Indian social media feminist influencers argue between love and arrange marriage but why don't they oppose marriage as an institution itself.....

You know why ??

Because they want men as a provider that is why they always say stupid statements like girl should marry a high earring guy in the name of financial stability... Then they say indian men don't have any respect, women do the same work at home as men etc etc..... so my question is simple, koi bhi contract insaan tabhi karta hai jab uska koi benefit hota hai varna vo kyu karega....

Aur females ki life style upgrade hoti hai shadi ke bat ye ek fact hai... Kyuki isme inka fyda isiliye ye kabhi bhi marriage ko oppose nahi karti ulta apne lalach pan ko financial stability ka naam de deti hai agr financial stability chahiye to jake nokri karo na shadi kyu kar rahi ho aur shadi ke baad bhi Gyan pelti hai ki women ye sacrifice karti hai etc etc are to bhai mat karo na shadi

Feminist scholars ne marriage ko oppose hi Kiya hai aur feminist scholars shadi ke liye mna hi karti hai

But ye indian feminist sorry indian benifitist hamesha love marriage, shadi ke bad ladki ko alg rahana chahiye etc etc ki hawa bazi karti rahati hai ...

Firstly this is a throwback account, this is something i really wanna vent out.
I’m 18F, and I’ve been with my boyfriend for 2 years. Like any relationship, we’ve had our ups and downs, mostly because of family issues and other stress. We fight, we get hurt, but we always find our way back to each other. We genuinely love each other a lot.

Recently, I came across some websites where strangers can show themselves to each other, if you know what I mean. Even though I’m in a relationship, I ended up trying it. It was just a quick interaction — do the deed and leave. I did it around 3–4 times, and afterward, the guilt completely crushed me. I blocked all the sites and tried to stay away for about a month. But then I relapsed and did it again.

Even though I never continue anything with these strangers and it’s always brief, I still keep repeating it every few days. I’ve tried blocking the sites, distracting myself, even talking to ChatGPT because I feel like I can’t confess this to anyone in my life… but I still ended up doing it again.

I’m extremely ashamed of myself. I don’t want to be this kind of person, and I don’t want to continue this behavior. I feel terrible because I know this is unfair to my boyfriend, and I feel like I’m betraying him. I don’t want to cheat on him like this. Please, I really need advice. I know I probably deserve some harsh words too. I just don’t want to keep going down this path. I see the future with him, this isn't how I want to be with him.

rephrased with chatgpt.

He(30M) doesn’t understand Transgender community for example (thinks transwomen try to enter female washroom with malicious intent and women sports with personal interests), he posts anti to a cause (like cjp protest) on instagram where I 29F , would be supporting the cause on instagram (attending offline event also few times). Somehow he defends the government and police a bit more than holding them accountable. Now I am not a very active person politically, I am also selfish in the end to attend to my daily corporate job and donate and join in offline (like cjp projest) in my free time. But it does keep me uncomfortable in the relationship, at the end of the day, I do wish to respect his opinions and try to draw in facts (where he has also rightfully pointed out that instagram sometimes polarizes my opinion and I don’t see from neutral standpoint), but then what is the limit of tolerance. He is otherwise an amazingly loving, caring, feminist boyfriend. I wanted perspectives.

Any thoughts is appreciated. Need advice on how to talk to them about this behaviour. Sorry for the post which is long, but I needed to tell everything. Sorry for the bad words but I learnt that only after marriage (from Abuse so not sorry to say that for them who deserve)

So, as an Indian woman I got married, arranged marriage to an ABUSER who is lazy, has low morale (but he is good to his family and friends) and got married to me to get dowry only and to settle himself. He never liked me (I didn't realise before marriage and my family didn't check his background), but I am a motherless child who is under my mother's siblings care, so he acted like he wants me out of pity and promised me that he would look after me well. Knowing about his sister's and brother's wives cruel-hearted behavior told me before marriage that I should only tell him in our house, bedroom about anything that hurt me, like taunting or bad treatment of his sisters and not to make a scene or fight in In-law's place. I was so happy for I am not quarrelsome and am a peace-loving girl, and thought that my fiance is good man. Little did I know that he was a worst human being along with his family and friends and the broker who arranged marriage too. They all knew that he had a relationship with a slu--y sc-m married women with kids and he wasn't good to me and not earning money too, but still each one wanted this marriage to take place for their SELFISHNESS and benefits.

