I have specially set aside the “The Asian Age” of 17th & 20th January 2004 for writing this post. “The Asian Age” recently collaborated with “The New York Times”. I have read one statement made by the wife of the presidential candidate Howard Dean.
January 20th 20004, carried this screaming headline:-
“Dean’s wife joins him for strategic day of rallying”
What’s the big deal? I thought secretly. But actually it was.
She had to explain:-
“We have a son in high school, a daughter in college, and I have a medical practice in Vermont with patients that depend on me daily.”
Why was she explaining this to the educated, modern, permissive, believers in gender equality crowd? I don’t know the reaction of actual public, but how she was perceived by the above mentioned media? Same, as a person belonging to a remote village in our country, who has not even remotely touched by the modern time’s ideologies. “Pati ka saath dena hi Bhartiya naari ka Dharma hai.” Have a flourishing career of your own, but make sure to be beside your husband. I never expected to read it in “The New York Times” penned by a head to toe modern looking disguised Behenji.
It’s amazing how we expect the same role from the woman, no matter in which part of the globe she resides.
As far as I as a common person goes, I can have the history of 1, 2, 3, or 4, or (fill in the blanks yourself) …………failed relationships. But our representatives? O! They have to marry their high school sweet heart(s)! I might not be able to lead the life I want but I would not tolerate my representative’s unhappy/unusual married life. Theirs should be picture perfect.
If you are running for the presidency of United States and allow your wife to pursue her profession seriously, then it is termed as unusual relationship and both of you need tips on togetherness and building a healthy political wedding! (Figure out yourself what kind of wedding is this!)
Your man really gives you space to do what you want to do but media will term the wife as a ghost wife. What I deciphered from the columnist – OK play Doctor Doctor. But abandon your patients, give a damn if their survival depends on you, and be at your husbands side, with all the coiffures and adornments. For what? O! Just to hold his hand on inane occasions. Hug him; kiss him, spare interesting glances at right junctures, smile at him at appropriate moments. In fact you have to put on display – your tuning with your husband to the whole world at the slightest opportunity.
Reporter’s another concern was Deans have not subscribed to Cable T.V.! Therefore she can not watch her husband virtually also. If the columnist only has an iota of inkling of the demanding career of a medical practitioner and mother of grown up kids, she would have came out with an intelligent piece of work.
One political reporter’s greatest worry was;
“What will she tell their Grandkids?”
I think her answer could be anything but this,
“I ignored my duty, abandoned my patients, left your mom/ dad to their own devices, and cheered your Grandpa who was once a front-runner for President.”
