A group of young women achievers, including filmmaker Zoya Akhtar, wrestler Sakshi Malik and youngest mountaineer Malavath Purna, on Tuesday said women achievers deal with more criticism and scrutiny based on their sexuality by the society.
The achievers were present here at a panel discussion titled "Ladkiyan Kuch Bhi Kar Sakti Hain" hosted by IndiGo and moderated by actor-director Rahul Bose.
Sharing her story of struggle, Sakshi said: "The day I decided to play wrestling, my relatives and neighbours started criticising my choice left, right and centre. My schoolmates used to make fun of me because I was on special diet and carried bottle of milk in school... Now, after my achievement, though they are happy, they scrutinise my achievement."
Seconding her, filmmaker Zoya Akhtar said: "Though I come from a privileged background as my debut film didn't work I had to start from scratch. Since the industry is sexist, they criticise me as 'she is bossy' and I reply to them, 'I am not bossy, I am the boss here'. Yes, people have issues with taking command from a lady."
Malavath Purna, who comes from a tribal family: "I have grown up hearing 'girls cannot be achievers, they are good for nothing.' Perhaps that is why, at the age of 13, when I submitted the Mount Everest, on that very moment, I felt, 'yes, I am a girl and girls can do anything'. However, it becomes a task to continue the journey once you achieve the high."
Sharing the stage with them were women achievers from IndiGo -- Riya Gupta, Sneha Sharma, Priyanka Soni and Yashaswini Pawar -- who roused the audience with their zest for life and commitment to the society.
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As actor-director Rahul Bose made a feature film, "Poorna: Courage Has No Limit", capturing the journey of Purna, the young girl is overwhelmed and hopes that many underprivileged girls will find her story inspiring to follow and achieve their dream.
Before concluding panel discussion Purna urged youngsters, "No matter how much criticism you are dealing with in the process of achieving your goal, how society is scrutinising your achievement because you are a girl, remember, we girls are no less than boys, with determination, we girls can achieve anything."
The film, which has already been named among "30 Best Films" at the Palm Springs International Film Festival this year, is releasing on March 31.
--IANS
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