India

The Dilli playlist

Copyright © DeekshaSarkar

Copyright © DeekshaSarkar

ओ तेरी पैनचड़!!  Its been 11 months that I have not been to Delhi. And it has freaked me out so much that I have been listening to Dilli songs since I woke up (or rather realized). Why? Oh Caamaawn! Its Dilli! No, its not a rape capital. First and foremost, you need to understand that men don’t get a license to rape just because they are in Delhi. So, stop addressing Delhi as a “Rape Capital”. Why Dilli is special? I have my reasons and Delhi has its own.

PS – Dilli is the nickname for Delhi, in case you are wondering 😛

Delhi has been the core to many cultures from all over India. People have migrated from everywhere and anywhere to get a part of it. A capital so diverse yet binds everything together. We have all complained about the hot summers while slurping the ice lollies; checked out every possible person while sipping adrak chai (ginger tea); those camp fires with neighbors every January. Imagine those long drives on the highways, pouring heavily or eyeing your crush from the terrace. The shopping sprees in Sarojini, Lajpat and Janpat. The monuments who have witnessed it all, be it the Mughal romance or the hiding-from-the-parents romance. The chaat stalls flooded with the requests of another extra papdi or the quarrels where the entire colony rushes in. The ladies bargaining and oh! never forget the free dhaniya and mirchi (coriander and chilies) while the gents laughing out loud on the terrace with every sip of rum as the night settles in. Dilli ki kudiyaan te Munde (Delhi’s girls and boys), Dhabbas on the highways or just the highways, Dilli ka jugaad, the big fat weddings, Delhi University – South and North campus and Oooh! Delhi’s favorite dailouge – “Tu jaanta nahi mera baap kaun hai?” (you dont know who my father is)! …and there is much more to it… Now that I have been listening to Delhi songs for so long, time for another playlist people!

Presenting to you the दिल्ली playlist! 18 songs to fall for Dilli, all over again.

18. Main toh Dilli se dulhan laya re (Film: Jhoola – 1941)

This is a rare Dilli song from 1941 before our Independence.

 

17. Kya Dilli kya Jalandar (Film: Pyaar deewana hota hai)

 

16. Dilli da sharab (Artist: Aman Amanat)

The typical Dilli song played during weddings! And yes, people do dance on it while drunk on dilli da sharab!

 

15. Dilwalo ki Dilli (Band: Ahhiran)

Yes. We are the studs! We don’t care what people think about us, we are just cool as Antarctica! 😀

 

14. Dilli (D’elusive)

दिल्ली ने बनाया मन्ने… चू ना बना तू | 😀

 13. Dilli (Film: Mishawr Rawhoshyo | Artist: Arijit Singh)

The lyrics are so cute 🙂 So is Arijit Singh 😛

 

12. Chalo Dilli (Film: Chalo Dilli | Artist: Raja Hasan)

 

11. Dilli ke Deewane (Badshaah ft. Honey Singh)

सोला आने सच है ये बात, जुड़े जज़बात मेरे दिल्ली के साथ ❤

 

10. Ghagra (Film: Yeh Jawaani hai Deewani)

TV pe breaking news haye re mera Ghagra, Bagdad se leke DILLI via Agra! 😛

 

9. Chandni Chowk to China (Artist: Bohemia ft. Akshay Kumar)

किथे चलिये गोभी दा फूल बनके कुड़ीए बदामी !!

 

8. Delhi Destiny (Film: 99)

This is one of my favorite song! Such a happy song it its! Makes me dance (and yes! I am dancing… tuu ruu ruuu)

 

7. Dilli (Artist: Rabbi Shergill)

और मैं हूँ.. तू है.. और है दिल्ली बस 🙂

6. Delhi sheher mein maaro ghaagro (Artist: Ila Arun)

 

5. Dilli wali Girlfriend (Film: Yeh Jawaani hai Deewani)

Oh yes yes! How can I miss Ranbir Kapoor ❤

4. Chor Bazari (Film: Love Aaj Kal)

तू ना बदली मैं ना बदला दिल्ली सारी देख बदल गयी… This song never fails to bring a smile on my face 🙂

 

3. Dilli ki Sardi (Film: Zameen)

प्यार तेरा दिल्ली की सर्दी 😉

 

2. Dilli 6 (Film: Delhi 6)

 

1. Dilli (Film: No One Killed Jessica)

मेरा काट कलेजा दिल्ली ले गयी !!