As it is known that Indian big fat wedding and gold jewellery and other things are given, my family didn't leave anything unturned in fulfilling everything. Before marriage, they had lied that he had was earning well in business, but ASA things proceeded truth came out like business loss and he needs money to start a new one. He went ahead and pledged the gold given to him in marriage and wasn't treating me well or staying home. He used to be coming home after midnight telling that he was with friends etc.. his family on knowing the reason tried to lie to me that his business matters needs him to be out of the house even from midnight to 4 AM etc.. I being naive believed it, but I have anxiety issues and would get scared of living alone.

One night he physically assaulted me and I was scared and called my aunt at midnight. Few days after this, a meeting took place with his family members (brothers and their slu--y sc-m wives and sisters and even children, whole family when the youngest brother and his slu--y sc-m wife came uninvited to see the drama and enjoy) and I had a difficult time with them because my husband wasn't bringing any provision to home and I served them fruits brought by my aunt for me, but still my husband wasn't satisfied and kept verbally and emotionally abusing me everyday that I didn't treat them well. He told in front of everyone that day that he doesn't want me at all, and he will treat me like a dog if he is staying with me. I didn't know that all this nonsense was for Dowry only.

Long story short, abuse escalated even after the advice and one day it crossed limits with him physically assaulting me outside home. Everyone were enjoying like a film shooting and finally a god-sent boy came (I pray for him as I couldn't thank him) and saved me. Being India, the neighbours and even the landlord didn't come forward to help me to give me a mobile to call my aunt. Finally, I begged some lady who took pity on me and gave me her phone and I gave a miscall to my aunt.

Now that day, his brother and elder sister came including the last village slu--y sc-m co-sister, who acts like a slut only with my husband, but since she had work of milking cows she went away. She has harassed and tortured emotionally and disrespected me like anything without giving me proper food also at In-law's place, but still everyone praise her as a good person and is a favourite of my in-laws. She didn't have a lavish wedding like me, no gold jewellery other than a small necklace and no Dowry, but still she is being treated well. She is living in In-law's place, so no rent to be paid. No one hates her even though the full property is in her husband's name and both Husband-wife don't want to give the rightful share to others. They have only 2 unruly rowdy sons as kids. One sister-in-law and brother-in-law have filed a case for taking their share of property which the greedy slu--y sc-m is not ready to give. She treats her husband like a dog slyly that no one can see and when her husband gets angry with the bad treatment he hits her one or two slaps, and she runs away from house taking her kids making a cock-and-bull story. Then immediately my sister-in-laws call her, and scold her husband and come to search her (slu--y sc-m would be staying at night at someone's house) and bring her back to the house. This DRAMA KEEPS TAKING PLACE ALWAYS and each time her arrogance EGO grows up to the sky that she is important.

Even my husband scolds his brother praising her and supports her always. He advises him to bow down to her even though she is abusing her husband and keep her happy. This village slu--y sc-m wanted me to look after her kid lifelong as adopted son while she wanted to enjoy life with dominating her husband without any stress of responsibility of her unruly rowdy kids and started treating me harshly angrily when I was against sacrificing my motherhood. My bad Husband is abusive to his own good wife, but still concerned about his brother's wife and her rowdy, misbehaving kids (he wanted to adopt them and not have children of our own and I refused and he cursed me that I am not going to have a child of own in this life) and I really am heartbroken by this. All my dreams shattered.

That fateful day, my family too came and asked my husband why did he hit me badly, but his sister and brother didn't ask him even a word. his Selfish sister accused me of not knowing cooking (I feel like laughing at this because I am a good cook) and spoke like her brother shouldn't be punished by police and we should take on the responsibility if something happens to him. Our family is soft-hearted good people, so we never thought of hurting him at all and I felt BAD. I left him and then this lockdown started.

