Gloria Steinem: A Life That Taught Women to Question, Choose and Change

   

When we talk about women who changed the way the world thinks about women, Gloria Steinem deserves a place of honour. She may be a familiar name to many, particularly to those who have followed the history of feminism, journalism and women's rights. Yet for younger generations and readers encountering her for the first time, her life offers much more than a history lesson.

Gloria Steinem is an American journalist, author and feminist activist who became one of the most influential voices of the modern women's movement. Through her writing, journalism and activism, she encouraged women across the world to question social expectations, seek equality and find their own voice.

Her message was never simply, "Women must fight."

It was also:

Think. Question. Choose. Speak. Participate. And never believe that your voice is insignificant.

 

From journalism to a larger purpose

Steinem began her career as a journalist at a time when journalism itself was largely a male-dominated profession. She wrote about subjects that mattered to women but were often dismissed as insignificant or treated as private matters.

Her journalism gradually became connected with the women's movement. She co-founded Ms. magazine, which became an important platform for feminist writing and discussion.

Her career demonstrates something important: a profession can become a platform for change.

She did not separate her writing from her beliefs. Her philosophy found its way into her journalism, essays, speeches and books.

Among her best-known works are The Female Mystique? — actually Betty Friedan's book — while Steinem herself wrote influential works including Revolution from Within, Outrageous Acts and Everyday Rebellions, My Life on the Road and Moving Beyond Words.

Her writing repeatedly returned to questions of identity, equality, power, work, relationships and the assumptions society makes about women.

 

What can we learn from Gloria Steinem?

Steinem's life offers lessons that are remarkably practical even today.

1. Question what you have been told

Perhaps one of her strongest lessons is the importance of questioning.

"This is how things have always been" is not necessarily a good reason to continue doing something.

Why should a woman behave in a particular way?

Why should certain careers be considered unsuitable?

Why should household responsibilities automatically belong to women?

Why should women apologise for ambition?

Questions can be uncomfortable—but they can also be liberating.

A small change: The next time you hear "women are supposed to...", pause and ask: Who decided that?

 

2. Independence is more than earning money

Financial independence is important, but independence also means having the confidence to make decisions.

A woman can be surrounded by people who love her and still need an independent mind.

Having one's own opinions, interests, friendships, reading habits, ambitions and dreams is not selfish.

It is part of being an individual.

A small everyday change: Make at least one decision because you believe it is right—not simply because everyone else expects it.

 

3. Don't make yourself smaller

Women are often taught, directly or indirectly, to be accommodating.

Don't speak too loudly.

Don't appear too ambitious.

Don't know too much.

Don't disagree.

Don't make others uncomfortable.

Steinem challenged these expectations.

There is a wonderful lesson here for women of every age:

You don't have to become smaller to make someone else feel bigger.

Speak when you have something to say. Take credit for your work. Accept your achievements without embarrassment.

 

4. Your voice matters

Steinem used journalism and public speaking to bring women's experiences into public conversation.

That is particularly relevant today.

We all have platforms now—blogs, social media, newsletters, podcasts and community groups.

But having a platform is not the same as using it meaningfully.

A small change: Use your voice occasionally for something that matters—not merely something that attracts attention.

Write about an issue. Recommend a book. Encourage another woman. Share someone's work. Challenge an unfair assumption.

Change doesn't always begin with a protest.

Sometimes it begins with one honest conversation.

 

5. Women don't have to compete with one another

One of the unfortunate ideas society sometimes creates is that women must compete for limited space.

Who is more successful?

Who looks better?

Who married first?

Who earns more?

Whose children achieved more?

Who has the better home?

Who has the perfect life?

Steinem's broader philosophy encourages us to look beyond these comparisons and recognise the importance of solidarity.

A small change: Instead of comparing yourself with another woman, celebrate something she has achieved.

Her success doesn't diminish yours.

 

6. Age should never become a prison

Steinem has also been an important example of continuing to work, speak and participate across decades.

There is a lesson here for women as they grow older.

Society often becomes more restrictive about women with age. Certain clothes are considered inappropriate. Certain ambitions are considered unnecessary. Certain dreams are considered too late.

But why?

There is no expiry date on curiosity.

Learn something new. Read. Write. Travel. Work. Volunteer. Begin a project. Change your mind.

A new chapter can begin at any age.

 

The practicality of her philosophy

What makes Steinem's message interesting is that it need not remain confined to feminist theory or political activism.

It can enter our kitchens, workplaces, families and friendships.

It can mean:

• teaching daughters to make decisions rather than simply obey;
• teaching sons that household work belongs to everyone;
• encouraging women to manage their own finances;
• giving girls equal opportunities to study and dream;
• refusing to judge women by marital status;
• respecting women who choose different paths;
• supporting another woman's career instead of questioning her priorities;
• allowing women to say no without demanding an explanation;
• making space for women to speak in family discussions;
• encouraging older women to continue learning and creating.

