1 . THE 3LS OF EMPOWERMENT - Christine Lagarde

 Unit - 1

Flights of Freedom

Think and discuss:

² Have you ever thought about the various roles taken by women in their homes and outside?

Yes, women play a variety of roles both inside and outside their homes, especially in Indian society. Here are some points to consider:

1.  Homemaker: In Indian culture, women are traditionally responsible for taking care of the household and ensuring that the family's needs are met. This includes cooking, cleaning, and caring for children and elderly family members.
2.  Working professional: Many women in India work outside the home, pursuing careers in various fields such as medicine, law, engineering, and education. Women have made significant strides in the workforce, and many hold high-level positions in government and business.
3.  Entrepreneur: Women in India are increasingly starting their own businesses, from small-scale ventures like selling homemade goods to larger companies in fields such as tech and finance.
4.   Caregiver: Women are often the primary caregivers for family members who are ill or disabled, providing emotional and physical support to those in need.
5.   Community leader: Women in India are also taking on leadership roles in their communities, advocating for social change and working to improve the lives of others through activism and volunteerism.
6.   Role model: Women are inspiring younger generations to pursue their dreams and break through gender barriers. Many women have become role models for others, inspiring girls to aspire to careers that were once considered off-limits.
7.  Political leader: Women have been making strides in the political arena as well, with more and more women running for office and being elected to positions of power at the local, state, and national levels.
8.  Educator: Women are also making a significant contribution to education in India, both as teachers and as students. Women are pursuing higher education in increasing numbers, and many are working as educators themselves, shaping the minds of future generations.

 These are just a few of the many roles that women play in Indian society. Women have made significant progress in recent years, but there is still much work to be done to ensure that women are able to live their lives to the fullest and achieve their full potential.

² What are the challenges faced by women today?

Women face various challenges in today's world, especially in Indian society. Here are some of the key challenges faced by women:

 

1. Gender-based violence: Women face physical, emotional, and sexual violence both at home and outside. Domestic violence is prevalent in many households, and women face harassment and assault in public spaces.
2. Unequal opportunities: Women face unequal opportunities in education, employment, and political representation. Women are often not given the same opportunities as men, which limits their potential and growth.
3.   Patriarchal attitudes: Indian society is still predominantly patriarchal, and women are expected to adhere to traditional gender roles. They are often expected to prioritize family responsibilities over personal growth and ambitions.
4.  Discrimination in the workplace: Women face discrimination in the workplace in terms of pay, promotions, and opportunities. Many women are not given the same opportunities as men and are often paid less for the same work.
5.  Limited access to healthcare: Women often have limited access to healthcare facilities, especially in rural areas. This leads to inadequate health outcomes for women, including high maternal mortality rates.
6.  Child marriage and dowry: Child marriage is still prevalent in many parts of India, which deprives young girls of their childhood and education. Dowry is another issue that women face, where they are expected to bring a substantial amount of money and gifts to their in-laws at the time of marriage.
7.  Limited political representation: Women have limited political representation in India. Although women make up almost half of the population, they are significantly underrepresented in political offices.

 These challenges limit the potential of women and hinder their growth and progress. It is essential to address these challenges and create a society that provides equal opportunities and a safe environment for women to thrive.

 

 ² Are women equipped to meet those challenges?

Yes, women are equipped to meet the challenges they face today in Indian society. Here are some points to consider:

1. Education: Education is the foundation upon which any change is built. Women who are educated have better chances of achieving their goals, whether it be in their personal or professional lives.
2.     Awareness: Women need to be aware of their rights and entitlements. This will help them to make informed decisions and demand their rights when necessary.
3. Support from family and society: Women need support from their families and society to overcome the challenges they face. This includes emotional support, financial support, and support to pursue their dreams and ambitions.
4. Empowerment: Women need to be empowered to take control of their lives. This means giving them access to resources, skills, and opportunities that will help them achieve their goals.
5.  Financial independence: Women need to be financially independent. This will give them the freedom to make their own decisions, and not be dependent on others for their livelihood.
6. Leadership: Women need to be given opportunities to assume leadership roles. This will help them to develop their skills and abilities, and make a positive impact on society.

Overall, women are capable of meeting the challenges they face today, but they need the support and empowerment to do so.

