| The twenty-first century is going to bring many-fold changes in the world order. Prophecies of great many visionaries affirm the grand transformations, in the subtle world, which are going to write the fate of the world in new direction. Those, who can feel the eternal impulses of the flow of the perpetual consciousness of Nature, have predicted revival of the "age of truth". Authentic details on the scientific reasoning, implications and mode of realization of such possibilities are presented by Acharya Sharma in volume nos. 28 and 29 of the Vangmaya series. This particular volume deals with upright changes in the social scenario, with special reference to the status of women in the ’new world’ of the new millennium.
This volume gives historical details on how the glorious state of womanhood of the vedic era got deteriorated to the present state of all round exploitation of women. It highlights the multiple dimensions of the problem covering religious, psychological, social and economical fronts. It reviews the history of woman liberation movements from different angles and illuminates the possibilities of the rise and dominant role of women in every walk of life in the new era.
Acharya Sharma cites authentic proofs of the high recognition of womanhood in the Indian culture and religious philosophy. It was mainly due to the misinterpretations of the scriptures propagated in the medieval era that led to the heinous customs and practices of sati pratha, polygamy, etc in this society. The moral decline enforced in this period had accelerated negative trends of social and economical progress. This had worsened the political instability in the country and had further fueled the invaders’ attacks. The problems of security of women coupled with the psychological perversions triggered by the deliberate misinterpretations of religious teachings had nurtured the untoward customs of dowry, child marriages, etc during this dark phase of Indian history. A systematic and trenchant review of these kinds of negative developments, which took place the world-over, is recorded here with precious pieces of rare information.
The changing scenario with democratic developments and scientific and intellectual evolution, began to show the signs of public awareness and paved the way for expansion of the social reformation activities since the past two centuries. The roots of the subsequent movement of women’s emancipation, its progress and scope - are also discussed in the present volume with foresighted guidance. The volume also pays due attention on - how the sexual exploitation of women, ongoing under the fashionable trends of advertising woman’s body in the name of ’recognition’ of her beauty and boldness, should be and could be stopped?; how the idea of women-lib could be oriented to give constructive boost for the righteous progress of women as well as the other components of human society?
Unlimited contributions and sacrifices made by a woman - in her multiple roles as mother, sister, wife and daughter, have continued in spite of the utter negligence, injustice, inequality and exploitation ’bestowed’ on her in return by the male dominated society! Is not her tolerance, endurance, generosity and altruist love equivalent to what could be attributed as a divine virtue? In Acharya Sharma’s views - "it is because of womanhood that humanity, beauty and grace of human life and the serenity of the sentiments of love, service and compassion have survived on this earth. One cannot dream of viable progress with peace and happiness without women’s participation on fair grounds of equality".
Men should realize that they have lost a lot by not giving women their due share of rights. It would have added more to their own benefits, if the ’other half’ of the society - the women, were educated, enlightened and given equal opportunities to progress. It is collaboration, not exploitation; mutual trust, not suppression; love, not compulsion, which wins the partner’s faith and sincere support. Educated, healthy and cultured wives and mothers would naturally contribute to better training and development of future generation than what they could in a deprived state of ignorance and despair. In Acharya Sharma’s words - "womanhood is the strength of human society, the main cause of survival of love and compassion. Woman, by nature, is the originator of welfare, the inspiration of humanity and the protector of moral values. That is why she has been conferred the title of "devi" - Goddess, in the Indian culture"... |