Delhi is home ❤

 

Mangshor Jhol (Mutton Gravy – Bengali Style)

Every Bengali household have very special Sundays because Sundays are pampered by this sumptuous Mangshor Jhol or Mutton gravy if we translate it. I know yesterday was not a Sunday but never the less it was special. Hence to celebrate, the Mangshor Jhol.

Note: As mutton takes more time to cook, overnight marination is suggested but myself being super impatient, I keep it marinated for an hour or two (More time, more amazing your mutton will taste, just don’t exceed the ‘overnight’ limit, because after that I don’t guarantee).

INGREDIENTS:

  • Mutton (Duh uh!) – suit yourself! (I took 500 gms)
  • Jeera powder (cumin powder – 1 teaspoon)
  • Dhaniya powder (Coriander seeds powder – 1 teaspoon)
  • Red Chilli Powder (1 teaspoon)
  • Turmeric Powder (1 teaspoon)
  • Garam Masala (1 teaspoon)
  • Yogurt (2 tablespoon)
  • Salt (as per taste)
  • Sugar (one fourth of a teaspoon)
  • Cinnamon Stick (1 no.)
  • Oil (Mustard is preferred, but I had sunflower oil)
  • Butter or Ghee – OPTIONAL
  • Dried Red Chilies Whole (1 nos.) – OPTIONAL
  • Sliced Tomato (1 big no.)
  • Thin Sliced Onion (3 small nos.)
  • Green Chilies (as per your needs)
  • Chopped Fresh Coriander Leaves
  • Half Cut Potato (2 no.)
  • Chopped Garlic (5-6 cloves)
  • Whole Garlic (2 nos.) – OPTIONAL
  • Chopped Ginger
  • Water (1-1.5 cup)

METHOD:

Marinate the Mutton with Yogurt, Coriander Powder, Cumin Powder, Red Chili Powder, Turmeric Powder and keep it overnight. Take the round bottom vessel, add Oil and Butter or Ghee, put Cinnamon Stick, Dried Red Chili and Sugar, then put Chopped Garlic, Ginger and Onions and saute for a while. Adjust the salt. Add the tomatoes and Green Chilies. When the oil separates, add the marinated Mutton. Cook for a while till the mutton appears to be cooked, but HAAH! Mutton is just fooling you my friend! Mutton takes time and pressure to cook (Reminds me of diamonds! weird eh?). Till then, take the pressure cooker, put the Potatoes, Whole Garlic, a little butter, and the pseudo cooked Mutton. Add water. Keep it on high flame and let the Pressure Cooker whistle. I have a very ancient pressure cooker, so please don’t ask me about the whistles, I think 4-5 should do. Open the lid, add Coriander Leaves and Garam Masala and keep it on the flame. Before it starts whistling, turn off the flame. Do not open the lid, let the pressure go away naturally. Open. Smell. Serve. 🙂

Tastes best with plain rice.

Mangshor Jhol and Rice

Mangshor Jhol and Rice with a HUGE coriander Leaf!

Thanks Enid (and no she is not a Blyton! 😛 )for taking this photo.

Yes my phone is screwed meanwhile and am currently on a very basic mobile phone. 

Dim Chochori (Omelette Gravy)

Being a Bengali, you just cannot avoid the ‘chochoris‘. Those who do not understand this, well its a dish of West Bengal, India, made of vegetables (all sorts) or fish or anything we bengalis can get hold of. Today, it was just the poor eggs’ turn who were left all alone in the fridge. Though I don’t reckon any dish by this name, but I find this word ‘chochori’ quite amusing, hence the name. We could have survived calling it just ‘Omelette Gravy’ as well.

