Page 625 - SSB Interview: The Complete Guide, Second Edition

8. In the Indian context, the male mindset requires a transformational
change in their perception of a woman. The conventional concept of the

Indian male being made to believe he is an alpha species and that

women are inferior needs a paradigm shift and the nurturing and value-
imbibing has to begin in the Indian homes where gender equality needs

to be preached, practised and enforced.

9. The Indian women, on the other hand, have painstakingly busted all-
male bastions encompassing professional, social and religious fields.

Women have now donned the role of priests, have performed last rites of

their parents, which hitherto was viewed as an exceptional male
privilege as the male was perceived to guide the spirit of the deceased to

heaven. The road to gender equality is arduous and tough, yet it is

achievable and winnable.

37. THE DOKLAM STANDOFF

BORDERS ARE THE SCARS OF HISTORY

1. The Chinese troops’ action of 16 June 2017 to extend an existing road
on the Doklam plateau by deploying road construction equipment

triggered a massive diplomatic row which threatened to escalate and
reach the verge of brinkmanship. The fallout needs to be put into

perspective to comprehend the dynamics of this crisis.

Background

2. India and China have long-standing border differences and over the
years, several negotiations, confidence-building measures, as also

diplomatic parleys have seen an uneasy truce on the issue, which tends
to flare up at the most inopportune moments just when everything

appears to be heading for normalcy.