On the Occasion of 71st Independence Day. The Day that has given us a true value of freedom, The day that has given us the right to be free, right to dream and to accomplish as well. Everyone has their own way of expressing the love towards their nation and definition of freedom. We 13 Bloggers are here with our version of patriotism. In a series of 13 blogs expressing their views for one common goal #FreedomToExpress.
Thank you, Ishieta for introducing me. She blogs at Isheeriahealingcircles She an amazing Tarot reader, a healer numerologist and a lovely soul.
As a part of this Blog to Freedom initiative. I am sharing a story today.
“Common get up you have a train to board at 10 am” Sarita shook me as this was her third attempt to wake me up. I was always a lazy head . “Here is your tea.” she kept tea and two Marie biscuit exactly as per the diet chart in front of me. I got up and Sarita came with my bag “Here is your bag with everything you may need for your two days trip” she turned and there was a small bag in her hand “this bag has all eatables, your medicines, your diet chart and a water bottle” she added fixing her beaming spectacles on her round nose. Sunlight falling on the corner of spectacles was adding extra glow to her face. “Take your medicine, eat as per diet chart, and please take some rest also, are you listening to me or not” she asked. I nodded and smiled. “I know, how will you take care of yourself in my absence” Sarita replied to my smile.
I was ready to leave for the Pune railway station, as per the advice of Sarita I picked my bags and medicine. Before leaving I wanted to say bye, so went to her room. Sarita was on her study desk and as expected was studying, she heard my steps and turned towards me said ” Bye Maa, Please take care of yourself at least for me.” I went ahead kissed hr forehead and replied “Love you so much who will believe me that there is 15 year old granny in my house, you too take care.”
I was on time and waiting for the train. Train crawled in the station and I boarded to my seat. I seated on seat number 21 and number 22 was vacant. My work trip to Amravati was special this time. Entire Nation will celebrate Independence Day on 15th August. We also planned something special for Our NGO girls.
A young looking girl came and sat near my seat, her seat number was 22. Girl was looking same age of sarita and she was wearing mangalsutra around her neck and sindoor on her forehead. I could not resist myself asking “Are you married, what’s your age?”. The girl gave me skeptical look and just replied “Yes”. Still my question was unanswered. She was trying to juggle in the seat and was looking here and there as if someone was may arrive, from where she was not sure. My phone Rang, it was Sarita I Was sure in my head this is reminder for medicine “Hello, Maa please take your BP medicine”.”Ok ok sure” I replied and hung-up the call.
“Did I disturb you” I asked my fellow passenger the young girl.”No, Its ok” she politely replied. I showed my phone’s wallpaper “See this is Sarita my daughter, it was her call and you know, you remind me of Sarita”. She smiled and was looking comfortable now.
“So,where are you going Amravati? ” I asked. “Yes, I am going to Amravati” she replied. “You work there” I asked her out of curiosity to understand her a bit more. “No, In the search of work, There is a branch of Astitva NGO which helps women to get education and work.” She added. “Oh ok” I smiled.
I opted to remain silent now and not to tell her about my NGO and my work as I wanted to understand her a bit more.
“I am Lakshmi, You were asking my age, I am 15 years old and I am married” she gulped a sip of water and added “I got married at the age of 4 in Rajasthan.
Story – Independence Day – Freedom for womanhood
Then my in-laws took me to their place at the age of 12 with all rituals my parents sent me to my in law’s place”. Her eyes were deep and filled with tears. “I ran away from my in laws someone in school told me there is an NGO in Pune Astitva which helps women especially the water wives ” she wiped her tears.
Amravati Station arrived Lakshmi smiled and covered her head with dupatta and went out of the train. I reached NGO office and checked all arrangements “Didi, There is a girl outside from Rajasthan she is waiting to meet someone who can help her” Poonam social worker at NGO asked me. “Take her to the stage, give her some tea let her settle down there in audience” I told Sujata.
We all gathered around the stage area. We were waiting for the chief guest Minister Mrs. Shanti Patenkar to arrive and inaugurate the event of Independence Day. This premises was of local Govt. School. Sujata my supporting friend and Manager of the NGO started introducing our NGO Astitva and the work we do. “Now, I will tell you about the inception of Astitva” Sujata Added. “Because of weather impact on farming and irrigation, the water scarcity occurred in the village and surrounding areas”.
