MUMBAI: In the 21st Century, amongst the various important issues that are being encompassed by the society at large to ensure social welfare, one most important aspect of the same is the upliftment and the empowerment of the down-trodden, backward and the most neglected sections of the society, including the minority caste sections (shudras and the untouchables), children, the physically handicapped and LGBTQA groups, tribal groups and definitely - WOMEN.
Yes, it's shocking to observe this gender category at large falling under this section right? If it was untrue, then what's the importance of feminism in the first place and WHY is there such a hype around it? Basically, feminism aims at the empowerment of every single individual of the society, be it rich, poor, abled, disabled, etc. and also aims at asserting the importance of an individual's existence and opinion (provided it's value must truly levitate the existential features of every individual) in the larger society and the distribution of power retainment in the hands of empowered beings belonging from all groups instead of just one or two, thus, completely smashing the concept of patriarchy and chauvinism.
Almost 75% of the world and especially our country India maintain a hardcore patriarchal society over ages now, we can see the influence and power exercise of one particular gender group over every other segment and social sections of the society, be it in terms of societal, administrative, hierarchical, political, economical, hereditarian and even household norms. Owing to this, only men had(s) the privilege of controlling resource circulation and asserting control over every other being in the environment at large with the help of their self-declared right on empowerment and restricting it's access to these other marginal groups.
A major reflection of this age-old social constraint has reflected through the most popular Hindi TV series' and shows' plots (most of them have gone off-air now), owing to which these have been a massive success and are remembered till date as the plot was chauvinistic to the core and hence, was well relatable and accepted by the mainstream Indian families.
However, the media has a tendency to also portray current scenarios and revolutions through their latest plots in order to keep up their show's and channel's relatability quotient, which helps them fetch high TRPs. Unknowingly, this cycle prompts the immediate reformation of these show's plot itself, thus promoting feminist concepts, ideas and plots.
A remarkable excerpt of present-day plots is how they are promoting the empowerment and self-sustenance of the society's women by emphasising on the importance of an individual girl's (most likely a Hindi show's poignant female protagonist) education and career plans, even after showcasing their marriage (plot).
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Hence, today, let's take a look at some of the revolutionary Hindi soaps that does not only emphasise on the importance of a married girl's higher education and career dreams, but also portray the evolving broad-mindset of the society through the new generation's on-screen in-law's (of the show's female protagonist's) mentality of accepting and enduring the same at large:
1. Diya Aur Bati Hum
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This was the pioneer show to first portray this concept on the small-screen for the first time ever. With it's plot based in the old-school lanes of Rajasthan, it also focussed on how in the pursuit of becoming a IPS officer at all costs, a married girl's clear and sheer determination helped meltdown even the hardest ice and breakdown even the staunchest of all primitive stereotypes that governed the entire society over ages.
2. Mann Ki Awaaz - Pratigya
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This show was all about staying calm while working around one's priorities amid chaos. Being forcefully married against her wish to a typical and staunch Indian patriarchal household, a bright student and well-educated girl named Pratigya lived up to her name by staying determined regarding never bowing down before any odd or oppressor. Eventually, she lived her dream to turn a lawyer (as shown in the show's Season 2) and does not refrain from speaking the truth even at gunpoint.
3. Krishna Chali London
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Amid a UP-based conflictive plot, this show was about a headstrong young girl who was married-off at an early age, despite which she kept her dream alive of cracking the Joint exams to pursue medical trainings in London to become a doctor. Her empowerment also enabled her to conquer all odds for becoming a doctor even in a foreign land. The character's on-screen life was very crucial as it also encompassed the concept of widow-remarriage amid hostile old-school household conditions.
4. Ghum Hai Kisike Pyar Mei
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The female lead of the show (Sai) is also undergoing extreme atrocities in her personal life right after her marriage with the show's lead (IPS officer Virat Chavan), but her will of not succumbing to her in-law's demand of her sabotaging her dream of becoming a doctor, for the exchange of which she's ready to even trade her marriage.
5. Barrister Babu
Being a period show, this show's plot displays the rise of feminism in the (then) Bengal Presidency of India, wherein owing to a twist-of-fate situation, the female protagonist's husband and in-laws motivate their little daughter-in-law Bondita instead to pursue with higher education, in order to become a Barrister (lawyer) in the long-run. This show portrays a pretty fascinating and a motivating scenario.
6. Imlie
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Post her peculiar marriage, the show's protagonist Imlie works as a maid for her in-laws as she has to keep her marriage with their son a secret. However, the family shown herein has a very progressive mentality and after witnessing Imlie's intelligence and academic brightness, they get her admitted to a renowned college. This is a big step in displaying that irrespective of one's social status, everyone has the right to education.
7. Anupamaa
This story's protagonist is not the only character of concern herein. Despite serving the household for a generation at a stretch, Anupamaa rebels against her former husband and in-laws to finally embark upon her dream of being a trained classical dancer. Not only that, she continues her broad-minded legacy by motivating her own daughter-in-law Kinjal to join an office and even ushers her with immense blessings on her promotion.
Source: Internet
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