Again, not much fuss. Easy to remember, and even if you don’t, you can always experiment (that might give us another recipe) 😛 Honestly, I like omelettes more than boiled eggs, I guess you must have figured that out already!

So, let the eggs roll here, shall we?

INGREDIENTS:

  • Eggs (as many your hen lays, but I took just 4)
  • Jeera powder (cumin powder – 1 teaspoons)
  • Dhaniya powder (Coriander seeds powder – 1 teaspoons)
  • Black Pepper Powder (as per taste)
  • Red Chilli Powder (1 teaspoon)
  • Turmeric Powder (1 teaspoon)
  • Salt (as per taste)
  • Sunflower Oil
  • Dried Red Chilies Whole (2 nos.)
  • Mustard Seeds (a pinch)
  • Tomato Puree (1 tablespoon)
  • Sliced Onion (2 small nos.)
  • Sliced Tomato (1 small no.)
  • Green Chilies (as per your needs)
  • Chopped Fresh Coriander Leaves
  • Sliced Potato (1 no.)
  • Chopped Garlic (5-6 cloves)
  • Water (1 cup)

METHOD:

Make Omelettes (just eggs and salt) and keep it aside. Lots of it. Slice it. Broad slices or any way you want them sliced. No rules. Take a deep dish or Kadai, put some Oil. Heat it. Add Red Whole Chilies, Mustard Seeds and when they crackle, add the Onions and Garlic. Add the Potatoes and Green Chilies as well. Add salt (it accelerates the cooking of the veggies), Jeera Powder, Turmeric Powder, Coriander Powder, Red Chili Powder and mix well. Low flame. When the Potatoes cook half way, add the Tomatoes and the Tomato Puree. Mix. Add Water. Cover and cook it till the potatoes are cooked (You can skip the cooking of potatoes by adding already boiled potatoes after the tomato step). When its cooked, add the Omelettes and Fresh Coriander Leaves, Mix it well and keep it for a minute or two on low flame, and TADAAAAH! you are ready to serve garma-garam! 

Tastes best with Roomali Roti or Naan (Indian Breads).

TIP: If you add a little milk to the egg while mixing, the omelettes will be fluffy.

Tempting much? 😉

Dim er Chochori / Omelette Gravy

A Look Back as a Kid

Today while coming back home, with my earphones on and sipping the Zafrani Chai and walking down between the residential complexes and empty parking lots; I saw a kid aged not more than 5 playing with her father. It brought a smile to my face seeing the father letting his kid catch him so easily. Ironically, in the car beside them, was a couple with their son who upon being cranky was shoved with an iPad by the irritated-cranky parents (genes my friend! GENES)! Suddenly it dawned on me, what happened to all those amazing games we played as kids when cool gadgets were somewhere else still on the papers waiting for their approvals!

Being an Indian, I grew up in the typical colony of Delhi, where load shedding was an excuse to get out of our homes just to play again!
I remember myself as a very shy kid and after moving to a new house, I stayed for almost a year inside because making friends was something I was shit scared of, though I would spy on them through my window. Earlier my elder brother used to take me to this park (somewhere far) where he played cricket while I would just crush leaves and flowers and and color the walls of the park with them, or better, make tiny homes with the soil specially after rains.
Anyways, so one day, eventually my mother took me to the park forcefully (i just did not want to get out of my comfort zone) and introduced to one of the girls playing there. I was just talking to her and my hoshiyaar Maa just vanished, !POOF! That’s how I started interacting with strangers and that’s how it melted the ice. 🙂
Since that day there was not a single evening when I would not get out of the house and be with my friends. Clock strucking 6 (and 5 in winters) was a bliss, until I moved out of Delhi for college.

  • “WHAT TO PLAY TODAY” would be the biggest question back then (bigger than your salary expectation questions in interviews) and it did not matter if we had the right equipment or not; I mean we have even played cricket with those ‘swimming pool balls’ and ‘chappals’ as our bats!

  • The time when even getting a treat of those black ‘chatpat’ golis were such a celebrated thing!

