‘It was just another day’

On International Women’s Day on Monday, Neha Sonsurkar’s husband bought her a new gold bracelet, took her out to a special dinner, and for a change, took on the responsibilities of dropping their son to school and paying the electricity bill, reports Aarefa Johari.

On International Women’s Day on Monday, Neha Sonsurkar’s husband bought her a new gold bracelet, took her out to a special dinner, and for a change, took on the responsibilities of dropping their son to school and paying the electricity bill.

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But Sonsurkar’s case is an exception. For most women in the city, the day went by unnoticed, just like any other ordinary day.

“My husband has forgotten about this day. As usual, he went off to work in the morning and I looked after the house and our two daughters,” said Neeta Shah, a visibly disappointed homemaker from Elphinstone Road.

Shah believes men ought to go that extra mile to make the women in their lives feel special for a day.

“It’s unfair, because we spend every day of the year working and caring for them and our families,” added the 28-year-old.

Sonsurkar, who teaches nursing students at a medical college, agrees.

“This day should be celebrated once every month, so that men pay more attention to the contribution of women,” she said.

Peddar Road resident Pankti Shah (26) said she does not know of anyone who marks or celebrates Women’s Day at a personal or family level in her neighbourhood. “But if the world has given importance to this day, then Indian husbands should do it too,” said the homemaker. “By the time my daughter grows up, I am sure Women’s Day will be a big phenomenon.”

Meanwhile, some women were determined to ignore the indifference of the men in their lives and give themselves a treat.

“My father and husband don’t care about Women’s Day, so we are not going to let them interfere in our affairs today either,” said Shweta Acharya, a young homemaker who spent Monday evening at a park with her mother, sister and children.