Let Her Light Shine On

Written for International Women's Day March 8
In memory of Jyoti Singh.

International Women's Day

"India's Daughter" a BBC documentary on the brutal rape and killing of a young medical student Jyoti Singh created an uproar in India and the Indian Parliament banned it.

But contrary to the opinion of some that the documentary focuses on the rapists and provides a platform for them to showcase their story, in my view it does not.

It is about raising awareness of insensitive, primitive and unacceptable behaviours in the hope that they can be changed. It alerts at how disturbing the thoughts of the rapist are and even more disturbing are thoughts of the defence lawyers. But more importantly it highlights that these are the mindsets of many and that if behaviours are to change then social conditioning needs to change. You cannot bring about change unless you understand the deep rooted thinking of people. What change can you implement if you haven't understood the psyche that causes these behaviours?

It is a tribute to a young, hard-working and compassionate soul who had many dreams that were torn apart horrifically by a bunch of callous men who thought they had the power to do anything because she was a woman. It is the story of a life in indescribable pain who even where death would have been much easier, had the courage to stay alive just enough to give a statement so her rapists could be convicted. Her story must be heard. 

It is about her parents who share precious memories of their beloved daughter, the last days and  moments of her life, her shattered dreams and their shattered lives and who are asking for justice. They have a right to. My heart aches for them and we should hear them. 

It is about those moments when the youth of India,  men and women, boys and girls, stood side by side and with courage and conviction demanded justice, demanded change, demanded respect for women. It is a reminder for us to keep fighting as we did in 2012 as a result of that tragic day on December 16. We should keep fighting and demanding. 

Jyoti's brutal gang rape sent shock waves across the world. It fuelled a movement that demanded voices be heard. Banning this documentary is like saying Jyoti and many others like her didn't exist and it trivialises her parent's pain. 

Sadly Jyoti Singh's light went out on 29 December 2012. 

Let us reignite it for if we stop now then we have failed Jyoti and others like her. Her death will have been in vain.

Let her silent voice be heard through the voices of many, let her light shine on through the actions of many, let us not give up nor give in so that one day women around the world can say "We are free". 

Jyoti means light

Regardless of your thoughts on whether this documentary should be banned or not, it has rekindled a fire in people. Perhaps a new wave of action will take this to the next level. Perhaps Jyoti herself made this happen from the other side so that we do not stagnate in the old unacceptable conditioning. RIP dear Jyoti and may your light always be seen. 

image taken from the documentary

Write your post for International Women's Day.

Use your voice via social media:

#MakeItHappen
#womensday
#IWD2015
#internationalwomensday
#PaintItPurple

Tweet

Make It Happen. Happy Women's Day to all.

Warm Regards


Linking to: 
Write Tribe Pro Blogger Challenge
Blog-A-Rhythm International Women's Day
Write Tribe Use Your Voice


Tweet

Follow me on
My facebook page Suzy's Ilation
Bloglovin
Pinterest Suzy Que
Google+ Suzy Que

Life's Jigsaw - Enlightenment

Life is like a jigsaw puzzle. Each little piece is an aspect of our journey through it. And when at last we find that last piece and fit it into place, we eventually see the meaning of this life.

UBC Day 5
The E piece - Enlightenment

All through life in our journey towards our destiny, we are all given a Divine helping hand. An answer is presented, or a message is given. More often than not these are indirect answers and messages but they plant a little seed of thought and the ever patient Universe lines up events that eventually lead to that moment of enlightenment, that aha moment that suddenly brings about clarity to take the next step or make some sense of events.

A few years ago a psychic friend said to me that my work in the future would take a different turn, working in the international aid arena. I was quite surprised but it got me thinking. And looking back on the strange events of my life, a pattern started to emerge. Steve Jobs summed this up nicely as joining up the dots.

About 7 years ago at a leadership course we played this game:

2 teams are competing to get a rare flower that has special medicinal properties from the government of a country. One team has been given unlimited money to purchase it for commercial use, 1 team (mine) are representing a charity to obtain the flower free for humanitarian aid. I was the spokesperson for my team and basically we stood no chance. But surprisingly we won. The feedback I got was that I spoke with so much passion that I completely convinced them that the flower should be donated for a worthwhile cause rather than sold for commercial use. 

About 10 years ago at a "life course".

The facilitator asked us to draw a picture of the life we would like to have in 20 years time. This was to be done without conscious thought, drawing from the heart. I was surprised at what I drew -  it was making a difference in the lives of people, bringing them joy and giving them an opportunity to live a great life.  

About 17 years ago at a leadership course:

The facilitator having observed all of us, was giving each one individual feedback on our leadership styles when suddenly he turned to me and said, "And someday, you will go out and do some humanitarian work". I was startled but then gave it no further thought.

