It is a strange phenomenon that every day as I open the page of my Dashboard and stare at this blank screen in front of me I have no idea what is going to transpire, what will be the context of my writing and what if ever, shall I be able to put anything down which could be of interest to those that willingly and with so much anticipation, come on to the blog. I do not think or despair or work my mind into a subject. I just stare and wait, as I do now and something shall materialize, hopefully.

So far, its a blank mind and a blank page.

At the dinner table the conversation drifted to ‘conflict’, its manifestations, its birth, its connotations. My friend came out with an old saying in Hindi which put the origin of conflict to an adage - Jar, Joru, Jameen.

jar : money

joru : women

jameen : in colloquial folk pronunciation, land

Money, women and land. Most conflicts between individuals, between siblings, between friends has always emanated from either or all of these causes. I thought about it for a while - sometimes I do think - and drew away from it. The gender did not agree with me. The ladies would be offended and so I dropped it. Play comfortable and safe. My own observation of the comments give a large percentage to the opposite sex. It would be disastrous to offend them in any manner.

“Male supremacy, like other political creeds, does not finally reside in physical strength but in acceptance of a value system which is not biological.”

Playing this placard high and way ahead of me, securing myself behind its vast shadow, I felt it prudent not to be anywhere near the suggestion of the Hindi proverb. Let better sense prevail within me. There are some very dedicated ladies out there that diligently express admiration and love on the blog. You idiot !! You want all of them to turn against you. Are you not aware that most decision making lies in their hands. They lead, we follow. Keep it that way and you shall survive. Right boss !! Got the point.

“We cannot reduce women to equality. Equality is a step down for most women”

Yaaa !!! Right, right !! That is what I have been saying from the start. You do not, I mean DO NOT think of them in any other. They are indeed the superior and are positioned, as studies indicate, to take over the world from the men. This is beyond questioning and debate. These be facts. Do not even broach the subject of liberation ~

“Women’s liberation is just a lot of foolishness. It’s the men who are discriminated against. They can’t bear children. And no one’s likely to do anything about that.”

SHHhhhhshhhh !! No one spoke ! Not even a pin dropped. Have an answer to that one ? No siree, er .. sorry.. no Ma’am. We.. yes.. we … are the ones discriminated against. Er .. Could I just be excused, I need to go and snuggle somewhere among my discriminated lot. Its getting a bit warm in here, some fresh liberated air would do me good !

“Frailty thy name is no longer woman !”

Got it !! .. Ya ! .. Got it Ma’am, the woman is no longer frail. She be the one. No one disagrees !!

WAIT !!! Where do you think you are skunking off to ??

“No laborer in the world is expected to work for room, board, and love - except the housewife !”

Absolutely agree ! Whoa… of course, except the housewife. Never ever thought anything else. Housewife it is and housewife it shall be. No argument here at all !! Just a simple statement of fact. Glory be !! May I now be … just .. you know … it shall not be too long … a mere whiff .. of some air … you know.. freshen up the system…be back in …

NO !! SIT !!

Sure.. sure Ma’am.. sit I shall.. I shall sit.. sit it is and sit it shall be .. could never be any other than sit.. here we are.. sitting down.. on the floor .. NOT on chair or couch or table .. the floor.. thats where we were.. meant to be.. heh .. anyway.. sitting down .. there .. we have sitted ourselves .. er .. no sorry.. we have seated ourselves.. seated is the word.. just got a little carried away by that look in your eyes …erm..er.. care for something cold Ma’am.. an iced drink.. I can do a gorgeous soda.. if you would care to …

NO !!

Right Ma’am.. not moving an inch anywhere. Sit it is .. heh ..you do know, as do all of us, that “fighting is essentially a masculine idea ; a woman’s weapon is her tongue”

WHAT WAS THAT YOU SAID..!!

Ermm… erm er.. nothing.. nothing at all.. I think its the heat thats getting me … my tongue.. yes.. tongue is getting a bit dry.. tongue.. tongue .. mine .. mine.. my .. tongue.. my tongue .. no .. no .. not yours.. how could I even .. no .. its my tongue !!

“God made man, and then said I can do better than that and made woman”, .. so absolutely true .. no ? Ma’am ? Ma’am ?

Maaa’aammm !!

She’s walked out of the room !! Goodness wonder what’s in store now !! Free at last ! Free at last ! Lord Almighty I am free at last !!

“Who knows what women can be when they are finally free to become themselves.”

Snuggling into bed somewhat rapidly, I shall remain yours obediently… still sitting …

Amitabh Bachchan