Monday, November 4, 2013

Long Live the Girl Child





 The birth of a girl in the family is considered to be the blessing of goddess lakshmi (goddess of wealth and prosperity). Ironically very few rejoice at this occasion. The birth of a baby boy is celebrated with cheer, whereas the birth of a baby girl is marked with tears! These are the conservative societies who still believe that the heir of the family “a boy” is more important to carry forward the family’s legacy as compared to the girl child.

Here is a touching story of a mother who loves and respects her daughter!

It’s a big day in Raji’s life. She has been busy with the preparations for the past three days. Making a list of the little guests to be invited, buying grocery, cleaning up her small one bedroom house, a new dress for her little princess and a lot more. After all it’s her little girl, her beloved daughter’s birthday today. The first thing she did in the morning was to visit the temple with her daughter, offered prayers and later sent her daughter to school with sweets for her classmates. She then gets busy making payasam for the guests, her humble effort to make this day a special one.

Finally it’s time to celebrate. Raji’s little doll is dressed in a lovely pink frock, her guests; little children from the neighborhood have arrived and the chocolate cake that she had ordered at the local bakery is at the table. Raji lights a lamp, praying for the longevity and happiness of her daughter followed by “Happy Birthday to You…” little ones’ singing in chorus after which Raji’s daughter cuts the cake. Some have got flowers for the birthday girl and some have gifts. There is so much happiness in their simplicity that cannot be measured by money! Raji cannot afford a good meal for her guests hence she offers all of them a glass of payasam. At the end this grand celebration the guests leave and the birthday girl gives a huge hug, thanking her mom.

 Raji works as a domestic help to fulfill her family’s needs. Her husband, a carpenter earns very little and has no work for most of the time. Raji has two children one son and a daughter, both of whom she loves immensely. She has never differentiated between her two children and strives to keep them happy. This love that of a mother is pure, free of gender bias. A mother cannot differentiate between her children it’s the society that discriminates. A daughter is an inseparable part of the family; you can change her name, marry her off to another family, not consider her part of your home yet she remains “Your Blood” and no society can change that!


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