Daughter of India
In 2011 we had taken a tour of Thailand, Malaysia and
Singapore. During a long bus-ride our tour manager suggested that anyone
wanting to speak on subject of common interest may take the mike and address
the group. Two weeks before the trip I had read in the newspapers about the
practice of Infanticide and Feticide in certain parts of India. On that basis I
spoke how even 60 years after independence this kind of mindset was alive in
our country. It had resulted in skewed CSR (Child Sex Ratio). Affected areas
had as low as 860 females per 1000 males. This was in spite of the law banning
such practices. Even UN had taken note of it. I then elicited response from
other members as to how it can be curbed.
A young lady followed me. She took the mike and introduced
her husband and herself as gynecologists from Sangli in Maharashtra. They were
recently married and were on their honeymoon trip. She was quite agitated and
said they both condemned the practice and had taken a wow never to indulge into
such malpractices as sonography for sex determination. I was surprised when she
said Haryana was already known for it but this practice was prevalent even in
progressive state like Maharashtra. She said they feel ashamed that people in
their noble profession were continuing to indulge into these malpractices. She
said they were actively trying to influence young doctors not to indulge in it.
It was in the aftermath of these discussions that I was
inspired to write this story. It is purely a work of fiction. Nevertheless, it
is based on hard facts.
DAUGHTER
of INDIA –
a story by Guru Vig Draft dtd
27/07/2011 Edit 05-10-2020
INTRODUCTION
Story is woven around the phenomenon called Female feticide. It is a blot on
India’s modernity and negates the reforms. Modernity is like puberty. It is a natural
process but coping up with it demands a certain amount of maturity.
It is based in Rurki Village in Haryana State. It is a
small village in Rohtak District. Arid landscape, abject poverty, absence of
proper schools ensured that the area remained backward. Khap Panchayats (Local
tribal courts) control the lives of poor villagers. Orthodoxy, Tradition,
Superstition, Black-magic are some of the parameters of living in and around Rurki.
Here, child-birth is celebrated selectively. Birth of a
boy is greeted with festivities while a girl-child is considered a curse for
the family. So much so that it is a common practice to snuff the life out of a
new born girl. Female child infanticide had become a routine practice. Government
was aware of it but the practice continued with impunity.
Arrival of sonography was a landmark development for
medical diagnostic procedures. Pre-natal sonography was one of its
sub-branches, basically designed to observe the status of fetus and for
detecting abnormalities. Incidentally, the procedure also reveals the gender of
the fetus.
It opened the floodgates of killings of female fetuses.
It became big money-spinner in the rural hinterlands. It brought in a paradigm
shift from female infanticide to female feticide. Its perpetrators, the
villagers and their leaders were convinced that unlike infanticide, feticide is
not a crime because it does not involve killing of a living being. They were
emboldened by the fact that infanticides had gone on unchecked. Besides,
feticide absolved them of the guilt pangs.
With this magic tool, pregnancy could be nipped in the
bud without fear of the law. Administration of a potent potion of native
medicine delivered prompt results relieving the expectant mother of stigma of
delivering a female child.
Time came when Government had to take action. The problem
had become so acute that Government of India passed a law prohibiting pre-natal
determination of sex using sonography. Clinics had to display boards proclaiming
the law in bold print. Doctors found to be flouting the law faced action like
losing their licenses, confiscation of their equipment, fines and jail
sentence. Yet, abetted by fellow-villagers and connived at by corrupt
authorities, the practice went on with impunity. Unscrupulous doctors lured by
lucre have devised their own means to circumvent the law using code language
for pronouncing the results.
CSR (child sex ratio) in these areas had acquired
alarming proportion. Even in certain areas of advanced states similar situation
exists. CSR has come down in these parts to as low as 880 female child births
against 1000 males. United Nations has taken cognizance of this malaise and is
actively trying for its eradication.
Women of the World have faced numerous atrocities all
along. Female feticide is one more insult that hits at the very roots of
womanhood.
How low will human race stoop? It is time women wake up
and launch a war against this injustice.
DAUGHTER
OF INDIA
View from Preeti’s 24th story Apartment in ‘River’s
Edge’ was spectacular. Located on the banks of Hudson River, overlooking
Manhattan skyline, it opened the vistas of the majestic river from one end to
the other. Ferries sailed in both directions, transporting commuters. Visible
on the other bank were neatly lined towers of Manhattan vying to kiss the
skies. These edifices gave the city of New York its picture post card looks. WTC
towers and the Old Guy-Empire State stood out in the crowd of tall buildings. Mascot
of an affluent society, Manhattan was the epicenter of International Trade and
Business.,
New Port town in N.J. was a prime location. Preeti loved
it. It suited her criterion of 3Cs -Cost, Commute and Convenience. Attractively
priced; it was close to New Port station of PATH Rail as well as to the ferry
wharf; In close proximity were grocery store like ‘Shop-Rite’ and the New Port
Mall. Other stores like Target Home Depot were close by. Little further on
Grove Street there was a line of classy restaurants. Holland Tunnel, in case she
needed to drive into Manhattan was few minutes away.
Preeti, a young lady, pretty, vivacious and full of life
had arrived in the US three years back. Having done her postgraduation in
Social Sciences in Delhi, she had secured admission in New York University for
Doctoral Studies under Prof Hiro Watanabe. She had chosen ‘Psychology of
abandoned children’ for her thesis. Prof Watanabe had done extensive research
on the subject in Japan and Vietnam-both countries with sizeable post-war
population of abandoned children.
