Taking Flight

What lies ahead for one who has decided to spread her wings? Alibhai Jeevanjee watches with pride and trepidation as his daughter stretches the norms of his traditional community in Colaba Causeway.

The birth of his daughter, Naazneen, was the most joyous day in the life of Alibhai Jeevanjee. He celebrated the momentous occasion by allowing myriad colors into his life and his wardrobe. Turquoise, blue, brown, and black began to replace his traditional white kurta, saaya, izaar, and topi. His close-knit community and extended family looked on with bemused tolerance as Alibhai and his Metro Trading Company in Colaba began to deal with people from all faiths and all walks of life. His wife, Abeda’s, modest ridas became more colorful with richer, more intricate embroidery and lace as she came across art, handicrafts, and artisans from all over the country. His Naazneen continued to grow and fill his life with new thoughts, new ideas.

And there Naazneen stood across the street today, alone, eager to strike out on her own amidst the hustle and bustle of Colaba Causway. No rida, her hair uncovered, her head held high, dressed in a skirt, short sleeved shirt, high heels, and earrings. She was on her way to get an admission application form from the Barrister A. R. Antulay College of Law at CST. She was determined to become an advocate for women’s emancipation.

Alibhai looked at his daughter standing on the other side of the street on which he had spent most of his life. Even though people in his community had come to look upon him as a harbinger of progress, he was still not at peace with much of what he saw changing in the world around him, much of what his daughter aspired to be. All he knew was there stood the apple of his eye, fearless, eager, and impatient to make her mark in this world, waiting for the bus. It was the most beautiful sight he could ever imagine.