Who is a Woman of Substance ? What does it take for a 'docile' Lakshmi to become a 'fiery' Durga? Well, you may not call me a Woman of Substance but I, in my full senses, claim to be a fiery Durga after all these years!

I am a Woman of 21st century. Insanely tempted to be ultra-modern and yet pulled back to sanity by my traditions. I confess I had never even heard of the term 'Women's Day' while I was growing up. Life wasn't luxuriously comfortable but I was limping along with all the basics provided.

For these past few weeks I've been brainstorming with my already overworked brains about what to write, if at all. I read all other entries about how they've thrashed eve-teasers, what it took for them to get out of rotting environments, how gutsy it was to participate in the Dare games etc...and then there were a few enteries about how they were ordinary yet taking life in their stride...

I must admit I am fairly impressed! For who'll know what it takes to be a Woman of Substance than a Woman herself, even if an ordinary one at that. I have had no extraordinary brushes with people or fate that way but yes, I have had my share of slap-giving incidents while I could! My blood boiled too (and still boils) when I came across people who were (and still are) treated unjustifiably-- financially, physically and emotionally. 

And as for me, I know life's not a rosy picture full of fairies and angels...It never was! I come from a normal joint family in punjab and my elders had to shift us all to a metro while terrorism was at its peak, leaving all their hard earned bucks behind! Life was as such haywire and to start from scratch was never easy...but like most of us...We did too!

An average student with decent artistic inclinations, nothing extraordinary. An Ugly Duckling in all my growing up years, often mocked at, nothing extraordinary. A heart patient by the tender age of 2 struggling to climb 5 stairs while others easily managed to reach the floor in a minute's time, nothing extraordinary. A child suffering with low self-esteem because of whatever reasons and failing at every attempt made socially, nothing extraordinary. 

Dad's sudden demise while I was 18, leaving the family in lurch in all ways possible and leaving no option for me and my brother (then 16) to leave college and take up whatever jobs available, nothing extraordinary again you'd say. Protecting Mum and younger siblings from the harsh realities of scarce food, clothing and shelter, nothing extraordinary but worth mentioning here. Getting married inspite of all odds, protecting my family every now and then from forces within and outside the clan is not at all extraordinary.

And the most painful part; So-called well-wishers and relatives turning a blind eye to what once used to be their favourite holiday destination (mum's a great host even with all her simplicity and innocence) and trying to figure out ways to belittle, harm, exploit the now head-less household and I being the eldest child standing up, shaking them with all the scathing words in my dictionary and warning them even at the cost of being called a snob, a B.I.T.C.H and a senseless, impractical, peanut-size brains person, nothing extraordinary, I know (there are occasions when I still have to behave that way for mum's defence). What is being looked at as NORMAL is MY WHOLE LIFE WIDE OPEN RIGHT NOW.

The point is, all I want is to survive! This way or that way! It feels good when people come and compliment me for the confident aura I project...If only they knew it's been 27 years of constant battles in all areas...and that I HAVE MANAGED TO SURVIVE MY AILMENT, MY FAMILY'S CRISIS, AND MANY OTHER THINGS...AND NEEDLESS TO SAY I AM STILL ON THE GO! 
 
                   Nothing Extraordinary But Self-Made.
              Mum's proud of me and I am proud of myself.
Now Dear Readers, lemme know if You too are proud of Women like me.
    
  P.S.- This post is dedicated to all Women who struggle. We Will Win.