Barbara is currently working on a book project on the topic of femicide in India – Visit her blog ~ The Daughters of India
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The inspiration to write a book on the issue of femicide in India came to me when my former fiancé (a Kashmiri Indian) was forced by his parents to break off our engagement. I knew that our story was not unique; while in India I met several others who told me they were forbidden to marry the person they were in love with. In my quest to understand this phenomenon, I began to research arranged marriage.
Opening the door to that investigation unleashed an ugly world of stories. Dowry death, bride burning, female foeticide and infanticide, a genocide of the Indian female population. One article after another of disturbing accounts: parents who kill their daughters – in utero or shortly after birth – to avoid the dreaded dowry, brides set on fire for not bringing in adequate or additional dowry, some of them harassed to the point of taking their own lives.
A week after my relationship ended, I made a commitment to continue my research and write a book about my findings. I spent the next 9-10 months reading everything that I could find in preparation to return to India to gather stories. Once there, I spoke with experts working in the field, with strangers in the street, talked to friends about their experiences, and interviewed a few who were willing to share their story. I will be returning to India in January to further my research and to collect more stories.
I hope you are also able to find many stories which also speak of the courage of Indian women. I am sure your own unique experience will give you the courage to see how the modern India and its male population, in its bewildered delusions, is struggling to find ways to express how to cope with powerful women, who have for generations painted the landscape of the other India – sometimes with their own blood, but usually with much affection and the powerful feeling of freeing males from the debts they owe to powerful women.
All the best, I hope the modern India recognizes you and your worth.
Nagarjuna
Nagarjuna- i am also looking for these women of courage. I know they exist everywhere; it’s finding and speaking to them that can be a challenge. And also the men of courage, those who take the responsibility to say No to the injustices happening to women. It will take everyone to instigate changes towards a more positive, loving world.
Thank you for your comments and wishes.
Barbara