Master, Man and Misconception
Have you ever been a part of a cycle that sidelines a man while uplifting a woman. Let me break it today!
“Mir ki Riwayat, Aaj ki Awaaz”
Fir?
Fir kya?
“Fir koi aaya Dil-e-Zaar?
. . Nahi koi nahi
Abb yaha koi nhi,
Abb yaha koi nhi aayega”
~ Zia Mohyeddin
Do you see the sacrifice of letting go of the joy of playfulness, an innocence – in flying kites, playing cricket, watching movies, and exploring the world– left far behind because of the baggage of being the best among all. Isn't the world soaking in all these little sacrifices to build happiness for others? With men and their audacity of admitting “Khair hai” even after working day through night for their families.
As the world celebrates Mental Health Day on October 10th, may my words reach every man out there who stays strong despite challenges,hindrances and sacrifices.
Imagining the word ‘sacrifice’, paints pictures of countless, yet not nearly as many men–despite their equal involvement. The discussion isn't about statistics of gender contribution, but highlighting the overlooked labour of our fathers, husbands and brothers. Their selfless act of living for their families is a spectacle I myself have witnessed. Saving their entire savings for his daughter's wedding and festivities–the skill of keeping everyone fed when their plates remain empty.
Men and their efforts are often misunderstood and unacknowledged. Our fathers with their ability to stay strong while work hasn’t been easy on them. The need to keep up with the so-called masculinity that doesn't allow them to cry even when the situation becomes overbearing. Despite all this, their shoulders seem to be a wall – firm and strong. Each little effort that they make, to be the best so that a daughter, a wife or a son can live and earn the best of all this world possesses.
Do the sacrifices of missing out on simple joys like flying a kite, playing cricket, watching their favorite movie, exploring the world, or even pursuing a hobby like bird-watching, fade into the background when weighed against the immense pressure they bear to constantly excel?
They quietly absorb these little sacrifices, work day and night seamlessly, to build happiness for others. There are also men who have to work abroad as the primary so that their families can choose a road full of flowers while neglecting the joys of their own personal life. Women cannot go unnoticed but they are often not burdened as the primary breadwinners. These existing notions affect both the genders with a harmful touch of sacrificing for others, with prioritizing yourself seen as being selfish.
He travels miles every day, not for himself but for his child’s happiness. He hides his weariness behind a calm smile, placing his dreams second so ours can come first. I’ve seen his silent strength — how he masters every hardship with grace that words can’t capture.
It surely takes guts and a lot of will power to work day and night for the best of others. It holds the same value as that of a mother sacrificing her career, jiggles, and education for the betterment of her family. The world often sympathises with the mothers. Sympathy and praise cannot be one-sided. I have grown up seeing my father, and the silent sacrifices he made when he battled the world all alone – never once complaining about the hurdles. I've seen my Abbu travelling miles for me, standing hours in queue while asking me to sit. My father has been my teacher, imparting lessons on everything from books and balance to the art of brewing coffee. His patience with obstacles and challenges taught me the strength that reflects in my life, every day. I am proud to have his name and to carry forward his legacy, to let the world remember who Mr. Sayyid Aqeel Ahmad is.
It isn't always about a father, but also for a brother, a son and a husband. While my own list of heroes is short enough to place my father at the top, I've witnessed many men who embody true heroism.They deserve to be masters in this case because they built an empire for us to embrace the beauty of this world.
A man doesn't limit a woman because he is insecure but because he knows the world isn't this kind enough to them. They don't ask you to stay at home after 11 at night because you don't deserve a party or movie but because they know there might be stray dogs barking to bite your body and that would leave a forever stain on your mental and physical health. It’s the eyes and minds that shape how we see the world — an actual image, and the other imagined. One is real, the other one is virtual. Let your perception be no virtual image.
A father is always happier than the daughter to see her flying all wings open, in the sky, and I can say this because I've always seen my Abbu celebrating every little achievement of mine as his own. I've been my father's most valuable achievement of his life after his books – so are the millions of daughters in the world.
We've always heard the saying,“Ek mard ki kamiyaabi ke peeche aurat ka haath hota hain” My case offers a slightly opposite picture because wherever I'll be in my life it is my father who should be celebrated and praised.
Whenever the world had failed me, he was the one to stand upon like a shield to protect me from the heat. He continued, undeterred, even when the crowd questioned the right to grant us read. He appears to be a man straight out of fiction, not only for his own daughters but for every woman who has experienced social or marital physical abuse, assault, and been deemed weak. When people question my ability to be fearless and upfront, they are always answered by the values I have seen in him. I've seen my father being a selfless brother, son, and father. His teachings remain my foundation, and his silent sacrifices have been my strength, just as you and your loved ones are to each other.
In the end, what truly matters is recognizing and honoring every good parent, regardless of gender. Their efforts deserve equal respect, not selective praise. Let their dedication inspire you to strive harder, turn weaknesses into strengths, and transform doubts into determination. Let your journey and achievements stand as a reflection of their sacrifices—proof that perseverance, belief, and resilience can illuminate even the darkest paths.
About the Author
Laiba Aqeel
Laiba Aqeel is a student, who has keen interest in Literature, Political Science and Economics. She delves into designs for dreams getting destinations into desires that draw inspo from words. She believes that this world is all about beauty in small aspects of paper, pen , pages , people, perspective and positivity. Being an avid reader, writer, speaker and listener, she loves pen, paper & these perspective. Moreover, she enjoys life wrapped between chaos and calm. She believes her words can make a strong difference by being sharp as well as shiny and being that they have the power to turn the table. The best of something for her would be definitely beauty wrapped around books, libraries and museums. Apart from this, she loves food, fiesta's and films along with a fashion of Art and literature. Whenever she is off the screen or books and writing she must be busy exploring roads, resturant, cafes and foods. She loves cooking ~ both with words and food. Her Roman empire is somewhere around old schools songs, scenarios and stories. She wishes to become a story oneday somewhere in annals of history and people remembering her with vocal for local voice and viewpoint.