Kucch Kahaaniya, Kucch Kiseei and the Chai Stall beyond Time

Part 2: What Does Fearless Look Like? Mapping New Paths

Welcome back to the chai stall! In Part 1, the aroma of chai was just beginning to brew, and the conversation had just begun with Savitribai Phule, Anandi Bai Joshi, Hansa Mehta, and the arrival of the brilliant Shakuntala Devi. In Part 1, we asked "Where Does a Revolution Begin?" and perhaps found an answer in the quiet courage of individuals like Savitribai and Anandi Bai. This week is the first week of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) which continues to map new paths forward and we are reminded of the global scale of the fight for women's equality. But what do these paths truly look like on the ground, in the lives of women who dare to walk them?  

The chai is hot, the cups are ready, and the conversation continues in this peculiar stall. Last time, we parted ways with the advent of Shakuntala, and now, as more women join in, the space fills with voices. We have heard of the  fight for education and dignity - the voices that echoed across generations. As the conversation continues in Part 2, the circle of influence expands. More women, each a trailblazer in her own right, arrive at the stall, ready to share their journeys of breaking barriers in science, writing, justice, and beyond. These women, though from different times and fields, all fought for the same cause: equality. They all never obliged to conformity and established the new normal for women and society. Join the conversation as they share their struggles, triumphs, and the legacies they leave behind. The cups of chai are multiplying just like our stories of hope and change. 

Ready to listen? Is your cup ready for more inspiration? 

Breaking Barriers in Science: Precision, Perseverance, and Possibility

Shakuntala paused near the table, and for a brief moment, the women shared glances and humble smiles - but no one spoke. The news on the radio held their attention.

Shakuntala's eyes lit up with a quiet fire as she listened. “Ah! Precision!” she said, her voice filled with admiration. “I would have loved to meet Tessie Thomas.”

She too would have loved to meet you,” Hansa said with a warm smile. Savitribai nodded, quietly agreeing, and Anandi Bai took a slow sip of her chai. “Definitely,” she said, her voice thoughtful. “Who wouldn’t have loved to meet a human computer? A genius. A world record holder for the fastest human computation. You did so much. And you broke stereotypes for women in the field of mathematics. Of course, you are incredible.”

As the group welcomed her, Hansa stood up, ready to fetch a cup of chai for Shakuntala. But with a gentle wave of her hand, Shakuntala declined. “Sit down,” she said with a smile, heading to the counter herself.

The women watched her settle into her seat, and for a quiet moment, they sat together - thinking of how the fight for education, science, and dignity continued in new ways.

Just then, Kamala Sohoni arrives.

Shakuntala smiles and says, “Ah, Kamala! I thought you almost wouldn’t make it today- we assumed you might be busy with your research and experiments.”

Kamala Sohoni returns the smile. “How could I miss this? I would never pass up a chai conversation with you wonderful ladies.” As Shakuntala reaches for the chai, Hansa gestures that she will get it for her. Instead, she brings the cup to Kamala.

Women Write With No Fear

Savitribai looked toward the road, her eyes bright with anticipation. “I think they are on their way. Almost here,” she said.

Hansa took a quick peek and smiled. “Ah, they’re here.”

Amrita Pritam and Ismat Chughtai walked in, their presence bringing an air of quiet energy. Ismat carried a folded newspaper under her arm, and as they approached the table, Hansa waved her own newspaper excitedly.

“Oh! I completely forgot,” Hansa said. “Did you hear about Arundhati Roy?”

Amrita nodded. “Yes, I did.”

Ismat opened her paper just as Hansa handed hers over to Savitribai and Anandi Bai to read. A headline about Arundhati Roy quickly caught their attention.

Amrita broke the silence with a playful smile. “A writer who refuses to be tamed. In fact - a woman writer who refuses to be tamed.” She paused, her eyes playfully squinting as she glanced sideways at Ismat. “Reminds me of someone.” she added, her grin widening. 

Now, the room was filled with unrestrained laughter. Shakuntala smiled, her eyes glowing with mischief. “Yes, Arundhati Roy does remind me of both of you, actually. Her words — they’re not just meant to be said. They’re for the heart. Words that ignite fire, refuse to conform, and dare to question.”

