Feminism is the most misunderstood, misinterpreted and misused word these days. Instead of seeking equality of genders, today’s feminism teaches women to portray themselves as victims and men as perverts, bullies and misogynists. It has shifted drastically from its originally intended goal, which was to define, establish, and achieve political, economic, educational, professional, personal and social equality of sexes. Instead of promoting equality, the modern-era feminists induce self-superiority and hatred over the other gender.
Soumita Saha on National Youth Day
Soumita Saha, the ace Singer and Social Activist from Kolkata, has come up the novel idea of dedicating National Youth Day 2018 to the cause of Feminism. The day is observed every year on the birthday of great patriotic saint and youth icon Swami Vivekananda. According to her, Swami Vivekananda taught the real Feminism. She quotes the famous statement of Swami ji, “Women will work out their destinies — much better, too, than men can ever do for them. All the mischief to women has come because men undertook to shape the destiny of women”.
“I have never believed in supporting any rigid stereo typed concept. Whenever I have seen someone supporting nudity as empowerment, hating men as feminism, playing victim card, I have convinced myself that this brand of feminism is doing more harm to society. Of course people are free to interpret feminism, but using it for counter-productive goals should stop. Swamiji said that anything that makes you weak physically, intellectually or spiritually should be rejected as poison. Presenting every issue colossal in the name of ‘Feminism’ is something I would reject as poison”, says Soumita who has been a champion of women rights.
The first few words of Swami Vivekananda at World Parliament of Religions at Chicago, 1893 were “Sisters and Brothers of Americaâ€. This itself symbolizes the equality and the feminism Swami ji preached. He had even argued that if there was any gender of our soul.
Soumita has often campaigned against the misinterpretation and misuse of the terms ‘Feminism’and ‘Women Empowerment’. The young singer has taken the initiative to further spread the campaign in the aura of Swami Ji’s teachings. In the 19th century itself, Swami ji had said “Educate your women first and leave them to themselves; then they will tell you what reforms are necessary for them. In matters concerning them, who are you?”.
She urges modern era feminists to seek enlightenment in the teachings of Swami Vivekananda. She believes that, in the light of Swami ji’s teachings, feminism can regain its original course and goals.