Face the storm, woman.

There’s always been a typically regressive mindset that Indian men adopt when faced with the conundrum of what a woman can possibly achieve in life. Men seem to take women for granted and in most societies, dictate what the women in their family do for a living. 

We live in a society where we raise a woman like a lamb for slaughter.  As if a girl child is a burden, the family starts to prepare for her wedding day right from the time she opens her eyes, fresh out of her mother’s womb. Dowry systems are prevalent even today, albeit in a different way. Today, the woman’s family has to bear the cost of the wedding and also give away movable and immovable property to the man who marries her.

We, who live in commonplace India, the land of the urban rich, the social animals, the technically advanced class, think that such regressive societies are but a mirage. We cannot be more wrong. Yet, we seem to pull wool over our eyes and act as if nothing dramatic has ever happened. In a regressive society, women are allowed to be only housewives. They cannot have dreams of their own, they cannot act on their own freewill, they cannot put forth their opinions nor can they think beyond the four walls that they are confined to.

We, as Indian Superheroes, had a dream. We wanted to create a better community, a self-sustainable community that will grow together by promoting women to move away from the confines of the four walls and stand on their own feet. When a man makes money, the man makes money…but, when a woman makes money, the family makes money.

Conditions in Maistripalya (the poor community we are piloting our projects in) were less than ideal. The entire family income averaged around eight thousand a month. Better than the worst, but, worse nevertheless. We had a great idea - starting a momo shop for a poor woman entrepreneur. Replicable, cost-effective, low maintenance. All we needed now was to find the woman willing to do it with us. So, we went ahead with the most traditional and trusted methodology of marketing: door-to-door. As expected, we faced hurdles. Women were not willing to speak to us, or were flabbergasted at the idea of starting their own businesses. But, like a silent current beneath it all, we could sense a fear. A tiny dream that flickered in their eyes but trampled upon by their mindset immediately. They wanted to win at life and yet, they were afraid. Of their husbands, of the society… 

We seemed to think that it was a lost cause. We spoke to more than 100 women, but, none of them were truly forthcoming. They were afraid, they closed doors, they turned us away…

We had reached a dead end.

Then it struck us like a bolt of lightning. If there needs to be a change in the way women are treated, we need to tackle the most fundamental root-cause: Men.

We called a meeting of the men. There were a lot of obnoxious looks; a lot of disinterest, some irritated faces…and yet there were some who were willing to listen.

If a woman in a society rises like a phoenix, the society will flourish like a garden.

If a man forsakes his ego and accepts the situation that the woman in the family earns more than he ever will, that’s half the battle won. And yes, we did find some amazing men from the poor communities who were willing to let themselves be the laughing stock of the society if it meant that their wives can achieve their dreams. And so…we soldiered on.

 “…and that’s why I believe that we should all have an equal opportunity at living our dreams – men and women.” I concluded.

“Sir…” Hanosh called out to me.
“Just call me Vishnu…” I said.
“Vishnu sir…my wife will do it.”
“Really?”
“Yes…I’m ready. She will be ready.”
I was unable to speak for a while…I looked into his eyes…they were honest.
“She will come, sir. I want my family to live a better life.”

I broke into a smile.
“Thank you Hanosh. We are starting a revolution here in this community. And we are doing it with you.” I hugged him.

I met her. The woman who would be handling the momo shop.
“Akka, you are the epicenter of a wave we need to create in India.”
“All because of you, anna…you are truly great. Quitting your job to help poor people like me.”
“I’m not great akka…you are. Make the community proud. Make India proud.”
“I will, anna.”
“What’s your name, akka?”
“Jyothi.” she said.

Fire.

We ignited a small spark in a nonchalant community. One day…it will grow and burn with mighty glory.  

Love Always,
Vishnu Vardhan
Founder, Indian Superheroes