I am thankful that my career didn't see a road block due to my

Hear the words of Amrapali Gupta, spoken with courage and gratitude: “I am thankful that my career didn’t see a road block due to my marriage, which in some cases we have heard that women can’t do good work after marriage and that’s not true.” These words shine like a torch in the darkness of old prejudices, declaring that a woman’s worth is not diminished by marriage, nor is her ability to create, to lead, or to succeed. She speaks not only for herself, but for generations of women who have faced the weight of tradition, told that after vows and family, their dreams must be set aside.

The ancients knew well the chains that society could place upon women. In many lands, women were seen only as keepers of the home, silenced in the public sphere. Yet even in those times, flames of resistance burned. In Sparta, women were trained alongside men, for the state knew their strength mattered. In India, queens such as Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi defied expectation, taking sword in hand to defend her kingdom when her husband passed, proving that marriage did not diminish her spirit but magnified her courage. Gupta’s words stand in this same lineage, a refusal to let old barriers dictate the destiny of women.

Her gratitude—“I am thankful”—is deeply telling. She does not take her freedom for granted. She recognizes that many women still suffer under the false belief that marriage marks the end of ambition. Gratitude becomes her weapon and shield; it is both a celebration of her own journey and an acknowledgment of the struggles of countless others. To be thankful is not passive; it is a vow to honor what one has received by carrying the torch forward for others.

Consider the story of Marie Curie, who, even after marrying Pierre Curie, continued her groundbreaking scientific work. Together, they made discoveries that reshaped the world of physics and chemistry. Marriage did not hinder her greatness; rather, her partnership sustained her. Yet how many doubted her, claiming that a woman could not manage both family and science? Her life shattered such lies. Gupta’s words echo this eternal truth: that talent, vision, and discipline are not erased by marriage but may, in fact, be strengthened by it.

Her reflection also strikes against the silent injustice of lowered expectations. How often has society told women, “Now that you are married, your work is less important”? These whispers are daggers, aiming to wound the spirit and dim the flame of ambition. By saying “that’s not true”, Gupta does not only defend herself—she speaks for every woman denied opportunity because of an outdated belief. She joins the chorus of those who call for a world where women’s voices ring as clearly after marriage as before, where their careers shine without apology.

The lesson here is clear: never let society dictate the limits of your spirit. Marriage is not a chain but a bond; it should not stifle, but support. Be thankful when your path is not blocked, but also vigilant for those whose paths are still obstructed. For freedom is not complete until it is shared by all. Gratitude must flow into action, action into advocacy, and advocacy into change.

Practical wisdom follows: whether man or woman, never assume that marriage diminishes one’s abilities. Instead, encourage your partner, your family, your friends to continue their pursuits, to rise higher even after vows are spoken. And if you are one whose path remains open, be thankful, but also use your strength to clear the obstacles for others. In this way, you honor not only your own journey but the generations to come.

Thus, Amrapali Gupta’s words resound beyond her own life, becoming a teaching for the ages: “I am thankful that my career didn’t see a road block due to my marriage… and that’s not true.” It is a declaration of freedom, a rebuke to falsehood, and a hymn of gratitude. Carry this truth forward: that no bond should diminish the light of one’s dreams, but only strengthen it, and that every woman has the right to rise, unbroken, beyond every barrier.