Tarakash Josh! : A website for Youth!

1. Widows today also in our so - called modern society cannot live a happy and free life. Once the female becomes widow she cannot groom herself, she cannot enjoy life the way she could when her husband was alive. If she does her character is immediately questioned, she has to hear that she is happy that her husband has died. If this is not all, then she has to listen that if she mixes with any married female then that female shall also become widow or get divorced. Beyond this, she might also have to listen that, she is a 'despo', she is eyeing someone else husband, that she is finding a new bakra to destroy someone else's life. Why all such restrictions for females? Aren’t widows human? Do their lives stop when their husbands die? Do men have to do such things? Why fingers are not pointed at men? The funniest thing being that one has to fight alone against all these odds. No other woman ever tries to make an attempt to help these widows, as they are scared of society. Then how educated is our Society? How modern are we?
   
   
2. This movie also shows - How blindly we follow the religious scriptures without even reading them, understanding them or even questioning the logic behind them. Just because it has been followed since ages so it should be continued. If we really have to follow the age old customs then I question here, are we really traditional? If yes then where is the traditional system of Joint families gone or respecting our parents gone? Why there are old age homes? And many more... When it is said that we are changing we have become Modern then why follow the religion so blindly? Today also if any bad accident takes place in our life the blame comes on the female. Why?
   
   
3. In the movie there is a little girl ‘Chuiya’ who becomes widow at the tender age of 10. She has not even reached her puberty stage and has already been labeled as Widow; which meaning also she does not know. As a kid she has so many aspirations but she can’t fulfill them as she is a widow. Today also in so many villages and religious places where sati and such kind of widow life is being practiced. There are 'n' number of cases which have been filed in the police against such incidences, but nothing has been done. In the name of religion the priests and the supporters of blind religion are destroying life of so many naive females.
   
   
4. In the movie, Kalyani a widow is not accepted by other widows in the widow ashram as she is a prostitute. Who forced her to become a prostitute - the elderly widow in the house Madhumati so that she can earn money for the other widows and they can lead their lives. When Kalyani falls in love with Narayan and they decide to marry and settle, Madhumati objects saying if a widow remarries then all the widows will go to hell. Kalyani runs away from the ashram to get married. When Kalyani returns she is accepted back again for the only reason that Madhumati will be able to make money out of Kalyani.
   
   
5. Widows’ shadow is considered to be a bad omen according to our religious scriptures.
   But sleeping with them is an auspicious thing according to the same religious scriptures. The big zamindars and the land lords the so called respectable and noble people of the society are the customers of these widow prostitutes. When it’s questioned to them on showing such double standards the reply given is – “in our religious scriptures it’s considered to be auspicious if one satisfies the needs and gives pleasure to these widows.” If that was the reason then why a contradictory statement that widows cannot lead a happy life and cannot be a part of the society? Isn’t it that we are interpreting the religious scriptures as per our necessities and as per our comfort?

Today also so many things are happening with a blind faith, no logic and in a form with no essence. The society prefers to shy away or avoid protesting to such issues. The proof of this can be seen the way the movie “Water” was treated! Isn’t it a shame on part of we Indians that, such an excellent movie like ‘Water’ had to be sent for Oscar Nominations not as an Indian movie, but as Canadian entry? Why are we closing our eyes to naked facts? Why are we not ready to change and break the tyrannical rules of our blind and old society? Don’t you think its time we change?

I know you might be thinking that "How can I alone bring about the changes in this huge big society? How can I make a difference?” But my friend, remember each and every drop of water adds to make ocean.
You can start and inspire many others. No doubt we will have to face many hardships. But "WE" can make a difference and can make it happen.

I look forward for a positive response and a helping hand from all the educated young & dynamic Indians.