Shakuntala continues, “Amrita, all your poems - they go through the human heart like a needle with thread. They flow through us, weaving the skin, stitching and connecting hearts. And that line - ‘I will meet you again. I don’t know when and where. I will meet you again.’ - it still makes so many people weep. And it will, for generations to come.”

As the words settled, Savitribai turned to Ismat with a knowing smile. “And you, Ismat - what can I even say? You were just fearless. Unconventional. Your words never trembled. You wrote what others only dared to think. And Lihaaf - well, it stirred waves not just in literature, but in society itself.”

The group fell into a quiet admiration, the warmth of their respect filling the morning air.

Anandi Bai spoke first. “You both are the epitome of strength.”

Hansa nodded, adding softly, “Women who were never afraid to write what they wanted - what needed to be said.” Hansa smiled, “Ah, I’ll just get you both chai as well.” 

As Amrita adjusted her wooden chair, Anandi listened to Hansa's words resonate – "what needed to be said." So much within women, within the world, often went unsaid, unheard. The courageous voices of Amrita and Ismat had broken through that silence. It made Anandi think about other silent forces, other powerful entities often overlooked. She looked around thoughtfully. “Do you not think about the similarities between us women and nature?”

Kamala Sohoni, who had been listening, nodded. “Yes. Both of us have been the subject of exploitation and mistreatment. Both of us provide, nurture, and yet we are often taken for granted.”

Ismat sipped her chai, that slurp sounded as if it was in a hurry. Her gaze was distant. “And yet, both refuse to wither. Women and nature - resilient, enduring. Whether it is the earth healing after destruction or a woman standing back up after being silenced, we survive.”

Savitribai listened, thoughtfully swirling the remaining chai in her cup. "Exploitation... mistreatment..." she echoed Kamala's words. It wasn't just about how women were treated by society, she realized. That same disregard, that same drive to exploit and take for granted, extended to the natural world too. Women nurtured families, communities… and nature, in its own way, nurtured all of life, providing the very resources for existence.  But what happened when that nurturing capacity was disrupted, when those resources were depleted? Her voice gained a sharper edge. “And look at how this connects to sustainability. Women have always been at the heart of keeping traditions of conservation alive. But when the world creates industrial waste, plastics, and pollution it is often the poorest women who suffer first. It is the same with periods—when menstrual products are made with chemicals and plastic, they harm not only our health but also our land and water.”

Amrita nodded, her voice firm with conviction.  “Periods are as natural as the turning of the Earth, a fundamental rhythm of life itself. Periods are not just natural; they are powerful. They are proof of our life force, our inherent strength. Yet, look at what society does. It takes this power and turns it into something shameful, something dirty, something to be hidden away as if it were a crime. Just like they try to diminish women's strength in every other aspect of life. It’s not just ironic; it’s an outright injustice. We bleed because we can create, because we are capable of the most profound act of life, and for that, we are made to feel less? It’s as if they fear the very source of life itself.This is a lie we must dismantle.”  She looked up, her eyes blazing. “Period shame must become history. And soon.”

Hansa returned with two cups, handing them over to Amrita and Ismat. As she settled back into her seat, she said, “Oh, did you look at the next page? You’ll love that too.”

The Woman Who Made Truth a Right

Amrita’s eyes lit up. “Oh -  about Aruna Roy, right?”

Savitribai leaned in, curious. “I’m sure it’s about another woman who carved her own path. Anandi Bai, I’m really excited to read about it.”

They unfolded the newspaper, the crisp sound echoing the unfolding of a powerful story. Their eyes were drawn to the article on Aruna Roy — her relentless work, her unwavering fight for what’s right.  It described her decades spent organizing amongst the rural poor, empowering them to demand transparency from the government.  It told of the Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan (MKSS) and their tireless campaigns,  demanding to see official records, breaking down walls of secrecy that had stood for generations.

“She’s quite a woman, huh?” Hansa said, her voice filled with admiration. “You know, her selfless efforts are the reason we have the Right to Information in India today. Her grassroots work… it bore real fruit. She’s even called the Mother of the Right to Information in India. Isn’t that wonderful?”

Hansa’s voice softened, thoughtful. “A woman who understood that truth is not a privilege, but a right. A woman not afraid to challenge. Not afraid to speak — and more importantly, to empower others to speak truth to power. I love that.”

