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By:

Quaid Najmi

4 January 2025 at 8:56:24 pm

Rahul Gandhi to girls: ‘Smash Patriarchy’

Says, girls are being relegated to remain caged, but boys get full freedom to do whatever they want Pune : In an all-out attack on the ancient ‘Manusmriti’ social code, Congress Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi issued a clarion call to “Smash Patriarcy” which seeks to control, confine and silence women, while denying them freedom, dignity, safety and economic independence. Speaking in bouts at the fourth edition of ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ in Pune, Rahul Gandhi bluntly told thousands...

Rahul Gandhi to girls: ‘Smash Patriarchy’

Says, girls are being relegated to remain caged, but boys get full freedom to do whatever they want Pune : In an all-out attack on the ancient ‘Manusmriti’ social code, Congress Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi issued a clarion call to “Smash Patriarcy” which seeks to control, confine and silence women, while denying them freedom, dignity, safety and economic independence. Speaking in bouts at the fourth edition of ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ in Pune, Rahul Gandhi bluntly told thousands of young women to be “loud, proud, and fight for their space rather than live in fear of men or social diktats” – amidst intermittent roars of approval or thundering applause, and cheers of ‘Rahul, Rahul’ booming inside and outside the venue. Touching some sensitive issues, the Congress leader - sporting a stunning yellow shirt symbolising ‘hope’ - said women had historically been portrayed in a poor light and continued to face discrimination at virtually every stage of life, due to ‘Manusmriti’. “India’s 70-cr women are its biggest asset, they are more forward-looking than men. Women are the strength of India, yet they are given a raw deal at all levels. Over 450,000 girls are killed in female feticide annually in India,” Rahul Gandhi thundered. He explained how ‘control’ over women begins early and in different ways forcing them to abandon education, face discrimination at home, work places, in society till they reach “a marriageable age”, and even later on in life. “Girls are being relegated to remain caged, but boys get full freedom to do whatever they want. We don’t want such a nation. Break this cage,” he exhorted the gathering, and showed video clips of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other BJP leaders to emphasise his points. Rahul Gandhi then asked the audience whether men tried to control them in different aspects of their lives. The response was an emphatic and stormy “Yes…! Yes…!” Continuing, he said control of women takes several forms - violence, disrespect, restrictions on time and movement, and pressure to conform - and often disguised as empty concerns: “Kuchh ho gaya to…?”, as the 15,000 crowd roared its approval. Reeling off figures on women’s mobility, education, property ownership and safety, Rahul Gandhi said the consequences of all went far beyond physical violence, leading to a “violence of opportunity” and even imposing an additional financial burden on women for their own safety annually. He pointed to the deep-rooted expectations – which many women who joined him on the state also expressed - that sons would “look after parents while daughters would eventually get married and leave”, a typical mindset that perpetuates discrimination against girls even today. Reiterating that women are the foundation and future of India, and the ‘cage’ around them must be broken, Rahul Gandhi made a direct emotional, personal and political appeal: “We want justice and respect for all, including the boys. Help to bring the women out of their fears…” Steely girls ‘steal’ the show Though there was no dearth of big political and social issues at Rahul Gandhi’s all-women Chhatron Ki Goonj on Saturday, it was a few women who shocked and awed the gathering with powerful experiences - of sexual harassment, social control, cyber blackmail, discrimination, unsafe public transport, tribal neglect and examination frauds. A young lady lawyer began with a question that captured the frustration of many women: Why must a woman constantly prove herself to a man? Another woman spoke about the unequal expectations within relationships, wherein boys often preferred women in conventional 9-to-5 jobs who could also shoulder the total domestic burden. Gandhi asked why a man would not be proud to have an independent woman as his partner. The answer from the young woman was stark: “Because an independent woman is harder to control. Patriarchal thinking tried to dictate a woman’s education, career and choices”. A young girl from Palghar boldly narrated a deeply personal account of how, when was just 13, while walking to school five kms away, she and a friend were surrounded by three married men from a neighbouring village who tried to molest them. She escaped and told her father, and she along with her mother lodged a police complaint, the accused were nabbed and thrashed, but the village turned against her. Her family was pressured to withdraw her from school, but her father stood by her, and in 2022 she came to Pune to continue her education. Even in Pune, she once slapped a boy who misbehaved with her in a bus while other girls remained silent and on another occasion, when a drunk man misbehaved with her, women in the vicinity failed to intervene. A young woman passionate about cyber security spoke of the new AI-generated threats girls face with fake images and virtual blackmail. She questioned why government colleges can’t offer affordable cyber-security courses, particularly with scholarships for women. “We don’t want favours. We only want a fair chance,” she pleaded. A Muslim woman from Bhiwandi spoke of girls being discouraged from higher education because “families fear that independence may make them challenge traditional authority”. She also described the fears women experience during ordinary commutes by buses or trains, and called upon boys to help women feel safe and to women to support one another.