Lesson - 1

THE 3LS OF EMPOWERMENT

Christine Lagarde

  Lesson analysis                                                                                                                                                                                                              In her speech, Christine Lagarde, the former Finance Minister of France and the first woman to head the International Monetary Fund (IMF), emphasizes the role of women in the economy and the need to empower them. She argues that women's potential is often blocked, leading to significant costs for countries that deny women equal opportunities. She suggests that opening the door to women's learning, labour, and leadership can help empower women and improve their economic participation.

Lagarde begins by highlighting the challenges that the 21st century poses and the need for new ways of thinking. She argues that the economic role of women is crucial, but they remain blocked from contributing their true potential. In some countries, per capita income lags significantly because women are denied equal opportunity. Despite representing half the world's population, women contribute far less than 50 per cent of economic activity. Therefore, concerted efforts are needed to open the door to opportunity with what Lagarde calls the "3 Ls" of women's empowerment: learning, labour, and leadership.

The first "L" is learning, and Lagarde argues that education is the foundation upon which any change is built. Learning helps women to help themselves and break the shackles of exclusion. In the developing world, education is essential, and as African adage goes, "If you educate a boy, you train a man. If you educate a girl, you train a village." This adage highlights the importance of education in empowering women and promoting their economic participation.The second "L" is labour, and Lagarde argues that it is crucial for women to flourish and achieve their true potential. However, women too often tend to get stuck in low-paying, low-status, and low-security jobs. Globally, women earn only three-quarters as much as men - even with the same level of education and in the same occupation. Lagarde suggests that equal pay for equal work should be one of the most basic norms. Eliminating gender gaps in economic participation can bring an increase in per capita income. Policies that encourage education, health care, and greater access to credit will help women achieve greater economic independence.

 Finally, the third "L" is leadership that enables women to rise and fulfill their innate abilities and talents. Lagarde argues that when women lead, they tend to do as good a job as others, if not a better job. Women are more likely to make decisions based on consensus-building, inclusion, compassion, and with a focus on long-term sustainability. However, women sometimes lack the confidence to match their competence, and they need to change that mindset and reset the narrative in their favour. Women must be ready to "dare the difference" - to take risks and step outside their comfort zones. Nonetheless, even those with the drive to succeed continue to face barriers.

In conclusion, Lagarde emphasizes that it is time to create a world where all women can meet their potential without impediment or prejudice, and the world will reap the benefits. By implementing the three Ls - learning, labour, and leadership - we can create a world where women are liberated and able to contribute their true potential. The 3 Ls offer a roadmap for women's empowerment, and by following it, we can achieve a more equitable and prosperous world.

( to be continued ....)

Christine Lagarde

The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet ( novel ) - David Mitchell / 'Brilliant' - The Times / 'A masterpiece' - Scotsman

David Mitchell's "The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet" is a masterful work of historical fiction set in the late 18th century, at a time when Japan was largely closed off to the outside world. Mitchell's novel follows the story of Jacob de Zoet, a young Dutch clerk working for the Dutch East India Company in Nagasaki, Japan. The novel explores themes of love, power, and cultural identity as Jacob navigates the complex social and political landscape of Japan.

One of the central themes of the novel is the clash of cultures between the Dutch and the Japanese. Mitchell does an excellent job of portraying the cultural differences between the two societies, particularly in their attitudes towards power and authority. In the Dutch East India Company, power is centralized and hierarchical, with the Governor-General at the top and the lower-ranking clerks at the bottom. In contrast, the Japanese society that Jacob encounters is more decentralized, with power spread out among various factions and interest groups. Mitchell shows how this clash of cultures creates tension and conflict, as Jacob struggles to understand the complex power dynamics at play in Japan.

Another important theme of the novel is the nature of love and relationships. Throughout the novel, Jacob becomes involved with a Japanese woman named Orito Aibagawa, who is both his intellectual equal and his emotional counterpart. Mitchell depicts their relationship with sensitivity and nuance, showing how it develops slowly over time and is complicated by their differing cultural backgrounds. Jacob and Orito's relationship is ultimately doomed, but Mitchell portrays it with such depth and complexity that it remains one of the most memorable aspects of the novel.

The novel also explores the theme of identity, particularly as it relates to cultural and national identity. Jacob is a Dutchman working for the Dutch East India Company, but he is also an outsider in Japan, struggling to understand the culture and language of the country. Similarly, the Japanese characters in the novel are struggling to define their own national identity in the face of the growing influence of Western culture. Mitchell shows how these competing identities can lead to conflict and confusion, but also how they can ultimately be reconciled through mutual understanding and respect.

