Musings of an ordinary Woman: A Day to Remember

 

Musings of an ordinary Woman: A Day to Remember

One day, as the raindrops fell gently from the sky, I couldn't help but feel that it was one of those moments when the universe smiles at you. On June 29, 2024, the heavens opened up, and it felt like the Almighty was pouring down blessings. But it wasn't just any day—it was the day we launched "Rising Beyond the Ceiling."

This book, born in Madhya Pradesh, couldn't have come from anywhere else. Bhopal, the capital, has a rich history of being ruled by four formidable women, the Nawabs of Bhopal, who were trailblazers in education and healthcare. In the early 19th century, one of them even established the first hospital exclusively for women. And who could forget Shah Bano from Indore, whose fight for maintenance after divorce became a legal milestone for Muslim women across India?

Inauguration of Lady Lansdowne Hospital for women, now known as the Sultania Zanana Hospital

Photographer: unknown

"Rising Beyond the Ceiling" immortalizes the stories of a hundred Muslim women from Madhya Pradesh who defied stereotypes and broke barriers in various fields. These are women who fought against gender biases, class, and caste hierarchies to achieve their dreams.

And yes, I'm proud to say, "I made it to that list".

Born in Bihar, educated in Delhi, and adopted by Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh became my karm-bhoomi. To be featured in this book is both an honor and a privilege, and I am deeply humbled.

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The narrative around Indian Muslim women often paints us as oppressed, uneducated, and without ambition. Dr. Farha Usmani, an eminent global health and development leader from Madhya Pradesh, aimed to change that. With the help of Asma Rizwana and Faiqa Sultan, they tirelessly researched and discovered these hidden gems.

Dr. Farha addressing the gathering from New York

Asma Rizwana, a gender sensitization educator, and Faiqa Sultan, an educationist, were the driving forces behind this vision. For two years, they worked relentlessly to bring this book to life.

Asma Rizwana -Gender sensitization Educator,  Faiqa Sultan - Educationist. The force behind the Vision

The launch event itself was a refreshing break from tradition. No politicians, no celebrities, no media frenzy. Instead, we had two esteemed royals of Madhya Pradesh: Kaiser Zaman, a descendant of the princely state of Kurwai, and Niloufer Bia, the great-granddaughter of Sultan Jehan Begum, an erstwhile ruler of Bhopal.

Kaiser Zaman - educationist with other participants

Kaiser Zaman, a social worker and pioneer educationist, started the first college of technology in Bhopal. Niloufer Bia, a renowned fashion designer, opened the first boutique in Bhopal and brought the traditional "Bagh textile" of Madhya Pradesh to the world stage.

The inspiring Royal legends: Niloufer Biya, The pioneering Fashion Designer with Kaiser Zaman - Another pioneer in the field of education

The evening was filled with laughter, banter, hugs, and greetings. It was heartening to see so many achievers, some meeting each other for the first time. The gathering was diverse and eclectic, featuring IT experts, army officers, retired IAS officers, entrepreneurs, police officers, and media personalities. Rubbing shoulders with these incredible women was one of the best moments of my life.

The winner takes it all

I felt celebrated, holding the book in my hand and feeling on top of the world. But as I returned home, reality set in. Guests were waiting, and the usual domestic cacophony took over. "How was the event?" someone asked. "The quality of the book could have been better," remarked another guest.

Really? The world has never been on our side, but there are countless stories that need to be told. Our small wins matter, and they deserve to be celebrated. This book is just a start, a testament to our strength and resilience. Let's keep rising beyond the ceiling.