“Writing Is My Primary Way Of Expression”, Says Richa Kashyap Bhaskar, Author Of The Month, September 2018

Richa Kashyap Bhaskar being an army wife, wishes to write about the challenges they face in pursuing a full-time career and how technology can help them overcome these challenges. 

Every month, the Women’s Web team identifies three contributors whose work has really resonated with readers, who have brought something new and impactful to our community. This September 2018, Richa Kashyap Bhaskar is one of our featured Authors of the Month.

Richa through her articles express a working women’s plight and a need for women to be strong by standing up for themselves. She also writes about, travel, relationships and what not. You can read Richa Kashyap’s articles here at Women’s Web. 

Being an introvert, I have always been less expressive verbally. And therefore, writing has always been my primary way of expression. I enjoy writing so much that I ended up choosing writing as a profession. Though professionally I mostly write about technology and modern-age communication, on the personal front, I write satires on a modern day social evils.

What do you enjoy reading? Does any of it help your writing?

I read anything and everything. I simply enjoy the process of reading. So, I can read anything from a software manual to a Harry Potter book or an Amitabh Ghosh novel with 100% percent interest. Reading helps me widen my horizon of thinking. Different types of content give me insight into the psychology of different kinds of readers as well as fellow writers, which helps me keep my writing contemporary and relevant.

When it comes to writing on/for/about women, what questions and issues drive you the most?

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There are three issues that irk me the most:

• looking down on ambitious women as selfish
• glorifying marriage as the be-it-all in a woman’s life, and
• treating a woman’s career as only an extension of her hobby or a means to earn pocket money.

As I come from a family where me and my brother were given equal opportunities for almost everything in life, I, now, find it strange when some women around me expect me to justify my choices to traveling for work frequently, not being able to cook regularly, and my husband’s involvement in the day-to-day household chores.

Two funny yet unnerving instances that I can’t forget are: One woman told me that if I don’t start cooking soon, it’s a matter of time, my husband will regret the marriage. Another woman, in her late 40s, said that women shouldn’t burden their husbands with domestic issues as husbands slog the whole day to earn money. And I don’t know how many people so far have suggested to me to quit my high-paying job to be able to support my husband with his career.

Could you narrate an issue or incident in your life which you think was gender-related, and you handled it in a way that has made you proud.

There are many. One particular incident that I remember is, ‘being chided for retaining my maiden name’. Someone said that girls these days are so full of self that they can’t even accept their husband’s surname. I responded by saying, “I am sure my husband is quite selfless and wouldn’t mind replacing his surname with mine if you think successful marriages are only about sharing a surname”.

Though I had retained my maiden name after marriage simply to avoid confusing people in my professional network with a new name, I was surprised to see how it was presented as a form of rebellion against misogyny. Looking back at the incident as well as my decision to retain my maiden name, I am quite proud that I didn’t bow down under any kind of social pressure. I did what I felt was best for me.

What are the things you would like to write about in the future for Women’s Web?

After the Supreme Court’s decision to strike off Section 377, I have been thinking about speaking to homosexual women about their challenges and writing their stories.

I also wish to write about how young women can prepare themselves to challenge the misogyny prevalent beyond the safe four walls of their home.

As an army wife, I also wish to offer my perspective on the challenges we face in pursuing a full-time career and how technology can now help overcome these challenges.

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