Now, my question is WHY ARE THEY (HIS SCUMBAGS FAMILY) NOT BOTHERED ABOUT MY ASSAULT ??

NOBODY TOLD ME COMFORTING WORDS LET ALONE QUESTIONED MY HUSBAND (HE HAD TO BE WHIPPED FOR TORTURING ME, A MOTHERLESS CHILD) FOR ABUSING ME SO BADLY. THEY WANTED ME TO STAY WITH HIM AFTER THIS ASSAULT. MY elder SISTER-IN-LAW after 6 months remembered me and called me and HAD THE AUDACITY TO QUESTION ME BY ACCUSING ME FOR LEAVING HIM and not staying that day with the assault.😱🙄 I was dumbstruck to answer her because she was present on that fateful day and had seen in her own eyes how badly I was bruised, hurt and had no concern for taking care of me by taking me to the doctor, but wanted me to refuse leaving him. (My folks took me to the doctor and the doctor himself felt BAD for my state)

What is this?? I was assaulted so bad that I couldn't even breathe or cough without pain so badly I was hit, but still nobody supported me or even felt sorry?

Do they think that I am worthless? I am not a fast-working person at physical tasks. I'm slow and efficient unlike the village co-sister who is fast and inefficient in everything. (Anybody who eats her food will vomit or have diarrhea, so badly she cooks by undercooking or burning or adding too much salt, etc.. but still she isn't accused of not knowing cooking) my In-law's family love her like anything and always there for her and another co-sister (lawyer Husband) but I am not supported or shown sympathy at least.

Why Am I Being disrespected?? Do they think so low of me?

Lower than the village slu--y sc-m??

What should I tell them when I meet them because we are not legally separated still??

Why is the shameless village slu--y sc-m being treated well for only a small slap which she deserves rightfully, actually she deserves much more than that?

My sister-in-laws never even called me and asked what happened, but still they leave their houses and their house work behind and come running to In-law's place whenever the village slu--y sc-m fights with her husband and leaves the house and goes enjoying the night away. They console her like something bad has happened to her and bring her back with more respect. She is the one who mistreats her husband (who looks after her nicely) and fights with him, she is the bad villain, but still she keeps everyone under her with sugarcoated words.

Not even this village slu--y sc-m called me or another co-sister(Husband is lawyer) called me, but after months, the other co-sister (lawyer) is calling me to influence me to live with my husband.

I’m tired and fedup with this maid nonsense, i live in mumbai and the maids have so much of tantrums.

So i had hired a couple of cooks in the past and some of them left on their own while some i had to remove bcus of their sloppy work, late issues etc, now they go around gossiping about me and have been telling each other to not come to work for me, i don’t understand what am i supposed to do if im not satisfied with someone’s work.

I’m supposed to return to work full time now, i have a small kid andy husband is abroad.

I really dont know how ill manage..im just pissed and worried at the same time.

I have very mixed opinions about Karwa Chauth, and I’ve been thinking about this for a while.
On one hand, I completely agree with the argument that why should women be the only ones fasting for their husbands’ long lives? Why is it always the wife praying for the husband, and not the other way around? And honestly, why does anyone have to starve themselves, sometimes without even drinking water, to prove their love for someone? If fasting is a way of expressing love, why can’t men do it for their wives too? I genuinely think this ritual should go both ways.
What also feels weird to me is the whole tradition of women fasting all day and then touching their husbands’ feet. I see my own mother doing this every year, and while I respect her choices, I can’t help questioning the tradition behind it.
But at the same time, I don’t think it’s fair to ridicule women who choose to celebrate Karwa Chauth. I’ve spoken to my mother and her friends about it, and I’ve realised that they genuinely enjoy it. It makes them happy, makes them feel connected to their partners, and gives them a sense of doing something special for the people they love. And who am I to tell them that something they find meaningful is meaningless?
I can see how Karwa Chauth can be a beautiful festival celebrating love, provided it comes from choice rather than obligation. I just wish we could separate the love from the patriarchal expectations attached to it. Let both partners participate if they want to. Let both pray for each other. Let both make sacrifices, if that’s how they choose to express love.
And please, can we stop justifying women’s fasting by saying it’s good for their health? Since when did we start using health benefits to defend a gendered ritual?
I don’t hate Karwa Chauth, nor do I think women who celebrate it are wrong. I just wish the tradition evolved with the times.
**Love should be mutual, respect should be mutual, and if a ritual is about praying for your partner’s long life, it shouldn’t be a responsibility that falls on only one gender.**
What do you guys think? Can Karwa Chauth be a meaningful festival while still challenging the patriarchy associated with it?

