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मैरिज DAY... |
My district is also famous for celebrating Gangaur festival where we worship Lord Shiva and Parvati. The Jagannath Rath Yatra is also held in my district as well. You can’t even imagine that one foreign writer mentioned the name of my district in his book. I don’t exactly remember the name of the book, but he mentioned about a boy called Mowgli there. If you are bored of all these stories, then let me tell you that the famous Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke and Khuda Gawah were made in my province. If you happen to come here, I am sure that it's charm will never fail to grace you.
If you get on the bus that comes every Friday to the area near the border, you will find my small village. This is the village where our story takes place. This is the place where every girls get married right after they bleed. This is the place where man rules and we serve. This is the place where men worship God and we worship them. This is where Radha lives with her maasa, babasa and a younger brother.
It was the crowing of the cock that woke Radha. She took her bamboo twig to brush her teeth and submitted herself to her daylong duty. The sun peeped out as usual and Radha had just completed her initial works. She was lost in her thoughts when suddenly her maasa called her for the breakfast and disturbed her fancy dreams. She sat beside her brother who was suited with fine clothes as he had to go to school. Her brother, Munna, aged about seven years, studies in the government boy’s school, which was a mere five minutes walk away from their home. The village didn’t have any provision for the girls to study. People do not have any complaints regarding girls’ education and so the politicians too didn’t pay any heed to the matter. There was a single girls’ school for twelve villages, which has a headmaster, a watchman, no desks and benches and not a single student.
People felt that a girl should learn the basic household things rather than acquire bookish knowledge. For them learning to wash dishes, cook food, milk cows, was the education a girl should have. They felt that since girls get married and look after the house, giving them formal education is a total waste of time. The only thing that they should learn is to count and write their names, if possible.
Maasa brought two plates. One of them contained roti, sabji and paneer while the other had a small piece of roti and an onion.
“Where is the sabji, maasa?” She asked.
“Why? Don’t you remember that today is Monday and you are supposed to fast for the whole day?” Maasa said.
“But I don’t want to fast. I feel hungry.” She complained.
“Stop complaining now and eat whatever you are given. Fasting is not a crime. It’s just for your benefit. If you fast in the name of Bhole baba, no one can stop you from getting a husband as good as him.”
“But why do I have to think about a husband so soon?” She barged.
“Behave yourself Chori. You are a grown-up now.” Her Babasa entered growling and sat beside them for the morning meal.
The conversation ended with her Babasa’s entry. Maasa brought another plate of roti with two extra glasses of milk for her Babasa and her brother. Just like Radha, every girl in our village had to satisfy themselves with a meager amount of meal and a burden of working the whole day in their own house until they get married.
Days rolled on, and each day was just like the same as the other. Everyday Radha would engage herself in the household works, while her brother went to school. Every day she would have to satisfy herself with the plain roti, while her brother, munna would enjoy all sorts of delicacies. She stopped complaining and accepted whatever fate has to offer.
The election was approaching and there was a festive environment in our village. An unbreakable line of government vehicles comes to our village during elections. The netas would bring with them many false promises, which were never fulfilled. If the promises were to be fulfilled, our village would have twenty-five hospitals, twelve schools, fifty-two brick houses and seventy water tanks to be exact. However, the false promises were a minor affair to be concerned. People cared for the blankets, mosquito nets, foods and spinning threads (not to forget about the desi wine). Many netas came and thus we got a lot of items, enough to spend another three to four years.
I used to get nostalgic whenever I listen to the speeches given by the netas, as it would remind me of the time when I was young, unmarried and happy. The speeches and the promises were just the same as the previous years. This year again, there was an addition in some houses, school, tanks, hospitals, which I believe, is never going to happen.
Radha returned home with a load of items she collected on that particular day. The whole village was coloured with numerous hoardings and posters of the smiling netas. The flow of the government vehicles will keep coming until the end of the election, and after it is over, the village will dry up and then the people will wait eagerly for the next election to happen.
The election ended and a new young candidate became a new neta of our district. Unlike the previous ones, this new sahib proved to be a very good one. As promised, he set up a health center and a water-supplying tank, which was as tall as the Jagdish temple. There was now a double reason for the people to be happy. Some people used to say that the new sahib was a fool as he faced a lot of loss since he had to provide many blankets and nets, and at the same time, built such a big tank. On the other hand, some people referred him as the messenger of God and thus built a small temple and kept his photo at the center to worship him.
