Here’s a truth about society— it likes to label. Date around a lot? You’re a slut. Don’t put yourself out there? You’re a prude. Speak your mind and you become ‘difficult to work with’, take up space and you’re seen as arrogant. Having a carefree attitude makes you a bimbo, being well-read makes you a nerd. Women are always either too much, or not enough.
“I Dig Deeper Than Gold”
The internet was quick to brand Sushmita Sen as a gold digger last week when Lalit Modi made a very public announcement about their relationship. From choosing not to get married and adopting two girls to dating a man fifteen years younger than her— it’s not the first time that Sushmita’s life decisions have been questioned and ridiculed. Who cares that she made history by becoming the first-ever Indian to be crowned Miss Universe? So what if she’s a talented actress and a National Award winner for Social Welfare And Women Empowerment? Her relationship status is all that matters, isn’t it?
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“I dig deeper than Gold…and I’ve always (famously) preferred Diamonds!! And yes I still buy them myself!” Sushmita says in her latest Instagram post while Lalit Modi continues his thesis on defending his self-worth and achievements in his captions. While Sushmita gets a nasty label, Lalit had memes made about his perseverance when his 2013 tweet to Sushmita resurfaced. “Umeed kabhi nahi chodni chahiye (One should never lose hope),” one fan exclaimed. “It all started from here. Never give up attitude of Lalit Modi is commendable,” another said.
In A Man’s World
Why is it that when a woman takes charge, she’s taken apart, but a man is applauded? Why is it that when she flaunts her achievements and dates younger men, she’s looked down upon, while when he does it, he’s a trophy winner? Why is it that we’re reducing a woman to her relationship status when she’s so much more than that?
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A True Tigress
It’s no secret that Sushmita Sen has shattered the glass ceiling time and again and overcome hurdles thrown at her, all while dazzling us with her million-dollar smile and wit. She won Miss Universe at the tender age of 18, adopted Renee at 24, battled Addison’s disease in 2014, made her acting comeback with the fierce Aarya in 2020 and continues to inspire us to march to the beat of our own drums. “I’ve never lived on the transient borrowed light of approval & applause. I am the Sun….perfectly centred in my being & my conscience,” she says in her caption. She’s too big an idea to fit into a mere label— you can’t detain a tigress with the illusionary shackles of social constructs, so pro tip: don’t.