Looking back to my childhood

For those who are regular readers of my blog already know about my grandmother who dedicated her life to humanitarian services. The seeds of this must've been planted in my brain since I was very young. And what an awesome role model I had. 

During my senior years in school I joined the interact club and some Saturdays we would visit the St Anthony's Orphanage, Byculla, in Mumbai. The children just gave me so much joy and I loved being there with them. They also seemed to flock to me. 

And the words of my friend, became my moment of "enlightenment". Perhaps my life's work truly lies in a completely different direction to where I am now.

I do not know how and when that destiny will come into view, but no doubt the Universe will line up more events that will take me there.

I have learned to pay attention to the messages and answers the Universe throws my way.

Knowing others is wisdom, knowing self is enlightenment ~ Lao Tzu

May you too have an enlightening day.


Written for: A to Z Challenge and The Ultimate Blogging Challenge


Drop by my facebook page Suzy's Ilation and if any of your posts needs some tlc, leave a link there and I'll drop by and give it some love.

Tweet

Warm Regards

International Women's Day - Inspiring Change

Written for:
the Write Tribe Festival of Words #3 Day 7 - IWD Inspiring Change
 USC’s Women Inspire Campaign

                             

"At the stroke of the midnight hour when the world slept, India awoke to life and freedom" (Adapted from the speech by Jawaharlal Nehru on the eve of India's Independence)

15th August 1947, the Indian flag flew for the first time and the people of India rejoiced.

The great leaders of the time, Gandhiji, Jawaharlal Nehru, Vallabhbhai Patel, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Sarojini Naidu, Rabindranath Tagore, Jinnah, Maulana Azad are the names that will forever be etched in history.

But what of the ones who worked quietly behind the scenes, the silent and forgotten heroes, the forgotten freedom fighters? Without them India would not have awoken to life and freedom.

My grandmother was one of them. Read her biography here and here for more details.

But I will share the aspects of her life that inspired changes because she dared to dream, because she dared to fight, because she dared to be unafraid, because she had the utmost faith in God and because she had a great generosity of spirit and love for mankind.

At 5 feet tall, gentle and demure, respectful and soft spoken, graceful and loving, kind, compassionate and humble, pious and dharmic (one who follows the path of right action, speech and thought), she looked like a little wisp of a lady who lived a simple life according to the precepts of the Gita (holy book of the Hindus), but she was a formidable power, with a great strength of character and mind, a leader and the ultimate diplomat. She commanded respect wherever she went.

During the Quit India Movement, she took part in freedom marches and spoke at the several rallies held in Bombay. One of the marches that she took part in was the famous Salt Satyagraha Dandi march. In fact she led one of the marches from Bombay to Dandi.

Post Independence she was dragged into politics and became a member of the first Lok Sabha (House of Commons) of India. While in Parliament, she introduced the following bills:

• Women's right to divorce
• Anti Dowry bill
• Indian Adoption of Children Bill
• Suppression of immoral trafficking of Women 

And she strongly opposed the bill to punish unfaithful wives with her famous speech in Parliament "In a society where we have such evil customs as child marriages permitting a girl of ten or twelve to be married to a man of forty or fifty, old enough to be her grandfather, how can we expect her to be loyal? In a society where girls are at times sold as slaves by her own parents, how can they be expected to be faithful to their husbands?"  The bill was withdrawn.

After her term in Parliament was over, she did not contest again and instead dedicated her life to humanitarian services, to the upliftment of the poor and oppressed particularly women and children. For her, service to humanity was service to God. 

She was a founder member of the Bhagini Samaj an organisation dedicated to the welfare of women and children and started the Adivasi Welfare Centre in Udvada, Gujarat for women and children providing education and training. She introduced the adoption of villages a UNICEF approved programme and she was the first recipient of the prestigious Jamnalal Bajaj Award for her outstanding services to humanity. She donated her entire award to the the Adivasi Centre.

She was also a Justice of Peace.

But to me she was Dadima (Paternal grandmother), an inspirational, exceptional and beautiful human being who left her family a legacy rich in culture and heritage. Who taught us all, through her life, the meaning of love.

My late father and I were at her side when she breathed her last on the 28th of August 1985. Graceful and respectful even in death, she joined her hands together in Namaste to my dad and me, looked heavenward, and with the words "Hey Ram" (Oh God) she passed over peacefully and quietly to the other side. Be at peace Dadima.

I hope someday my destiny will also lead me in service to humanity.

Jayashri Raiji 26 October 1895 - 28 August 1985

                  

pic 1: receiving her award from the then Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi, 1980
pic 2: Dadima and me circa 1962


Be inspired, stay inspired, inspire change, be the change!


My posts so far: Day 1   Day 2    Day 3    Day 4    Day 5   Day 6


“I’m celebrating Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day by blogging for the #WomenInspire Campaign sponsored by USC’s masters degree in social work program. Join the blog carnival to honor a woman who has inspired you!”


