Gender disparity in employment, including in Government service, may sound strange and far-fetched to many of this generation but it is a historical fact. Constant and concerted efforts and changing attitude of the society have made a difference and now one not only sees women engaged different activities but also occupying top slots and positions, including armed forces. It was not always so.
The transformation has not been sudden but spread over many years and generations. It is highlighted in Delhi-based Vandana Garg’s book “Within and Beyond: Memoirs of serving in Parliament” published by AuthorsPress. “When I joined, women staff was limited and those employed, were confined to lower levels. The Rajya Sabha Secretariat, where I worked, has evolved in a positive way with not only increase in the female work force but also many occupying responsible positions. I was the first woman to head the Question Branch,” points out the author. The memoirs also mention a lady in-charge of Table Office, a nodal centre of the House, who according to Vandana is doing a commendable job.
Discussing further on this aspect, the writer adds: “The earlier perception that due to family responsibilities women will not devote time and deliver quality output has changed. They are dedicated, sincere and hardworking. On the risk of sounding biased I think women have acquitted and proved themselves. The present-day women are assertive, confident and fully aware of their rights.”
The author had earlier penned a collection of Hindi poems “Tana Bana Jeevan Ka”. Retired last month as Additional Secretary from the secretariat, the book recollects her different work-related experiences spanning nearly 40 years, intertwined with her personal life, in an easy and conversational style prose. “My daughter egged me on to write in English to connect with the younger generation or at least translate my Hindi poems into English. While still toying with the suggestion a colleague suggested sharing my experience at work with readers.”
After Vandana’s observations about women work force the discussion moved to the behaviour of her male colleagues. “I shared a good rapport with them. In fact I still share an excellent personal bonding with many. I feel that it is a two-way traffic. I have always valued the inter-personal relationship with all my office staff.” Several of them find a place in her book. With the exception of a few whom she terms as aberration, she describes all as helpful, cooperative who taught her the ropes. “In the Question Branch, which is an important wing, my male colleagues irrespective of their designation were very efficient and good.”
Divided into 35 short chapters the writer narrates her story chronologically beginning with her appointment as a junior clerk in the secretariat on compassionate grounds after the demise of her father. It covers her initial hesitation in a male-dominated office, how she moved up the ladder through dedication and hard work while gaining confidence and respect of colleagues and seniors and handling of different assignments and the inherent problems each brought along. What is remarkable is that there is not a bad word about anybody. Thanking everyone, she mentions in the book, “Whatever qualities I have imbibed, whatever accomplishments I have made are all due to my great mentor, my office.”