Story – Independence Day – Freedom for womanhood
“Each women has to walk from 100 to 200 Kms to fetch water to fulfill the daily needs of their families. So once a women gets busy with her children or fell sick, they remarry the son to another girl to fetch water. So they are called Water Wives ” Sujata was sharing the story which is common to many lives around.
“Many years ago in a small village of Maharashtra a farmer had 3 daughters. He married all three daughters to already married and aged men.
Story – Independence Day – Freedom for womanhood
One day one of his daughter who was pregnant and was third wife of a 60 years old man ran away from the village. With lot of struggles and she gave birth to a lovely girl. Our very own Chanda didi, the soul of Astitva and supporting more than 150 Water wives and other girls.” Sujata smiled at me and took a step back. I went ahead “Thank you so much Sujata. I am just like you all now, let’s inaugurate the event of Independence Day.”
“All the girls performed so well, I loved the bharatnatyam I am so happy with today’s function of Independence Day” Mrs. Shanti told me. I saw Lakshmi looking at me, I waved at her she came forward “Lakshmi Welcome to Astitva, you are a part of our family now” I kept hand on her shoulder.
Mrs. Shanti asked “She is also a water wife ?” I replied “No, She is Balika Vadu.” I held her hand and took her to stage.
“Attention please, this Independence day let’s make our selves free, free from all bounding, free from all blind beliefs. We women cant sit and wait for others to do something for us. We have to stand for ourselves and we will” I looked at Lakshmi I saw confidence on her face.
After 3 years.
Lakshmi is managing Astitva branch in Rajasthan struggling a lot and trying to help young girls and boys against Bal Vivah (Child marriage) . She gets all aid and support from Chanda Didi. She is also pursuing her studies.
Chanda is spreading awareness and helping girls as many as she can.
It’s not about water wife or a balika Vadu, We women being free citizen of free country still face many issues in our everyday life.
I am a mother of a daughter and I wish my daughter to overcome all these boundaries. We are free but, we will never enjoy our freedom unless our daughters, sister, mother and wife can walk freely .
Let’s join our hand. Support each other. This Independence Day, Let’s bring freedom for womanhood
Jai Hind.
Happy Independence Day !
#blogtofreedom
Disclaimer:
This story is inspired from a real life incident. Identity of characters, events, organisation and place is changed to maintain the confidentiality.
Picture Courtesy : World Wide Web
Next post in this series is by Meenakshi who blogs at mommystimeline where she puts soul in her words and inspire many like me. She is a lovely and a beautiful friend who is always ready to help others. You can follow her on Instagram and Facebook. Over to you Meenakshi.
Read more stories here. Azadi ka Samosa
Mamta – Maternal Love here
An untold story of a Brother and Sister here.
The stories really took my heart… Read it twice and even shared with my hubby… Great writeup…
Jiya as always you write wonderful stories. I loved the fact that with this posts you have highlighted such sensitive issues that our country is still facing in spite of the fact that we are finished 71 years of freedom.
Such an inspiring story. Love the way you’ve written it. I’m glad such NGOs exist for women.
Story brings tears …still there are lot many states which still have such I’ll rituals …
I have so many mixed feelings reading this. It made me happy, it made me cry. I just hope this is a true tale, at lest for someone 🙂 Jai Hind!
You write such heartfelt stories.. and it being inspired by a real life story is such a ray of hope for those who still cannot enjoy true independence in spite of our country being independent for that leat 70 years…
Thanks for coming up with something like this topic. I sometimes feel really helpless when i see a small girl getting married instead of getting into schooling.
I am so glad that this is a real life story of someone out there. I love the way you portray the stories.
I am addicted to your stories now… You have written so beautifully about one of the most sensitive topic of India… Great, Truely…
It is such an inspiring story! Sadly many parents get their kids married at an incredibly small age and spoil their lives
You must take the idea of writing a book seriously… you are so amazing and imaginative ????
This is a very strong story of Inspirations and dedications. Sitting quietly and blaming our stars for any disaster in life will never help unless we make our own path. We need many ladies like the NGO founder and many courageous ones like Lakshmi to make it a better place. Beautiful and Inspiring Story.
