ArpitGarg's Weblog

Bollywood actresses, top women sportsmen are often considered as ideal women roll models. They are celebrated in media and is projected that young girls want to be like them. This media thrusted roll models are all wrong. Even for men, how can a Shahrukh/Salman be a role model? They can be a model in some AD shoot but role?

This has distorted the priorities of entire generations. Guys putting on fake raybans in ‘tashan’ and girls pouting and putting on ‘laali’. A poor woman who works hard, educates her children and who then pulls their family out of poverty is my role model. A man born in poverty and toiled hard, now sipping tea from the balcony of his own home is my role model. Such people made difference due to their hard work. A role model should be one whose example millions can follow. Not like Cricketers. Hardly 1000 cricketers (that too after IPL) prosper, rest all have nothing. Hence I don’t consider Sachin or Sania as role model. I like role model whose example, millions can follow and succeed.

I consider participants of Special Olympics as role models. Millions who are handicap can take courage from them. Not for sports but getting back up in life. How can a Kareena, Sonam, Sonakshi, Kajol be role models? In fact they distort the definition of feminism. Feminism is not about wearing skimpy clothes or putting on makeup, or living single. Feminism is when girls make difference to society. A Kiran Bedi success is feminism for me. Millions of women went to school taking spirit from her.

I have no issues with what these fashionistas do in their life. But when they are celebrates as role models for women, I have an issue.

Also I take issue when dynastic breeds are regarded role models. A Mayawati is a role model for me. A Sonia Gandhi is not. Mayawati inspired millions of Dalit women to fight for their rights. She gave millions of Dalit’s self respect.

Maybe this distorted world deserves such distorted role models. Who the hell knows!