Subhechcha Ganguly 
Financial Independence is an essential topic, and who better than authors to convey the message to today’s youth? The International and National Authors’ Panel, with their knowledge, experience and acumen, make it a foregone conclusion that we utilise this golden opportunity to facilitate a conversation under the auspices of Interview Times on the Topic ‘Financial Stability for Women’ between Psychologist Roger Harris and Sudanand, the author of ‘Beethoven’s Last Symphony’.
Q1) Hi Sudanand. I am Roger Harris, and I am so glad to have you on this platform. Please tell us about yourself and your journey as an author.
Ans: Years ago, a crisis of faith caused me to embark on an existential journey and, consequently, an exploration of literary works of philosophical and existential essence. The aforesaid journey was a revelation of sorts, for I became aware of the stark, tragic human condition that has been a consistent feature of our conscious existence for as long as our species has been around. We have told ourselves and each other various tales to assuage this angst. As a narrative-driven species, telling and re-telling these and other stories are a part of our nature and, perhaps, have an adaptative element as well. That said, as a single parent to a young daughter who was beginning to question the world around her, I found myself pressed to formulate answers to which not only did I not have the answers, but neither did those who claimed to with all manner of bluster and vehemence. ‘Beethoven’s Last Symphony’ was, in a sense, my reply in the form of a story, even if not exactly an answer, to my daughter as well as to those of my willing fellow travellers in humanity’s existential peregrinations.
I cannot help but mention the unintended irony of being interviewed on this topic, for the protagonist of the embedded narrative of my novel, ‘Beethoven’s Last Symphony’, namely Eyos, who, through her ingenuity and intellect, not only attains a degree of unprecedented independence but also transcends the extant norms of Neolithic society, to empower herself and those around her.
Q2) Why do you feel that becoming Financially independent is important and necessary for people?
Ans: In so far as finances dictate the ability to self-sustain, it would seem self-evident that financial independence would, in addition to sustenance, also offer greater leverage towards determining one’s fate, which is no small favour to bestow upon oneself!
Q3) Do you feel financial independence has some say in putting one’s voice forward and bringing issues like abuse and domestic violence to the forefront?
Ans: While financial independence is a necessary condition for women to attain independence in a broader sense and have greater purchase in their capacity to navigate their lives towards a place of general well-being, it is, in my opinion, in no way a sufficient condition to eliminate the societal ills of domestic abuse and violence. However, to answer your question directly, besides educational awareness for both sexes, particularly from the formative years, it would be financial independence that would give women their best chance at shaping societal paradigm through greater representation and leadership positions and towards rendering the world a safer, saner and better place for not only women but all of humanity.
Q4) Now, for a serious question, for which I’d like to hear your take—as a professional psychologist and in my long career, I have noticed that many women who are financially well off, nonetheless, submit a cut of their money or even their entire income to their male counterparts. Why do you think this is the case?
Ans:It seems to me that any cohesive unit of human cooperative endeavour has the property of developing an emergent functional hierarchy within it. That aside, I know of some families, at least within my circle, wherein the finances are entrusted to the woman of the house, even if it were the male partner who was the sole earning member of the family or the higher earner. That being so, while at face value, it may not be an entirely unfortunate situation to submit one’s finances to a partner, I suspect that the context of your question is loaded with the premise of the many women who, to their detriment, despite their apparent financial independence, find themselves at the wrong end of a power balance, or rather an imbalance. While there is a greater tendency among urban young adults towards a more coequal partnership, the journey away from the shores of mere ‘cultural vestiges’ has further to sail. This also takes me back to the answer to the previous question, alluding to the necessity for factors other than mere financial independence for the empowerment of women.
Q5) As an author, what is the one quote that you wish to share on Financial Independence?
Ans: None that I can think of.
