This is one of the hardest hitting article i have ever read. So true again, the society in which we live can't see good things happening to other people or our neighbour. At all stages we are treated differently and we only understand about this once we get maturity.
Sometimes kids show more maturity than adults of the society. Just want to know what people get by creating problems and fights in other families. This is wrong, if you don't want to accept them pls don't BUT don't try to break them down.
Imagine how hard life people have to survive and few words of courage and emotional support from us(Society) which would mean world to them. But i guess its hard for the people in society to understand this till the times they are not victim of such games played on them by society.
When family is happy among on themselves why do people get jealous and try to break them down in pieces.
I wish the victims and its family member all the luck and happiness in future. Society needs to be more mature now.
I really liked this article. Really did. We have such presumptions abt step-families that we never give it a chance and always assume something is ought to be wrong here.
I understand perfectly well how the author feels. I grew up mostly abroad well exposed to an open society and open minds; have also lived in India and seen how naive, senseless, superstitious and whimsical this society can sometimes be.
I am not laying blame or criticism at Indians but just pointing out what I have experienced and endorse the author's spirit. We are half a century behind the rest of the world in attitude & mentality. Technology and gadgets are not the yardstick to measure development with. Frankness, impartiality and and the ability to differentiate fable/screen fantasy from reality counts a lot.
Just 1 justification: How many Indians honestly consider things like adopting an orphan, donating blood and organs, leaving a portion of wealth to charity, partaking in environmental action etc. Especially without relgion, superstition and societal "opinion" influencing their decision.
Nice to hear your viewpoints. You know what, we Indians waste so much of our energy in gossiping and backbiting; without even realizing how much of a distress it is to the other person. It would be really helpful to society at large if these inquisitive folks keep to themselves. The energy thus saved can be used for better things!
I am grateful to you Shalini, for writing such an article. Yes, it is necessary for us as a society to set our boundaries. You have been quite considerate towards "outsiders" who bluntly harrassed you. I believe you should have been more aggressive to keep them "out," where they belong. Your family has gone thro a great deal. I congratulate you n ur family on showing great deal of courage n understanding and emerging well out of the mess that we, as a society, created for you.
Yes I fully respect and appriciate the thought, our society has created lot of conditioned mind set in people. Which has to open freely discussig such article.
I completely agree with you. But this is how the world runs... that too in India. Most people are good before you and talk bad behind you. In your case, people started commenting about your relations irrespective of your feelings. These are the topics that add spice to their lives and satisfy their egos!
Its nice to learn that your 'family' is strongly bound all through these years.
moved to tears. i have four step sisters and one step brother. they never knew that we were of different mothers till they were above ten years of age. my step sisters are closer to me than my own four sisters. yes we were a family of ten. and my own sisters are closer to my step brother than me. the girls all eight of them still meet regularly. they are all married and all have children. and we all hate one word that is step-whatever