These may look like small things.

But social change is often built from small things repeated every day.

 

Her writings: philosophy turned into literature

Steinem's writing is important because she did not merely write about feminism. She examined the experiences, contradictions and expectations surrounding women's lives.

Her essays and books combine personal observation with larger social questions.

In My Life on the Road, for instance, travel becomes more than movement from one place to another. Encounters with people become opportunities to understand communities, politics and human relationships.

Her writing demonstrates the power of combining personal experience with social observation.

That is perhaps one reason her work continues to resonate.

A personal story can reveal a larger social truth.

A woman's experience in a workplace can reveal discrimination.

A conversation between two friends can reveal generations of conditioning.

A family tradition can reveal an assumption about gender.

Literature becomes a way of asking: Why do we live this way? And could we live differently?

 

What can we do as a tribute to Gloria Steinem?

We don't all have to become activists.

We don't have to write a book.

We don't have to stand on a stage.

We can begin much closer to home.

Listen to a woman whose voice is usually ignored.

Give a girl the freedom to dream beyond conventional careers.

Teach a boy that cooking, cleaning and caregiving are human responsibilities—not women's responsibilities.

Read a woman writer.

Recommend her work to someone else.

Support a woman entrepreneur.

Don't judge another woman's choices simply because they are different from yours.

Speak up when an unfair stereotype is presented as truth.

And perhaps most importantly—

allow yourself to live a life that is authentically yours.

 

A tribute that doesn't require a statue

Gloria Steinem's greatest legacy may not be a particular slogan, article or speech.

It may be the countless women who, after encountering her ideas, asked themselves:

"Why not me?"

Why can't I study this?

Why can't I work?

Why can't I travel?

Why can't I write?

Why can't I speak?

Why can't I begin again?

Why can't I choose differently?

That question can change a life.

And perhaps that is the most meaningful tribute we can offer—not simply admiring Gloria Steinem, but putting the values she championed into practice in our everyday lives.

We can question without being disrespectful.

We can be independent without being unkind.

We can be ambitious without being apologetic.

We can support other women without competing with them.

We can grow older without stopping.

And we can use our voices—not only for ourselves, but for those who are still waiting to be heard.

Gloria Steinem taught generations of women to recognise their own agency. The best way to honour that lesson is to use ours.

 

THE LAST TWO OF 108 DIVYADESAMS

   

The Divya kshetram - TIRUPARKADAL / KSHEERASAMUDRAM is in the celestial world. The presiding deity is Ksheerapdinathan, reclining on Adisesha. The Goddess is kadalmagal Nachiyar. The sacred water is Tiruparkadal and the sanctum sanctorum is ashtanga Vimanam.

 The Divya kshetram -- PARAMAPADAM/ VAIKUNTAM is in the celestial world. The presiding deity is Paramapadanathan and  the Goddess is  periya piraattiyar. The sacred water is Viraja Nadhi and the sanctum sanctorum is Ananthanga Vimanam

(with this two  all the 108  divya kshetrams were covered under the label - DIVYA KSHETRAM.  to read about all of them , follow the link :  (https://bookfoodlanguage.blogspot.com/search/label/DIVYA%20KSHETRAM)

From Little Krishna to Life Lessons: When Cartoons Teach Children Values

   

 

 

Today, as we celebrate Krishna Ashtami, it is impossible not to think of Krishna as the little boy who was naughty, mischievous, playful and endlessly curious. The stories of Bal Krishna have been told for generations through grandparents, bedtime stories, songs, books, puppets and performances. Today, they have found a new home—the television and the digital screen.  And perhaps that is not such a bad thing.

Cartoons and children's television series have become an important part of childhood. While parents may sometimes worry about excessive screen time, there is another side to consider: what if the content itself becomes a learning experience?

Little Krishna—the naughty child who teaches without preaching

The animated series Little Krishna brought the familiar stories of young Krishna to an entirely new generation.  Here is a little boy who steals butter, plays pranks, troubles his mother, teases his friends and gets into all sorts of mischief. He is not presented as a distant, unreachable divine figure. He is a child whom children can relate to. That is perhaps the magic.

A child watching Krishna's adventures may laugh at his mischief first. But hidden within those stories are lessons about friendship, courage, compassion, honesty, responsibility, love and standing up against injustice.

The lesson doesn't arrive as:

"Children, today we are going to learn about honesty."

Instead, it arrives through a story.

And children remember stories much longer than lectures.

