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A Forthright Feminist Lashes out for Social Reforms

Book Review of a Collection of Essays

By Fayza Haq
In the West particularly in USA. One might ask why she has chosen America for her condemnation of the fast living there with the prevailing AIDS and drug addiction and not have examined other parts of the developed world but one surmises that she wishes to give specific cases and as her experiences, due to her youth, is limited, she has to make do with her knowledge of the prevailing evils of the conventional reports of fast life In the western world.
Tia. in her preface, explains the purpose of her writing. She says. "Every stage of our life teaches us something new. thus changing our ideologies. My writings are from what life ha taught me so far, and what I have observed from ••vents which have been happening in other people's Ilves. The topics that 1 have chosen may not be shared by the reader, but I am writing what I understand to be correct, or 1 believe is true, at this point In life."
I believe that people make their lives, and that of others, unnecessarily more complicated. My main objective is to enlighten the reader so that it may help him/her make his/her life, and other people’s lives simpler. I have written In simple English to make the book easier to understand. Even if 1 man unsuccessful in convincing the reader to see my point of view from a different angle, and broaden his/her perspective - that in itself will have been and accomplishment by itself."
The book is dedicated her late mother. Laila Chowdhury, who Tia says is the inspiration of her life.
In the opening chapter Hypocrisy, the author dwells of how the Holy Qur'an teaches us to be tolerant towards Jews or Christians. She also brings in how people made sacrifices for promoting Bangla. our mother Wgne^ J^hri|tiJ}>52. apd yet consider it chic to speak In English mid despise those who fall to do so. The book containing another entire chapter on gossip. Tia lashes out on how young women who resent being gossiped about, and yet they cannot contain themselves
TIA, whose book. Human Nature-1 may not be a work of Margaret Meade, Havelock Ellis. Simone de Bouvior or Malthus. Tia is too young for that, being a student yet of law. microbiology and pharmacy, along with her penchant for indulging in fine arts. Yet she takes a dip into the socio-economic norms in Bangladesh and suggests remedies which are recommendable and often thought-provoking. The collection of essays in the book is like a periscope study of the prevailing sea of ills in the country, be it traffic Jam. spitting. what is commonly termed in the media as "eve-teasing', extra-marital sex and premarital promiscuity. Despite her limited experiences, she also looks at love and marriage with the perception of a mature and apparently experienced person.
She Is not hesitant to lash out at religious fanatics or our local hypocrites, who lead apparently pious lives but don't even remember to give zakat to the poor. The society with its double standards is scrutinised and Uckl\up for. rjdicule. givjpg^y specific cases and certainly making no sweeping statements.
The writer gives specific cases and backs them up with reasoning behind the conventional questionable behaviour patterns in our society and that
from Interfering in the private affairs of others around them. Again she mention show friendship Is not a commodity that is on sale but how. nevertheless. we bow to the prosperous and handle them with care.
In the interesting chapter on Bangladeshi street scenes -surely dear to the hearts of women of all ages - is the humorous cum bitter recollection of anecdotes that face our women everyday. This includes the belligerent and disrespectful attitude of the autorickshaw drivers towards the female clients, the ageing perverts and hooligans found at shopping malls, the hostile attitude of male shopkeepers, (he amazing manner of overloaded playing at 45 degrees angle of the road. The author does not lament at the circumstances but treats it as some unavoidable characteristics of our outdoor scene which a young woman daily combats with a smile of acceptance . as there are no knights In shining armour to come to their rescue.
Tia anak ses (lie-reasons for divorce, specially among the poor, and hits out at the generally revered religious extremists, who Indulge in questionable activities when they are "purdey key peechchey." She has also pointed how that even among the elite and bourgeoisie the woman Is condemned for a divorce while the man expected to remarry after the wife is sent away or leaves of her own choice. At this point, the author's lashing out at the professional beggars, backed by reasons and examples, could perhaps have been somewhat toned down. Even though Tia has not experience of having done research work in gender Issues, she has a good comprehension of the prevailing social ills in the country.
In the chapter Looks do i Matter it is apparent that the writer Is gifted with‘attractive features as she harps on the adage that "good-looking women are dumb" and refutes it bitterly. When she adds that plain "fillies" go in for extracurricular activities In a big
way to compensate the lack of having a Botecelll angel looks, in a sweeping statement this appears and unkind cut. She continues to say that the aspersions on the not so good-looking are based on facts and this too Is not fair for everyone is not a Naomi or Brandy. True, looks do count and physical features are important in marriage and romance, as Tia points out In her conclusive chapter Love. This observation appears somewhat Immature as one has seen perfect matches when one party may be glamorous Sushmita Sen and the other a homely Rlaz.
Tia's crusade against social abuses such as ra|>e and child molestation and the necessity to almost put a chastity belt on young women has also been analysed In depth in the chapter on Society and Nature Are Not in Accordance. She condemns the overt display of sex on television and magazines as the source of making people go astray Here she condemns the loose morals of some of the perverted in the West, although she lauds the fact places like USA is sans hypocrisy or so the writers young mind understands and believes.
As one peruses the book with its 42 pages, at the reasonable price of Tk. 50. on enjoys the interlacing elements in the lighter vein In the chapters Gossip and Love. However, here too one comes across a mind that has been pondering over the causes and effects of the compositions in overseas both at home and abroad.
The book is meant to be read at times like travelling in a train or aeroplane or waiting for a rendezvous at some cafe or restaurant.
It is interesting to have a science and law student air the views of so many of us in the citv -- who are constantly plagued by whal is happening an-inid/tK Jut.^ti < .mW ^1^ courage to put pen to paper on these overwhelming and apparently incurable issues that assail us daily -- especially the women. The book is available at the Alliance Francaise cafe till July 15.