi. I saw this clip on TV 9 (Telugu news channel) where he is shown donning a Muslim cap and squatting among the Muslim community only to make flay congress by saying “what did Rajasekhar Reddy, the present CM of AP, do for Muslims?” He is not only indulging in destructive criticism but also inciting that community against a party for no damn reason!I agree that he is legendary actor, a mega star but politics is definitely not his cup of tea.
India needs a great leaders, visionaries and luminaries like Obama but certainly not Actors who have no clue and cue on the dynamics of politics. What is most annoying is when a Partys propaganda is based on religion. A recent specimen of this is the indictment of Varun Gandhi on his impugned and inflammatory statements that could lead to polarization between communities. He allegedly said: "If somebody lifts a hand against Hindus, or thinks they are weak, there is nobody behind them, then I swear on the (Bhagvad) Gita that I will cut off that hand." He needs to be sent to class VI standard where every one is taught in social studies that India is a secular country. It is neither irreligious nor anti-religious and Hinduism definitely is not a state religion though majority is Hindus. Another common phenomenon that is unique in Indian politics/elections is contesting of candidates with criminal charge sheets. Political parties should not field candidates with a criminal background. LK Advani has a charge sheet against him in the criminal conspiracy of the demolition of Babri Masjid. I fail to understand as to why is he contesting elections? and this happens only in India that is very flippant about democracy. We all should stand against criminalization of politics!
There is no point showing laxity and taking a holiday on Election Day. We must do our spade work, like we do our prep and prepare for studies or work. Find out about the candidate contesting for your constituency and vote for an able leader who will lead India to success. As it is only us who can make and break a government, we must use the power invested in us to vote for change! I have my voters ID, in the course of doing my spadework and will be all set to vote in the coming elections! Will You?
VDay apparently is not only another hue of feminism but also the dead end of feminism. A survey conducted by a feminist writer depicts that girl students cannot buy the word ‘feminism’ as it implies hating men and indulging in male-bashing which is grossly ERRONEOUS. Feminism in reality connotes ‘equality of sexes’ and ‘empowerment of women’. VDay is the new entrant into the world of phenomenon that seeks to create a safe and peaceful environment for women over the world. 