One of the strengths of Mitchell's writing is his ability to create vivid and compelling characters. Jacob is a sympathetic and relatable protagonist, whose struggles and triumphs are portrayed with sensitivity and depth. Mitchell also creates a wide cast of supporting characters, each with their own unique quirks and motivations. From the enigmatic Orito to the conniving Enomoto, Mitchell's characters are both memorable and believable, adding depth and richness to the novel.

In addition to its thematic and character-driven strengths, "The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet" is also a beautifully written work of historical fiction. Mitchell's prose is rich and evocative, transporting the reader to a distant time and place with ease. His descriptions of Nagasaki and its surroundings are particularly noteworthy, creating a vivid and immersive sense of place that adds to the novel's sense of historical authenticity.

Overall, "The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet" is a complex and rewarding novel that will appeal to readers interested in history, culture, and the nature of human relationships. Mitchell's writing is masterful, and his ability to create compelling characters and explore complex themes is second to none. This novel is a must-read for any literature student, and a valuable addition to the canon of contemporary historical fiction.

A critical view 

"The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet" has been widely praised by critics for its depth of characterization, its evocative prose, and its exploration of complex themes. However, as with any work of literature, there are also some criticisms and differing opinions to consider.

One common criticism of the novel is its slow pace and its meandering plot. Writing for The New York Times, Michiko Kakutani notes that the novel "can be as exasperating as it is exhilarating," with long stretches of detailed description that can be difficult to follow. Similarly, in The Guardian, John Mullan notes that the novel's "richness and complexity" can sometimes feel overwhelming, and that the pacing can be uneven.

Another criticism of the novel is its portrayal of Japan and Japanese culture. While Mitchell is generally praised for his research and attention to detail, some critics have argued that his portrayal of Japan can be overly exoticized or stereotypical. Writing for The Japan Times, Damian Flanagan notes that the novel's "images of a lost Japan," complete with cherry blossoms and samurai warriors, can sometimes feel clichéd or overly romanticized.

Despite these criticisms, many critics have praised "The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet" as a masterful work of historical fiction. Writing for The Guardian, Sam Leith describes the novel as "a splendid achievement," with "a virtuosic sense of period detail" and "a narrative pace that ebbs and flows like the tides." Similarly, in The New Yorker, James Wood praises the novel's "emotional intensity" and "linguistic dexterity," noting that Mitchell "has created something strange, beautiful, and unforgettable."

One particularly insightful review of the novel comes from Jennifer Egan, writing for The New York Times Book Review. Egan notes that the novel's true strength lies in its portrayal of the complex relationships between its characters, particularly Jacob and Orito. She writes, "Mitchell writes love so powerfully that the reader may feel alternately wooed and pummeled... Love emerges from this book as the most binding and most dangerous force of all."

Overall, while "The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet" may not be without its flaws, it is a powerful and engaging work of historical fiction that deserves its place among the great novels of the 21st century. As Jennifer Egan notes, "Mitchell has created a world in which a reader can get hopelessly lost – a world that, like a dream, feels both ancient and entirely new."

About the author

David Mitchell is a British novelist and screenwriter. He was born on January 12, 1969, in Southport, Merseyside, England. He attended the University of Kent, where he studied English and American literature. After graduating, he worked as a teacher and then as an editor in Japan, where he lived for eight years.

Mitchell's first novel, "Ghostwritten," was published in 1999 and was a critical success. His second novel, "number9dream," was shortlisted for the Booker Prize in 2001. However, it was his third novel, "Cloud Atlas," published in 2004, that brought him widespread acclaim and international recognition. The novel was a finalist for the Booker Prize and was adapted into a film in 2012.

Since then, Mitchell has published several more novels, including "Black Swan Green" (2006), "The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet" (2010), and "The Bone Clocks" (2014), which was also shortlisted for the Booker Prize. His most recent novel, "Utopia Avenue," was published in 2020.

In addition to his novels, Mitchell has also written screenplays, including for the film adaptation of "Cloud Atlas," and has contributed essays and short stories to various publications. He has won numerous awards for his writing, including the John Llewellyn Rhys Prize, the World Fantasy Award, and the British Book Awards Author of the Year.

Mitchell is known for his complex, multi-layered narratives that often explore themes of identity, history, and storytelling. He is often praised for his vivid characters and his ability to capture the nuances of different cultures and time periods. He currently lives in Ireland with his wife and two children.