A Wish!

I am Sunita. This is my village. A village which has no mark on the Indian map. My village is the best example of all urban and rural areas of India. Let's get in my village, When you see signboard of my village. It is painted with green in the background and written in white. It is Ikshapur. Yes! This is the name of my village. There is a banana tree that is from my years even before the birth of my great grandfather. Panchayat is done under this tree always by Sarpanch. Great decisions and justice done here. I remember one story I am telling you to listen it. I was seven years old. My friend Mala was ten at that time. We play, eat, sleep and study together.

One day she did not come to my house. I asked Mamma where she Is? She said to keep quiet and forgot her. She left the village as she was got married to the son of Surypratap. Surya Pratap was the zamindar of Kishanpur village, next to our village. I console by my mamma. I started my daily routine gain with same pace but I always miss her. Suddenly, when I returned back from school I saw a crowd of people and the sarpanch of panchayat also there. My mamma took me inside the house and lock me from outside. I was looking from the window. Then, I saw my friend Mala, she was looking beautiful in red saree, sindoor on her head, heavy necklace, bangles in hand, henna on plam and rings. There was also a red mark on her forehead. She was feeling unconscious.

She was hungry and her beauty was not looking because she was looking tired as she didn't sleep. Her bridegroom was also there and blamed her that she was not as perfect as a bride. Her parents also didn't give the money of dowry. Her mistake was just she didn't take off his parents and move out of the house to play with a girl of her age. Only because of this her husband beat her. When she complained with her parents they decided to got justice from Panch. Now, you know that Why everyone gathered there. The decision of Panch was that her husband should pay heavy fine and their marriage oh! No, no child marriage was broke down. The next morning again she came to my house and we together went to school. Now, her scars were healed and she forgot everything but somehow sometimes she stopped laughing and started crying. I know why she did this? Whenever she saw these things again she went to that palace whatever happens with her. This is just one case there are many divorced Mala in our village. They all lived with pride and their parents are also had pride in them. Now, the people of the village decided that they will only marry their daughters when they want to marry. Child marriage is prohibited here. You know in schools in my village has a ratio of boys less than girls. Now, I am sleeping.

I woke up early today, I am smiling because I saw in a dream that this change is now in the whole of India. I am in the temple of our village. I am in front of the goddess Kali. People said she always listens to children. I make a wish today that my dream comes true.