He also built a school in our village meant for the boys as well as the girls. This was the only thing that the people hated since education for the girls was seen as a sign of degeneracy. The village panchayat condemned the new sahib for building a new school. They even decided to break the temple as he sought to break the village tradition by building a school for the girls. However, some people opposed to their step and regarded it as a will of the God and thus, they started worshipping him again.
A new teacher, named Shalini, was appointed and the students were appointed at a very good pace. To her surprise, all the students were male and there was not any application from a single girl. The school started and education flourished in our village for the first time.
Shalini took help from the government and started a campaign in our village to create awareness among the people. The government focussed mainly on the education for girls, which outraged many people. Soon, their anger turned into joy when the government announced that the girls who take education would get free meal and a bicycle.
The number of girls in the school increased. Radha, too, was excited about going to school but she didn’t have the courage to speak to her parents. Meanwhile, the new teacher, Shalini, worked hard to educate the students. Majority of the students didn’t have access to any textbook earlier. So her job had become tougher than she expected. Besides, she had to look after three classes alone. The school had eight classes and there were only three teachers allotted.
One day when Radha was looking after the cows, Shalini noticed her and came towards her.
“What is your name?”
“Radha” She replied.
“It’s a very pretty name.” Radha blushed at her remarks. For the first time, someone praised her.
“Are you the new teacher of our school?” Radha asked.
“Yes. Did you not take the admission? I haven’t seen you before.”
“I want to study but my parents won’t allow.”
“How did you know? Have you asked them?” Shalini said.
“No, I haven’t. But I still know that they won’t allow.”
“Do you want to study?” Shalini asked her.
Radha got excited. Her little eyes glistened. Shalini could see the spark in her eyes and could imagine the extent to which she was desperate to study.
“Yes, but my babasa won’t give me the permission.” Radha hesitated.
“Take me to your home. I’ll talk to them.”
“Na re na Madamji… They will scold me.”
“You just take me to your home Radha. I’ll take care of everything.” Shalini took hold of her hand and assured her.
Radha hesitated a bit but after many further assurances, she took Shalini to her home.
Shalini comes from Jaipur. She recently got her job as a teacher and was posted to our village. She is a very dedicated and a hard working person. Before becoming a teacher, she worked in an NGO that helped the orphans. Her NGO also looked after the needs and problems of the helpless children. She remained active in the social works. However, in the quest to work for the people, she ignored everything, including her old parents who was dependant on her. Therefore, she had to get a job to look after her parents and she came to our village as a teacher.
They reached her home after a few minutes’ walks. Maasa was sitting in the courtyard and picking up the grains. She was sitting awkwardly but settled herself in a presentable way as soon as she saw Radha coming with a guest.
“Maasa, she is our new teacher.” Radha introduced Shalini to her Maasa and ran inside. She feared that her maasa would scold her.
“Namaste aunty ji” Shalini greeted her.
“Namaste. How may I help you?” Maasa said rudely. She didn’t even ask her to sit.
“I have come here to talk over an important matter.” Shalini said.
Meanwhile, Radha peeped through her bamboo window to have a look at what was going between her maasa and the teacher. She didn’t like to see the teacher standing. So she came out with a glass of water and requested her to take a seat. Maasa gave her an angry look. Radha handed her the glass and went inside again.
“Have a seat.” Maasa instructed Shalini. “So? Tell me, what important matter brought you here?” She inquired.
“I want to take Radha to the school.”
“What will she do there?” Maasa said infuriatingly.
“She will study there and get educated. Nowadays it has become very important.” Shalini gathered much courage to speak in front of the outrageous woman.
“Look Madamji. You don’t have to think about her education. Whatever she wants to learn, we are teaching her and she is very good in those things. I don’t think she needs anything beyond these.”
“This is what you want, but have you ever asked her what she wants?” Shalini said disgusted. The tone of her voice suggests how frustrated she was at that time.
“This not your city. In your place, girls might be allowed to do whatever they want. But here, we decide what our girls will do. This is our old custom. Never try to alter it.”