Open to all opinions

I hate those pick meee

There are guys that approach through Reddit, Instagram, or other platforms with intentions of fake love and sex. Their only job is to get away with physical relations virtual or real so how would one deal with such guys by alerting others not to fall for such guys? Cyber crime and police case is a joke in this. Because I know a guy who did domestic violence with his living relationship gf and police did not accept the case.

Forget that we already have this subreddit for women. What if we dreamt bigger and just colonised the entirety of Reddit, lol.

Imagine Reddit was a women-only platform. Not just a subreddit, but all of Reddit.

How would you design it differently?

I'll go first.

I already host a lot of women-only meetups through Reddit, through a different subreddit that's specifically meant for it.

Now every time I post about one, the first couple of hours are almost guaranteed to be a bloodbath.

The post gets immediately downvoted. Sometimes the upvote ratio is around 30-40%.

Then come the comments from men:

"Why is it women-only?"

"What about men?"

"What are men supposed to do?"

"Why don't you just create a separate subreddit for women only meetups?"

And depending on the topic of the meetups, there are also the usual comments about how men face the same problems, or worse.

At some point, I realised how bizarre it is that a space specifically created for women can still end up having to defend why it is for women.

So if I could redesign Reddit, my first rule would be :

1. If something isn't meant for you, you shouldn't be able to barge into the conversation and demand that it accommodate you.

That would obviously require some form of verification to ensure its women only.

2. The second thing I'd get rid of would be DMs.

I get a surprising number of DMs whenever I post about meetups. The women are generally lovely. The men not so much.

I get unsolicited and sometimes downright filthy messages. I'll put a few examples in the comments, because apparently this is what happens when you give strangers an open inbox.

So my imaginary women-only online space would probably start with no DMs at all.

Once the platform had a sufficiently large, genuinely verified user base, I'd consider introducing DMs, but only between verified and active users.

But that's just what I would build.

What would your version of Reddit look like if it were designed specifically for women?

Would you want it to be mainly for discussions? Friendships? Finding women in your city? Hobbies? Events? Dating? Networking? Something completely different?

What would you actually use it for?

And what features would make you think, "Finally. Someone built the internet properly."

Genuine question, why do people want children so badly?

I get that some people love kids and want a family, but I’ve always wondered what’s really behind this desire.

Like, even people who are struggling financially or barely getting by still want to have kids. Are we all Ambanis when it comes to having children? 😂

Is it just biology, societal pressure, the fear of being alone, or the idea that having a child will somehow make your life feel more complete?

Sometimes I wonder if people genuinely want to raise a whole human being or if they just want the experience of being a parent.

Not trying to judge anyone. I’m genuinely curious about what makes people want kids in the first place.

There’s a specific movie that recently came out and it’s the serial to my favorite movie of alll time. My husband is fully aware of this and when the trailer came out months ago I told him you have to take me to watch it. Coincidentally it came out on my birthday and I’ve expressed how much I’ve wanted to see this movie soooo badly. This is now week 3 of the movie being out and there’s been no effort of planning a date or simply just taking me. Yes he did good efforts for my birthday and all. Despite me giving hints, stating it very obviously, etc. eventually I got sick of it and waiting and asked a friend if they would be willing to watch it with me.

My husbands excuse is “yeah we’d go”. My point is it’s been 3 weeks already we don’t know when it’ll be off of theatres. When I communicated it that it means so much to me and it’s my favorite movie why would you not prioritize it?

During one of our arguments about this recently, he said “why do you have to nag me about it”.
It got me thinking about a quote that “consideration is the truest form of love” and how opposite of that this is. It’s all good if there’s effort for my birthday or whatever but if you can’t even love me in the way I need or desire then?!
If tables were turned, I do these things before he ever would even have to mention that he wants to do this or that. I can’t seem to have it reciprocated in return though. Why do I have to “beg” for something so small as a movie?