Cartoons can become today's storytellers

Earlier, grandparents and parents were often the storytellers. A child would sit beside them and listen to stories from the Ramayana, Mahabharata, Panchatantra, Jataka tales and stories of Krishna.

Today, the storyteller may sometimes be a cartoon character on a television screen.

That doesn't necessarily diminish the value of the story.

A well-created children's series can introduce children to Indian mythology, folklore, history, culture and traditional wisdom in a language and visual format they understand.

The colourful characters, music, humour and adventures capture their attention. Once their attention is captured, the story can quietly introduce an idea.

Good wins over evil.
Kindness matters.
Friendship requires trust.
Courage means standing up for what is right.
Actions have consequences.
Helping others is valuable.

These are not lessons restricted to one religion or one culture. They are values that can help children navigate everyday life.

Mischief with a message

What makes Krishna particularly interesting for children is that he isn't portrayed as a perfectly obedient child.

He is mischievous!

He steals butter. He plays tricks. He argues. He runs away. He gets caught. He charms everyone around him.

And that makes him wonderfully human in a child's imagination.

There is an important message here too: being playful and curious is not the same as being bad.

Children need room to explore, question, laugh and make mistakes. At the same time, they need to understand boundaries, consequences and responsibility.

Krishna's stories offer plenty of opportunities for parents to start those conversations.

"Why did Krishna do that?"

"Was what he did right or wrong?"

"Why did he help his friends?"

"Why did he stand up to Kamsa?"

A cartoon can therefore become the beginning of a conversation, rather than merely entertainment.

From screen time to value time

Perhaps the real question is not:

"Are cartoons good or bad?"

The better question is:

"What are our children watching?"

There is a tremendous difference between passive screen consumption and meaningful children's programming.

A thoughtfully made series can encourage children to think about:

• right and wrong
• friendship and sharing
• empathy and kindness
• courage and confidence
• respect for elders
• caring for animals and nature
• taking responsibility for one's actions
• dealing with jealousy and anger
• standing up against injustice
• understanding that choices have consequences

The screen then becomes more than a source of entertainment. It becomes another medium of storytelling and learning.

Values are caught, not taught

Children rarely learn values because somebody tells them, "You must be good."

They learn by observing characters, situations and consequences.

When they see a character helping another person, showing courage or admitting a mistake, they begin to understand those qualities.

When they see selfishness, dishonesty or cruelty leading to consequences, they begin to recognise the other side.

This is where children's stories are powerful.

A story gives a value a face.
A cartoon gives the face a voice.
And a child gives the lesson a place in memory.

But parents still have an important role

A cartoon cannot replace parents, teachers, books or real-life experiences.

The best learning happens when screen, story and conversation come together.

After watching an episode, a parent can simply ask:

"What did you like about Krishna?"

"Would you have done the same thing?"

"What did Krishna teach his friends?"

Such simple questions can turn watching into thinking.

And perhaps that is the greatest gift parents can give children—not simply answers, but the habit of asking questions and forming their own principles.

Let children have their Little Krishna moment

Every generation discovers Krishna differently.

Our grandparents heard him through stories.
Our parents may have grown up with books, radio and television.
Today's children may meet him through animation and digital storytelling.

The medium changes.

The values need not.

On this Krishna Ashtami, perhaps we can celebrate the playful little Krishna who runs through our screens, steals butter and wins hearts—but also pause to notice the deeper lessons hidden behind his adventures.

Let children laugh at his mischief.

Let them enjoy his playfulness.

Let them ask questions.

And somewhere between the laughter, the music and the colourful animation, let them discover something more enduring:

A life needs values, principles, compassion and courage.

Because the real purpose of a children's story is not merely to create a child who knows the story.

It is to create a child who, one day, knows how to live by its values.

A Krishna Ashtami thought

Perhaps the little Krishna on the screen is not merely entertaining a child.

Perhaps he is quietly planting a question in that young mind—

"When I grow up, what kind of person do I want to be?"

And that may be one of the finest lessons any story can offer.

TREE HOUSE BY SHEL SILVERSTEIN

  

  A tree house, a free house,

A secret you and me house,

A high up in the leafy branches

cozy as can be house

A street house, a neat house,

Be sure to wipe your feet house

Is not my kind of house at all

Let's go live in a tree house

       

THE MUSIC IN OUR HOMES NEEDS CARE TOO: MAINTAINING MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS, ESPECIALLY THE VEENA

 

  

A musical instrument at home is not just another object occupying a corner of the room. It carries music, memories, practice, tradition and sometimes even generations of family history. We may dust our furniture regularly, clean our kitchen appliances and polish our brassware, but how often do we pause to ask: “When did I last take care of the instrument?”

Musical instruments need care even when they are not being played.

This is particularly true of the veena, a beautiful yet delicate instrument that deserves careful handling, cleaning and storage.