Everyone became quiet. Shalini didn’t utter a single word. She wanted to say many things but she realized that it was of no use. She had faced many such situations while working with the NGO. She knows that it was very hard to explain and convince the uneducated.
Meanwhile, people from the neighbour somehow came to know that the new teacher had come to Radha’s house. They peeped from a distance and tried to figure out what was going on in her house. People started gossiping and soon, the whole village envied that such a dignified person had come to Radha’s house and not theirs.
“I am sorry aunty. I didn’t mean to hurt you. I was just trying to help Radha.” Shalini said breaking the long session of silence.
“Madamji, Radha needs no help. And even if she needs, we are not dead. Her father will be coming soon. If he gets to know about these matters, he will get angry. If you are done, I request you to leave as soon as possible.” Maasa said.
“Okay fine. Just think over the matter one more time.”
“Jai raam ji ki.” Maasa said and went inside.
Shalini too went to her quarter, where she was staying. She felt bad and disappointed that she couldn’t help Radha to go to school.
After Shalini left, two of the neighbours came sniffing around to know what the real matter was. Maasa came out and narrated the whole story.
“So what’s wrong with that?” said Vimala, one of the neighbour.
“Yes, what’s wrong with that? Besides, the government is giving free meal and a bicycle as well.” Said the other.
Radha, who was listening to the conversation from inside, saw a ray of hope.
“It’s not like that Vimala. I don’t have any problem with sending her to school. I just fear that learning those bilayati things would spoil her. And if she gets spoiled, who will marry her?” Maasa said.
“Kis zamane mai reh rahe ho tum? Time has changed now. Look at Indira ji. She was also an educated person. Was she bad or was she spoilt?” Vimala said.
“Hmmm…. Thaare baat mai toh wajan hai. Let her father come and then we decide.” Maasa said.
After some further discussions, the neighbours left. Radha got some inspiration from the conversation she heard. She came out to talk with her mother.
“I want to go to school maasa.” Radha said.
“Go and complete your works.” Maasa snarled. “You will not go to any school.”
“If munna can go to school, then why can’t I?” She inquired.
“Ae chori, stop arguing with me now. You are wasting your time. Go and do what you are told to.”
Radha was sad. She wanted to study like the other girls of her village. But her parents didn’t care for what she wants. There was a deep silence surrounding her. She started sobbing followed by deep cries. Her mother, who was sitting nearby, couldn’t see her crying and embraced her tightly.
“Don’t cry. I’ll talk to your babasa.” She said holding her close to her chest.
Maasa talked to her father about Radha’s going to school. At first, there were some heated arguments but later, he agreed.
“Maasa told me that you want to go to school?” He asked Radha.
“Yes, babasa.” She said. She looked down. She didn’t have the courage to face her father.
“You can go, but remember that your marriage is approaching. Once you become big enough, you will have to leave the school and get married.”
“I’ll do whatever you say.” She said.
“Start going from tomorrow then.” He ordered.
Radha’s joy knew no bounds. She started running through the whole village informing everyone that she was going to school from the next day. She kept running until she reached her teacher’s government quarter. Shalini opened the door for her and received the news. She too was happy for Radha.
From the next day, Radha woke up much before the cock crowed. She did her work with much zeal. She didn’t find her work tiresome anymore. Instead, she did everything with much effort. She took her bath and even bathed Munna to go to the school. She dressed him up and wore a fine dress herself. She had her breakfast without any complaints and went to the school.
She was admitted to the fifth standard according to her age. Whatever she and her classmates missed was taught in the extra classes given by Shalini. Radha proved to be a very brilliant student. She could capture everything with ease compared to her other friends. Her class had eighteen students including seven girls and eleven boys. She was the only unmarried girl in the class. The rest of the girls came in sari as they were married and even applied vermillion to their forehead. Radha will get married too, as soon as she matures. In our village, a girl becomes matured when she reaches sexual maturity and become capable of reproduction. Luckily, for Radha, she is not yet sexually matured.
Each morning, Radha would wake up early and finish her works. She would then complete her assigned homework given by the teachers. She was the most sincere girl and punctual as well. She never left her works incomplete. Every teacher would take Radha’s name for giving an example of sincerity and punctuality. Her parents were also happy that their girl was doing that well. However, they were unaware of the change that Radha was going through.
