past vs present

I thought I would understand the world better as I grow up. Now after 19 years,I am much more confused than I ever was. We say the 21st century is more broad minded, liberal, free , with less restrictions than the times past. Especially in Indian context, as I recall the life of my grand ma at my present age, burdened into wedlock and forced to support a family, the past statement becomes a gross underestimation. I cant imagine living the life of our previous generation. ever. The decisions to choose your own future,enjoy a great career, form your own ideals: this freedom of choice ,of thought is unique to the present millenia. Food, clothes, habits, lifestyles, every thing has changed. I believed for good.

or is it so? The same grand mom I mentioned before is also a remarkable lady of extrordinary courage. Illiterate, unemployed, she has single handedly raised 5 kids with enough values ingrained in the blood , ensured to be passed on with their genes.At 80+, she now lives on her own, stable and shrewd, proud and valiant. Strong stock, strong blood, a few might say. I believe there is one such grand mom in every family. inspite of the restrictions, social pressure, backward treatment, they were the anchors of their homes, their society , their progeny.

Now,coming back to our forward 21st century filled with smart, forward and powerful women , ready to excel in all the spheres and take their rightful share of equality in this Men's world.
I met up with a cpl of friends back home recently. A few of them happen to be 'well settled', among them was one of my very good friend since childhood. Nothing agianst being happily attached for life, yet I could not help feeling let down when one such person of a very frank and forthright nature, sensible and always sure of herself suddenly turned gooey and talked non stop for 2 hours about her partner till the my ears started bleeding.. Not to mention my surprise when she sends a 100 sms in between our convo to update her boyfriend on her location,health , mood, company, God knows what else.. IT turns even more horrifying when the never ending talks of their "future plans" is dished at you . Put it together with the sympathetic glances thrown at you when you happen to be (un)fortunate enough to be enjoying the same pleasure as them, you wonder if this is all one can hope/wish for in this magical century. The death blow strikes when they stuff your nose with their engagement photos (even before they graduate) and gaze at you expectantly to shower compliments when all you want is to scream at them for voluntarily wasting their entire life ..

A degree for namesake and a lookout for foreign allainces has become the golden dream of a "happily ever after life" today. Covering a donkey with a passable amount of sheep's skin ensures enough success and appreciation in this world of hypocricy. The place is so flooded with imitators such that those who refuse to wear the costumes are either termed as rebels or madmen. Sometimes, I long to travel back to my grandmom's era to look at honest men,proud and courageous enough to be themselves and simple women who go thorugh their life with the strength of a rock and endurance of a mountain. l