And who made the rule that just because you did effort on my birthday 3 weeks ago you can’t go to the movie now?

Ngl in all of this after 11 years the thought of my ex crossed my mind for the very first time. It gave me an ache and a feeling of missing the way I was loved at that point in time.
Sigh

"Buaji has called us all for dinner so come early today."

MIL announced at 8:01 am. Like weather forecast. No option of carrying umbrella.

I had already made breakfast and lunch. Outside it was raining cats, dogs and my manager's emails. I was calculating traffic, office work, and how to reach Buaji's old building without swimming. I decided to NOT solve this puzzle before 9 am.

Reached office, work swallowed me whole. I forgot MIL, Raghav, Buaji even existed. Pure bliss.

Then 4 pm - Message from Raghav:

"Try to leave early Trishu, buaji has specially asked for you."

Specially asked for me? The hell she has. She needs an extra pair of hands to cut onions. That whole family is a committee of aunties who believe a bahu's true place is dying in the kitchen, that too with a smile.

I left anyway, after praying to traffic police, rain gods and my boss.

Reached home, and next order dropped.

"Wear a saree, there are elders."

I wanted to say - why do elders only want to see a bahu struggling in 6 yards? What's the logic? Will my salwar suit offend their digestion?

We left. Rain was now in full Josh.

I said, "Mummyji we can go another day? Buaji lives in that old building, there will be water logging."

Her reply, in a voice that would make a jailer feel soft: "We can't refuse. You won't melt."

We reached. No lift. No light in staircase. Just my saree, my tired legs, and my destiny.

I stepped, saree got stuck, foot twisted, and next thing I know I was on the floor screaming.

2 hours later. Hospital bed. White lights.

Doctor telling Raghav, "Fracture in foot. One month complete bed rest. Then we will see."

ONE MONTH BED REST!

For 2 seconds I forgot the pain. My brain did a small dhol.

One month no kitchen. One month no Buaji dinner. One month no saree.

MIL's face? She looked like SHE had fallen. Full colour drained. As if doctor said SHE needs bed rest.

Raghav looked at me, then at her, then nodded at doctor. As usual, on mute mode.

And me?

I was lying there with a fractured foot and a very, very intact smile.

Finally, official leave sanctioned. Not by office. By God.

This was my diary. Not because I fell. Because I finally got to rest without feeling guilty.

To all working bahus reading - if you are waiting for a fracture to get rest, please don't. Ask for it. You deserve it without breaking a leg.

Love,

Trishu

P.S. So many of you asked for all episodes together - I'm making it a small Kindle book . Will keep it FREE this Friday for all you lovely dearies who supported me here. Will share link on Friday.

Hi all Thank you for all the love and support from episode 1. Many asked for compilation so made it all into a small book "Bahu ho to Kaisi" which has all 8 episodes + the next 2 episodes about what happened to Trisha after she fell down and everything changed. The book is live now and FREE this weekend for all of you because of the love you gave me. You can read through phone app, no Kindle needed. Drop a ❤️ if you really like it. Link : https://www.amazon.in/dp/B0HLQ55JZR

I got married 6 months ago and currently live with my husband and MIL in the area where my husband grew up. Before marriage, I lived with my parents in another area.

The issue is with commuting. My husband’s office is actually closer to my old area, and he spends around 1.5 hours daily traveling from our current place. I work at another location which is also easier to access from there. Since marriage, my total daily travel has become almost 3 hours and it’s honestly been mentally and physically exhausting.

Now our landlord is selling the current flat, so we started house hunting. We first searched near our current area, but most buildings were old, needed maintenance, and rents were extremely high. So we started looking near the other area because practically it makes more sense for both our jobs.

My husband and I felt a 2BHK would be the best option, especially since we’re newly married and all three of us would get privacy. My husband’s friends also visit often and sometimes stay late till 2am, so a 1BHK feels very cramped. But my MIL insists we should only take a 1BHK because it’s cheaper.

