Survive or Thrive !

They give trophies to women for surviving 15 years with a man — for tolerating abuse, invisibility, fear.  And when she walks out, society calls it "empowerment."

But what exactly are we celebrating?
The years she was abused?
The meals she cooked through tears?

Or sexual abuse ?

What are we exactly celebrating !

We glorify survival like it’s a win — But survival is just evidence of a system that failed her.
Survival happens where is there is a failure in the system. Thats All.

In 2018, I faced mental and emotional harassment at work.
Surviving is breathing. Thriving is becoming. 

I am a woman who thrived and grew on my own terms. Travelled around the world alone, built my life with my own hands.
But because I rejected a sexual advance in 2018, society labelled me unskilled and cast me out.

I had a choice ; Survive or Thrive !

Survive meant accept the sexual advance made and tolerate. 

Thrive meant  demand protection. Freedom from Fear is my fundamental right !

But i did not receive protection !

Today, I stand as a Chief Business Officer — the only woman from that system’s alumni to rise to the C-Suite after serving in a mid-level role.
That alone speaks for my skills.

And yet — I’m not even acknowledged as a part of the alumni. Why?
Because I had the courage to reject the sexual advance of a top-performing business leader.

In this society, thriving makes people uncomfortable.
Survival gets a trophy.

Today i dont have any longing to belong ; I dont feel the need to belong.
 I have outgrown Inclusion and Diversity which is nothing but tokenism where survival is celebrated.

And now, my next mission begins. 
A rescue mission !

I’m headed to Thailand in the first week of August for business.
But when I return, I step into — a rescue mission ; Infact iam already on a rescue mission !

A woman who started swimming at 8, went to school swimming, got married at 23, and gave birth to six children. I’m the fourth. She is now 76. I lost 2 of my siblings.

A few months ago, she became too vulnerable — incontinence shook her spirit.
She thought it was a sign of death. She felt ashamed to speak about Incontinence to me,

She wakes up in the middle of the night and cry !
But then, despite her frailty, she started making my favourite dishes again. As if to say goodbye.

She is my Mother !

When i could sense foul smell around inside her bedroom ; I pulled her to the doctor — literally.

I taught her how to wear a diaper ; 
She can’t walk without support now ; physical mobility slowed down.

She’s scheduled for surgery this August. She is insured.

I am on a rescue mission —

To bring her back to life. 

To remind her, this is not the end. Not while I’m here.

I will bring my mother back into Normal life !
gar maanjhi saare saath me ger ho bhi jaaye toh khud hi toh pathwaar ban paar hoge hum

My mother once gave me life — with strength, pain, and endless love.
Now, it’s my turn.

I’ve held back from writing this post for a long time. Not because the experience wasn’t important — it was — but because some of the people who follow my blog aren’t here with good intentions. Some would probably twist  moment like this into something opportunistic… maybe even a chance to manipulate or objectify me.

It’s heartbreaking — but that’s the kind of world we live in.