Dear Men…Thank you!

Just like we believe women must be celebrated everyday, not just on March 8, gentlemen that stand up to the term , must be appreciated too without looking at the calendar. Yes, the world is an unsafe place for women, and unfortunately half the reasons why it is so, comes from men. What makes me happy though, is that not all men are the same. Here's to the men, that believe both women and men stand together. Surrounded by several unspoken rules and norms, prejudices and judgement, women may not have it easy, but some true gentlemen make this ride worthwhile with their liberal thinking and supportive love. Here's to all such cool men out there.

Thank you for celebrating your daughter's birth, giving her the best of education. Thank you for not letting her think for once, that she can't be as good or better than the boys. Thank you for teaching her how to stand up for herself, without being scared. To stand up to the bullies, and punch them back if punched, instead of being a victim. Thank you for not chosing to save between her wedding and her higher education. Thank you for creating a world so normal for your daughter, that when she hears about inequalities in households, she finds it hard to believe that it actually happens, for equality is all she has seen at home. Thank you for setting examples for your son, and showing him how to treat a woman right.

Thank you, for not thinking cooking is a woman's job only. Thank you for not hesitating to make breakfast for her, while she packs your lunch. Thank you for surprising your wife with bed coffee. Thank you for taking over the household work sometimes, because you think it can be tiring for her to do it without a break. Thank you for taking turns to do the laundry. Thank you for washing the dishes when she's tired. Thank you for making equal efforts while parenting. Thank you for being a son to her parents, while she tries to be a daughter to yours. Thank you for being proud of her, when she crosses mile stones in her career and goes on to make other achievements.

Thank you for not freaking out, when she wants to give your wallet a break and pay on a date. Thank you for raising an eyebrow when they speak of dowry. Thank you for finding this tradition unfair. Thank you, for not believing in the obnoxious belief that the groom's side overpower the bride's in a wedding. Thank you for believing in consent, before and after marriage.

Thank you for protecting your sister, while believing she has the freedom to make her choices. Thank you for treating women right, because you have one back at home, and you wouldn’t want her to be treated wrong either.

Thank you for treating your daughter in law just the way you treat your son. Thank you for believing that he's bringing home a bride, not a maid. Thank you for cheering her on and making her comfortable in her new home. Thank you for not expecting her to give up on her dreams and life, just because she's married.

Thank you for applauding your colleague, instead of assuming she got promoted through unfair means. Thank you for not minding taking orders from your boss who's a woman, because you don't let gender dictate your commitment to work. Thank you for sharing her work at office when she wanted to leave early, without thinking she can't handle both work and home. Thank you for being instrumental in building a safe and comfortable work environment, where she doesn't feel unsafe or judged.

Thank you for raising your voice when you witness eve teasing. Thank you for blocking the view and staring back at the man, who doesn't have the best intentions in a crowded bus. Thank you for taking a no from a girl respectfully, instead of losing your mind over it and blaming her ego. Thank you for taking care of a drunk girl, and dropping her home safe. Thank you for not deciding the character of a girl by the clothes she wears. Thank you for knowing the difference between appreciating beauty and leering. Thank you for refusing to believe a rumor about a girl, because nobody in the group knows the truth, and it's none of their business anyway. Thank you for not believing all girls are the same, based on sad past experiences. Thank you for not calling someone a bitch, because she decides to live life on her own terms which may not necessarily be in line with your thought process.

Dear Men, the ones who make the women in their lives smile, thank you for keeping your minds and hearts open. Thank you for truly believing that we both have the same rights to live and love life. Thank you for having the courage to fight patriarchy, in your own little ways. Thank you for putting in efforts, making us believe there may be bad men in the world, but there are great ones too! You may not be changing the world, but you sure are marking the beginning of a fair, just world.