After 4 abortions, Seema was forced to give birth to her daughter-Bani; the next one could have proved fatal to her life. A pall of gloom had descended on the family; it felt the end of their lineage.
Few years later, Sudheer was born; doctors could not save the mother; she was martyred for protecting the family legacy. Cynosure of grandmother’s eyes, Sudheer’s chapatis were always laden with loads of ghee; the other side, Bani kept busy in the household chores. She endured her misfortune without complaints but when her father tried to get rid of her by fixing her marriage at the nascent age of 18 to a widower, much elder to her, she denied vehemently than anyone had intended. “I am not ashamed to be a girl”-with this assertion, swallowing her fear, she stepped out, a bright future was waiting ahead of her.
30 years later, Bani looked poised while waiting for the announcement to be made. Wearing a crimson colored sari, she exuded confidence; her hands not letting go of her father’s fragile hands. She was being awarded by the president of India for the tireless work towards her fight against female foeticide and she dedicated this to her family.
Tears welled up in her father’s eyes, conscience stricken, he folded his hands and thanked god for the priceless treasure in the form of Bani. Left abandoned in an old age home by Sudheer after getting diagnosed with cancer, his hopes were dead. After so much of persuasion by the relatives, he called up his daughter and the very next day, he was with Bani in the Rashtrapati Bhavan for the felicitation program. Finally the myth had busted! Today, he was indeed proud of his daughter.
“Paradise lies at the feet of mothers.”
We need Mother, Sister and Wife, then why not a daughter!
Save Girl Child! Stop Female Foeticide!
