Kudiya ni tere brown range ne…

Thanks to yo yo Honey Singh for loving brown girl…

Have you ever questioned where skin colour bias originated from? But honestly speaking, there is no simple answer. Skin colour bias is so much a part of our culture that if we tracked it down to see the real enemies it would possibly point to all of us, our families, our extended families, our society, our ancestors etc. We are all guilty of either propagating or tolerating this age-old bias.

When I heard about the Dark is Beautiful campaign, I could relate to it so much, and I think this is an important issue to address in schools, corporates and in social circles. Parents and school teachers plays extremely vital role in creating equality and evolving children’s confidence.  Children need to hear and experience that it doesn't matter whether you are tall or short, dark or fair. Nothing or no one can put limits on what we can achieve. Focus on what you’re good at and don’t let discrimination bring you down. I feel teaching to kids is extremely easy than teaching to an adults. Need to learn that God created all people equal. 

It would be a very boring world if everyone had the same skin colour. Varying skin tones showcase the beauty of God's creation. Since longest time I have seen people coming up to me and saying, “You have nice features but poor thing you are dark.” This kind of stereo type I want to fight. I took it as challenge and overcome it. I have also observed and experienced how it is impacting young girls now days even boys. It is impacting confidence, self-esteem purely because they are not fair. I have heard people stopping me to ware different colours because I am dark. Every second advt is saying if you are not fair then you are not good enough. This association with fair is the troubling part. I think it is the time to stop stereo typical notion of beauty and feel good and confident and worthy of the person we are. Be fair with unfair because unfair is beautiful.

Dark Is Beautiful
 

I am not Yummy Mummy…..

“My Yummy Mummy Guide” a book authored by Karishma Kapoor currently is making lot of noise amongst young mothers. Now that’s what struck me, “What is yummy mummy?”  What kind of mother is called yummy? How does she look like? What are the qualities this so called yummy mummy has?  Because to my limited knowledge yummy is an adjective mostly used for delicious food and not for human beings.

After exploring I understood that yummy mummy is a slang term used in the United Kingdom to describe young, attractive and wealthy mothers. The term developed in the late 20th century, and was often applied to celebrity mothers who appeared to quickly regain their pre-pregnancy figures after giving birth, and would continue to lead carefree and affluent lifestyles.         

For celebrities looking young and be in shape is a need of profession. That is what they get paid for. If they want to continue to work then it is absolutely basic necessity for them. But we are so programmed to follow white skin trends for many mothers it has become obsession to become   yummy mummy immediately after delivering a child. In fact it is adding to the existing psychological pressures of women.  Psychologists said the poll showed the ugly side of the "yummy mummy" phenomenon, and accused celebrity mothers of "subverting" motherhood by making women think their figures were as important as bringing up their families. It was reported in 2008 that celebrity yummy mummies were contributing to levels of depression in young mothers, making new mothers feel "saggy, baggy and depressed" about their own bodies. You can continue to lead carefree lifestyle even with those small pounds if you are healthy.

This also takes me back to my mummy. Was she yummy mummy? Definitely not. But she is my role model. She has given me the wealth of values to live my life. She has taught me the commitment, simplicity, importance of education and family life. For me she was a woman of substance. Now this is what she has given to her daughter. She was most attractive lady for me. I always found the peace and warmth in her fatty and soft laps.  I am sure this is the fact with most of us.

It’s a high time for desi mothers (slang used for Indian mothers) what values we are inculcating in next generation. Is it importance of superficial looks or innermost radiance? It is a good phenomenon to be healthy and look pleasant but can it be the only priority in life? Why do young mothers judge other mothers only on the basis of how yummy is she? This trend is impacting society as a whole. Young girls are scared to become a mother whereas motherhood is most wonderful experience woman is blessed with. Kids are embarrassed for their mummies. What kind of India we want is completely in our hands. Do we want to copy paste foreign culture? Change in mother’s mind set changes the nations mind set. Mothers impact their children’s attitude significantly. Can we develop right attitude towards women in our kids? Can we educate our sons to respect women and make our daughters women of substance and go beyond sheer external looks? Woman of substance looks much beautiful and get immense respect than just yummy mummy.  That’s what future India need.

I am not Yummy Mummy but I am a complete woman….