What's in a surname?

My daughters' passports were to be re-issued.. (RE-ISSUED) and the passport clerk spotted an GROSS error..Surnames do not match with those of the parents. So objection was raised. I went to APO and finally they dug out old application records and cleared the case. Both my girls have their OWN names in full..no surnames or family names. I have to explain this many times to many people that I have given my children a unique identity..they don't have to change their names after marriage etc. My husband is appreciative and supportive of this decision and the school has finally understood that too. Else I was known as Mrs So and so, four different surnames, my maiden, my married one and with my two daughters' second names.

Once a an Air India staffer at Kolkata airport asked me the reasons for no surnames and when I explained it to her, she said, "Hats off ma'am. You are a gutsy women." Guts? It is logical way to give a Girl Child her due place in society. Let her not be known by someone's name and keep changing her identity with changes in her marital status. A name is one's identity and sadly I see many women losing a part of them in these petty changes. Some feel guilty and some feel sad about changing it. Besides everything, it is whole lot of paperwork and unnecessary affidavits that one makes for these changes. As the passport clerk said.. some come for change after marriage, some after divorce and some after remarriage. What a waste of energy, time and resources, Give your girls an UNIQUE NAME and teach them to make a name for themselves. That will bring about a great change in their attitudes and in the society. Whats in a name? Lots, when you have to go through the official documentation. Its legal, social and emotional issue.

Happy Women's Day, Girls!!! (Be a Queen!!)

Happy Women's Day..Girls!! I just had a brilliant start to my special day, where we mothers, celebrated the Women's Day with Sisters and teachers at our daughters' Convent this morning.

Then in the afternoon, Queen just happened. I walked in without much anticipation and walked out feeling very proud as a woman. Its the best Women's Day gift for any women. #Kangana Ranaut in and as #Queen steals your heart. Hats off to Indian film makers, they are able to read the pulse of the changing Indian Woman. The new Indian woman is emerging stronger and so much empowered. She is a woman who is ready to live her life on her terms.

Kangana Ranaut's Queen is cute, interesting Indian story told with international feel. Minimalistic make up,  realistic styling suited to her character-sketch and natural shots actually make the story believable and lovable.  Every woman/girl must watch, it could very well be her story. (Every man must watch...because he has to watch out for these kind of brave new women....whom he can not and he dare not think of taking for granted)  <3

Women Changing India...Symposium

Attended a symposium organized by Barnard College. Listening to the various women panelist was like recharging, rebooting and reinventing myself. It was a day well spent educating myself, reaffirming and reinforcing my belief about my role as an individual. We women keep grooming ourselves with regular spas and parlor visits but it is when you hear women achievers, their words clear the dust off your brains, clean your ignition plug and polish your mind for that brilliance which was always there. They are not any different from you and I. It is like visiting a MIND PARLOR.

The only thing that took them to break the ceiling was that they kept on going where as some of us slowed down or rested....perhaps longer than we should have. There is so much that my nosey, spongy journalist-writer brain has soaked up from there that I could write series of articles on HOW WOMEN CAN CHANGE THE SOCIETY.  Nah, darlings I might keep writing nuggets about it in my future quickies but I need to first apply this knowledge to my life.

Panelists, of course were the celebrated and emancipated Indian women from nearly every profession, (you can check the details in the link given below). Nonetheless the women in audience weren't any less interesting. Met some wonderful women across ages and bonded with some for some great karmic connect in future :)....coz nothing is without a purpose. I strongly feel that we women really need to collaborate to paint a much bigger canvas.

After all that food for thought, we indulged in some gourmet delights and deserts without feeling guilty about it. Yes, guilt was the point of discussion and it was a great way to break that stereotype and enjoy and live the moment.

Good days are generally followed by good nights. So right now, I am relishing a good dinner cooked by my darling husband.... exotic stir fried vegetables and Cottage Cheese in Hoi Sin Sauce. See thats how Good women are changing their world and making things work for them. Ah, time for thanksgiving.....to him of course. :)

I got a feeling......tonight's gonna be a good night!

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Barnard-College-Global-Symposia-Series/142792982508260?sk=wall