Breaking Stereotype

Last weekend, I happened to go to my hometown in Rajasthan. I with my family were to attend a marriage function 50km from hometown by bus.

To throw a little light, Rajasthan is one of the state where customs and traditions are followed rigorously and is comparatively much conservative to Mumbai where I work. This time, 4 to 5 experiences made me re-think about it.

When I reached home after the 24hr journey, I found the renovation process of home going on as was told to me on phone. Different was the fact that the whole renovation plan and progress was supervised by my mother. Not father, not grandfather but my mother with help of my grandmother. Wow! I praised her in my thoughts. This is cool! Have seen man doing this work wherever I got to see but here it's different. #Proud.

Anyway, I with my grand parents took off to the function and set in a Govt bus. To my next surprise, once the bus departed, conductor for collecting fare was female. She was easily talking to all kind of passengers and with authority, collecting fare. Super cool! Isn't it? Never thought so. Even in Mumbai, conductor/master is a male at least what I have seen. Thought that Rajasthan has left Mumbai behind in this case in the symbol of equality. And add to it that our fare was given by Grandmother which was usually done by me or Grandfather. Well! Seems breaking stereotype is #betterTogether and you need a little push and support from each other.

Things didn't stop just here. The function we were going to attend was a love marriage with family consent. What broke stereotype was the fact that all arrangements were done by Groom and Bridegroom only. Not the parents but son and daughter. Couple with their friends made it happen anyhow and arranged everything themselves. That means bridegroom's girl-friends were also taking care of guests. Everyone seemed to be Breaking Stereotype. Age and gendor wise. #Wow.

After the function, I also went to my paternal uncle's home with Grandparents. Now this time uncle was the one who broke stereotype. He prepared all dishes and served as well. Aunty was there but she was requested specially to stay in room and talk to us. 90% of the kitchen things were done and managed by uncle. Stereotype broken by both Uncle and Aunt. #Great.

One more thing that I noticed in my comparatively conservative hometown this time. There were daughter in place of son; Wife in place of husband, at some Kirana stores. Man! That's really a kind of progress in thoughts of my hometown. Specially the Agarwal/Maheshwari-Baniya community who have always led the society in terms of upgrading social values and thoughts. #Respect.

From leading renovation at home to collecting fare, from managing a marriage to managing kitchen and shops. Great experience.

I was feeling like what has happened suddenly. I am finding break of stereotypes anywhere I could think little deep. And it was not stereotyped example of breaking stereotype such as big posts like lady Doctor or lady police officer.

Don't think that, things done by a lady or someone 30+ only breaks stereotype. Even you can break it simply by taking the role of sweeper for a minute. Even by celebrating your birthday with orphan kids. Even by helping your house maid or mother/wife regularly at home.

It is the change at right place. At small place and in small terms. Because someone said that take care of small things and bigger things will take care of themselves. Because small is beautiful. Because small makes you great. Because its #BetterTogether.