She’s been named Damini, Braveheart, Nirbhaya and counting. Now we know her real name and to that 23- year- old girl from Delhi, I, for one, doff my hat. If ever we’ve seen a symbol of courage, of hope, of fortitude, of fighting against all odds, she’s been it.
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Having been subjected to the most heinous violence possible on that ill fated night of December 16, 2012 , she was thrown from a private bus, violated, battered and barely clinging on to life by a thread.
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What happened to her has served to bring to the fore what each and every woman in India has faced sometime in her lifespan, is facing right now and if things continue the way they are, will face in the times to come. Each and every one of us has been at the receiving end of the vast spectrum of unfairness – just by virtue of being female. So much so that things like eveteasing, lewd comments, groping, being felt up in a crowd, men brushing against breasts have become all too common – things that end up being just brushed aside.
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The police in India have just had their façade ripped off their faces. Yes, they are the ones that are supposed to be providing protection, they are the ones that are supposed to be looking out and making sure crimes do not happen but what we see a police force reeking of apathy.
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In a country like ours, where femininity is worshipped as the Holy Shakti, the travesty cannot be more clear. Femininity has never before been so grossly misrepresented or distorted.
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I write this today in memory of that 23-year-old from Delhi who, symbolized that very Shakti in the true sense of the word. She fought her demons – not just in the physical sense but in more ways than one. She succumbed to the horrible injuries inflicted upon her by creatures hitherto thought of as human but hopefully, the spirit that she embodied will live on. I, for one, hope it does.
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In Memoriam ……. Rest in Peace.
Gauri dons many hats. Of a wife, a mom, a teacher and more. Apart from working as a full time English teacher in Hong Kong, she also raises and nurtures two children. Her family means the world to her and life is a happy roller coaster ride. She blogs at http://tiny-tidbits.blogspot.hk/. Originally intended as a means to preserve memories for posterity, Tiny Tidbits now plays host to a wide range of issues, thoughts, musings, raves and rants.