Perpetually Perplexed

Tashi and Nungshi are from the most patriarchal state of Haryana. But these 23 year olds have climbed Seven Summits - highest mountains in each continent and their motive is to inspire all the girls of India. They have also skied to North pole and South pole. They are the first twins to climb Mt. Everest.  They support the cause of Indian girl child. So they prove to us that anything is possible when there is a will. Even if you are a girl/woman.

From the poem by Maya Angelou who was an author and poet,  who passed away last week. ........ But a bird that stalks down his narrow cage can seldom see through his bars of rage his wings are clipped and his feet are tied so he opens his throat to sing. ....... The caged bird sings with a fearful trill of things unknown but longed for still and his tune is heard on the distant hill for the caged bird sings of freedom.

On 4th November, activist Sharmila's fast entered 14th year. She has been fasting since Nov 4th 2000, asking the government to repeal AFSPA. Sharmila is from Indian state Manipur, and is political and human rights activist and a poet. She is currently facing trial for "attempt to suicide". AFSPA - armed forces special power act - is being used in Manipur and other north eastern states since 1980s. This act gives the power to the armed forces  to arrest anyone without warrant, on the suspicion that they have committed or about to commit a cognizable of fence. Sharmila claims that this act is the root cause for violence in Manipur. On Nov 2 2000, 10 civilians were shot dead in Malom a town in Imphal valley of Manipur by Indian paramilitary forces, while waiting for a bus. Next day newspaper carried images of these people. November 4th Thursday, Sharmila started the hunger strike requesting the government to repeal the act. She has contacted various political...

There aren't many things common between these two women of the Indian Subcontinent. Durga that is Durga Shakti Nagpal is an IAS officer in UP of India and Jiya is  a cartoon character in first animated TV series "Burkha avenger" in Pakistan. Durga Shakti tried fighting the sand mafia in UP by confiscating the sand trucks and slapping FIRs on persons involved. One of whom happened to be a wannabe MP. Jiya is a mild school teacher in day and burkha clad super hero during night. She fights evil characters who are not witches or demons, but fundamentalists who stop girls from attending schools and corrupt politicians. Her weapons are not swords or magic wands, but pens and books. OK, both are women fighting for justice. But in Burkha avenger Jiya wins against bad people. And Durga Shakthi was suspended with a charge that she demolished a religious building there by incited communal disharmony. (If inciting communal violence was an offense, what would happen to so many ...

Ashwini Angadi from namma Bengaluru was one of the seven girls awarded  the youth courage award for education on Malala day by United Nations. Ashwini was born in a poor rural family in Karnataka. She had 100% visual impairment in both eyes. She was discriminated everywhere. She did her 10 years of schooling in special schools, then completed her p.u.c in NMKRV college where she was a rank holder. Even in her B.A. she secured a rank. She was offered a job in an IT firm, but she declined it to work for the NGO Leonordo Cheshire Disability and helps disabled children in their education. In the award ceremony, Malala declared that the day should be called Ashwini day instead of Malala day. Malala Youafzai Malala is a  teenage activist and blogger from Pakistan.  A Talibani militant tried to assassinate her  in October 2012 for her efforts to promote girls' education. But even after the attack which was almost fatal and has disfigured her face, she did not s...

She was the first woman to win a Nobel prize. And only person to win Nobel prize in two fields. Marie Curie was the inventor of Radium and Polonium and found theory of radioactivity.

My son keeps telling me "no one keeps whining about their problems like you do". Not the least this famous doctor and human rights activist  Dr Hawa Abdi. Dr. Hawa Abdi is physician from Somalia. The same Somalia which is famous for its pirates, it drought and complete failure of state. UN has declared it as the worst humanitarian crisis on the planet. When  international aid groups have pulled out of this country for safety concerns, this lady runs a 400 bed hospital, a school and a shelter for refugees. Born in 1947, she was studied Medicine in Moscow with scholarship. Then she pursued her studies in law. Her grandmother convinced her to use her knowledge to help her people. So Dr. Abdi started a clinic in her ancestral property. But in 1990s when civil war broke and every Somalian started walking with AK 47s and thousands of people were made refugees in their won country, Dr Abdi sold off her jewelry, some of her land and started a 400 bed hospital and a school fo...