Indecision Kills Personal Branding

Updated: Jan 20, 2025

Indecision Kills

In a world that celebrates clarity and confidence, hesitancy is a silent yet powerful force that can diminish your personal brand. When people dwell in the realms of “I’m not sure” or “maybe,” they unknowingly project uncertainty and unreliability—traits that can undermine the foundation of a strong personal brand. Your ability to make decisions and stand firm on them is not just a reflection of your leadership but also a testament to your personal brand’s strength.


Every interaction we have leaves an impression. Be it a professional email, a networking event, or a casual conversation, these moments contribute to how others perceive us. When you continuously oscillate between indecision and vague responses, it sends a message that you lack confidence or direction. In business, where trust and reliability are paramount, this can become a significant roadblock.


Imagine a scenario where a client approaches two service providers with the same inquiry. The first one confidently outlines a plan, clearly stating the next steps, while the second hesitates, replying with, “I’m not sure; let me think about it.” Even if both have the same expertise, the client is more likely to gravitate toward the first provider. Confidence fosters trust, and trust is the bedrock of all successful relationships—professional or personal.


Indecision can often stem from the fear of making mistakes or being judged. While this is natural, it’s important to remember that perfection is an illusion. The act of making a decision, even if it turns out to be less than ideal, demonstrates courage, responsibility, and accountability. These are the traits that elevate a personal brand, distinguishing you in a crowded and competitive world.


Being decisive doesn’t mean being impulsive or reckless. It means gathering information, weighing options, and then committing to a choice with confidence. In personal branding, this is particularly crucial because every decision you make—how you respond to challenges, present yourself, or communicate with others—forms part of the narrative others associate with you.


Hesitation and indecision don’t only affect how others perceive you; they also impact how you view yourself. Constantly second-guessing yourself leads to self-doubt, which becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. The more uncertain you are, the more others will mirror that uncertainty, creating a cycle that can be hard to break.


One way to counter this is by setting clear priorities and aligning your decisions with them. For instance, if your personal brand is centred around being a thought leader in your industry, your choices should reflect expertise and foresight. Even in moments of ambiguity, acknowledging the uncertainty while showing a proactive approach—such as saying, “I’ll find out and get back to you”—conveys both honesty and determination.


During my recent trip to Australia, I was reminded of how decisiveness shapes impressions. Whether interacting with global clients or navigating unfamiliar professional terrains, I realized that certainty in communication was key to building trust and rapport. This was particularly evident when representing my personal brand on international platforms. A clear, confident tone opened doors and strengthened relationships that would have otherwise remained distant.


The next time you find yourself leaning on phrases like “I’m not sure” or “maybe,” pause and ask yourself: Is this hesitation necessary? Sometimes, it’s about silencing the inner critic and choosing to act decisively. Even if the outcome isn’t perfect, the act of making a choice positions you as someone who is reliable, proactive, and worth trusting.


Your personal brand isn’t defined by the absence of mistakes but by how you handle them and move forward. Decisiveness isn’t just about making choices—it’s about owning them. And in a world that often feels uncertain, those who lead with clarity and conviction stand out.


Make your decisions a reflection of your confidence, and watch as your personal brand strengthens, opening doors you never imagined.

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(The author is a personal branding expert. She has clients from 14+countries. Views personal.)

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