"You are a Girl, do Cardio"
Gender Stereotypes that need a kick in the Butt....Big Time!!

Gender Stereotypes, and India. The Unbreakable Bond!
Because, the society decides for us, while we are still learning our way out of the womb. Taking, Kuch Toh Log Kahenge,Logon Ka Kaam Hai Kehna to a whole new level!

From "Women can't drive", to "All Men love sports and sex," let us see what other male female stereotypes need redefining.

1. You are a Girl, do cardio!

Even fitness isn't left out. I mean, really? If women can produce a person out of their vagina, I am sure they can lift weights like a boss. And, who's to define femininity and masculinity based on what workouts people choose. Because, muscle building is for men, and being thin is for women, right?

Picture Source: www.womenshealthmag.co.uk  

Recollecting a recent incident, VJ Bani, wasn't spared either. Read on, http://www.vagabomb.com/VJ-Bani-Was-Shamed-for-a-Having-a-Fit-Muscular-Body

2. Men don't cry!

Yes, women are sensitive, I am too. But, whatever happened to not let emotions define a gender? Considering it a man's strength, if he refuses to cry, is being lame to the next level. Crying is a way to express feelings. Let's just leave it at that! So, don't tell your son he can't cry, if he's sad or hurt.

3. If you want a husband, you better know how to Cook!

Picture Source: www.123rf.com

Yes, because a woman's maturity is defined by, "Roti kitni goal hai" [How circular is the Chappati].
No matter how much she earns, and how independent she becomes, she's always deemed as a better homemaker, on her ability to cook for her family.


4. And, we didn't even leave the colors behind.

Picture Source: www.youtube.com

Pink is for girls, and blue is for guys. Whoa! how did you arrive at that conclusion? I mean, I would love a guy, who can carry off a pink shirt, like a pro! But, since we are taught this, way before we learn how to grab a spoon, it becomes a liability to follow.


5. Don't be Gay!

Homosexuality, as we all know, is looked down upon in our country, much more of a crime, really.What is wrong with defining your own sexuality? If the society chooses to be judgmental, then a person can choose to be ignorant, just as much. The only thing scarier than coming out of the closet, for the LGBT, is being able to accept themselves as they are. So let them be. Stop judging!


6. Having more guy friends, make you a Slut!

Picture Source: www.theodysseyonline.com

Really? What age are you living in? Welcome, to the 21st century, dorks! If a girl gets along with guys, that doesn't mean she's sleeping with all of them. She can just be as good a tomboy, as a girly girl.


7. Men are supposed to be the sole breadwinners.

Picture Source: www.endthedisconnect.com

Get a job early, go abroad for post graduation, own a house, feed a family, earn six figures. Ugh! Give it a rest. All these expectations do, is, create pressure. No good can ever come out of it. Let men walk their own pace, instead of pushing them.

8. Menstruating Women in Temples: Ooh! Apocalypse

Picture Source: womenpla.net

To the typical ones, periods make women untouchables. And, the irony is, menstruating or not, either way, women will be considered impure. All these self-proclaimed god agents, need a brain-clean camp.

9. Got a Saree & Bindi. Voila! You are 'Sanskaari'

Picture Source: lmt-lss.com

Because sweatpants are for guys, are skirts for actresses, right? Welcome, to India, where women need to be covered head-to-toe, to be called dignified. And, well, we got 'Culture' to back us up, always blaming that. No culture says this, except in your own head. We can rock a crop-top, just as well as a blouse [Not much of a difference, though].


10. The Time difference, 12 AM for Guys= 7 PM for Girls.

Picture Source: www.123rf.com

Sure, your son can stay as late as he wants, but if your daughter, even asks.... whoa, look who's grounded!
No clubbing, no drinking, no smoking. Basically, home is where the sexism starts!


To make it for a great end, watch Amitabh Bachchan bashing out Gender Stereotypes in India, that a woman bares everyday, in this video:

'We are like this only'- Seven Indianisms every Writer should avoid !!

English. Brought to India, by the British during the colonial period.

But, let’s face it, there’s English and then there’s Indian English, which shockingly, made its way to most of the dictionaries too. Whoa! That’s news.

Indianism, is defined as a characteristic of Indian English. Just one of the few things, which we, as writers, should avoid.

Let’s highlight, just a few examples of ‘Indianisms’, shall we?