One day, while Radha was sitting with her brother for the breakfast, she saw that like every day, her plate contains two rotis and a meager amount of sabji while her munna was given an egg and a glass of milk. She didn’t like it and said, “Maasa, I want an egg too.”
“There is no egg for you. It is only for the boys.”
“Then why do you eat? You are not a boy.” Radha said. Earlier, she didn’t mind. She used to accept that it was a rule that the boys must be fed more than girls. Previously, she thought that boys were more deserving than girls were. But now she realized that no one is greater to anybody. Each and every human being are equal. It is only the thinking of the people that creates the difference.
“What did you say?” She paused and gave her an angry look. “ Look chori, you wanted to go to school and so we sent you. Learn there what is necessary for you. Don’t fill up your head with these rubbish things. These are traditions, which we have been following for ages. Traditions and customs are to be followed, not to be questioned.” Maasa said frustrated. She gave her the plate and said, “If you want to continue studying, stop acting like a foolish girl.”
Though Maasa was able to suppress Radha, still she feared that someone was spoiling her daughter. She thought that Radha would correct herself as she threatened her to stop her from going to school. Radha too was dissatisfied with the bad customs but since she couldn’t afford to miss the school, she never uttered anything regarding that matter again. She started to accept those evil practices again though she never wanted to.
One morning, while Radha was taking her bath, she saw blood coming out of her private parts and was almost sure that she was going to die. She started crying and prayed to God for all the sins she had done. She also prayed to give her a small place in the heaven as she thinks that hell was a too dangerous place for her to stay.
Her mother, who heard her crying, asked her the reason behind her sobbing.
“Maasa, I am bleeding.” She replied. “I am going to die now.” Her sob turned into loud wailings.
“Stop shouting and open the door.” Maasa shouted and banged her fist on the door. Her Babasa, who was inside, came out running.
“Why? What’s the matter? Gala kyon faad rahe ho?” Babasa said.
Radha opened the door and Maasa went inside to see what was going on? To her surprise, she saw that Radha was bleeding as she has attained the matured age.
She came out smiling and told her babasa about the matter. He couldn’t help but stood still fighting his tears. He felt that his worries are over now. He felt as if the burden of getting his daughter married is unloaded now.
Radha was too afraid of the sight and lost her consciousness. Maasa gave her a bath, wrapped her in a cloth and took her inside. The neighbours gathered inside their house to congratulate and celebrate over Radha’s new change. They heaved a sigh of relief that finally, Radha has become eligible for the marriage.
Meanwhile, Radha regained her consciousness and was taken aback to see such a gathering. She didn’t have the faintest idea that life was going to change. She was going to become someone else’s bride. She will also have to leave her school, which is the last thing she expected. However, she can continue to go to school if her husband and her in-laws allow her.
Babasa informed four of his friend about the matter and told them to spread the news in the nearby villages so that marriage proposals may come. The woman folk started explaining her about what changes she had gone through. They gave her advice on what to do and what not to. “Don’t stay with any boy except your husband from now onwards.” Vimala said and the rest of the company laughed out loudly.
“This is your property. Don’t let anyone open the lock. Keep it safe for your husband to unlock.” Said another and again there was a roar of laughter. Radha didn’t understand anything. She just listened to them and laughed along with them in order to accompany.
The next morning, Radha woke up early as usual and completed her daily works. She took her bath and got herself dressed in order to go to school.
“Where are you going?” Babasa asked.
“School.” She replied.
“Did you listen? Ae chori bawli hogi.” Babasa shouted at her.
“What happened again?” Maasa came running. She was surprised to see Radha dressing neatly. “Where are you going?” She asked Radha.
“To school.” Babasa interrupted.
“Stay at home. You will not go to school anymore. You will be getting married now.” She ordered.
“But I have to submit my homework.” Radha protested.
Babasa was very much frustrated at her obsession and gave her a tight slap. He caught hold of her and dragged her to the storeroom. He locked the room from outside and warned not to open it without his permission.
“This is all your fault. Look what happened. Your daughter has now dared to answer me back. This is the education you were talking about?” He shouted at her.