Inspiring story… Lovely write up. You are amazing writer. Jai Hind
Its a fabulous post. Really like the concept of the post and you write it so beautifully. These women based stories left me with tears and feel helpless that i cant do anything for their help. Even in this advanced generation there are still many useless rituals exist which hurt the women. Great post.
Women need to stand up for other women to being a change. Such an inspiring story. More power to women like Chanda didi & Sarita and to you too Jiya for sharing it with us.
Such inspiring story and good to know it’s based on real life incident. Women can really turn the tides.
After “Mamta”, this is my second time story reading on your platform. You are so good in narrating stories that U feel it happening in front of me. Amazing talent and touchy write up.:-)
I loved the story and while reading I was wondering this has to be true . No one can imagine this well. And whenin the end I read that’s it’s a true story. I was bit disappointed. No matter how many years have pass to our independence. We are still Slaves to most unreasonable rituals and tradition. We need to pledge not to bend to any old traditions which seems unfair.
You have used the story line very well to highlight the social old that still plague our country. I hope many more Lakshmis can be saved.
This is indeed a very inspiring story! We women need to take charge 🙂
Really like the stories you share!
You always write beautifully yaar! I love stories and your stories are the best! Just loved it
What breaks my heart more is the fact that it was i spired by true incident. A girl has lived that life.. So heartbreakng and sad…
This post really touched my heart.. truely we are not free untill we can walk freely without fear! ???? Hope to see a safer world for women!
Such a captivating story. I love the message that you tried to give through this piece. We are in the 21st century yet the issues women face are so shattering. I hope through this story the meaning of true independence comes to surface.
I am usually to blogging and i really respect your content. The article has actually peaks my interest. I am going to bookmark your website and hold checking for brand new information.
That’s the sad reality of our country. We call ourselves free and a developed country but with all this still happening around..are we really free? We still need freedom from many things. Thanks for sharing about the NGO and all the stories.
Lovely story and so inspirational. It is so sad that 71 years after independence we are still in a state where women are married off just to fetch water. This is truly disheartening. Hope that more such institutions help women find their freedom
This was a lovely read. You write so well and it captures the reader’s interest. Well done.
India has progressed in so many ways and yet, not in so many. I wish awareness, equality and education for all women this Independence day.
Firstly, your stories are amazing to read and the fact that you derive your inspiration from real life stories is remarkable. More people need to read about such journeys as you really highlight important issues. I am so glad that instead of just a happy independence day post, you have talked about a sensitive topic that still haunts our society. The only way to be a truly great nation is to not ignore and hide behind pride but be open to what needs improvement. Sorry, I have taken off on a different tangent here but other than just freedom of womanhood, your post resurrected with me at other levels too that I feel strongly about. 🙂
Women need more power and decision making freedom in our country. Sad to know that child marriage is still prevalent in some parts of the county
I am from Rajasthan. And things like these are quite prevalent here 🙁 . But this was a nice story to bring all of our hopes up
More power to women like Lakshmi and Chanda . This story is extremely inspirational.
A very touching story. It is really a sorry state of women across our country. Wish it to change soon. You have done a great job by bringing such issues in the forefront.
a very touching story about the winners they are the real winners…it makes me feel sad when here today we talk about our rights and empowerment and there is some village in some corner where s girl can’t even fight for her basic rights..this story is true empowerment in my eyes…
That’s a really heartfelt wonderful story !! My heart goes out to such women
I always love to read your stories. They are simply the best. Yes I guess child marriages are still happening in Rajasthan.
This is such a moving story. I had not even heard of the term ‘water wives’ thanks for bringing it to my attention. I lov the way you have presented this in the story ..
Beautiful story but very touching too. I never heard about these water wives before. And I wonder how difficult and strange life they are living. Our country can never be free from such waste and pathetic cultures of India. Your stories always brings a new topic for discussion. Nice write up
what a beautiful story! Inspiring as always
This is a sad state of our country. We need growth but we cant treat our women equally. I am feeling so bad about these women who had to face so much struggle. I would love to be a part of such initiatives if I get a chance. Indeed women needs freedom of womanhood.