Women in Chain

Women discussed their stories of life in a moving train

I was traveling in a train.Chilly weather and frequent stoppage affected my mood badly.There were
different categories of passengers.Men women and children all were traveling in the intercity train plying between Khulna and Dhaka.The name of the train was very special,coined after the name of a river, The  Chitra.
There were women of different ages and characteristics.There were two women sitting on my right chairs.One was a mother traveling with her young girl child,the other was a married young woman with her husband.These two ladies were chatting with nice gesture.The train stopped at Darshana and another stream of passengers entered the compartment. A family with a slim woman,a cute little girl and handsome young husband took seats in the vacant places near me.The new woman befriended with other women too quickly.She said her problem in travels.Her vomiting tendency was very serious.The bad smell of smoking or abnormal odor around her could trigger her vomiting.

The women dwelt on various subjects.But at one point,the discussion was concentrated on the single issue.The treatment of mother-in-laws was the focus now.The three women narrated how their in-laws behaved,discriminated and exploited them.They all expressed freely that they were in chain.More women of young to middle ages joined the group discussion.
Stories of life were emerged one after one.One new entrant sadly described how badly she was discriminated.Her mother-in-law allowed her daughter to date and party days after days but compelled her to day and night in home like a maidservant.Another woman burst out in anger and informed how her mother-in-law tortured her  to bring money from her father.It seemed that there were endless emotional  stories in the hearts of the women.They have found a safe place to release their pain and agony here in the compartment of a moving train.
The train stopped again for a while at a small station.A group of passengers entered the room and a little stir was observed for some time.
There was  an older woman among the newest passengers.She could find a place near the group of daughter-in-laws.She took some snacks and said her prayer.Then she sat steadily and looked around to sense the discussion.
She joined the discussion and told that she was also a mother-in-law and did never behave badly with the daughter-in-laws.The  younger women appreciated her  and agreed with the older woman that all daughter-in-laws were not treated badly by their mother-in-laws.But they insisted that things should improve as the status of women was elevated around the world.The older woman was happy to be accepted by the younger women.She described the natures of her daughter-in-laws.She also pointed out that the fate of the girl is predestined.She has to move to the family of her husband.The environment and mentality of the members of the family of her husband may not be very comfortable for the girl who lived with her parents in caress and love.So,she may feel trouble in adjusting with the new environment and individuals.It is better for her to adjust as soon as possible.
The younger women argued that the mother-in-law has a responsibility to treat the daughter-in-law like her own daughter and teach her how she should adjust with the changed situation.The older woman agreed.However,she told that some mother-in-laws really treat the daughter-in-laws badly which creates the sense in them that they are slaves.Her statement made the other women to be vocal again.Some of them told that they were really in chain by such mother-in-laws.
The discussion continued with more stories tabled for consideration and criticism.In the mean time,the train reached the  last stoppage.The women wished each other.They are relaxed and happy now than ever as they could release the pain of chained life with their fellows in a moving train. 

Reviews

[SSB]

Hi zainul,
(my review got lost and i have to retype it here...)
I enjoyed reading this snapshot of women in India. You've got some admirably meticulous observation here. It's interesting to see it through a man's perspective. For this reason it would be great if you shared more of your personal feelings or opinions on the subject. But it's just my preference and you should write it the way you like.
The situation of the daughters-in-law is not unfamiliar to me. Similar things happen in China, although to a different degree. It's such a huge problem that people discuss it on TV all the time, which helps to ease a little the tension and cultivate new attitudes.
It's an interesting topic that you brought up. Look forward to more!

[zainul]

Hi Lora,
(Sorry that you had to retype the lost review)
I am very glad that you could relate the situation of women in Indian subcontinent with the same of China.
Eastern women seem to suffer more than than the western ones.
I think the situation will change gradually as women will be employed upon taking adequate education and joint families will be transformed into nuclear families.
Thank you for your precious time for reading and reviewing my humble piece.

[SSB]

It's a pleasure. Good luck with your writing!

[zainul]

Thanks for the inspiration. :)
Wish you become a great writer someday.