“Where is didi, maasa?” Munna was searching for Radha as he was getting late for school. Radha takes him to school every day.
“Why do you need her?” Babasa asked rudely.
“I need to go to school.” He said.
“You will be alone from today onwards.”
“I can’t go alone. I feel scared.”
“Go now or I will thrash your head.” Babasa shouted at him.
Munna got scared and ran away to school as fast as he can. He didn’t even look back.
Radha was held captive in her own house. The little girl never even realized that her wish to study would make her a prisoner in her own house. She was set free only when she had to use the bathroom and take her meal. Nobody talked with her for a week. She was allowed to come out of the room after a week. That day, Bhattar ji and his wife from the nearby village were expected to come as they were in search of a bride for their only son.
At the same time, Shalini was very much worried for Radha. She asked almost each and every student regarding the whereabouts of her, but no one claimed to know. One of the girls from her neighbour informed Shalini that Radha had become a matured girl now.
“She will not come to school anymore. Her parents won’t allow now,” said another of her neighbour.
Shalini didn’t have any idea about what being a matured means according to her, but she still nodded her head. However, she was disturbed by the thoughts that such a bright student is not allowed to visit a school. School almost started remaining empty after the lunch break. Before, Radha had many friends and the students would complete their whole class every day. Radha acted as a guide to the other students. They started following her and her ability to learn quickly, motivated every student. Now, students continued their school only to have the meal and collect the free textbooks and clothes given by the governments.
Meanwhile, Bhattar ji and his wife came to see Radha for their son. Radha was neatly dressed in a sari, as was the custom. She was wearing a red sari, which made her look just like a cute small doll. Her parents never realized that Radha was just a small kid and her time for marriage had not yet come. They never treated her as their daughter but a mere object, which was to be sent off as soon as possible. This was not only the fault of Radha’s parents but also the fault of every parent in our village.
Radha prepared tea for her in-laws and served them just as a big girl would do. She was strictly ordered by her maasa to behave like a matured girl and not as a small kid. Bhattar ji at once liked the girl. Even his wife was singing praise of Radha. Her matureness and her ability to prepare very good tea created quite an impression among the couple.
“I liked the girl,” said Bhattar ji. “I think she’ll make a perfect match for my son.”
“Ae ji! Tell them about the things we need.” His wife said.
“Oh yes, I almost forgot to mention… hehehehe….” Bhattar ji gave a wry smile.
“You don’t have to worry about that. We have made all the arrangements.” Babasa said folding his hands. It was a custom to fold his hands in front of the boy’s family.
“Still, it would be more appropriate if you read our list. What say?” Bhattar ji’s wife handed over a long list of items they want as a dowry.
“We have collected whatever we can. But this list is too long for us to afford.” Said maasa.
“You should also keep in mind that we have afforded to accept your daughter. Isn’t it a very big thing?” bhattar ji said.
“You don’t worry about that. I’ll manage Bhattar ji.” Babasa said.
“If that is so, don’t embarrass me by calling bhattar ji. We are samdhis from today.” Bhattar ji said and hugged babasa. Babasa too was relieved that the marriage was not left unfixed.
Radha’s marriage was fixed even though Radha and the boy haven’t seen each other. Shalini, who was worried about Radha, decided to pay a visit to her home. It was a Sunday afternoon when Shalini came to her home.
“Radha,” she called.
Radha recognized the voice of her teacher but she was too scared to come out. Maasa heard her and came out. At first sight, she was very much disturbed at her repeated intrusion into her family matters, but she calmed down and greeted her with a smile.
“How are you Madamji?” Maasa asked.
“Quite well. Where is Radha? I haven’t seen her for quite a long time.” She said. Her eyes constantly searching for Radha.
“She had gone to her uncle’s house.” Babasa came out.
“Oh I see! You must be her father. I haven’t met you before.”
“Yes, I am. What business brings you here?” Babasa interrogated.
“I have heard that Radha won’t go to school anymore.”
“Yes, you’ve heard it right.” Babasa said. His eyes grew red with anger.
“Why is it so? She was doing well in her study. She was also the top scorer in the class.”