  • We were professional babysitters to those who needed to go to the local store to get some samosas or rather we were paid to get samosas for their unexpected guests, and our fees, of course! one samosa! 😀

  • Festivals were more well planned than planning our life and started 1 week prior to the date, be it Diwali, Holi or Christmas!

  • Singing songs (we sucked at singing songs but nevertheless) and dancing to the same ones; we were our own MP3s!

  • Car windows used to be the canvas to scribble our hearts out, dogs were petted and named.

  • The poor grass in the park, suffered a lot!

  • When every decision of life was made by ‘In Pin Safety Pin’

  • There was more warmth in sharing a cold ice-cream, that is a scoop divided by minimum 10 of us!

Not a single day was boring, we somehow found new interesting ways to live it. Each day. Everyday.
Image

Happy Birthday Shreya Nigam!

Copyright © DeekshaSarkar

Copyright © DeekshaSarkar

Happy Birthday Darling! :*

I know its still your birthday back in the States! Hence, I am not late. School would not have been much fun without you and Aarushi Dayal! The last benches and tables would still be intact with no scribbling on it. I still miss your ‘Kathi Rolls’ and I believe most of our classmates do. 😉 All the school bunks, those shopping sprees, those ‘group discussions’ (I would have called it bitching, but hey! they were too well discussed) would have been not there at the first place. I am glad I found you guys! You made the last two years of my school filled with memories of bunks, how to bunk, tips for bunking, how to save your butt if caught while bunking and more bunks! There’s so much to it, that I could have written a well versed book on it!

Anyways, Happy Birthday to you. Stay Blessed! Get a good-well-paid job and then you can adopt me and Aarushi and ‘beer‘ our expenses (you know we don’t demand much)! 😛

An Ode to Shreya Nigam. 🙂 Naam toh suna hi hoga! 

‘Highway’ – MyView

Theatrical Poster of Highway

Theatrical Poster of Highway

Everyone needs an escape. Escape from your daily job, your monotonous love life; sometimes you just JUST need to escape; to find yourself. And this story was about Veera Tripathi’s (Alia Bhatt) escape. Though it was something she never planned but eventually things worked out (they always eventually do) and made her a stronger person in the end (after all that she went through is quite commendable).

The story starts with all the melodrama which happens in any Indian wedding, sarees-jhumkas-and-people! Though I feel that there could have been a better start (DOP department could have done a better job here), but nevertheless, between all the chaos you can still make out that Veera feels trapped; a streak of being uncomfortable is something which you just cannot miss on her face. Did I mention, its her wedding?

Okay, so before her wedding, she goes out with her husband-to-be (though they were not allowed to, and the man here was a F-A-T-T-U) to catch her breath (she is suffocated with all the show-sha-baazi) before she is married off. Story takes turn at the petrol station where she is abducted by Mahabir Bhatti (Randeep Hooda) and gang and she cries out to her man for help, and all he can chant is “maine kaha tha na, maine kaha tha” (this is the moment where you feel like going right into the screen and slap that bastard!). And then, the movie starts!

The drama starts when Veera, a typical nice-well-behaved rich girl and Mahabir, a rowdy, uncivilized guy with criminal records, coming from two different genres of life and society, are tossed together into one topsy-turvy trip to North India! Both having a dark deep secret which had haunted them once brings them closer (Emotions! Emotions!). The story is finely weaved with the right thing at the right place with the right dialogues.

From oh-my-god-he-kidnap-me petrified phase to tum-mujhe-kaafi-cute-lagne-lage-ho phase, the sudden overnight change in Veera’s character is sort of weird (after all, he kidnapped you and was going to sell you to a brothel) but she convinced me (to some extent, but I still have my doubts!). Him, whereas, did a splendid justice to his character and the transition was superbly smooth and well convincing. I liked that part when she puts up an English song and starts dancing to it (it was so innocent) in her ghagra, well no item number or anything, but a plain regular dance; it was funny but hey, we all dance like that!

