The other day when I was watching the Lok Sabha TV ( for those of you who have never heard about it, there is also a Rajya Sabha TV channel. Both are meant exclusively for broadcasting the respective house proceedings. Both are very informative on public policy issues), one Honourable member addressed the Speaker Meira Kumari as "Madam Speaker Sir". Well he may be excused for his faux pas, but many of our everyday parlance is riddled with a hidden gender bias. Most of our societies (including that of the West) have been male centric for centuries, so it is only in recent times that gender equality is being given its due regard.
For example we award "Bachelor's" degree even to our lady graduates, when a more politically correct designation would be "Bachelorette's". Our "Madam President" may not find a suitable Hindi equivalent as Rastrapathi is traditionally been occupied by pathis. (pathi meaning a husband). Perhaps she could be addressed as "Rastrapatni". Well I am sure Idea Cellular would appreciate this. After all, "What an idea Sirji !!"
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1 comment:
What a post Shankerji!! Man, I have never heard of Lok Sabha tv.
You have proved you are a "Public policy puli" .
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