My Daughter, My Transformation!

I am the only son to my parents, the first grand son of the family, born in a family where almost all of my first cousins were single child boys.

I grew up in a traditional south-indian family, where like in most parts of the world, men are seen as head of the family, sons are expected to carry on the pride and fame of the family, and daughters were important merely for rituals.

I grew up watching movies where men are shown to be powerful, can flirt around with multiple women and still seek women with impeccable character.

Even though I loved my mother and sisters, respected my teachers and female classmates, love my wife from the bottom of my heart, revered the goddesses - Saraswathi, Lakshmi and Adi-shakti, there was always a small hint of male chauvinism in me. Looking back, I see that I had it all along my childhood, my college life, my corporate life and even after my marriage, Until - my little angel, my daughter was born!

As I see her grow up, there is a new man emerging in me. I adore her curiosity, her courage, her every act that make it impossible for me or anyone in my place to treat her or even see her differently from a boy.

She is courageous, not afraid of anything, always bold, joyful, curious and exploring. In her I see the potential to achieve anything in the world.

I want my daughter to be a sportswoman, I want her to grow up admiring super heroes like Captain Marvel and Wonder Woman. I want her to stand tall, taller than me and achieve greater heights that no man has achieved. I would go to any extent to protect her, her rights and enable her with every single privilege that I can afford.

I see a feminist emerging in me, not because of my mother, no because of my sisters, not even due to my wife, but because of my love for my daughter.

As they say, your daughter may outgrow your lap, but never your heart!