The movie as the name suggests is all about the highway, people on and off it, majestic landscapes, the being-free notion to it; its all capturing. Its about how she finds freedom in bondage. This movie tells us in disguise that life is simple, you can find your happiness in every small bits and pieces. This movie is a blend of love, frustration, drama, life, misery, disappointment, anger, hatred, happiness, relations and even sheds light upon a sensitive topic like the child abuse (which is a very serious issue and needs to be addressed). This movie is also about coming out of your closet and breathe in.

One of my favorite dialogue from the movie is – “Jahan se tum mujhe laaye ho, main wahan wapas nahi jana chahti, jahan bhi le ja rahe ho, wahan pahuchna nahi chahti, par ye raasta, ye bahut accha hai, main chahti hun ye raasta kabhi khatam na ho”. This is deep.

The landscapes are no doubt breathtaking (I can relate to that pretty much as I lived in Himachal Pradesh for 4 years and mountains can be very addictive, I can assure you that!) which added the depth and the rich texture to the movie along with the spellbound music by A.R. Rahman. My favorite one being (no doubt) – Patakha Guddi (Amazing vocals by Nooran sisters). This song truly celebrates the spirit of freedom. About Alia Bhatt, this lady being a fresher, surely knows how to get her act straight – completely honest with her character, whether be it Veera’s innocence or non stop blabbering or talking about how she was a victim of child abuse. She did a great job! And well, Randeep Hooda *Sigh*, lets just say, I fell in love with him, all over again! *blush*

The Vespa Love

Copyright © DeekshaSarkar

Copyright © DeekshaSarkar

This was long due. Tanushree Gupta’s love for vintage classic Vespas (with white stripes), well I tried to make it as turquoise as possible (lack of right colors and heavy dosage of sleep). So here we go, the Vespa love after she suffocated me with all the Vespa talks night and day and going gaga over it! 😛

Delhi Drum Circles

Image credits: Anubrata Choudhury

Today I happened to be in the Deer Park, Hauz Khas for some random reasons, and I heard some distant drums beating. I could not help myself follow those beats as I had nothing better to do AND I had never been to Deer park; what better reason could it be to explore it. Let me tell you, IT IS A HUGE PARK. Finally after following a bunch of people, I reached the destination, it was awe-inspiring. Amidst the green landscape were the colorful people, gathered in a circle. They were indeed high, not on drugs, but high on music, high on beats, high on their liveliness. The entire aura was festive in itself. The drummers were sitting with their hand-drums and percussion in a circle with people dancing in the center  and of course the spectators were behind, and I was one of them, but let me tell you, the joy of being there was stupendous. The entire scenario made me believe – how music unites us all irrespective of who we are, our gender, our age, our nationality; how the music blends with the steps and how it has a lot of meaning without even words put into it, does not even need any language to communicate itself. Today standing there, I could sense the joy being communicated, the brotherhood being communicated, THE MUSIC being communicated. Everyone seemed to have kept their schedules aside and escaped from their servitude.  Every face had the charm and smile that you just could not miss. If you happened to have missed this Sunday, no worries, “Delhi Drum circles” give a piece of their musical beats every Sunday (or you can follow them on Facebook and check their dates), in Deer Park, Hauz Khas, New Delhi. It is an escape from the reality and don’t miss your chance. People gather to appreciate their love for music.  It is a platform where talented drummers and percussionists meet and make good music. People from all walks of life, dance on the beats of, be it Djembe, Darbuka, Cajon, Conga or even a spellbinding Duff! It is open to all; anyone can join in or enjoy their sessions. DDC is a strictly non commercial group and play their drums in a decent style, but with great energy and great music.

You can follow them on Facebook: Delhi Drum Circles

Let your spirits fly high with music by your side. 

Being a Woman. Know your rights first.

