Let a Girl Dream

The Sun shone like every other day. The rooster cried, the chickens clucked and the women headed out to the pond to get some water. Madhu woke up and stared at her surroundings. The obsolete desolation suffocated her. Every day seemed like a trial and nothing seemed likely to change on this ordinary day. With a huge sigh, Madhu forced herself to get up from the comfort of her bed. "Madhu!" Her mother summoned her. Madhu dragged her feet towards the door and got out of her room. The house was decked up, absolutely ready. Madhu could feel her eyes becoming moist. She peeked into the room where her mother was. In front of a mirror, Her mother stood with her older sister Nisha , who was just 16 years old, 2 years older to Madhu. Her sister was dressed in yellow and her body was adorned with heavy jewellery. "Madhu, come and help me prepare Nisha for Haldi. The groom's family is due any moment." Her mother said. Madhu looked down, wishing the earth would swallow her up like Devi Sita so that she did not have to be witness to her underage sister's wedding. Her heart shook with fear when she realised that she would probably have to face a similar situation in the near future. She looked scornfully at her mother who had done nothing but accept her daughter's fate. She had not stood upto her husband to protect her child. In fact she believed then daughters were a burden and should remain confined to the house. Madhu's brother Ajay was allowed to go to school something that Madhu wished to do as well. In her family, girls were not supposed to be educated. But her brother Ajay did not like studies and often Madhu helped him with his schoolwork and she had educated herself quite diligently. "Didi, why don't you run away? I can help you." She whispered to her sister, once their mother had left the room. Her sister gave a strained smile. "I don't have a choice Madhu. Father is paying a huge dowry in order to marry me off to a good family. I have to maintain his respect in the society." "But both dowry and underage marriage is illegal!" Madhu cried indignantly. "Father is doing this for my good." Nisha remained adamant. Madhu cried shamelessly that day when her sister was married off to a groom who was 15 years older to her with great pomp and show. She was determined not to let the same happened to her.

 A week later, Madhu went to the bazaar to but some vegetables. "Chacha, can you give me some potatoes and peas." She told the vendor. A amiable looking woman stood next to her. She seemed surprised to see Madhu there. "Child, why are you here at the market. Don't you have school to attend?" She asked. Madhu looked up at the friendly faced, tears brimming her eyes. Her voice shook as she said, "Ma'am, in our family girls don't go to school. My parents are searching for a suitable groom. for me." The woman was shocked. The vendor's voice interrupted the shocked silence. "Her father is a respectable man of the society. He is absolutely correct in his treatment of daughters. They are supposed to maintain the house and give birth to children." The woman looked at him sharply, "That is rubbish. You should be respectful towards a woman. It is because of a woman you came to this world.". Then she turned to the Madhu. "Come with me, child." Madhu followed the woman to a small house where she lived. She made Madhu sit on a chair and offered her some milk. "What is your name?" The woman asked. "I am Madhu." Madhu replied. "Well Madhu, I am Ms. Naina Mathur. I am a teacher and I would like you to be my student." The woman introduced herself. Madhu beamed with pleasure. There was nothing she would like more! From that day she regularly visited Ms. Mathur in secret for two hours. Slowly she learnt a lot. A year later, Madhu sat for her a scholarship exam which she aced and was awarded a yearly scholarship of 1000 rupees. "Ma'am , I wish to be a teacher like you." She said to her teacher. Her teacher smiled. "Madhu, you are indeed an excellent student. You should do something for the country. I want you to become an IAS officer." From that day onwards, Madhu was determined to become an officer. 

The situation at her home was grim. Her sister had been returned by her in-laws after a miscarriage and her father was unable to pay the dowry. Madhu took care of her miserable sister who was tormented by her in-laws and taunted endlessly by her family. A few days later, Madhu's father entered home with a huge packet of sweets. He was grinning from ear to ear. "I have found the perfect man for Madhu. He is not asking for much dowry." He said. Madhu's heart sand. Her hand and feet froze. What would happen to her dreams now? That night Madhu was unable to sleep and early morning she went to her teacher and explained the entire situation at home. "Madhu, I fear you have no other option that to run away. I will take you to the city tonight. Meet me at the station." Ms. Mathur said determinedly. Madhu went back home and started packing her things discretely. "Madhu , are you planning to run away?" Her sister caught her packing a few clothes. Madhu held Nisha's hands. "Didi, I need to do this. I need to fight for all the women whose dreams and aspirations are killed before they are born." To Madhu's utmost delight, Nisha said, "I wish you all the best Madhu. You will not have the future I faced." That night, once everyone fell asleep, Madhu bade her sister goodbye and escaped by climbing over the wall. The station was 2 kilometers away and Madhu ran the entire distance. True to her word, Ms. Mathur was waiting for her at the station. Together, they set off to a brighter future.

Ten years later, Madhu had cleared all exams successfully and had become an Officer. Her senior informed her that her duty was in a small village....in fact it was the village where she was born. "Ma'am, do you think I should return?" She asked her teacher who had assisted and supported her the entire time. "Yes, my dear. It is time you show you family that girls are no less than boys." With mixed feelings, Madhu returned to her village. She shifted to a house reserved for her. That afternoon, Madhu set out to explore the village. In 10 years, the village had changed. There were new modern amenities available. With a heart which was beating incredibly fast, Madhu stood at the gates of the house she once called "home". Her fingers trembled as she knocked on the front door. A aged woman opened the door. "Maa!" Madhu cried. The woman looked shocked for a moment but then tears brimmed her eyes. "Madhu! Where were you for so many years?" She asked. " I am an officer now. I have studied and I am successful today." Madhu said. "Where is Didi and Ajay?" She enquired. Her mother looked down, "You brother started drinking and gambling and he left us alone in our old age. And Nisha returned to her in laws after we begged them to take her back. Nisha suffered a few more miscarriages and she passed away a year back." Madhu was stunned. Her sister had faced such cruelty. Madhu was determined to not let any other woman suffer such a fate. That day onwards, Madhu fought for the rights of small girls and she worked hard to improve the standard of education for them. She formed several organisations for their welfare.Today, everyone looks up to Madhu. Her father is a proud man with completely changed frame of mind. Today he realises that daughters are truly a blessing and they are not a burden or tension . In fact they are equal to ten sons.

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PRIYADARSHINI DAS