    1.   Only

“We are like this only”, “They are there only”. Our innate desire to add ‘only’, at the end of every sentence. Ugh! Your sentence doesn’t need a companion, you know.

    2.  The ‘I, me and myself’

Remember all those phone conversations, with the person introducing himself as, “Hi, myself...” 

Annoying, isn’t it? I never understood it either. When did “I am..”, get out of fashion?

     3.  ‘Yeah’

American much? 

Let me tell you, a simple “Yes” still counts. Why pretend to be someone you are not?

     4.   Revert back

Just when you thought we couldn’t get any weirder, there it comes, “I will revert back to your mail.”

Revert is described as ‘to return to a previous state.’ And, adding ‘back’, doesn’t really make much sense.

     5.    The “Basically”

Supposed to indicate that a statement summarizes the most important aspects. But, mostly used 5 times in a single sentence in contexts where it is not needed. Yes, that’s the ‘Indianised’ version.

     6.   Prepone

Origination: India.

Because, using ‘reschedule’ is way too mainstream. Even if it’s incorrect, that won’t stop us from using it, now, would it?

     7.  Out of Station

“Hi, where are you?”

“Hey, I am out of station.”

“Oh yes me too, right outside, buying a packet of chips.” Duh!

Unless, you are a train, it’s better to use, “out of town”, or “Will be back to Bangalore, in 5 days,” instead.

If only, we realized that we can still be proud of our Nation, if we used proper English, instead of our ‘grammatically-incorrect-suited-to-ourselves’ version. And, in the process, be better writers too! 

Rakshabandhan: KIDS Vs ADULTS. *How the symbolism changed,But meaning of the festival didn’t!*

Indians = NORMAL.

Our festivals = NORMAL.

But Indians+ Our Festivals = That’s some epic shit :D

Enthusiasm, Excitement, and loads and loads of Entertainment.The 3 E’s that define any Indian festival. Because, we are a breed of people who love being extreme about everything.

Dressing up, being energetic, curious to know what your brother got you this year! The rituals. Shopping for the cutest Rakhis ever, because you want your brother’s Rakhi to stand out. Boys showing off their Rakhi-covered hands, and comparing, taking pride in the fact as to whose hands have the most numbers.

Sounds lame, right? But, that’s what its like to be a kid. Carefree.Over-excited.Lame as hell. And it all heightens, because,let’s face it,  INDIAN KIDS.

As a younger sister, for me, Rakshabandhan was one of the most awaited festivals of the year. No, No, no sentiments. Just because I was the one receiving all the presents (haha), as a wide known fact: Gifts are to girls, what Cricket is to Boys :D  

As we grew up, and life happened, Rakshabandhan became more of an obligation than a festival. 

Tying the Rakhi, converted into Facebook posts; going shopping for Rakhis converted into Whatsapp Images , and presents converted into Bank transfers. 

But, what didn't change, was the meaning of this festival!

The promises that a sister makes; that no matter what, her brother will always be her best friend, her lifelong confidant,her favorite person to talk to about everything. 

The responsibilities that a brother takes; that he’ll protect his sister against all odds,break bones of the guy who breaks her heart, and will do anything to make her dreams come true.

A brother –sister relationship is more of a love-hate one.True! 

But, dare anyone say a word against our sibling, we will rip their throats out with our teeth!

For a kid, who’s this excited for Rakshabandhan, it was difficult for me to understand the first time when my brother wasn’t home for this holiday. He was miles apart in his college, and me at home. Although, I am pretty sure, if he had been home, we would be fighting our asses off (haha), but all I could do, was cry my heart out to him over a phone call. I guess, it’s true what they say, “Absence makes the heart grow fonder.” 

With time though, we begin to realize the things that actually matter, and that they shouldn’t be taken for granted like we used to, when we were a bunch of 5-year olds. Because, eventually, the beauty of every moment lies in the fact, that we have our loved ones to celebrate it with, no matter if they are towns apart. It goes without saying, "Asli maza sabke saath aata hai" [The real fun is with EVERYONE]

We have our dedicated dates to these festivals, whether it be Mother’s day, Father’s day, Daughter’s day, or Rakshabandhan. But, the pleasure is celebrating it throughout the 365 days, with the same innocent passion that we did it with, when we couldn’t even pronounce them.

Somehow, writing about it, made all those years of  past Rakshabandhans, flash right in front of my eyes.

Happy Rakshabandhan, to all brothers and sisters out there!