Adarsh Bahu

I have no appropriate words to describe how flabbergasted I feel at the news of Barkatullah University in Bhopal launching the ‘Adarsh Bahu Course’ (Ideal daughter-in-law Course). It is funny prima facie, but a serious look into it brings to fore some depressing truths. Even in these times when we find a pleasure in our non-traditional views and modern ways, such a course that aims towards training young women to become good housewives and brides is discouraging. We are pushing our women towards rut; forcing them to confine themselves into the space defined by the men with rotten patriarchal mindsets. We are manipulating them psychologically and making them visionless, dumb machines suitable only for domesticity, recreation and procreation. This course is a slap on our society that promises little gender equality. The overall situation remains as grim and gloomy as ever.

Also, the recent gang rape by a dozen men of a CBSE topper in Haryana reflects how low the already fragile male ego can stoop to any low to satisfy itself. The nincompoops who could achieve nothing have exacted this perverted revenge on a helpless girl who worked hard for her dreams. Intellectuals are leaving the country and brain drain is very high, colleges are struggling with lack of faculty and facilities, good health care is too expensive. In a nutshell, we are slipping into a dark one way ditch and the sooner we realize it, the better.