I’m lucky to belong to a generation of women who share the
following experiences
Our parents gave us access to education that empowered us
and encouraged us to be independent. At the same time, they also taught us that
“विध्या विनयेन शोभते” (Vidya Vinayena Shobhate) which means knowledge
is graced by humility.
Growing up, we had role models in our mothers, grandmothers
and aunts. We learned practically what it means to respect elders and take joy
in caring for the good of everyone.
The most common refrain that was used to train us into the
right mannerisms, attitudes and behaviours was, “What will your future in-laws’
say!” We may have resented it then. But now, we know that by drilling that into
us, our parents taught us a vital skill of fitting into the family we got
married into.
We went into marriage knowing that it is a union of not just
two people but of two families. We also had the unspoken status of being brand
ambassadors of our parents’ upbringing. This unique combination gave us the
patience to work hard at winning the new family over and forging strong bonds
over a period of time.
We learned that there
can be joy in the journey of discovering someone whom you knew nothing of
before he became your life partner.
Our upbringing was such that we know being a life partner
means more about being willing to shoulder responsibilities than asking for
your rights.
Whether we are working outside the house or not, our husbands
know we are capable of managing things without their active involvement. This
means we sometimes end up being taken for granted. But thanks to the way we’ve
been brought up, we are strong enough to cope with that, and never lose sight
of our ultimate goal – a bright future for the entire family.
If you are a strong woman like this, kudos!
If you are a guy who has a woman like this in your life,
treasure her every day ....they don’t make them like this anymore!