“Radha won’t be scoring anymore. We have fixed her marriage and soon, she will be getting married.”
“But you know that she wanted to study, right?” Shalini said. She took out the answer sheet and handed over to maasa. Radha had done pretty well in her exams.
Babasa, who was controlling his anger all the time, at last burst out. He took the answer sheet and tore it into pieces. He came near Shalini and said, “Agar jeeno rehno hai, toh mere kaam mai tang arano band kar de.” He said. “Tell her to go away or I’ll end up committing a crime.” Babasa went away.
“Madamji, please go now. I request you. Believe me, Radha doesn’t want to study anymore. She is very excited about her marriage.” Maasa said folding her hands.
Shalini was taken aback by the treatment she received. She stood shocked and still. Suddenly she saw something flashing out of the window. It was a red ribbon. It was Radha’s ribbon. Radha was indicating her that she had gone nowhere. She was still in the house. It didn’t take her a second to realize that Radha was held captive. She said nothing and went away.
Back in her quarter, Shalini was thinking over every possible way to rescue the child. She was trying to figure out all the procedures to help Radha. She was busy in her thoughts, when she heard a knock at the door. She opened the door and to her surprise, she saw maasa at the door.
“Please come in.” She said.
“Leave my child alone. She is getting married. Please don’t bring a bad name to her.” She cried.
“I am not bringing any bad name to Radha.”
“Your frequent visit to our home has become a matter of gossip. If our samdhi ji somehow comes to know, he’ll break the marriage.”
“Why are you doing this to that poor girl? Isn’t she your own daughter?”
“We don’t have any choice. If we don’t marry her now, she will never find a perfect match. The good and the perfect boys always marry at an early age. Even if she gets a husband later, he will be either an aged man or a divorcee. Tell me, if you were in my position, what would you do?” Maasa said.
“I would encourage her to study and become an abled person. I won’t let my child to suffer. You don’t understand the power of education aunty.”
“Beware Madamji! If you keep on interfering like this, anything can happen to you. Jai raam ji ki.” Maasa threatened her. But she was not the type of girl who was likely to be afraid of such threatening.
Shalini went to the nearby police station to lodge an FIR against Radha’s parents. The officer in charge who was having a short nap waked up at the arrival of Shalini.
“Kahiye madam. How may I help you?” he asked.
“I need to file a complaint.”
“Go on.” He said.
Shalini narrated the whole story at which he burst out into laughter.
“Arrey Madamji. Why are you taking such pressure? A sweet lady like you should never be bothered by such things. You do one thing. Stop taking tensions and you will notice that everything will be back to normal.” He cracked a lame joke and the whole staff started laughing.
“Look at Tukaram,” he pointed towards a constable. “Next month, he is getting his daughter married. She is ten years old. So what do you want? Should I arrest him for that?” again there was a row of laughter. “My son married a seven-year-old girl. Should Tukaram arrest me now?”
“I want you to do what is right.” Shalini said.
“Right wrong ka paath hume mat padhayie. You come from a far-off place. You know nothing about the customs here. Spend some more time. You will get used to it.”
Shalini knew that it was of no more use to talk with them. She returned to her quarter. She was in much pain, as she could not help Radha. The incident of Radha putting out the ribbon to indicate that she was there and held captive was flashing in her eyes now and then. For the first time in her life, she was unable to save a child who was facing a lot of trouble.
“No, I can’t let it happen. I am going to save you Radha.” Shalini said.
The next day, Shalini went to the netaji, who won the last election. He was a good and a kind-hearted man. He is the one who is responsible for bringing the school in our village. Shalini was pretty sure that she will get his help.
“Kahiye Shalini ji. What brings you here?” Netaji greeted her with a smile.
Shalini narrated the story to the netaji. Netaji said nothing but heaved a sigh. She waited for him to speak. She was wondering what step he would take.
“Shalini ji, I accept that it is a very grave problem. But there is nothing that I can do in this matter.” He said.
“But you are the MLA of this district. There is nothing that you can’t do.”
“We have the supreme power but, still there are certain things which we never alter.” He said and paused. Shalini said nothing but looked at him in disappointment.
