It was quite an eventful day. Being a thursday, I had to go to school - not to study, but to fight for my rights. For those of you who personally know me, fighting for my rights is almost my middle name (only Gursimran Fighting-for-my-rights Arora is way too long!). The school has put an end to the ever-long tradition of Teacher's Day, which is alright except for the fact that we wouldn't be wearing 'Saris' - something we have been forever looking forward to.
So great, the Principal gives a worthless pointless and useless lecture about traditions and some South Indian rituals relating to that - implying we should not celebrate Teacher's Day the way we want - but go with the way she does.
In the middle of 400 children, only one hand rose to object - yours truly had finally lost her mind. So off went my lecture on the importance of continuing traditions and implying that no reasons could justify the end of such celebrations. When she asked 'Why Saris' - I said 'Why not?' - I suppressed the urge to say - 'Why do you wear them if they portray indecency'. So off went another lecture and my final request telling her to make us talk with the teachers one-on-one and justify our stand.
I know she wasn't happy and I could see the dirty look in her eyes. All eyes dug into me as I spoke - eventually, I realized I need to reflect on my sanity. Why am I always so desperate to seek my rights and to protect those of the others when no one else really bothers about being dominated by a dictator. In my theory of life - no one can win unless they chalk out their own rules. I think its sad when people have to follow what others say blindfolded just because of 'fear' of rebel.
When school ended, I entered my bus and all the way back home (an hour long drive) we planned a protest against the authorities. Deep within I knew no one would stand up and I'd be the only one trying to convince people that we have the power to make a difference regardless of our authority.
My friend challenged to dig her nails into my flesh without me screaming. I let her. When she finished - I was laughing with tears in my eyes. My arm was practically bleeding. Her nails had pierced into my flesh. I was still laughing and she meekly apologized. I guess friendship's like that - it pains, but never really hurts...
Comments
Bravo..Gugu, Well, Standing up for one's right is a rightful thing, but always stand up with one thing on your mind ' I am fighting for my right's not anyone else' I also had a fight with my principle when she didn't even took me in the interview list for the school cabinet, and the next thing u know, I was the 'literary incharge'. And you know what, I never fought for the post, I fought for my friend, who was on the list for head boy, and the 'one' who never showed up that day. So, just follow the rule, "fight, there is nothing wrong in it, but fight for what you want, not what world expects' And BTW i hope you get to wear the sari's :)
PS: do upload your pic wearing a sari :)
- pessimistic Sarthak.
made cooler by Sarthak on July 31, 2003 12:07 PM
Maybe Sarthak - you're not always fighting for a particular person - its more like fighting for a cause - fighting for a basic tradition... if seen from that viewpoint, it really doesn't matter who is involved as long as results are reaped. In this case - the results are going to be antagonistic to my desires - I am sure.. so no sari's for the next couple of years!
made cooler by Lime on July 31, 2003 2:24 PM
This really happens. While in class, people will agree to go and meet the princi but just as soon as you get going, they get some work or the other. i really don't understand why to get scared from the authority. its not that they'll just screw you for asking some thing that you would want to know or rather get changed.
and for the nails part, its not good to do that.
made cooler by abhi on July 31, 2003 3:26 PM
Aww...No sari..
Well, Do tell us when they tell you the decision
made cooler by Sarthak on July 31, 2003 3:48 PM
Problem...Problem: When I clicked on the abhi's homepage link..It opened up within this window only..All the links are reacting the same way..I think u forgot the 'Blank' command. Or is my IE corrupted :|
made cooler by Sarthak on July 31, 2003 3:55 PM
hold shift while clicking the link. will open in a new window.
made cooler by abhi on July 31, 2003 4:19 PM
Standing up for what one thinks is rite is the best thing a person can do... It's a pity to see so many jumping on to the bandwagon :( But it aint right to campaign for somebody's cause when they do nothing about it.
made cooler by Linus on August 1, 2003 3:44 AM
Abhi: I guess thats what they call guts. The courage to stand up against the so-called-authority (so-called because with great authority comes great responsibility - if the latter is confused with dictatorship, authority isn't genuinely existing anymore...) is what makes a man - not considering the gender of course. And the nails - bah humbug!
Sarthak: You're right - forgot to fix that.. was on my agenda! :) Thanks for the reminder - done now!
Linus: I don't know whats right or wrong - but I believe in what one believes in - even if its wrong, you should follow your beliefs, because there is nothign more right than that!
made cooler by Lime on August 1, 2003 9:10 AM