A veena is not furniture

A veena should never be treated like an ornamental piece that can simply be placed wherever there is space.

It is made predominantly of wood and has several delicate components. Changes in temperature, humidity, dust and careless handling can affect it over time.

The first rule is therefore simple:

Handle the veena with respect and with both hands whenever it needs to be moved.

Do not drag it across the floor or lift it casually by a convenient part. When carrying it, support its weight properly and make sure that nothing knocks against the instrument.

A beautiful veena deserves a safe journey even from one room to another!

Dust is music's silent enemy

Dust settles everywhere—and musical instruments are no exception.

After playing, the instrument can be gently wiped with a soft, clean, dry cloth. A microfiber or similarly soft cloth can be useful for removing surface dust.

The strings and wooden surfaces should be treated gently. There is no need to scrub, rub vigorously or use household cleaning products.

And please resist the temptation to give the veena the same treatment as a wooden table!

No furniture polish, harsh detergent, spray cleaner or excessive moisture.

If the instrument requires deeper cleaning or polishing, it is better to consult an experienced veena maker or instrument technician.

The strings need attention too

The strings are in constant contact with the player's fingers, so sweat and oils can accumulate.

After playing, gently wiping the strings and accessible surfaces can help keep them clean. Hands should ideally be clean and dry before playing.

But strings should not be unnecessarily tightened, loosened or replaced without understanding the instrument.

When something appears wrong—a loose string, damaged bridge, unusual buzzing sound or change in pitch—it is better to seek professional help rather than experiment with adjustments.

A YouTube tutorial is not always a substitute for a veena maker!

Where should the veena be kept?

Location matters.

Keep the instrument away from:

Direct sunlight

Excessive heat

Air-conditioner vents

Damp walls

Places where water may splash

Kitchens and areas exposed to cooking fumes

Windows where rain or strong moisture can reach it

Crowded passages where someone may accidentally knock it over

The Chennai climate, with its combination of heat and humidity, makes this especially worth remembering.

A stable indoor environment is preferable to repeatedly moving the instrument between very different conditions.

Cover it—but let it breathe

When the veena is not being played, a proper protective cover is important. It protects the instrument from dust and accidental scratches.

But storage should not mean wrapping it tightly in layers of unsuitable plastic and forgetting about it for months.

Occasionally take the instrument out, inspect it and make sure there are no signs of moisture, cracks, pests or other damage.

An instrument that is kept safely should still be checked regularly.

Never keep things on top of it

This sounds obvious, but homes have a wonderful ability to turn every horizontal surface into a temporary storage shelf!

Books, handbags, clothes, newspapers and other household items should never be placed on the veena.

Even a seemingly harmless object can put pressure on delicate parts or cause scratches.

Give the instrument its own designated space.

Children and pets need to know the rules

A veena can be fascinating to children. The strings look inviting, and the large wooden body naturally attracts curiosity.

Children can certainly be introduced to the instrument—but under supervision.

Similarly, pets should not have unrestricted access to it. A curious cat or playful puppy may not understand that the beautiful wooden object in the corner is a valuable musical instrument!

Don't forget the veena's surroundings

Maintaining the instrument also means maintaining the space around it.

Keep the storage area clean and reasonably dust-free. Check occasionally for insects or wood-boring pests. Avoid keeping damp cloths, plants that leak water or other moisture-producing objects close to the instrument.

The idea is simple:

A clean environment creates a safer home for the instrument.

Professional maintenance is part of ownership

Even with excellent home care, a veena may occasionally need professional attention.

If there are cracks, structural changes, damaged components, persistent buzzing, problems with tuning or other unusual changes, consult a qualified veena maker or experienced technician.

Don't wait until a small problem becomes an expensive repair.

And when the instrument is valuable, old or has sentimental importance, professional inspection becomes even more worthwhile.

 

The most important maintenance: PLAY IT!

There is another kind of neglect that we don't talk about enough.

Sometimes we keep our instruments so carefully that we are afraid to use them.

We cover them, protect them, dust them, admire them—and hardly play them.

But a musical instrument is meant to make music.

A veena sitting silently in a corner may be beautifully preserved, but the real life of the instrument begins when someone's fingers touch the strings and music fills the room.

 

A little care, a lifetime of music

Maintaining a musical instrument at home doesn't require complicated rituals. It requires clean hands, gentle handling, a safe place, regular inspection and respect for the instrument.

And perhaps, most importantly, it requires remembering what the instrument is there for.

A veena is not merely wood, strings and craftsmanship.

It is music waiting to happen.

So dust it gently. Store it safely. Handle it carefully.

And then, sit down, tune the strings and play.

Because the best way to care for a musical instrument is ultimately to let it sing.