06/04/2023
What is women's empowerment?
A few years ago, famous actress Deepika Padukone lectured a lot about women's empowerment in a video. Well, I couldn't resonate with what the actress said in that video. Even today, I don't agree with what she said. Well, I am not questioning her definition of women's empowerment at all. Of course, everybody has her own definition of it.
For me, this lady in the image is the epitome of women's empowerment. Her name is Poonam Chetri. She is a widow with two kids, but that's not her identity at all. She owns a small eating joint near my home in Dehradun. She cooks amazing momos and chowmein in addition to other Indian and Chinese dishes. I have known her for the past 1 year. I first met her when I went jogging, and while coming back home, I chose to eat at her place. After a few visits, I spoke to her a bit, and that's when I got to know about her life. Of course, it's not easy to raise two kids single-handedly. She is doing everything in her capacity to give her kids the best life. She does everything, from her household chores to taking care of her joints.
Recently while coming back from the temple, I saw her shop was closed. It was for the first time I saw her shop closed. The first thing that came to my mind was how is she managing her life. I thought maybe it was temporary. Today, while wandering just like that, I thought to have something out, and her shop came into my head. I went there again and saw that the shop was closed again. I was just returning back, but suddenly I thought to ask about the people who reside around her shop, then I got to know that she shifted to a different place just 100 mt ahead. I felt good. I went to her, ate there and talked a bit.
The first time I thought to click her picture and talk a bit about her. She is a wonderful human being, very humble and gentle. She welcomes everyone with a broad smile, just like the one she has in the picture. No matter how hard her life has been, she is a determined woman with a very clear mind! I like her dedication. And I like that every after going through such a tough time, she starts her day with her head held high - and that's what woman empowerment is for me!
