Is it really a beginning of women empowerment?

Yes it be beginning. Here at community marriage function, organizer make rules of 8th fera. It is for saving female baby. But it is not enough, more efforts required.

I am not convinced by this method. It sounds quite heavy that the committee has given a good thought about theme and it is so conscious about the social issues that it's trying to remove the bad practice. This cannot be the ultimate way but every day such a theme has to be promoted and observed upon. Then only some changes can take place. 

The Durga Puja Padals are also a means of expression of thoughts on social changes. This is akin to themesin liteature and movies. How far this will affect reality cannot be said. 

It is true that Puja Pandals  too are the platform for expression.

The Arambagh Durga Puja Park on Panchkuian road is no exception. But, this time the Puja Pandal highlighted the theme of  " Woman Empowerment" through a group of Vrindavan widows who were known to have broken many a social orthodoxy barriers.

It has to be seen how this social message penetrates in to the society which is male dominated all along.

 

The theme of women empowerment is also now widely being explored in Maharashtra during Ganeshotsav celebrations, Mahalaxmi Pujan and then during Navratri. Although such messages are indeed the need of the hour, I still have my doubts as to how much awareness it has indeed brought to populations because hardly any changes are yet to be seen.

Exactly, I am also of the same opinion that it would be very hard to bring in required changes in our society by just projecting a theme during any festival. This may fetch a prize for the particular puja committee but it can hardly shake one's heart, then, what is the use? If women empowerment issue becomes only a matter of theme during a festival then our country will never be able to change its mindset which is not good.     

As a theme for a Poja Pandal in Arambagh Durga Puja  Pandal, no doubt, "Woman empowerment is certainty novel and innovative. Puja Pandals are not going to remain forever. Once the Pandal is demolished, Woman empowerment goes into oblivion

As usual, atrocities on women  raise its ugly hood. It's the truth.

 

This can be a good effort if this puja committee continues with this theme every year to bring change in the mindset of the people. Social awareness cannot be created in four or five days but they need to put in more effort and time to really make people think positively. There is no use if they stop here but it should be a beginning to achieve women empowerment. 

It surely is a step forward. At least it has been thought of. This shows that some people are changing and would like to see the society change foe the better. So far as a real change taking place is concerned, it is the mindset that needs to change. By having these themes a large crowd is addressed and even if a few of them start thinking in the positive direction, it is an achievement. Every effort counts.

 

I do agree with you that every effort counts. It is right that they thought to go ahead with such a theme which is basically ignored by the majority and for that they deserve to be applauded. Still, I have a doubt in my mind that if it's only for the sake of winning a prize or so, then, did it serve any major purpose? I hope they continue with their good effort and make a buzz in the society so that the rest can ponder over it and come up with a positive outlook.  

Sloganeering and  lecturing or to that matter, any way the deeply rooted beliefs and frame of mind of people seldom have an effect .  Woman empowerment was making rounds since long. And parallelly atrocities on women are growing by day. making the issue of Woman Empowerment a laughing stock

 

If atrocities are increasing then on the other hand there are examples too to show that there is a considerable rise in women empowerment which is a healthy sign. Naturally, we should not stop working for the betterment just because atrocities are increasing rather the awareness work in any form should be promoted more and more. If at least one single person learns from it then also it's a success.   

True. Woman empowerment is on the rise. But atrocities on women too are increasing two fold may be even more. This is all happening despite awareness programmes. I would be the first to applaud if the atrocities on women are reduced even by a small percentage. It takes time. But I'm prepared to wait.

 

I don't know how such efforts strengthen the cause of women empowerment as the very problem is not a linear one.It is multilayered. Women are not a homogeneous class in India with endless stratifications of urban-rural,rich poor,educated-illiterate and so on and so forth. Some liberated ones turn exploiters.A poor woman is as much open to exploitation by her rich counterpart as any.A cursory glance at cases of domestic violence and dowry deaths would reveal a chilling reality.

The idea of Women's Empowerment is to break free from all that is derogatory, humiliating, demeaning and unacceptable. The power to say 'NO' to dowry, harassment, violence and so on. This comes with education and awareness. Many a times what women accept as a part of life can change when they see other women like them revolting,breaking age old traditions of suppression, coming out in the open and protesting. In the link provided by @ Shampa the inclusion of the widows from Vrindavan, Kamduni Rape case protesters etc can definitely trigger a thought process in some! It can not be the ultimate method of Empowerment but at least the thought and the effort should be lauded.

@ Lopamudra

I agree with you. For anything to succeed, a good beginning has to be made. Efforts like Depiction of Vrindavan widows, Kamduni rape case protesters in the theme of a Puja Pandal is not only a novel but also trend setting. Changes which have become a part of our lives were once ridiculed.

Hence I expect and hope in a few more years that these themes on the Puja Pendal may become a realty.

 

rambabu wrote:

@ Lopamudra

I agree with you. For anything to succeed, a good beginning has to be made. Efforts like Depiction of Vrindavan widows, Kamduni rape case protesters in the theme of a Puja Pandal is not only a novel but also trend setting. Changes which have become a part of our lives were once ridiculed.

Hence I expect and hope in a few more years that these themes on the Puja Pendal may become a realty.

 

It was not a depiction,if I understood correctly. The widows were actually invited and they did participate in the celebrations.

 

Lopamudra wrote:

rambabu wrote:

@ Lopamudra

I agree with you. For anything to succeed, a good beginning has to be made. Efforts like Depiction of Vrindavan widows, Kamduni rape case protesters in the theme of a Puja Pandal is not only a novel but also trend setting. Changes which have become a part of our lives were once ridiculed.

Hence I expect and hope in a few more years that these themes on the Puja Pendal may become a realty.

 

It was not a depiction,if I understood correctly. The widows were actually invited and they did participate in the celebrations.

You understood correctly. The widows from Vrindavan took part in the celebrations. Actually, I used a wrong word " Depicted" But I meant the participation of Vrindavan widows too. Thank you for correcting me.