“The child marriage is something that these people have been practicing for ages. I can’t stop it in a day. These are my vote banks and if I mess with them, I will be messing with my power and position. Already I have done much wrong by setting up the school. I don’t want to ruin my reputation further. I am sorry Shalini ji. If you want any other help, feel free to say.” He said.
“You have already helped me a lot. Thank you so much.” She was annoyed at the ignorance of the administration. No one was willing to help her. No one tried to alter the evil of child marriage. In fact, everyone accepted whatever was imposed upon him or her in the name of custom and tradition. Shalini was distressed over her inability to save Radha. She tried everything she could, but all in vain. She could do nothing but let go.
One night when Shalini was about to sleep, she heard a loud bang on her door. She checked her watch. The clock showed half-past-twelve. She was scared at first. She didn’t have any acquaintance either, who would show up in that hour.
“Who’s there?” She mumbled.
“Please open the door Madamji. It's me.” Radha said shivering in cold.
Shalini at once recognized her voice and opened the door. Radha stood in front of her. She was never such happier earlier. Shalini reacted as if she lost something precious and found it back. She brought Radha in and made her some tea. She gave her a shawl and wrapped around her tiny body. She was so surprised that she didn’t care to ask why and how she was out in the mid of such chilly night.
“Please save me Madamji. I don’t want to marry anyone. I want to study.” Radha pleaded.
“How did you come out Radha?” Shalini inquired.
Radha told her that her maasa had forgot to lock the door that night and so she escaped to meet her. Shalini’s tears rolled down her eyes as soon she heard about the plight of Radha. She was just an eleven-year-old kid and her parents were so obsessed with her marriage that they didn’t even care to lock her down.
Shalini hugged her and said, “I am sorry Radha. I tried everything but I could not help you.” She cried again.
Radha was taken aback. For her, Shalini was the only hope. She was the only person who could help her out. She felt sad as her only hope was also going to diminish.
“Please try to understand. I want your help.” She cried. She held her as if someone was trying to pull and take her away. She felt some comfort while holding her teacher.
“When are your parents getting you married?” Shalini asked.
“The day after.” Replied Radha. Her hold was still as firm as before.
Shalini couldn’t bear the sight but she knew that there was nothing she could do to save the poor girl. She requested her to return to her home. Radha didn’t pay any heed to her request. Instead, she said, “I am not going back Madamji. They will send me away.”
Radha became weaker before the child. She somehow freed herself from Radha’s hold and sent her to her home. She could no more watch the plight, the poor girl was suffering from. At first, there was many hesitancies and crying but Shalini used force to take her out. She shut the door and went to sleep. However, she couldn’t sleep as she considered herself to be guilty of Radha’s miserable condition. Had she not brought Radha to the school, she would have happily accepted the rituals and get married.
Radha returned to her home amidst the dark and chilly night. She stopped crying, as she was tired of crying. Tears refused to roll down her eyes. There was a drought in her tears but not in her miseries. When a person is in danger, he goes to his parents at first. But when his parents are creating that danger, where should he go? Radha’s situation had become just like that person.
The morning cock crowed and Radha was still there sitting in the locked room. She did not sleep that night. She was tired. She had done everything to skip the marriage and continue studying. She fought hard; she fought well. But she is defeated now. She is starting to accept what faith has to offer to her. Her marriage was in the next day. Radha had no other option than to surrender herself to the custom.
Finally, the day arrived and there was a festive environment in our whole village. Radha was dressed in a red sari crafted by the local handicrafts. She wore a ton of golden jewellery, which made her difficult to walk. Vimala put some mehndi to the Radha’s tiny little hands to make her the perfect looking bride.
At first, a man came from Bhattar ji’s house to check whether all the items they requested was there. After his fulfillment, he returned and then Bhattar ji and his company came.
Meanwhile, three vehicles from the city arrived and soon it gained the attention. The interest shifted from the marriage to the vehicles. People started gathering around the vehicles, as they had never seen such types before. However, Radha’s father did not like this. He had spent enough to make the marriage the biggest and the best of his village. But the vehicles pulling away the crowd was not something he would entertain.
He went there to investigate the matter. He came to know that the vehicles were from the media and they have come to telecast Radha’s marriage. Babasa was shocked to hear this. He knew that the marriage would be a hit but he had never expected that it would gain such popularity. The crowd was requested by the media person to stay there near the bride so that they could capture everything appropriately. The whole gathering shifted to Radha’s marriage again.
