Equality

They were both best friends. "Best...est friend" in his language. Though there were other kids in the orphanage , he always called her to hold his tiny hands when he wrote the alphabets. She always gave him her share of desserts on Sundays knowing well that there would be no second serving. Age , gender, color  nothing came in between them. To him she was his world , someone who would hold his hands when needed    and guide him in this big bad world. To her he was the little angel who needed lots of love and care.

"You can't be with her for long" they said
"Why?" his innocent eyes asked
"She will play with dolls and you will play with guns and trains" they explained
"So what ?" he asked again
"She is a girl and you are a boy" they replied again, this time loosing their patience
He didn't understand how that mattered but didn't have the courage to ask anything else .

One day as they stood hand in hand waiting for the Aunty and Uncle to check them out , he could feel a tiny squeeze on this little finger. What was his friend afraid of ?
The Aunty looked at the girl and smiled. "Lets take the girl. The other one is a boy after all" she whispered into her husband's ears.
The Madam immediately came forward , disentangled the tiny finger and handed over the girl to the lady.
"Yes take the girl ma'm ...You will do good to the society"

That day he understood that girls and boys were not the same. 


Today a rep from World Vision contacted me. They are finding it difficult to get new sponsor for the kids .  He had brought with him handful of profiles for me to select. Select ? How could I do that ? It just broke my heart. 
I am a mother of two - a girl and a boy who need me equally.  Be it a girl or a boy they are the same until the society (including parents) starts differentiating them. I am all for women's equality and women's rights but before that lets at least try and give our children a chance at growing into educated and responsible citizens irrespective of their gender. 

http://www.worldvision.in/

With our busy life lets at least try and support organizations like world vision and others in their endeavor. 

Take Care,