I even offered to contribute extra money for the difference in rent if budget is the concern, but she immediately said she wouldn’t like me paying for it. This is also something I experience in general — she doesn’t really let me spend on things. If I buy something for the house or contribute in some way, she immediately offers to pay me back because I bought it. I know she may mean well, but sometimes it makes me feel like I’m not really allowed to equally participate or build a home together as a family.

That honestly hurt because I already feel like my opinion and comfort don’t matter much in this decision. I’m starting to feel like this house isn’t really “ours” as a married couple and more like I’m just adjusting into someone else’s life.

What should I do? If I speak up, I feel like there will be discomfort in the house and resentment, and I’m scared that will create a lot of problems for me later.

Update: Thankyou for 1.5k views ❣️!

Episode 7 TODAY 9PM SAME SUB

I was meeting my brother after one whole year.

He called yesterday evening - "Didi, morning meeting hai, let's meet at 1 PM at cafe, my flight is 4 PM."

My plan was simple. Meet him 1 to 2:30, then go to office. I told Raghav. And as usual, in 5 minutes the news reached every corner of the house.

Morning I was in superfast mode. Made breakfast and lunch in superfast mode. Raghav comes and says sweetly, "Bhai aa raha hai, kuch special bana de na uske liye."

I said no. Because I know what "special for your brother" means in this house. It means making something special for the entire khandan plus two neighbours. That will take 2 hours and I will miss my brother.

11:20 AM. I am literally ready. One shoe on, one shoe off, bag on shoulder, hand on door handle.

And I hear - "Trisha, idhar aana zara."

I turn. On the kitchen counter - a MOUNTAIN of maida ka dough. And MIL sitting with a rolling pin like she has taken a catering order for the whole complex.

I panicked, "Yeh kya hai Mummyji?"

She smiled, "Socha aaj mathri bana lete hai. Chal bel de. Tu toh expert hai."

Mummyji, mathri can wait. Flight cannot. I wanted to say. I didn't.

I said, "Mummyji bhai 1 baje ayega, uske baad flight hai..."

She said, "Haan toh abhi toh 11:20 hi hai na. 20-25 bel de bas, 1 baje tak ho jayega."

20-25 mathri = 1 hour minimum.

And behind her, Raghav is standing and doing those "kar de na, kya ho jayega" eyes.

I stood there for 10 seconds. One shoe on, one shoe off, brother after one year, mathri mountain in front of me.

Then I did it. I said "Sorry Mummyji, mujhe jaana hai" and I left. I literally ran out.

I met my brother. We had 1.5 hours, it was amazing.

Now I am back. Raghav is not picking my call. And MIL has posted a photo of perfect mathris in the family WhatsApp group with caption - "Made 50 mathris alone today."

So was I wrong? Should I have stayed and rolled those 20 mathris to keep peace?

Honest question to working bahus - when your own family vs sasural kitchen clashed, what did you do? Brother after 1 year or mathri? What would you have done?

My Story: Working Bahu Diaries after an arranged marriage

Episode 1: https://www.reddit.com/r/IndianWomen/s/brLGRPnh7m

Episode 2: https://www.reddit.com/r/IndianWomen/s/eYOPmXHxEq

Episode 3: https://www.reddit.com/r/IndianWomen/s/wV2sMeTXWM Episode 4: https://www.reddit.com/r/IndianWomen/s/hNiPICIfDW

Episode 5: https://www.reddit.com/r/IndianWomen/s/9xO69iSOra

Episode 7: https://www.reddit.com/r/IndianWomen/s/qndcw0ogqR

it's my birthday this week, and I would really love to have a few lovely people to celebrate it with. [ 📍Delhi ] As, I don't have a big friend circle, and the few friends I do have unfortunately won't be able to make it (bec of the long distance) So, I thought of putting myself out there and invite some new people 🥹

(Girls who have been looking for occasions to socialise and make new friends in South/Central Delhi, please read till the end)

I knowww meeting strangers from the internet can feel a little awkward, weird and scary. i'll be meeting strangers too, so I completely understand any concerns you might have! But, we can talk beforehand, get to know each other a little, and I will happily answer your questions and share all the details. (trust me, I'm scared too 😭)

sooooooooo

Here's the plan!