Drop by my facebook page Suzy's Ilation and if any of your posts needs some tlc, leave a link there and I'll drop by and give it some love.

Tweet

Warm Regards

A Life Changing Moment

And before I knew it I had hit "send".

Sometimes life takes you on a journey you had never expected or even imagined.

About 10 years ago I worked for an organisation that prided itself that its staff were its biggest asset and often sponsored courses that were more life oriented rather than work oriented.

So I joined in one of these courses. I can't quite remember the name but it's objective was to align our lives to a path that would bring us the greatest joy.

Day 1: We all came into the class not knowing what to expect. JB stood in front of us and we had a nice easy first half hour introducing ourselves, not with the usual what's your name etc, but to share 1 unique thing that none of us knew about the other. That set the scene for a very unique and interesting course.

Crayons and paper were passed around that amused us greatly. It was like being back at kindergarten. Then JB asked us to draw a picture of the life we would like to have in 20 years time. Much like a free write, this was to be done without conscious thought, drawing from the heart. I was surprised at what I drew.

It wasn't a life of luxury or travelling or relaxing at a beach-front home, it was making a difference in the lives of people, bringing them joy and giving them an opportunity to live a great life. I was taken aback. My job was certainly not aligned to that and still isn't but I do believe that somehow I am on the path to get there.

Day 2: JB asked us to write one thing that we so wanted to do but for some reason never got around to doing. We had about 15 seconds to write that down - no time to think - it had to be spontaneous.

"Sponsor a child" were the words I wrote. I've been wanting to do this for many years but somehow that battle between mind and heart took place constantly and eventually the mind triumphed. But obviously the heart does not let go.

We were then asked to write the reasons why we hadn't done that 1 thing. So I wrote down my list and ended it with "What if circumstances change and I can't sponsor any more. Wouldn't that be detrimental to the child?".

JB smiled at me and asked me a profound question. "Can you help now?".

That one question has changed the course of my life. Being in the now - letting go of the past - going with the flow and with my heart, having faith and moving forward without fear, is now my blueprint for living.

Back at my desk I opened up the World Vision page for sponsoring a child. I typed up all the information. My heart was beating fast but I felt ecstatic, and strangely at peace, as if this was what I was meant to do all along.

And before I knew it, I had hit "send".

some of my sponsored kids

Have you got a moment that changed the course of your life? Please share.

Warn Regards


Tweet


This post is a part of Write Over the Weekend, an initiative for Indian Bloggers by BlogAdda

check out some other WOW posts here

UBC Day 11 - Making an Impact

Day 11 of the Ultimate Blogging Challenge

Today I came across this topic posted at JDHouse Speaks and I thought it would be an interesting topic to blog about.

About 12 years ago I enrolled in a "Life" course at work. It was one of the best courses I ever did.

It was nothing to do with work but more about what one wanted to achieve in life or the way one wanted to live life, your major life aspirations, big dreams.

The first thing Julie (the facilitator) asked us to write down was one thing that we really wanted to do but hadn't done yet and what held us back from doing it.

I wrote "sponsor a child". My main reason for not doing it was fear - what if I lost my job and couldn't help. This was a big commitment and I didn't want to let down a child.

Julie asked me a very simple question - "Can you help now?"  "Yes I can" was my answer.

"Then do it" she said to me. "Never mind about the future", that will take care of itself. If you can help now, then do it".

I went back to work at the end of the course, rang World Vision and sponsored a child. I've never looked back. Each other year I sponsor a child. In all I have sponsored 9 children. Currently I sponsor 5 and I am also a UNICEF global parent.

My children are so beautiful. They ask nothing of you and they send so much love. Over the years I have sponsored children from the Honduras, Tanzania, Bangladesh and Cambodia. Currently I sponsor 2 from Cambodia, 2 from Tanzania and 1 from Bangladesh. This is the year to add one more to my list. I would like to sponsor a child from India.

That day and Julie's words changed my life. Sponsoring these children gives some meaning to my life and also great joy.

Someday I would like to work in the humanitarian aid arena. An awesome dream would be to work for the UNDP (United Nations Development Programme). If that dream comes true, I will be absolutely thrilled to bits. If it doesn't it's still a nice dream.

Or perhaps I will start my own organisation that provides humanitarian aid! But I will need to win the Lotto to do that!

I truly believe that working in this arena is my life's work and I know that someday I will work in it. Only the Lord knows how and when.

I believe there's a calling for all of us. I know that every human being has value and purpose. The real work of our lives is to become aware. And awakened. To answer the call. 

~ Oprah Winfrey

pictures on my fridge

Has someone in your life made a significant impact on you that perhaps changed the course of your life? Please share.

