Growing up as a girl in a middle-class family in India, I had a constant desire in my heart i.e. after my marriage, one day, I will have a daughter. She will be the pride and joy of my life. My world would be complete when God would bestow upon me the most blessed gift of the universe- a daughter! My dreams about my future were filled with dreams about my little girl-how I would dress her up, what frilly dresses would she wear and how she would run about in the house in piggy tails with colourful clips.
Both my pregnancies went by in this aspiration, but not all dreams turn into reality and I was blessed with the loveliest of sons. An unfulfilled desire, however, lingered on in some corner of my heart.
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Today, as I look back, I wonder what would have I done had I been blessed with a daughter. I also wonder what would have I done had my daughter been killed on the road to the jibes and stunts of some casual eve teasers; that she was a state board exam topper could not guarantee her a dignified and safe ride on our country’s roads. I wonder what would have I done if I would have learnt that my little girl’s private parts were ripped apart to give some fun and pleasure to idle lads. How would have I borne had my daughter being made to undergo multiple surgeries to sew her body again? How would have I repaired her tattered self-respect, confidence, heart and soul? Whenever while cooking, a drop of hot oil spill on my hands, I wonder what would have I done when a whole bottle of acid would have been splashed on my darling daughter’s face for averting a pervert’s call? I wonder and I ponder how difficult it is to bring up daughters in our country today? Bringing up a Daughter
I grew up a girl in India
with one dream, one idea
that after my marriage, will have a daughter.
And I will bring her up with pride and laughter.
I used to visualise the frocks and frills;
piggy tails, colourful clips and such thrills!
Both pregnancies went by with this aspiration.
But not all dreams reach their destination.
Blessed both the time with sons.
Happy I was, but an unfulfilled desire still inside me burns.
Today as I look back, I wonder
What would have I done, had I a little girl,
My blessing, my precious pearl!
Then what would have I done if she was killed on the road to eve teasers stunts
That she was a board exam topper, yet had to bear the brunt.
What would have I done had her private parts been ripped apart
to give some pleasure to idle lads.
What would have I done had her body been stitched in multiple surgery
As she was a toy of some boys’ orgy!
What would have I done if her intestine was pulled out by an iron rod
And she was left nude on the cold floor of a government hospital’s ward.
It sends shivers down my spine and soul
How would have I brought up my daughter in this world most foul.
