the practice…..a Class V textbook of the State Board has a chapter on child
marriage where her and another girl’s names feature……..“Such stories encourage adolescents to protest against child marriage” …..Asadur Rahaman, UNICEF in West Bengal….
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India is a land of the disadvantaged with a few creamy layers enjoying the fruits of a globalized economy. There are many ways to alter the status quo: Arundhati Roy favors armed revolution (because non-violence as preached by Gandhi – a humbug in her words – is a non-starter). This may still happen if Indians at the bottom of the ladder are left to rot with no helping hand from the fortunate class.
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The first step towards emancipation begins with the freedom to vote and to speak (and India is an imperfect example of these principles as applied to the real world). Gradually there would be an increase in awareness of rights (and responsibilities) as citizens, of which the right to education must rank first along with roti, kapda and makaan. A few, new Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkars will need to come forward to arise and awake their communities (because other communities/castes will not care if they are left behind).
We sincerely hope that Rekha and her fellow sisters will take the non-violent revolution forward. We need many more voices in support of education (and against child marriage). Parents must be convinced to raise daughters as equal to sons. We want all the fundamentalists (of all colors and stripes) to back off. As women progress, we are sure that they will lead the country forward to a better place.
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What is common among Malala Yousafzai, Anne Frank, Hellen Keller and 16-year-old Rekha Kalindi from Purulia in West Bengal?
10 years old. Her resistance led to other girls in the area following in
her footsteps. She, along with two other girls from the district, was
conferred the National Bravery Award by then President Pratibha
Devisingh Patil in 2010.
“Rekha’s story fits very well in this theme (the book’s theme), as she
resisted a very common but not so great practice in her area, when she
was about 10 years old and has with her act inspired other girls to do
the same. It shows that very young children, even very young girls in a
patriarchal society, have the power to make a difference,” she said in
an email response.
Rekha said she was very happy that the story about her is being
published in other countries. Since the time she and other girls from
Purulia had resisted child marriage, many girls came forward to oppose
the practice, she said, adding that poverty and lack of education are
still resulting in such marriages.
out that a Class V textbook of the State Board has a chapter on child
marriage where her and another girl’s names feature.
their voice against child marriage,” Asadur Rahaman, chief of field
office UNICEF in West Bengal, said. Pointing out that child marriage and
trafficking of girls continue to be a concern in States like West
Bengal, Mr. Rahaman said that a scheme like Kanyasree providing
scholarship to school-going girls is a significant initiative.
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Link: thehindu.com/kolkata/bengal-girl-joins-malala-in-dutch-book
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regards