A Seventy year old woman gives birth to twins

Yesterday, I came across a very strange news item while watching television. It strange in the context that, one hand, it spoke of the applauding level of feat that our society has attained in terms of scientific growth, while, on the other hand it spoke of the backwardness in terms of social equities that still plague our society.

A Seventy year old woman has given birth to a pair of twins, one a boy and the other a girl, through the technique of test tube baby production. well, a seventy year old giving birth is definitely no ordinary news item that you come across. It positively depicts the amazing pace with which the field of medicine today is progressing. I must make no mistake in extending a hand of congratulations to them.

On the other hand if you contemplate deeply on the beliefs and the thought process that led to the old couple, nearing the sunset of their life, to take such a step in spite of having a couple of married daughters, you would realise the strangeness of the entire event. What was the need, so intense for a child, when the already had children! what circumstances led them to take such risky measures at such an advanced age?

There is not much mystery underlying their need for a child. It is nothing more than the century old desire that haunts every married couple. The desire for a boy child. It is the same desire that has led to female foeticide and infanticide. Well, it was the same desire for a boy child that led the old couple to take such life threatening risks to have a boy child.

A boy child that they desired probably to support them in their old age. A boy child who would take care of them at the near end of their life. A boy child who would need their support and care for another ten to fifteen years. A boy who would still not be independent probably by the time the turn ninety.

The entire cache lies in the fact that on one hand we are seeing the slow and silent revolution within the society where women are taking over many key positions in various fields of work.
The women have proven their creative talents and intellectual skill in almost all spheres of life, and the remaining would soon be within their reach.

Here is a case that clearly states that whatever status women might achieve in the society. Whatever claims they may make to the much deserving equality that they have long fought for. The men would be considered superior for who knows for how long.

We may have shoved our veils aside for good to prove we are no less. Unfortunately the veil of traditions and long redundant beliefs still remain to be shoved away for the betterment and progress of our society.

It is strange then that the progress in terms of medical science and technology is so skewed as compared to the societal growth