2023 - Happy Women's Day

Baba said, “One day women in Europe will start a revolution to stop wearing high heel shoes.” I ignored his words, partly because I had to reach an event on time, mainly because I didn’t have it in me to understand what he wanted to imply. Baba and I have our differences on the topics of femininity, feminism, social class, creativity for children, and premarital sex, but the more I grow up, the more I understand his views on simplifying life. Everyone’s idea of simplification for convenience differs, and the harmony lies in choosing the best for oneself while also respecting someone else’s choice.

This Women’s Day, I have decided to throw away the cosmetic products that aim to hide my real skin. Pimples, pimple marks, dark circles, and pigmentation around my mouth are a part of me. It has taken years to accept that these parts of me are natural and shouldn’t be hidden out of insecurity. No amount of foundation could hide the fear in my eyes that was projected out of being scrutinized and judged. The sanitization is to be done on the mindset of having to look a certain way to mark my impact as a woman.

This Women’s Day, I pay my respect to all the brave women in history whose struggles and sacrifices have made our lives easier in tangible aspects. Alongside, I vow to fight the subtle ways women are given a glass ceiling even in 2023. Don’t get me wrong. I am not saying that the glass ceiling is set up by men. The minute, often ignored, factors are made rampant by all of us.

I haven’t developed bitterness against makeup in any way. I still love listening to Aakriti share her excitement on buying makeup products. I am fond of the play of colors on people’s skin. I am in awe of the beauty people create with their passion in makeup. It is just that I figured out depths of something that had been suffocating me for years. I wanted to dance to the feminine side of mine without the thought of “I have to do this.” Feeling beautiful and lively has to come voluntarily from the core of my being. The sound of bangles and anklets invites me to giggle; the small black bindi gives me the sense of my eastern roots; the smell of mehendi makes me feel like a woman; lip balm teases me to kiss my lover, and skincare reminds me to take care of myself. I am happy being a woman who doesn’t surrender to the interests of brands.

I understand why Baba didn’t want me to feel obliged to wear high heels. He was trying to teach me to think critically. He was trying to tell me, “Don’t surrender.”

We moved past the pain of corsets to the comfort of oversized t-shirts; let us celebrate this comfort.

Happy Women’s Day