Identity: Do I Have Any?

Surabhi, was a small-town girl, with bigger dreams. She wanted to become an IPS, but due to the societal norms of her village and her family background, she could not pursue studies after Seventh Grade. As per custom, she was married off to an electrician who was 15 years elder to her. Her married life was not smooth, marital rape and physical abuse was all she endured. She was battered at a tender age, and as fate was not satisfied with the cruelty it imposed, she lost the monster her husband too, in an accident.

'Nanhi Kiran', the NGO, came in rescue, she enrolled herself, when she came to know that they will teach the young girls. Since then it was no looking back for Surabhi. Being smart and intelligent, she quickly picked up on studies and excelled in all areas. Shanti Tai, the head of the NGO, was so impressed with Surabhi, that she funded for her higher education. Surabhi, today is an IPS officer. She was called upon to many colleges to give in speeches and motivate young girls, to which she happily obliged.

Surabhi knew it was difficult for a girl, woman to live peacefully in this country. With the recent Nirbhaya and Disha cases and many more, she felt hopeless and helpless and that are her always. She was further disturbed by a speech of a young girl who addressed the gathering in the college fest, to which she was the Chief Guest.

"I am a woman, a normal woman, found in every nook and corner of the towns, city, state of this beautiful country, where I am being objectified every day, taken for granted, raised to adjust and taught to adapt, forgive and be forgotten. Everyday, I read news about an attack on woman. Woman abused, raped, molested and killed. Do I stand anywhere? should it matter to anyone? Since ages, I have fought to keep my dignity and honor intact, but to no avail. Sati, Johar to rape and murders, the violence knew no bounds. Lost in the complexity of worldwide web and the dark world, the demand for my body is at high and the risk imposed is much higher. Do I need to fight with others, my own brethren and community, my family and my relatives to tell them that I am a human too and I have to live in peace too. I'm judged in every walk of life. Body shamed, dress shamed and choice shamed. The concept of "What people will say" is in my DNA, running along my blood. Looked down and jeered at my red lipstick and western clothes, sleeveless and navel exposure, I wonder if I even fit the matrimonial requirements."Am I product and are you the customer, to use and decide my fate."

The speech choked Surabhi, she knew the condition of women in the country, she herself waged many battles to gain the place, where she was now. But she observed the condition of girls and women was much worse in the cities too. She could not sleep the whole night and her days spent were restless. She wanted to change the situation. She wanted to enforce a new law to protect all the innocent lives who are daily at the verge of this cruelty.

One day Surabhi promised to herself and all those girls and women out there.. you will be recognized and identified as a human with value. I will ensure that. She framed new rules and laws. Reinforced and made some changes in the existing ones. She saw miraculous changes, though not major. She was happy now and she wanted to proudly say to that girl.. one day my dear, one day, you will have an identity.