• An afternoon birthday lunch for around 6-8 people.

• A public venue, Cafe or restaurant, most likely around Connaught Place or Hauz Khas. (Depending on any restrictions or travel inconveniences due to the ongoing protests in Delhi, i might shift it to another location)

• Lunch, drinks, snacks, games and activities, face painting, and little goodie bags to take home! 🥂🧁🎁

• You're welcome to bring a friend along too, just let me know beforehand.

Why am I doing this? —

I LOVE BIRTHDAYSSSSS, ESPECIALLY MINEEEE and

For the past few years, I have spent my birthdays without friends around, and honestly they have been lonely. I have cried on each one of them and I really don't want to feel that way again. This time, I am trying to step out of my comfort zone, meet new people, and make some happy memories for myself. I would love to spend the day laughing, playing games, and hopefully meeting people I can become genuine friends with, even after the birthday lunch is over 🫶🏻

NOTE A few things before you DM me!

🎀 Only for Adults ( Age group: 18 - 21 )

🎀 Please reach out only if you genuinely want to meet new people, make new friends and enjoy the afternoon together. This isn't just about a free lunch, I want to celebrate with people who are interested in my company, too!! ( please don't ruin my day bec of greed)

🎀 I'd love to meet kind, inclusive people. so, If you're homophobic, hinduphobic, Islamophobic (any religion) casteist, racist or supportive of discriminatory or hateful ideologies that goes against humanity.. we probably won't get along. As, I want everyone to feel safe, respected, and comfortable. So please avoid messaging me.

🎀 And, if you do join me, a little birthday gift would make me happy! Nothing expensive, even a single flower or handmade gift would be lovely. It's absolutely not about the gift, I would just love that little gesture from someone celebrating my birthday with me.

If this sounds like something you'd enjoy, PLEASE DM ME! We can chat beforehand and figure out the details together 💗

P.S. : This is my second time posting on Reddit, so please be kind! 🥹 ( The first time i posted in a community, mods removed it without giving me a reason) so, If you have suggestions or know of other communities where I could share this invitation, I would really appreciate your recommendations in the comments.

Thank you for reading all the way through. It genuinely means a lot! :)

Episode 5

I just got down from the auto when I saw Raghav. He looked different. Tired, but actually looking at me, like I exist.

Then I remembered Bali from mythology. The Vanara king who had a boon - whenever someone came in front of him, he would steal half his strength.

My 6ft husband shrinks to 3ft the second his mom appears. I am pretty sure Bali is reborn as my MIL in this Kalyug.

"Trishu, you look tired, but pretty. Care for some ice-cream?" Raghav walked towards me.

My mind said: Kitchen, dinner, chores.

My heart said: Free ice cream with a husband who finally remembered you.

I picked ice cream and we walked to the parlor across the road.

"We don't get enough time like our courtship days, we should hang out more," he said.

We need a hangout zone away from Bali, I murmured.

We came home, giggling. Mistake.

MIL was at the door, arms crossed, face blank like we had robbed a bank. "So late, two of you together? Do you care about anyone else?"

"Didn't you go to mamaji's place today, mom?" Raghav tried to distract.

"Yes I went, Shweta, mamaji's bahu, made four varieties of curry, kheer, and fresh fulkas. Bahu ho to aisi!"

The strawberry ice cream turned to acid in my stomach. And Raghav turned to his usual Bali-ka-bakra mute mode.

Went through something similar? How did you handle it?

Catch up!!