The media was brought with Shalini’s effort. After Radha’s visit to her quarter. She had been contacting each and every person asking for their help. She even took help of her former NGO who would never deny her request. The media persons started the telecast and started presenting the news. Meanwhile, Shalini too arrived at the scene accompanied by the members of her former NGO.
While the process to stop the marriage was going on, there was a never-ending merrymaking going on. Everybody seemed happy except the bride and the groom. They seemed sad, disturbed and unaware of the things going around them. This footage was enough for the media to show what they were trying to focus on.
On the other hand, Shalini and her friends shared the news on the social media. They uploaded many pictures and videos that created quite an upheaval among the public. People started reacting against the practice and felt pity for the poor children who were sacrificed for the sake of customs.
The news channels telecast the same news repeatedly. It soon became a national news. The whole nation condemned the evil practice that was taking place. It didn’t take much time to create an impact in the political system as well. The whole nation started raising question on the state government. The people of the state even decided to boycott the party if such things keep happening in the state. The state government too started to take the matter seriously, as there was constant pressure from the central.
The opposition leaders began appearing on the channels to criticize the evil customs practiced under the current party. The current leaders too began giving interviews and assured the public that the marriage will be stopped and such type of practice will be abolished from the society. The local administration was ordered to stop the marriage and arrest the people involved in it.
Radha, meanwhile, sat beside the groom unhappily while the rest of the people was enjoying and rejoicing over the auspicious ceremony. She was sad not because she was getting married, but because she won’t be able to continue her education. The local administration, unable to handle the pressure from the political leaders, came in order to stop the marriage and arrest the responsible person.
They reached the destination and advanced towards the scene. Shalini, who was desperately waiting for someone to come and save Radha, felt relieved that the little girl was out of danger. The police officer went inside but before they could stop the marriage, Radha’s forehead was already painted red with the vermillion given by the groom. She got married. She was weeping bitterly and the groom seemed perplexed. The little children did not have any idea about what its like to be married. Shalini tried everything but change the faith of Radha.
The police officer searched for Radha’s parents and arrested them. Bhattar ji and his wife were also taken into custody. The police were about to put them in the van when suddenly Radha came shouting from behind. The whole incident was aired live on almost every channel. Radha begged the officials to leave her parents. The policemen didn’t listen to her and went towards the van. She knelt down before them folding her tiny hands and said, “Don’t take them away Sahib. I am married now. My life is already ruined and if you take them away, I’ll have nowhere to go. Please, leave them. I don’t want to fight anymore.” She sobbed. Shalini held her hand. “Whatever done can never be changed again. If you really want to help me, abolish this system then. Make sure that no more Radha had to fight anymore to study. Make sure that no more Radha is forced to marry at my age. I don’t have any more complaints. I got married and I have to accept my faith. But I want my parents to let me study even now. I want to study not to degenerate myself but to educate myself.” The whole nation was stunned to see Radha speaking such intellectual words. Everyone praised her for her courage and sheer determination. Radha became a national sensation in a day.
One of the news reporters moved towards her and said holding a mike with a camera focused on her, “Do you say something to the people, Radha?”
“I don’t know what to say. But I want to remind everyone that no one is born with a stamp to serve more or sacrifice themselves. Everyone is born free and so everyone should be loved and treated equally. Don’t feed your sons with meat and milk and give a roti to your daughter. Everyone works hard and so everyone needs the equal share.”
The whole nation was moved by her speech. The police officer too was feeling bad for her. He set her parents and her in-laws free. They too felt guilty about what they had done. They promised that they will never stop Radha from going to school and Bhattar ji even took responsibility to give her higher education as well. “My beti will become a great person one day.” He said.
Radha couldn’t save her own marriage but she brought a change. The practice of child marriage was abolished from our village. No girl was given to eat a single roti and no one was given to do hard labour. After that incident, no girl was married right after they mature sexually. I got married when I was eleven years old. After two years, I became a widow and everyone cursed me and accused me of killing my husband even though he died of malaria. Had Radha come a little earlier, my marriage too would have been saved.
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