Letter to a Sister

Dear Sister,

I do not know by what name you were born. I do not know how you look like. But I do know how you died. I do know how mutilated your body must have been in the last 12 days of your life. And that is why I cry and I hope that you are in a far better place than this world that showed its cruelest face to you on 16th December. 

Sister, do also know, that my heart cries at present, but the tears will be replaced by a strong resolve soon. I will continue your fight. I will not let your memory fade away like a sad distant tale. The wounds inflicted upon your body and soul will remain fresh in mine. Every moment from now on I would shudder to think that what happened to you could have easily happened to my mother, my friends and me.

In another couple of days, this year will end and a new will begin. It is in that new beginning that I hope our country’s mindset will change. A girl’s birth will be rejoiced. A daughter will be encouraged to live her dream. A son will be taught to respect. A mother-in-law will take pride in the achievements of her daughter-in-law. A woman will walk the streets without fear. A girl will watch a movie, board a bus, attend a late night party in peace. And if a tainted character even attempts to humiliate a woman, there will be hundred voices to protect and defend her.

I want to remember you not as a victim of gang rape, but a hero and a martyr because though the circumstances that led to your gruesome end should never befall on anyone, your trauma united this nation. You represent the pain every Indian woman is subjected to face - A whistle, a stare, a curse, an eve tease, a touch, a shame…everything. Your fight is the young India’s fight now. You have awakened the spirit of youth, to voice what is wrong and stand for the right.

Sister, I know your family’s loss is unfathomable. No one can bring back their daughter, their beloved sister back. I cannot even begin to imagine what they are going through. I can only offer my prayer and wish upon the stars to shine a little brighter upon them. May there be many messengers of God who bring them your news every day. Tell them that you are happy. Tell them that you are finally at peace.

You are gone, but let your strength remain with each one of us so that we finish what you started. Deep in my heart, I do believe, we shall overcome someday.

Love and peace,

AG




Image via http://adventuroj.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/tear.jpg