Random Ramblings of a Reluctant Blogger

This Women’s day, I have decided to start a tradition. And why not. Every celebration, and Women’s day is certainly one, has to have a bit of ritual, an observance, something which highlights the significance of the day.
Given that the origins of the Day had women’s empowerment in its core, the marketeers ( you do have the liberty to read it as racketeers) have pounced on it with a fervour only they can. They have had everyone believe that the celebrations have to do with transferring a good chunk of your bank balances to their accounts. And woe betide anyone who points it out.!
Everyone is out to ‘promote’ the wonderful qualities of the power of women – the purchasing power-  their intelligence – shopping intelligence – and independence – to buy – through a slew of offers and freebies.
Not just dresses, sarees, jewellery and spas,  there are offers even in health services like discounted rates for full body checkups. All the care and concerns are just sugar coated pills aimed to weaken the wallet.
Least someone calls me a cynic, just glance around and you will see it. The subtleties of it all itself is a subtlety. Its now louder than ever.
I am in no way denying that women do not have the right to celebrate or go shopping. It is their birthright. It is just that one doesn’t need a specific day to do so. I am in no way, either, denying the hard work and the efforts women  put in to keep our world up and running. It is just that I feel the marketing bit overshadows the real purpose.
And I confess I too have, on occasions, succumbed to the bangrang and have loosened my purse strings.  I distinctly remember having surprised my wife to a outing as soon as she returned from a hard day at school where she had had schooled more than a handful of minions. The evening culminated in a fine dining experience. It had to be done. The thing is I had forgotten to book the gas cylinder refill and the one in use has run out of gas!. So what better way than fine dining to announce my irresponsibility.
I do admit these days have their uses. But by and large it has become one big buying jamboree.
How does that, then, announce the importance of women and their empowerment? Or maybe I am not qualified enough to see that beyond all the tamasha there lies the truth of women’s power. Missing the woods for the trees so you say.
But I am willing to learn and have decided to start this new tradition. Since it is so about knowing – knowing the significance, the  sacrifices, the struggles – of women in this unfair men’s world I think the rituals should reflect that. I purpose the women spend this day in deep reflection, an inner search, so to say. To aid this catharsis women can take a view of silence, a maun vrat for the day. It is not silencing, as it appears to be, but a serious reflection. For what’s more powerful than spiritual strength and awakening. This  will silence the marketeers who only abet the false sense of freedom.
I intend to put forth this suggestion to my wife. And hope she approves. Or else there’s always the fine dining around the corner.