In all the usual hustle bustle of life, we forget the small things. Small things like Freedom, which is so critical to living life. Today, I've consciously made an effort to come back and blog about this because enough is enough! And I won't stop with just writing this blog, that's a promise I'm making today.
Maybe I'm currently writing in a lot of anger but really, why should I not be angry? I come from a country where we rage about our cultures and traditions but really, what do those really mean?
Is rape a part of our culture? Is giving women no safety or not letting women themselves being able to live the lives they project to live for themselves a part of our traditions?
One day, I will have kids and if it's a daughter, she shouldn't be fearful of living her life the way she wants to - study whatever she wants, travel wherever life takes her, date and marry any man her heart desires - And that's how I see the world. However, today, the suppression I see makes me fear what tomorrow will be like.
Many say, oh - this happens only in poor areas like slums and where people aren't educated, it's not everywhere, you shouldn't worry. Really?
Shouldn't something like basic education be available for every person?
I ask these questions today because I fail to understand this world. A world we are all a part of.
Because nothing, absolutely nothing can justify the action of the rapists of Jyoti Singh in the New Delhi Bus rape case, 2012. The brutality & guts to do what the men involved did has shaken me after watching the documentary, 'India's Daughter'!
And what surprises me most is that there was no shame or fear whatsoever in the eyes of those convicted. I mean, are you even human?!!! Where on earth have you come from saying you were trying to teach someone a lesson? And by the way, who are you to teach anyone a lesson? Did the courts give you some supreme authority or are you claiming it was God who came in your dreams to tell you that? And above all, lesson on what, how to not have any freedom? Come on..
A message to the governments of India -
Modi Government - Please focus on the right things. Banning a documentary, if that could change the future that beholds us, then great but here you go - reality check, damn - that's not going to happen! The comments made by these men knowing that the world will see this video showcase a concern that keeps India trailing and that should worry you, not why the BBC aired this documentary that shows the truth..
Congress - The fact that you had aggressive attempts to curtail a very peaceful protest back in the day - you should be ashamed. You have lost my vote and confidence forever.
And let me please clarify, I am not associated with any political party or want to name/shame anyone, I am an Indian who wants to live freely in his country and wishes the same for his family and friends and don't want to be scared to go out with women or be scared for women in my family who go out with men, it's simple.
Anyway, coming back to the criminals who were convicted in the case - Now when you're sentenced to the highest penalty, you have the audacity to say this will not improve anything because more women will get killed after being raped? Come on India, come together - as people of this country, come in your senses, is this what we build in the minds of our kids and children? We need to make this right and now really is the time.. There is a problem about more men than women and it won't go away over night - so to start from what we do now and keep remembering, it all started from you were born. It's women who give us all birth, take care of us in their womb, they are a reason for life, so let's give it that respect..
Everything starts from an attitude that we've built in ourselves, saying it's okay.. Let's now say #itsnotokay Let's stand up together against such crime and moreover let's think of how to avoid such crime to happen.
So here is my word, I will work towards a better, more educated and balanced India for tomorrow in my small ways everyday, you should too! And it all starts with a thought. So give it a thought.
#IndiasDaughter - Thank you for igniting this fire in us, this is not over.
