“He who knows others is wise. He who knows himself is enlightened.” - Lao Tzu

“I am my own woman……Evita Perón”

I did not realize my single status was such a matter of envy for some men and women. My occasional doubts about the meaning and purpose of my existence have been laid to rest by frequent overhearings of public statements to the contrary. According to Sharmaji who used to be my one-time cab driver I was the happiest person on this earth. I was lucky to lead such a blessed life . That I did not have a spouse made me doubly lucky. Reba our ex-maid an illiterate dim-witted good hearted soul fretted that only if she had not married life would have been glorious and idyllic. Reba incidentally was in an unspoken live-in –relationship with a person whom she had met long after she and her two daughters were abandoned by her husband .She bore the man a son who carried her legal husband’s surname.
Today Arti my mom’s ayah had similar complaints. She is struggling to find a match for her daughter .Arti has a drunken husband at home .She has to fend for herself and looks terribly oppressed and unhappy.
Recently my friend celebrated her 50th birthday in grand style. She is rich, single and classy and belongs to one of the most aristocratic families of Kolkata. Over 300 guests attended the celebration. Amidst all the fun and frolic someone commented that because she was single she was able to throw such a huge party. In other words she did not have a master to dictate her life like most women in Indian society and therefore could live life queen size.
However my feeling is that it is only people who are into unhappy relationship idolize bachelorhood. It does not matter what their economic status is . I feel people pine for the independence that single people sometimes apparently seem to enjoy.