Review Headline
Echoes of Indian Women: Navigating Inner Realities Through Dialogue

Review:
“This exciting and absorbing book will be of interest to scholars from a wide range of disciplines while being essential reading for all men and women.” – Indira J. Parikh & Pulin K. Garg.

As I delve into this book and craft my review mere days after the long-anticipated Women’s Reservation Bill received approval in Parliament, I find myself presented with a remarkable opportunity. My heartfelt gratitude goes to “Lieper Publication” in Srinagar for granting me this privilege. It is with immense satisfaction that I pen down this review.

“Indian Women: An Inner Dialogue” by Indira J. Parikh and Pulin K. Garg is a book that explores the inner world of Indian women. The book is based on workshops and dialogues that the authors conducted with many women across the country. It explores the issues surrounding the role and identity of Indian women based on the experiences and narrations of women across the country. The authors conducted workshops and dialogues with diverse women from different backgrounds, including the poor and the well-to-do, villagers, urbanites, working women, homemakers, daughters, wives, mothers, and grandmothers.

The book is a powerful and timely exploration of the issues surrounding the role and identity of Indian women. It delves into the complex inner world of Indian women and provides insights into their thoughts, feelings, and experiences. The authors have done an excellent job of presenting the voices of Indian women in a way that is both authentic and engaging. The book delves into the inner world of Indian women and examines their experiences of growing up in families with idealism, spiritual beliefs, and unique existence. It also explores their exposure to newer education forms and aspirations that beckon them towards adventure and discovery beyond tradition. Authors Indira and Pulin outline five major role models for women dominant in Indian society and discuss how these models have become outdated given changing mores and lifestyles. Despite this, Indian women are still expected to conform to these models, leading to tension between role expectations and current realities.

The book is divided into eight chapters, each dealing with a different aspect of the inner world of Indian women. If one chapter provides an overview of the book and sets the stage for the subsequent chapters, the following chapter deals with the concept of self and identity. In contrast, the next chapter focuses on relationships and communication. One of the chapters deals with the issue of work and career, while the fifth chapter deals with the issue of sexuality. The final chapter gives a chance to have a self-talk, summarises the book, and offers some insights into the future of Indian women. The authors believe that Indian women (and men) have yet to discover a third identity that is neither male nor female but human. This identity encompasses both genders and can be a liberating and life-giving force revitalising women and society.

One of the book’s strengths is how it presents the voices of Indian women. The authors have used various techniques, including workshops, dialogues, and interviews, to capture the thoughts and feelings of Indian women. The result is a book that is both insightful and engaging. Another strength of the book is how it deals with complex issues clearly and concisely. The authors have done an excellent job of presenting the issues surrounding the role and identity of Indian women in a way accessible to a wide audience. Apart from the writing, the book’s cover image is attractive and eye-catching. Also, the font style and size used in the book are very comfortable.

Overall, “Indian Women: An Inner Dialogue” is an excellent book that provides valuable insights into the inner world of Indian women. It is a must-read for anyone interested in the issues surrounding the role and identity of women in India.