INTERNATIONAL AUTHOR’S FORUM
In the fabric of Indian society, women have always been both its backbone and its silent force. From being the nurturers at home to emerging as leaders in politics, business, sports, and the arts, Indian women continue to redefine their roles while navigating centuries of tradition, challenges, and evolving opportunities. Yet, the questions of empowerment, equality, and representation remain crucial in today’s dynamic social landscape.
In this exclusive conversation, we sit down with Promila Devi Sutharsan Huidrom, a thought leader and advocate for women’s voices, to explore her insights on the position of women in Indian society, their struggles, triumphs, and the road ahead.
1. As a woman observing and experiencing Indian society firsthand, what do you feel has been the biggest shift in the role of women over the past decade?
Answer:
That the women today is financially independent. I would question all the ladies out there who are financially independent that – is that all? Is it all about being financially independence. It is good and extremely well – defined by ladies today – that they have a word to say. Where is the family standing today – with the number of divorces and child separations. What are we giving to my progenies. What lesson are we teaching them. Ladies have been warriors, academicians, doctors, and so on and so forth before the centuries too – atleast in India. Does that make any weaker women before or now? Where are we lacking – where is the society trend going? Who is suffering at the end?
2. While India has made significant progress in education and career opportunities for women, what are some deep-rooted challenges that still hold women back?
Answer:
As discussed above, ladies are definitely lacking somewhere, somewhere in the race of humankind than before. Yesteryears mother we look up like goddesses. Even today we do. Have we done our duties in the rat race of earning bread and butter. Did we have a “role shift” or a “role lagging”here? Do we blame here men or the mothers herself who raised these men. Where did the cycle start or where does it end? As a cycle of humankind we have to make better offsprings, genetically, morally, socially and physically. Have we done that? This call is to all the ladies who have a word to say in the family kind.
3. In your opinion, how can Indian families and communities better support women in balancing tradition with modern aspirations?
Answer:
It all boils down to financial security of the lady, the mother. Usually, the men of the home takes care of the financial burden and mother takes care of a home. Making – a home run – is making a company run. It is more than that. As the lady is creating a mind, a soul of her child or children. It is no easy task. It is a challenge in itself. Great men – have been raised by their mother. Be it Swamy Vivekananda, Subhas Chanda or our current PM Shri Natendra Modi ji. It is just to name few. Yet history knows and has proven over time the role of a mother and a wife.
Fathers have to give the ancestral property or asset to the daughters too – equally – so she has some passive income. Husbands have to support wives in their endeavors in life. A women have to be financially independent – saying that – “does not”mean she should not work, yet I would like to add precisely – that – work is not that 9-5 job with physical presence. At the end of the day a women has to have an income so she is not dependent but the role of a mother cannot be compromised.
4. What role do you believe women themselves can play in reshaping societal attitudes toward gender equality?
Answer:
This definitely starts at home. Home where the beginning of an era, a soul, a mankind is. The mothers have to do their roles in making a future generation by imparting the right information and knowledge to the kid(s). Then comes the school or institutions. This means the teachers and the professors.
5. Looking ahead, what is your vision for the future of Indian women in leadership, both at the grassroots and national levels?
Answer:
Women definitely needs a break in the crucial years of her motherhood, just for the progeny – she just created. As this baby will become or can become the greatest leader of the country or the world in any field. Women then must step in and do her role for the society. We need lady warriors, lady teachers, lady doctors, lady engineers and above all lady mothers. As a mother is needed – before the birth of a child and after – till the end of life and beyond.
Once a mother- always a mother –
-Promila Devi Sutharsan Huidrom
