Women: Rights or Respect?

2nd December 2012

-Sai Swaroopa -Sindhu -Smita -Shilpa -Yashasvi

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The All pervasive Shakti over times

Rishikas Lopamudra, Ghosha, Apala, Vagambhrani Philosophers Gargi, Maitreyi, Madalasa Single mothers Sita, Shakuntala, Kunti Rulers Yashodhara, Mandavi (wife of Bharata) Warriors Kaikeyi, Amba, Satyabhama, Subhadra, Rani Chennamma, Lakshmi Bai, etc Mathematicians Lilavati, Khana
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Women: Rights or Respect?

Sanatana Dharma in practice

A woman has an undeniable role to play in every activity of man
She gives arghya-water as the final approval to every deed A husband cannot become a YajamAna of a Yajna when the dharmapatni is not by his side

Mother was considered the first and primary person of respect in an individuals life for whom all exceptions were made. Aham rdraya dhanuratanomi brahmadvise sarave hantava u | Aham janaya samadam krnomyaham dyavaprthivi a vivesa I stretch the bow to Rudra, So that he who hates Brahmam is hurt by the arrow, I bestow equality on people at war, I am throughout the heaven and earth. - Devi Suktam, Rig Veda 10th Canto
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Sanatana Dharma v/s others

ROP : Men are in charge of women, because Allah hath made the one of them to excel the other, and because they spend of their property (for the support of women). So good women are the obedient,As for those from whom ye fear rebellion, admonish them and banish them to beds apart, and scourge them. (4:34 ) ROL : "But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God." (I Corinthians 11:3) "For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man. Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man." (I Corinthians 11:8-9)

Strii pumsau Brahmano jatau striyah brahma uta vavana Women and Men are both born from Supreme Being; Women are (manifestations) of the Supreme Being and so are these men (Atharvaveda Paippalada Samhita 8.9.11cd)
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Summarizing Womens rights and Sanatana Dharma

Secularism is an alien concept in Santana Dharma, so is the concept of women's rights Woman is revered as the personification of the holiest of our prayers, the Gayatri Mantra Scriptures have shown women as Seers, rulers, warriors, philosophers, doctors and scientists They have also placed in high respect, each and every role played by a woman over her lifetime Women were equal partners with men in daily life. But with the advent of invasions from cultures that were diametrically opposite to ours, we have begun to pre-define women roles
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Current Problems
Type casts hindering development in fields of education, profession, Social life and politics Undue burden of family honour and sealing of basic freedom Either thanklessly made to work to make the two ends meet or she is forced to depend on the spouse Countless social norms in the name of tradition Counter effect of these oppressive norms : The future generation gets affected due to the spiralling problem

Girls should train themselves to become complete scholars through Brahmcharya and then enter married life. -Atharva Veda Bhashya
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Strengths & Opportunities

Cognitive Thinking Ability to adapt easily to situations Multi Tasking Nurturing Perceptive Thinking Indigenous knowledge passed on generationally on how to run households Education/Learning Having a career is considered progressive Family Support Opportunity to make informed decisions on choices/ role being played (
how much to study, when to get married, right knowledge to impart to children, etc)

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Southern Region-Patriotic Tweeples Conference-Bengaluru

Women: Rights or Respect?

Solutions?
Encourage the pursuit of excellence Get rid of typecasts Give data and leave the judgment to her A career is indispensible for the inherent growth of a woman and hence that of the next generation

Rigveda 6.61.2: O scholarly woman, the way a river breaks away mightiest of hills and rocks, the scholarly woman destroys myths and hypes through her intellect alone. May we bow to women through our polite words and noble actions

02/12/2012

Southern Region-Patriotic Tweeples Conference-Bengaluru

Women: Rights or Respect?

Discussion points
Action plan for PT
Encourage girls in your circles to
Pursue careers suiting their abilities Improve their awareness about the true potential of Indian woman Stay informed about current affairs and plan their future

Formation of Womens wing to take up issues Points welcome from audience

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THANK YOU
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