Her right to RIGHTS

Arti heard her mother narrating the incident of her delivery to her friends, "I was in the labour room for two and a half days. Then in the evening of the third day finally, doctor took out the baby with the help of a forceps. They told me it's a girl and I thought that I went through so much of pain for giving birth to a girl." With this her mother laughed loudly and the brigade of aunties did the same understanding their pal's sacrifice and pain. But at the tender age of 15, Arti was unable to understand that how was she supposed to change her gender when her mother was experiencing acute pain during child birth.......

Meena tried effortlessly to convince her father," Baba I really do not like him. He looks too elderly to me. It would appear as if I'm walking with my father. Let us wait for a better alliance. I haven't even completed my Post Graduation yet." Her father roared, "If you want to humiliate me in front of the society then it's fine. I will go and refuse them. What do you know about men and their families? Such a handsome boy he is." Her mother sang in unison as she had done from the past twenty six years of her life, "There is no reason to reject him. He is good looking, just a little dark and short. But I have no problem" Meena thought inwardly, "Extremely dark complexioned, oily like samosa and stout in simple language. He is being forced on me, why would you have problem." But she never uttered those words. Her father started in a flat tone again, "He will provide for you adeptly. The family looks independent and well mannered." Meena failed miserably for the umpteenth time in her life in argument with her father. But kept on thinking endlessly that how can that man may appear handsome to my parents when I can't make myself to look at him repeatedly. I am the one who will spend the entire life with him. What about my consent or suggestion? But her voice died in her throat........

Rashmi tried to coax her mother for taking her along to Delhi for her wedding shopping. She argued, 'Mummy it's my lehenga that you are going to buy and you are abandoning me here with grandma. You chose the boy for me, now at least let me have my say in the clothes. What do you and Papa know about latest fashion?" Her mother snapped her midway, "Your father's choice is wonderful. Can't you see how beautiful the gate is which he got made from Kanpur? You have to prepare for your upcoming exams as well. What will you do in Delhi?" Rashmi tried again," You can go after the exam as well." Her mother replied tersely," Papa won't get leave that time. Do not argue. Go and study." The girl thought to herself," We haven't been on any vacation in all our life. Where did his leave went altogether?" And her parents bought her trousseau according to their wish....all in blue....

Ananya's seventh marriage anniversary was celebrated without much excitement and vigour last month. It wasn't at all different from the other ones. This evening she was cutting onions when her kids barged in screaming," Mumma get ready fast. We have to final the deal of the new apartment at 6 pm sharp. It's an auspicious time Dadima said." Ananya went upstairs and asked her husband about the same. He said, "I have no problem. But Ma is already coming with us. What will you do there? Anyways, Gayatri would be coming home for the weekend. Who will open the door for her?" Ananya dismissed herself form her bedroom and got back to the job of chopping onions again. Of course, how foolish of her to ask. But is it that Gayatri is coming for the first time? She comes in every fortnight. And why should she sacrifice the most important moment of her life as she would bear the loan as well. From the corner of her eye she saw her MIL sitting ready wearing a crisp sari. Her husband was about to start the engine of the car when the passenger door opened with a sharp click. Ananya was standing there wearing bright red lipstick and a new shiffon sari with sleeveless blouse. She said smiling, "The procession goes with me or it doesn't begins at all. I will come along to strike the deal of my new house. Ma can stay behind as she already had this opportunity when this house was bought. Gayatri would really love if her mom cooked dinner this evening." Suddenly MIL jumped in, "Leave the house keys with the neighbours. Golu we will buy chole bhature for dinner from Chowk. Let's go now." MIL said to herself, "Combined package of cunning and shrewd...huh."

Some of the audience would think that I'm over reacting, but this is the fact of our society. We have modernized in every sense, still daughters and daughter-in-laws are considered as sacrificial lambs. When we raise our voice, then adorned with adjectives like cunning, shrewd, clever, over smart etcetera. But you know what? I would embrace the adjectives rather than being fooled by the patriarchal society for my entire life. You just need to STOP the injustice, know the right to CLAIM your RIGHTS and RAISE your VOICE. ...✌✌✌