As a woman, you are entitled to some rights by law that protect you when you have been violated. Here are some that you should be aware of.
RIGHT TO PRIVACY WHILE RECORDING STATEMENT
Under section 164 of the Criminal Procedure Code, a woman who has been raped can record her statement before the district magistrate when the case is under trial, and no one else needs to be present. Alternatively, she can record the statement with only one police officer and woman constable in a convenient place that is not crowded and does not provide any possibility of the statement being overheard by a fourth person. The police have to, by law, protect the woman’s right to privacy. It’s important for the person to feel comfortable and not be under any kind of stress while narrating the incident.
TIME DOESN’T MATTER
The police cannot refuse to register an FIR even if a considerable period of time has elapsed since the incident of rape or molestation took place. If the police tells you that they can’t lodge your FIR since you didn’t report it earlier, do not concede. “Rape is a horrifying incident for any woman, so it’s natural for her to go into shock and not want to report it immediately. She may also fear for her safety and the reputation an dignity of her family. For this reason, the Supreme Court has ruled that the police must register an FIR even if there has been a gap between the report and the occurrence of the incident,” says Tariq Abeed, advocate, Supreme Court.
POLICE CAN’T SAY NO
A rape victim can register her police complaint from any police station under the Zero FIR ruling by Supreme Court. “Sometimes, the police station under which the incident occurs refuses to register the victim’s complaint in order to keep clear of responsibility, and tries sending the victim to another police station. In such cases, she has the right to lodge an FIR at any police station in the city under the Zero FIR ruling. The senior officer will then direct the SHO of the police station concerned to lodge the FIR,” says Abeed. This is a Supreme Court ruling that not many women are aware of, so don’t let the SHO of a police station send you away saying it “ doesn’t come under his area”.
NO ARRESTS AFTER SUNSET
According to a Supreme Court ruling, a woman cannot be arrested after sunset and before sunrise. There are many cases of women being harassed by the police in the wee hours, but all this can be avoided if you exercise the right of being present in the police station only during daytime. “Even if there is a woman constable accompanying the officers, the police can’t arrest a woman at night. In case the woman has committed a serious crime, the police has to get it in writing from the magistrate explaining why the arrest is necessary during the night,” says Bhaumik.
YOU CAN’T BE CALLED TO THE POLICE STATION
Women cannot be called to the police station for interrogation under Section 160 of the Criminal Procedure Code. This law provides Indian women the right of not being physically present at the police station for interrogation. “The police can interrogate a woman at her residence in the presence of a woman constable and family members or friends,” says Abeed. So the next time you’re called to the police station for queries or interrogation when you have faced any kind of harassment, quote this guideline of the Supreme Court to exercise your right and remind the cops about it.
THE DOCTOR CAN’T DECIDE
A case of rape can’t be dismissed even if the doctor says rape had not taken place. A victim of rape needs to be medically examined as per Section 164 A of the Criminal Procedure Code, and only the report can act as proof. “A woman has the right to have a copy of the medical report from the doctor. Rape is a crime, not a medical condition. It is a legal term and not a diagnosis to be made by the medical officer treating the victim. The only statement that can be made by the medical officer is that there is evidence of recent sexual activity. Whether the rape has occurred or not is a legal conclusion and the doctor can’t decide on this,” explains Bhaumik.
PROTECT YOUR IDENTITY
Under no circumstances can the identity of a rape victim be revealed. Neither the police nor media can make known the name of the victim in public. Section 228-A of the Indian Penal Code makes the disclosure of a victim’s identity a punishable offense. Printing or publishing the name or any matter which may make known the identity of a woman against whom an offence has been committed is punishable. This is done to prevent social victimization or ostracism of the victim of a sexual offence. Even while a judgment is in progress at the high court or a lower court, the name of the victim is not indicated, she is only described as ‘victim’ in the judgement.
EMPLOYERS MUST PROTECT
It is the duty of every employer to create a Sexual Harassment Complaints Committee within the organisation for addressable of such complaints. According to a guideline issued by the Supreme Court, it is mandatory for all firms, public and private, to set up these committees to resolve matters of sexual harassment. It is also necessary that the committee be headed by a woman and include 50 per cent women as members. Also, one of the members should be from a women’s welfare group.
Sources: Saumya Bhaumik (women’s right lawyer), Tariq Abeed (advocate, Supreme court)

