There are many moments that let us down in our lives. We live through conquering those afflictions barely. "Sweet after bitter". It's not the most persuasive words when we are in the middle of difficulties. But we all may agree that we grow up through the process of it. However, what if there is no any hope or we can't do anything about it. Then how are we suppose to live our lives?
In Karmalahang, India, Punita's life was like that. Her husband is one of the rapist of the bus rape in Delhi. After he got arrested, not even a penny came into her house. Bihar is well known for it's poverty in India. And Karmalahang is a small town in Bihar. Twenty four year old Punita married to Akshay and with two year old son living in this town without electricity and many convenient things we live with. She is still too young to be face this kind of tragedy. And no one knows what is going to be in her future.
In this region, when women marry to men, They can not go out nor work outside for years without men's guidance. And they have to follow the in-law's rule strictly. Also showing their face to neighbors is prohibited. Well obeying of discipline is such an honor of the house. If someone kills their family member due to a dishonor of their family seems often fine considerably in this country(Although a murder is still a murder and must go to jail. But the murderer might say that do it again proudly) There are not much of opportunity for women to learn enough at school. Most of them have to quit in the middle for many reasons. And the reality is that they have to get marry in early age and sacrifice their entire life for the marriage.
The rapist and murderer husband got death sentence more than a week ago. There is a zero chance that he can come back to her arms ever again. From his horrific crime, the victim, a young girl's life and future is gone and ruined her family's life. And that rose many candles to tribute the broken soul. Sinner's wife, Punita shrugged her back in front of her deep dark future. She can not go back to her parents house. Their situation is not much different than her in-law's. They live their life day by day and indigence is a normal thing and often many farmers kill themselves, because of hunger and poorness. The money that her husband sent was for her son's medicines and for their life. But it's no longer coming in. Even if she run away to somewhere, what can she do? The world out there is not friendly for her and not many options for her to survive with her son. She hung her head down after she said that there are no hopes and I may kill myself and that might be the only way.
Punita's mother was weeping sadly. She said it's all her fault and she must have some bad karma. She cried out loud and that's why Punita can't live happy life. Her face was covered with tears and the sari that cover her head was wet with tears. Her town people were consoled her with love. But what words can comfort her? It's every mother's hearts that feel pain like torn heart.
Do we know what it is like to live a life without hope? An orphan boy who became a sensational opera singer through selling gums in his horrible life is not gonna happen in this small town. Everywhere around is rough rice fields that seems endless and she can't drive, no money, no education. What can twenty four year old woman do and where can she go? Her tears, her mother's tears were spearing my heart.
I couldn't raise my head in front of their heart aching life and all women's life in this world. I felt so shameful that our mothers, sister and daughters have to live in this cruel machismo world. Someone might say It's almost better now. But do men understand completely what's like to live as a woman? Then that'd be a lie(especially in Asia I'm from). There was the time people say that daughters don't need to go to school and had to go to work in the factories(still there are countries like that). Every sons need to go to colleges. That was our mothers and that was our women. I want to send a big applause to our women.
Punita's drooping shoulders and long sighs were filled my heart heavily while I was passing by a narrow country road. I want to encourage her and tell her that conquer this hurdles. But those words don't have any power for her tragedy. We all found comfort at home after a long day work. But there's no such a place for Punita. The place she is living is full of in-laws family and she has to live without her husband in it. Devi. Indian word, means Goddess. Most of Indian women get this sir name after they get married. But their lives are no near close to Goddess like. I really wish only men who treats their women like Goddess are deserve to have their Goddess wives. There are many hands trying to reach to help Punita after the story came out to the newspaper. Such thankful hands, warm hearts. She will be happy, definitely for a while. When this helping hands are gone, her life will hashing her everyday again. Living with those tradition and custom that doesn't fit for the current life will put her future in a lock and she'll drops her head again towards to her uncertain tomorrow.
Please live, Punita. If you can't, then live for your son at least. We all pray for you. One thing sure is that you are gonna get strong after you go over this hardship. Then you'll realize that you are much stronger than you think. Live. Please live, Punita. Show your strength to those things that made you suffer. Flower of India, jewel of India, Punitas of India, live. Please live, don't give up.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324665604579081240828710138.html?mod=WSJINDIA_hpp_LEFTTopStories