[SSB]

That's very nice of you. I'll do my best!

[zainul]

Sincere efforts like yours may help your luck.

[Wendy Seames Garner]

Thank you for your interesting observation of the life of women in India. I have two daughters-in-law of my own and love them each as if they were my own daughters - I hope they never feel that slaves around me.

[zainul]

Thank you Wendy for reading and reviewing the piece.
I am glad to learn that your daughters-in-law enjoyed the same love as your own daughters.
Such behavior is expected from all mothers-in-law so that the daughters-in-law may not feel as slaves.
I adore your admiring contribution,dear poet.:)

[Tosca66]

Thanks for writing. and glad you share it with us!

[zainul]

You are most welcome.
I feel very blessed that you have found it worth reading :)

[Lacy Dawn]

Loved it. I love every part. P.S I'm scared of trains but I liked it HAha. (*RANDOMNESS*)

[Lacy Dawn]

And captures the culture.

[zainul]

Thank you Carrie for the very admiring reviews.
I feel very inspired :)

[Lacy Dawn]

your very welcome. :)

[zainul]

:)

[Cerise]

wonderfully written..its a common thng in India....a gud topic to write and express ur feelings

[zainul]

Thank you for the amazing review and lovely compliments.
It means a lot to me.

[Prritiy]

nice piece of writing, so close to our daily life around.

at times its daughter-in-law who makes the life hell for her in-laws.... and this is widely seen too.

[zainul]

You are very correct.
In most families in our cultures in Indian Subcontinent daughters-in-law create the most serious problems.
This is really sad that women stand against women.

[Prritiy]

yes true, many times than not 'woman is enemy of woman' whatever form it maybe....

[zainul]

I like the phrase'Women against Women'
How do you think such chaos will end?

[Prritiy]

when woman feels confident and not threatened by another woman, when mother doesn't think daughter-in-law as threat to her power over her son but a beautiful relation just like she has with her own daughter.

[zainul]

I wish your aspirations come true soon.
Thanks for such precious contribution :)

[Prritiy]

:)

[zainul]

:)

[DOROTHY]

luv the story
this is so true about some mother in laws and i was lucky as i got on gr8 with mine many years ago, it is funny what we talk about to others on the train the bus the boat and plane.
well done on the story i liked it a lot

[zainul]

Really it is funny what we talk about to others on the train the bus the boat and plane.
Thanks for sharing your story of life.
I am very pleased that you have stopped by to grace this piece.

[Chris]

Cultural and religious customs affect and effect the lives and actions of every country's peoples. You gave a valid and thought-filled account of what you are familiar with and the expectations within the bounds of such a society.

[zainul]

You have perfectly summarized how cultural and religious customs affect and effect the lives and actions of peoples of every country.Thank you for inspiring me with your admiring review.

[Chris]

I appreciate you and your thoughtful observations and interpretations.

[zainul]

This is my pleasure,dear friend.

[Marie]

I like the way these women interaced with one another. This culture seems much different from the ne I know.
I was married three times and never had a problem with my husbands' mothers.

[zainul]

Thank you Marie for being the first to grace this piece with your wonderful review.Yea,the cultural setting is important.In our culture the son has to live with his parents and other relatives in a joint family.The frustration of a daughter-in-law grows due to conflict of interests on financial,leadership and other issues. The interaction was very lively.
I tried to present it as accurately as possible.
I appreciate your nice comment reflecting your experience with three husbands' mothers.Would you please elaborate how the interaction of a daughter-in-law and mother-in-law takes place in your culture?

[Marie]

A marrid woman does not move into her husband's family but she and her new husband are by themselves and have a family of their own. That is what happened in my first marriage. In my second marriage, I moved into my husband's house, and then he died and left the house to me. My third husband moved into that house with me. I don't expect to have a fourth husband.
All three of my mothers-in-law were much older than I was and too busy with their other children and grandchildren to take much notice of me.

[zainul]

That's a great account,great writer.
I feel very pleased to have your amazing contributions.