The International Women’s Day was celebrated on Sunday with the usual lectures and felicitations in Dehradun and other parts of the State. Many events were held to felicitate women from different walks of life for their hard work, determination and fortitude.
However, there are several women like rag pickers, vendors, widows and poor housewives who are unaware of what they term the alien concept or insignificant occasion of ‘women’s day’. Though these women are not appreciated and honoured for their struggles and achievements in life, they still live a dignified and respectful life.
On being asked about the International Women’s Day and its relevance, 48-year-old rag picker Sunita said she knew nothing about the occasion. In fact, she started asking various questions like whether women don’t work on this day and if women get inexpensive ration for their kids on the occasion. When she was informed that nothing like this happens on this day she asked, “Then why it is a special day for women? If everything is the same for every woman on this day, then what is the motive behind such a day?” About her life, she said, “Everyday I pick recyclable garbage in the city and earn about Rs 100 to Rs 200 per day.
I have a handicapped husband and seven children of which two daughters have been married. My two younger sons study in a government school here and two daughters stay at home or sometimes help me in the work.” She said that sometimes it becomes hard for her to feed her family with her meager income but she never considers begging like some others. “I and my family can stay hungry for a few days rather than begging to eat,” she said. A roadside vendor near Parade Ground, Reshma also said she knows nothing about this day. Reshma spends her day selling hair clips, earrings and bindis to earn her livelihood. She considers herself an independent woman who can earn her own livelihood. According to her, every day is the same for women like her and the days like Women’s Day do not change anything at least in their life.
According to a widow Deepa Chauhan, “I do not think that Women’s Day is for ordinary women like us. It is for famous people who can organise events and honour well-known women in it. For us, it is like any other day where we get up in the morning and get ready to struggle for our survival.
For me, this day is only for well known city women and not for ordinary women because our struggle and small achievements remain limited to us.”