World celebrates women’s day on 8^th March. On this day I would like to share the stories of some I met in my official circle.

Rajeswari(name changed) is a black beauty aged about 24 years. She is a daughter of bus conductor serving in metro bus. When she was 17 years old her parents married her off to her maternal uncle. They married her in style after observing every custom in Hindu religion including a hefty sum and jewels as a dowry. Her husband is a wastrel and an illiterate. He has no income and a drunkard. He was living on the income of ancestral property which was very meager. She soon had a son. Fed of with her husband’s drunkenness and joblessness she returned to her parents. She was encouraged to continue her studies and she finished her B.Com and further continued her M.C.A.by distance education. Now their parents and relatives force her to go back to her husbands and live with him. She has no other choice but to oblige. Divorce is a dirty word for them. Sad thing is her mother even went to the extent of beating her.

In the second case a girl was forced to seek asylum in the police station to escape her parents wrath arose out of marrying her choice. She is a graduate and very intelligent and forceful. Even in official work she always gets her things done to her will. Her father is a cab driver in a multi national company. The girl’ husband is a commerce graduate and doing articleship.He belongs to a respectable family. But unfortunate thing is girl’s mother in law started ill-treating her as she married her son with out dowry and a handful of jewels. Her stubbornness and strong will alone carries her on.

 Savithri is a young widow in her early thirties. She belongs to a Brahmin community. She has a girl child who is always sick. She is also very poor. The job she is now holding is temporary. God has also given her beauty. But she is leading a wasted life. Widow Remarriage is unheard off in their family circles.