Wish you an inspiring day.

Warm Regards

BFF - Thank You

The topic some weeks ago at Blogging For Fun was "Thank You".

But today it came up as the first post on my Facebook news feed with this description:

"Is there a person (dead, alive or fiction) who changed your life in any way (good, bad or ugly) who you would like to thank? Let's hear it"

So the person who popped into my mind was my dear Grandmother. The Universe is trying to get a message through to me as the prompt for the Thursday Challenge this week was also "Mother, Grandmother etc".

For those who also read my Photos are Fun blog: the post there describes in general, her life story. In this post I bring in the personal aspects of my relationship with her and little anecdotes of our life together that I cherish.

So here is my Thank You to my grandmother who was an awesome human being and a light-filled soul.

My fondest memory is of her sitting with all her grandchildren gathered around her at the table, telling us stories of the Mahabharata and Ramayana, the great epic tales of India. stories of Rama, Krishna, and Buddha. (I learned all my Indian scriptures from her). She told us stories of her childhood and of the Quit India movement when India was under British rule. She was an amazing story-teller and she kept us riveted.

She loved playing scrabble and my grandfather and I would spend many hours playing scrabble with her.  She taught me how to play Rummy and Teen-Do-Paanch (a card game played by 3 players) and we often played together.

She always celebrated our Indian birthdays. The Indian calendar is based on the lunar calendar so she calculated our birthdays on the phase of the moon at the time of our birth. (Incidentally every 19 years our Indian and Solar calendar birth dates align).

And Diwali was a grand celebration in our house. As she was the eldest in the family (among her brothers and sisters), everyone congregated at our place to celebrate the festival.  Family was so important to her. She was the glue that kept us all together. She loved her step mother (her mother died when she was in her early teens) with all her heart and her half brothers and sisters were just as dear to her as her real ones. That love was reciprocated by them to her. Even today all of us who are part of her extended family, are just as close.

She loved everyone unconditionally and she taught us the same.  I love India (the country of my birth) but there is one aspect of it that makes me infinitely sad and that is the caste system there. I think we may have been one of the very few households in India where no caste system prevailed. In her eyes all human beings were equal and all were warmly welcomed into our home and respected. She instilled that into all of her family and I am eternally grateful that she was such an evolved soul.

My grandfather was her soulmate. He loved her with all his heart and soul. Looking back, I now re-call, she always sat at the head of the table. He had a great love of life too and they both complemented each other perfectly. I was only 8 years old when he passed away but this I remember vividly. I always sat to her left and he sat to her right opposite me. And at mealtimes he would sing "J is a Goddess. She is a Goddess of Goddesses".  I think he summed it up beautifully.

Her love for all living things translated into her lifework. She dedicated her life to humanitarian work particularly to the upliftment of underprivileged women and children in India. Only in the last 2 months of her life (she died at the age of 90), did she eventually stop working. And in the last 5 years of her life, after 2 major heart attacks, did she stop travelling to villages in Gujarat where the bulk of her work was. She always travelled by train in third class as she felt that this was the heart of India.

And she fought for women's rights in India. The anti-dowry bill, the adoption of children bill,  bills for women's rights to divorce and the suspension of immoral traffic in women are her legacy to the women of India. (She was a member of the Lok Sabha, the house of commons, in the first Indian parliament after Independence and introduced these bills).

I think she sowed the seeds of humanitarian aid work into my soul for that is what I dream to do.

I am so honoured, privileged and thankful to be part of her family and heritage.  I try to live by her example - of kindness, compassion, gentleness, love and humility.

Thank You Dadima (Grandmother in the Indian language) - you are forever in my heart.

my Dadima (Grandmother) and me circa 1962

Thank you all my lovely readers for allowing me to share a little snippet of my life with you and thank you BFF for this prompt.

I wish you all an awesome day.


Warm Regards

Question of the day - If you had to be someone else for one day...

   Who would you be and why?

I answered this question sometime ago on my private blog so will post the same answer for you to read here.

This was a tough one to answer and I had to think about this a lot as I like being me. 

And as the grass always seem greener on the other side until you get there, being someone else even for one day is pretty scary.

But thankfully this is only a hypothetical question.

So if I had to be someone else for one day, I would be Helen Clark in her current role as the Chief of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).  

Why? ... because I hope someday I can work in the humanitarian aid arena - managing development aid programmes globally.

Being the chief of the UNDP would definitely be too scary and overwhelming and I have no desire nor do I aspire for that role, but to experience it for one day, would be such and awesome opportunity.

                                                         Helen Clark, Chief of the UNDP

                                                               UN Building, New York

I had the privilege of visiting in 1990 when the building was open to visitors. a big thrill to be inside.

Who would you be?  

Would love to know your answer, so please share. Thanks.