As everyone sat together, still talking about Aruna Roy, Anandi Bai suddenly turned back. Her face lit up. “Oh! Fathima Beevi, you are here!” she said with excitement.

The Judge Who Broke Barriers

Ismat’s eyes widened. “Wow! It is an honor, my Lord - India’s first female Supreme Court judge. We are truly blessed to have you here.”

Fathima smiled, a little shy. “Oh, do not make me blush like that,” she said gently, her voice warm.

Amrita softly said, “But Fathima, it is not just humor. We sure are honored to have you. You unapologetically decided to step into the field of law, a world often demanding and unforgiving. And not only did you step in - you showed the society that judged you for your choices, who the real judge is. You showed that true judgment requires wisdom, fairness, and a heart that understands. You opened the door for so many Indian women in the field of legalities, inspiring us and generations to come with your grace and your unwavering commitment to justice. It truly is an honor.”

As she said this, Ismat got up and returned with a cup of chai for Fathima.

Fathima took the cup but didn’t sip it. “It is hot, I will drink it later,” she said, placing it gently on the table. Her eyes fell on the newspaper page that spoke about Aruna Roy. She smiled thoughtfully and said, “Justice, at its heart, is about ensuring human dignity. It is not just about interpreting laws. It needs to be tempered with compassion, with an understanding of human realities.  It is also about who gets to ask the questions. It’s about making sure voices are not silenced by oppression and power. And Aruna Roy - well, she’s making sure people get to ask those questions.”

Fathima added, “Access to justice is a lot like access to something as basic as food or clean water. If people cannot reach it, if they are kept away from it, then what good is it? And that is why the fight for transparency, for rights, for dignity, must go hand in hand with sustainability—because justice is not just for the privileged. It must reach everyone, without barriers.”

Anandi Bai smiled, admiration shining in her eyes. “Yes, my Lord,” she said warmly.

Fathima smiled back. “Of course,” she replied. 

The conversation, like the chai itself, had grown richer, deeper, more potent with each passing moment. The room was filled with laughter when Indira Gandhi walked in.

…

The weight of legacy settled in the air of the chai stall, a potent mix of pride and the quiet understanding of shared struggles. Part 2 unveiled the fearless spirits of writers and the unwavering justice of a judge, each story adding another layer to the tapestry of women's history. From the precision of science to the potent words of writers, from the fight for truth to the unwavering hand of justice, we have witnessed women mapping new paths across diverse landscapes of achievement. They remind us that fearlessness takes many forms, but its essence is always the same: an unshakeable commitment to one's own truth and a refusal to be silenced. Their stories are not just historical accounts; they are living maps, illuminating the courage required to forge your own path and the unwavering spirit to challenge the status quo. 

And now, with Indira Gandhi joining the circle, a new energy pulsed through the stall – the promise of even more profound reflections. But the definition of a "changemaker" is as vast and varied as womanhood itself. As the morning sun rises higher, more voices join the discussion. In Part 3, prepare to witness this legacy in action as we turn our gaze to new arenas – the thrilling world of sports and the soul-stirring realm of art – and discover how these women continue to inspire a brave new world. Stay connected. We will soon be back with Part 3, the final part of the chai conversation.

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About the Series: Kucch Kahaaniya, Kucch Kiseei and the Chai Stall beyond Time

This chai is unlike any other, brewed in a stall beyond time itself. This is no ordinary brew; it's infused with resilience, steeped in strength, and warmed by the voices of women who roared for change across generations. It's a chai brimming with sisterhood, a legacy that defies the boundaries of caste, class, and even time itself.

Step into this peculiar stall where history meets the present, where stories of grief and struggle meet tales of unwavering resistance and blazing triumphs. This series is a potent reminder: women, then and now, have been pressured to fit into fragile glass castles of expectations and scrutiny. But we were never meant for delicate glass castles. They have crossed cliffs, oceans, and every barrier placed in their path reminding us that we are meant to shatter glass, to scale cliffs, to navigate oceans – to overcome every barrier in our path.

This series is a celebration. A celebration of women in all their multifaceted glory, for who they are and what they do. Because success isn't a singular measure; it's the boundless spirit of womanhood itself. By now, you've surely tasted it, this chai, this stall, this series – it’s a tribute to the enduring power of women.

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