Brief Introduction: A story that will tug at your heart. This story is about a woman and about all women in general. This story is also special because it is written by Shreshtha Sharma who is in 6th class at the moment.
It was just a week for the celebration of navratri to begin. The entire state of Bengal was already engaged in the preparations of the puja. But Mr. Mukherjee’s house had its own problem or shall I say everyone in the house had their own problems. “Sanjana I’m getting late again ! Is my tiffin ready ?” Called out Mr. Mukherjee in a hurry. “Oh no ! I can’t find my pen !” Said Avik. “Oh no no… How can I forget the deadline for submitting the article is just a week away ! I haven’t written a word yet !” Said Ronita as she walked around in circles. Poor Mrs. Mukherjee, she was stuck in all this mess. She paced out of the kitchen and handed the tiffin box to Mr. Mukherjee. Next she helped Avik to find his pen and when both of them had left for office and school, she came to Ronita and sat beside her. Ronita’s school had given them a leave today for creating a science project which she had already completed the last day. “What happened Ronita ? You look worried. ” asked Mrs. Mukherjee. “Mā, what can I do except getting worried. I have a article to submit a week later but I have no idea on what topic must I write ?” Replied Ronita with her head down. “Hmm… So that’s the problem. But you need not worry dear. Navratri is just a week later and so is the deadline, why don’t you write about the 9 devis- Shailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayini, Kaalratri, Mahagauri and Siddhidhatri. “But Mā, its the modern era ! People won’t be interested about knowing more about the ancient culture instead the advanced future.” Ronita said. “Well, if you have any better ideas, go ahead !” Said Mrs. Mukherjee. Ronita certainly didn’t have any substitute idea so she started to research about the 9 devis right away.
As her research proceeded Ronita felt that her mother was right, the 9 devis are something which many people don’t know about and it will intrigue people more and more to read further and increase their knowledge. Finally after 2 hours, Ronita’s research was completed but her article was just halfway done. She was about to continue but her stomach started grumbling and she decided to have some mercy on it and eat the food. Ronita and Mrs. Mukherjee enjoyed Bhapaa Aloo with Rice and puris and at last they had sandesh for dessert. Then Ronita returned back to completing her article. After working on it for some more time it was at last finalized. The article was submitted and Ronita was happy that she had completed it before the deadline. In just a matter of few days Ronita’s work was being appreciated not only by her friends but also by her relatives and school teachers. Mr. Mukherjee and Avik were both delighted to know this. “Didi , Why don’t you narrate the article us ? It will be fun.” Said Avik as he got to know about it. ” Sure !” Said Ronita and began…..
“Death Before Birth
‘India’s missing girls : Fears grow over rising levels’ , ‘India facing an Infanticide Crisis’ , ‘Female foeticide – “India’s Ticking Bomb” ‘ , ‘Dying to live: the gender dimension of child mortality in India’
Wait ! Do these remind you something, they definitely do ! Weren’t these the headlines that you read today in the newspaper or saw on the television ?
Female infanticide and female feticide are significant issues in India. It has been a problem for centuries. Female infanticide is the deliberate killing of girl babies. It is also described as gender-selective killing or “gendercide”. The phenomenon of female infanticide is as old as many cultures, and has resulted for millions of genders elective deaths throughout history. Female feticide and female infanticide are common social problems in India creating a serious gender imbalance in the country. Women who constitute half a human population have been discriminated, harassed and exploited irrespective of the country to which they belong, their religion, their profession or the timeframe in which they live, but only because they were born as a “GIRL”. And today let me tell you a story about a woman :
“He used to beat me up without any reason. It was an everyday affair. I had multiple miscarriages” recounted Bhuri Bibi to UN Women with a forlorn look in her eyes. She now works as a casual labourer and lives with her 4-year-old daughter in her village in the Sehore district of the Madhya Pradesh.
“Six years ago, my husband threw me out, as he did not want to stay with me anymore” she said. “I lost three children. They were stillborn. He blamed me of not being able to breed healthy babies and deserted me.”
The experiences Bhuri Bibi had have scarred her. Her life revolves only around her daughter, who she says is her sole reason for existence. The little girl clings to her mother without even letting go for a moment.
“When he finally abandoned me, I was expecting it already, although I was not aware of it then. I stayed at my mother’s home when my daughter was born and this time the baby survived I believe because I was not tortured during pregnancy,” Bhuri Bibi continued.
Although her husband and family shunned her and her newborn daughter, she was able to find the support and care she needed in her mother. But as she thought her life was finally getting better, her mother passed away, leaving Bhuri Bibi to live in a house with her brothers. They tried to force her to leave. After her continuous refusal to leave the house, the brothers finally agreed to give Bhuri Bibi and her daughter a small space in the home.
“I take my daughter with me wherever I go, as I don’t trust anyone… I’ll never let her out of my sight,” she says. “I really hope that I get money to build a small dwelling for her and myself to live peacefully.”
As victims of violence, Bhuri Bibi and her daughter are now facing economic and employment-related disadvantages. Their future is unclear, but Bhuri Bibi’s maternal protective instinct will definitely go far. Her experiences with violence and its impact on child mortality have hit her hard, but she still believes in a happy future for her and her daughter one day.
What do we conclude ? Are the women of our country not safe enough to trust even their own brothers ? Navratri is heading and in a country where the devis are respected so much, the laxmi of the house is tortured both mentally and physically. Everyone wants a caring mother, a loving sister a helpful daughter in law but very less intend to have a girl child.
I believe that the 9 devis which we worship have a place inside each women of our country, may it be the peaceful Chandraghantha, the radiant Kushmanda, the divine Siddhidhatri or the ignorance remover Kaalratri. And as we worship and respect the 9 avatars of Maa Durga similarly we shall respect the women alike. Women are no less, the only thing is that they never get the opportunity to try something because the ancient culture says that they aren’t capable enough to do so. In India, as well as in several other countries of Asia, female infanticide and son preference is usually deeply based on the cultural and religious beliefs that has been implemented so far centuries. And we can bring a change only when we all develop respect in our mind not only for the sake of being appreciated.”
“Bravo Didi ! Your concern is indeed important. And so was your article. Really appreciative !!” Said Avik as he clapped.
“Thanks Brother. I’m glad you liked it” Said Ronita.
It was almost snack time, so Mrs. Mukherjee poured tea into two cups and Avik and Ronita enjoyed some crunchy, crispy Nimki.
Did you like this story about a woman which is also a Navratri Special? Do let us know in the comments and also encourage the writer.
To know more about the writer check here: Shrestha Sharma
Read another English Story which is again about a woman in different circumstances:
LEARNING – TO LET GO | A short story in english: Story about a woman who is very excited. Her kids and grand-kids are supposed to come and meet her after a long time. She is busy doing all the preparations. But something happens that gives her the biggest lesson of live. What is it? Read the story “Learning – to Let Go”, a short story about a woman written by Astha Singhal.
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