A Woman’s Despair

Image Credits: R Prasad
 

“A hand that rocks the cradle, rules the world”. Does it? I was always told that you are a woman and you have the magic to bring life to this world. I was captivated and thought myself to be magical only until I grew up. The reality is far worse than what I thought to be magical. I am a woman, and I am scared. Scared of men, may it be strangers or friends; Scared of society where being a woman is looked down upon, raped, molested, teased, tortured or killed; Scared of the government and the police who once I thought help the nation grow, but no! They are too much into how to increase their bank balance! I am scared to get out of my own house, but wait, am I safe in my own house? where my husband beats me up, where my in-laws taunts me every day that I could not fetch their son a good price, where I am considered to be a burden on my own family. I am scared to step out when the night falls, I am scared to go to the college everyday where I am teased and commented upon, I am scared to send my daughter to school, praying each moment for her safety, I am scared to wear my favorite red skirt, I am scared to hang out with my friends to any club, I am scared to ride any autos where autowalas would check their mirrors every now and then and look at me with their dirty eyes, I am scared to travel in any vehicle with tinted black glass; I AM SCARED OF BEING A WOMAN. 

India where I am compared to goddesses is trodden down in this male dominant society. It has become a nation where I am neither safe inside womb nor outside. I do not wish to be treated as goddess but rather I wish to be treated as equal. 29 December 2012 should be marked on the calendars as the National Shame Day. A nation which has failed to keep its daughters, mothers, sisters safe in a country which itself is regarded as “Bharat Mata” (Mother India). YES, I live in a society which the man has woven, with his thoughts and practices; the same society where my own father would kill me before even I am born, and even if by slightest chances I live, I am molested and raped, thrown acid on my face, burnt alive, punched every night by my drunken husband. The same society that will ensure that my life is not worth of existence after rape or even if I want a divorce. If I am raped, the people will pity on me while others will tell me that my life is over as I can never lead a normal life. WHY? Why do I fear of the rules that the man has made for his own sake, to save his own ass. It’s the same society that cannot protect me, then WHY it is the first one to blame me? What have I done wrong? Is it my fault that I had to go home late because I was busy working? Is it because my father could not arrange dowry for my wedding? Is it my fault that I do not love you and rejected your proposal and you throw acid on my face? Is it my fault that I cannot go and hang out with my friends because I am a woman, OR is it my fault that your testosterone can trigger anytime? WHY being a woman, I am always treated as an object to fuck and showed that a man is powerful than me? WHY do people forget that I am a human being too, then WHY should I be treated like animals? WHY should I be tortured to death? Down the ages, my faith has been crushed because the man has let me down. The man who has tortured me and the society which could not protect me. The society needs to learn that a man and a woman cannot function without each other. I am equally important. The man needs to learn that there is no competition between sexes and that he can take out his frustration on me physically. He needs to learn self respect and respect for me.

The “present” is a result of an impotent society. The society needs to be changed. The people need to be changed. “Charity begins at home”, instead of preaching me how to dress up or telling that I myself am the reason to be raped or tortured, PREACH YOUR SONS how women should be treated and respected, because even if I am walking the street naked, NO MAN HAS THE RIGHT TO RAPE ME! Rape is NOT SEX, rape is ruthless and cruel and there is no pleasure in brutalizing me. I indicate not only the culprits, but also to those who watch me teased and molest, they are equally pathetic and guilty. You think you know what I go through and how I feel when I am mentally and physically harassed? I don’t think so, because if you did I would not have been repeatedly harassed historically.

Damini/Amanat/Nirbhaya or whatever my real name is does NOT matter; I AM A WOMAN and I died because the society failed me, the nation failed me, the people failed me and I did not deserve to be raped and brutally tortured. I died, my sufferings ended, but yours has just begun. Before you are left in a nation without women, STAND BESIDE ME. FIGHT FOR MY DIGNITY. Protect me; I could be your daughter, sister or your mother. Rather than accusing me, I need to be listened, heard and reached out. I do not want to be scared anymore. I want to live in a nation where my head is held high. As Mahatma Gandhi quoted, “Be the change you wish to see in the world”.

It’s Time. ACT NOW.