Recently I came across this TV show Downton Abbey, it a
period drama set in the village of Yorkshire in the UK during the 1920’s. It
struck me that the cultural beliefs that they held in the year 1920 are not too
different from those that we hold in India currently. Here is how:
Thou shall not believe in something as foolish as ‘love
marriages’. This is the most in-your-face similarity that I found. Agreed, back
then there were Earls and Dukes and inheritances at stake and so marriages were
‘arranged’ so as to stick to their own kind. So what’s all the hue and cry
against love marriages in India in this time and age? What are you afraid of; some
cute North Indian gene spoiling the proportion of your Gujju Dhokla?
Thou shall behave like a ‘virtuous lady’ at all times. This
is a funny one, because despite living in a world where when you first move
into a new city the first question out of your mouth is, “How is the night life
around here?”, and yet we want the girls and women to behave like they have a
golden halo behind their heads. Like seriously, what’s with the obsession of
wanting to wed an angel when instead your married life would be more entertaining
if she is an ex-stripper named Angel?
Thou shall be well versed with all household duties. There
are actually finishing schools that offer courses in cooking, stitching,
cleaning, home decorations and also child development. And honestly, they will
never run out of business as long as we keep expecting women to be the one stop
shop for all household needs. I would be surprised if the marketing logo of
these schools doesn't resemble a Goddess, only instead if a spear and a chakra,
she will be holding spoons and knitting needles.
All jokes apart, my intention is not to insult beliefs, or
look down on someone who doesn't think or behave like I do. I simply feel that
we live in a world of make-belief where we want to pretend that times haven’t
changed, and where values and beliefs are thrust upon the younger generations,
leaving no room for them to discover their own path. If the youth isn’t given
to freedom to slip and learn, then we are simply taking one step forward towards
progress and back two towards frustration and disappointment.
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