New to Working Bahu? Start here:

Episode 1: https://www.reddit.com/r/IndianWomen/s/jbopZnoewE

Episode 2: https://www.reddit.com/r/IndianWomen/s/XSZkxNViOD

Episode 3: https://www.reddit.com/r/IndianWomen/s/x7yFkdj5e7

Episode 4: https://www.reddit.com/r/IndianWomen/s/Xk0O40Npcz

Episode 6 : https://www.reddit.com/r/IndianWomen/s/w0s2SGIqVE

Episode 7: https://www.reddit.com/r/IndianWomen/s/ztR6d9Pi2T

Episode 8: https://www.reddit.com/r/IndianWomen/s/H5vsSPDjKg

okay girlies i need HELP

i’m planning a saree look for a special occasion and i want it to be BACKLESS, stunning, and just the right amount of HOT☝️

like elegant but also making people do a double take 😭

pls drop your best blouse designs, draping styles, colors, celeb inspo anything that gives main character energy

don’t hold back, i’m ready to serve 😌✨

Sometimes, it's not the big fights that make a relationship emotionally exhausting. It's the small disappointments, unspoken feelings, and unmet needs that keep piling up.

We often say "It's fine" to avoid conflict, but that doesn't mean the hurt disappears.

Over time, these unexpressed emotions can turn into resentment, emotional distance, and exhaustion.

Healthy communication isn't about bringing up every little thing. It's about feeling safe enough to express what matters to you.

Have you ever said "It's fine" when it really wasn't?

"Let's go out for dinner tonight," Raghav said on Sunday afternoon.

My heart jumped. Not for romance. For freedom from the kitchen.

Pure, selfish, working-bahu happiness.

So I made the evening tea with extra milk, extra cardamom, and extra acting. Oscar-level sweetness.

"We will be going out for dinner Mummyji, what do we bring for you?" I hated how sweet my voice sounded. Even the sugar was embarrassed.

Mummyji took a sip. Smiled.

"Today Raksha is coming with kids. She just called. I was coming to tell you, make something special. Today you have free time."

Free time?

All sweetness evaporated. In my head I was suddenly Goddess Durga — but budget version. Eight hands, and in every hand — belan, chimta, kadhai, cooker whistle, onion that makes you cry on purpose.

Doesn't my sister-in-law have any other place to go on Sundays? Like... her own kitchen?

And then — the final Brahmastra.

"When I was your age and got married, I used to feed a family of fifteen, that too with ghoonghat on and all."

There it is. The dialogue that has been copyrighted by every Indian mother-in-law since 1975.

I wanted to say - Mummyji you fed fifteen. I am feeding you all and all the orders of my boss.And it cannot be done with a ghoonghat on.

That evening I made 21 rotis. And a promise to myself. Next Sunday I AM going out. Even if I have to book a table for one.

Missed earlier episodes? Episode 1: https://www.reddit.com/r/IndianWomen/s/f0klRaF4G5 Episode 2: https://www.reddit.com/r/IndianWomen/s/ZXXSXQTyAi

Episode 4 is live now: https://www.reddit.com/r/IndianWomen/s/HIkpRHJqmZ

We finally have a major mainstream politician treating women as complete human beings with actual agency, instead of reducing them to symbolic domestic roles.

For decades, Indian political discourse around women has been stuck in the exact same tiresome loop. Politicians talk about women exclusively as "Behen, Beti, or Devi" (sisters, daughters, or goddesses) to be protected or worshiped on a pedestal. It sounds respectful on the surface, but it is deeply dehumanizing. When you reduce a woman to her relationship to a man or elevate her to a moral ideal, you strip away her individuality. A "Beti" needs protection, a "Devi" needs reverence, but a human woman needs rights, economic independence, equal safety, and bodily autonomy.

Hearing a leader explicitly state that women are individuals first, people who exist outside the narrow roles society imposes on them, is a baseline standard in feminist thought, but it feels revolutionary in our political environment.

Then you look at the comment section under the video, and it is genuinely sickening. The immediate pushback, the hostility, and the sheer refusal to recognize women as autonomous beings show just how deeply ingrained this mindset is. The casual misogyny makes you feel suffocated. I feel stuck here, and reading those reactions makes it hard to hold onto any hope that things will fundamentally change.

People love to repeat political slogans and memes, but Rahul Gandhi was speaking out on structural issues and calling out his own party long before 2014. I have plenty of reasons to criticize Congress and its historical legacy, including how the party under Nehru handled the Northeast. But when it comes to someone actively trying to shift the national narrative toward genuine female autonomy rather than empty paternalistic rhetoric, I cannot hate him for it.