Ms Fixit

Ms Fixit!

"Being a female and multi-talented goes hand in hand" as we find out in a chat with a foreign student in India.

By Aditi Thirani

She is currently in her Third Year Law at ILS Law College, but Chiteisri Devi does not wish to be a lawyer! The study of Law is a stepping stone for her to be involved in Activism in Environmental issues and Women's Rights. "I chose to study in Pune as I believed it is a safe place to be away from home and yet it teaches me to be more independent," says Chiteisri. Her family of her mother and grandmother are her inspiration and support as aside from being outstanding in their professional lives. "They have mastered home management and culinary skills whereas me, call me 'The Undomesticated Goddess" from Sophie Kinsella's novel! I have studied Ornithology, Geopolitics and International Relations, Intellectual Property Rights and the European Union Law by way of Diplomas, and I plan to do an intensive Environmental Resource Management course next. I also participate in Debates, Elocutions and Model United Nations activities," beams Chiteisri.

In addition to all the above things, she recently participated in the 54th Harvard National Model United Nations Conference at Boston as the Delegate of Chad in the African Union and won the award for "the Outstanding Delegate" in her Committee. "I think it was the topics (Women's Education and Climate Change) that got me so motivated to do well as they touched my most passionate issues," says a humble Chiteisri.

"Being a woman has its fair share of triumphs and despair juxtaposed. However she personally feels that there are several advantages of being a woman in today's competitive, alienated world. Rather than using brute strength and intimidation when we reach that breakdown point, the challenge lies in the fact that we can use a subtle blend of intellect, charm, appeal and persuasion to get exactly what we want," says Chiteisri. Truer words were ne'er said!

She - as do her counterparts - really craves for change in the situation of women. "A change that I'd like to see and genuinely feel necessary is doing away with gender-based stereotypes. In our evolving society, stereotyping women impedes the healthy change, as a result of which women are unable to explore the freedom or space to attain her full potential. Matrimonial ads are the best example to such stereotypes. One sees words like "homely, cultured, convent-educated, fair" everyday - encoded expectations of the ideal women that clearly show that we have an archaic mindset. That MUST change," emphasises Chiteisri.

She has changed all of nine schools, spent four years in a girls boarding schools, travelled most of India and also to about 20 other countries. "My family has always believed that travel is a good teacher and with philosophy we make it a point to see new places each year even if that requires some compromise," she says. She is only 20, but has had enough exposure to have a firm opinion of her future and the world around her. "In all these years, I have observed women and tried to find out who is the 'perfect woman' only to realize, what one calls 'perfection' can never be attained unless and until she truly believes in herself. A woman cannot afford to be judgmental as we always are the victims of gossip and jealousy ourselves. Therefore, openness is a quality we must never lose as we can adapt to change, understand pain and be more sensitive than our male counterparts," says Chiteisri.

Expectations are something that she doesn't really have as with it she always seems to be too disappointed. It has taken few bad experiences to have had taught her this valuable lesson and she thinks it has paid off. Chiteisri says, "I know that in time, I shall have to face all those standard questions on marriage, careers, men and issues on gender but I shall take them one day at a time. My immediate goal is to complete my studies here and later abroad from a standard institute to have better career options, whatever it may be. The rest is about keeping an open mind and a space to keep learning!"

And what does she feel about the future of women in the society? "I think it was Dr. Faust who once said 'It is the eternal Feminine that draws us upwards'. Study after study has shown that a country is considered to be truly developed when women come to the forefront - be it in Education, Rights, Leaders, and Health and Environmental awareness. The future should be such that women play a lead role in the growth and development of our country. And, this will be possible when the right opportunities are available, giving women a chance in every field, setting aside the heavy patriarchal mindset and of course, doing away with stereotypes."

This young lady simply has too many and too varied aspirations. "I wish to be completely independent financially and find some work where I could combine my hobbies and commitments such that my work is not a burden. I would like a lead in something related to Environment Protection or Women's Rights. I often dream of having some land of my own, isolated from this metro like life, closer to the ocean where I feel like I am a part of Nature, environmentally responsible and self-sustaining. Quirky wishes would be Taller, adventure sports, being fluent in at least seven languages and a star figure skater." The list doesn't end here.

She would like to be remembered as a role model for young women. As a child when she was asked, what do you want to become when you grow up? She listed answers like an RJ, a writer, a marine biologist, a supermodel, a bartender, a spy. "I would love to be involved in drama after I finish my Law course, just to be all those roles!" concludes Chiteisri. Here's a role model for many to emulate.