After her completion of Ph.D., Prof Watanabe had
recommended her name to UNICEF. She joined in their new section created for
study on abandoned children. She liked her assignment which also entailed
travelling to countries in South East Asia including India. She loved her work
as much as Travelling. It helped that Newark airport was also close to New
Port.
Preeti’s parents were very open-minded and encouraged her
in all her pursuits. They had full faith in values inculcated by them and gave
freedom to Preeti to choose her own path. Her father Rajat was a well-established
Cloth Merchant having a wholesale shop in India’s biggest Cloth Market. He had
built a small but elegantly designed house in exclusive locality of Rohtak
Town. Her mother, Renu was a house-wife, educated up to 10th
standard, she was a pious lady, an affectionate mother and a dedicated wife.
Preeti’s schooling was done in Rohtak itself. Later, on
her insistence she was sent to Miranda House- University College for Women in
Delhi. She lived in the hostel with students from all over India. This exposure
helped her grow beyond academics. Bright she was and a favorite of her
teachers. They guided her in academics and advised her on options for the future.
In fact, it was her professor Dr (Mrs.) V.K. Chopra who had suggested further
studies in the US. Her strong recommendation letter secured her the admission at
New York University in one go.
Unknown to her, Preeti owed her life to lady luck. Born
to a farm laborer couple, Radha and Raman, she was a survivor from a sure
death. Her parents lived in Rurki Village about 20 kms from Rohtak. It had a
population of 5700 of which 3100 were men. Rurki was a typical Haryana Village,
backward, steeped in tradition, superstition and black-magic. Rule of Khap-
Panchayats was the law here. Anything beyond was scoffed at.
Life for her parents meant toiling in a farm owned by a
cruel Zamindar. They would get a handful of grains and Rs 2 each for their daily
grind. Misery and deprivation were their steady companions. Like other
villagers they too were resigned to their fate. Inability to think beyond fate
helped them survive.
Radha’s pregnancy brought a glimmer of happiness in their
humdrum lives. Even Raman’s otherwise glum mother showed a smile on her face.
She blessed Radha saying, “may you bring to life an heir to the family”. In
many parts of India only a male child is supposed to be a boon, a blessing. A
female child is a curse and does not deserve to survive.
Infanticide, even though illegal, was common-place.
Within moments of birth, the female child was disposed of. Nobody, not even the
parents went against family decision. Silence of the society meant indirect consent
to the heinous act. So strong was the tradition that feeling of guilt did not
last beyond a few days.
Then arrived the medical miracle called ‘Sonography’. A
powerful diagnostic tool and a paradigm shift in studying the condition of
‘embryo’ in mother’s womb. It revolutionized the gynecological care. Pre-natal
sonography was resorted to as a routine check. Among all its advantages, it
also detected the sex of the embryo.
And it opened the floodgates of killings of female
embryos. Sex determination became a curse to the society. Infanticide, a crime
of killing a new-born was replaced by Feticide – destroying of the embryo and
nipping the pregnancy in bud. For the villagers, it was a guilt-free solution
because no living being was killed. Doctors trained in sonography were in great
demand. There was a hue and cry as the practice flourished. Government was
forced to pass a law, banning determination of sex using sonography. Every
sonography clinic had to display a board that sonography for sex determination
is not carried out by them. The practice stopped, only to be taken over by the
unscrupulous doctors. They devised methods to circumvent the law. Code words
were used to convey the sex.
Time came for Radha to be taken for sonography. Many
other pregnant women were already waiting. They were given bottles of water and
asked to drink. Everyone was then called in and after the procedure sent back,
asking them to pick up the report in the evening. Health of the baby in the
womb would have been checked and of course the sex would also be known to the
doctor. In the report the doctor would use a code word for the sex of the
embryo. Doctor in the village would understand the code and surreptitiously
reveal it to the parents. They were warned not to tell anyone about it.
Radha and Raman took the report to the village doctor. He
told them that everything is fine about the baby in the womb. It meant a boy.
Fortune had smiled on yet-to-be born Preeti and her parents. Either the report
handed over to them was of somebody else or the village doctor had made a
mistake in interpreting the code. Preeti was destined to survive at least till
coming into this world.
A wave of jubilation swept the family. Preeti’s family.
Radha, Raman and his mother were ecstatic at Radha carrying the family heirloom
in her womb. Only days before, Raman’s
mother had warned him to ensure that his wife delivered a male child or face
the consequences. On hearing the news, in one of the rare displays of
affection, the mother-in-law hugged Radha and cautioned her against any callousness
in tending to the baby. Radha felt grateful to the almighty for the fate,
knowing very well what would have happened if the yet to be born child would
have been a girl.
Radha’s mother-in-law decided that the delivery will be
done at home. Once the labor pains started, she took charge, acting as
mid-wife. A prolonged labor ensued before Preeti came into this world. And then
all the hell broke loose. How come Radha delivered a girl when Raman had
injected male sperms? Even the doctors had confirmed it. It was all bad-karma
of Radha that converted a boy into a girl. The old lady was scandalized and
screamed ‘murder’ at Radha. She called both Raman & Radha liars and devils.
An exhausted Radha was in a state of shock. It was all beyond her
comprehension. She felt too weak to say anything. Mother-in-law went on to
shower choicest abuses not only at Radha but her entire clan. She accused Radha
of knowingly cheating the family and literally dropped the new-born to the
floor. Ghostly silence took hold followed by howling of the baby-as if in
protest. Still, no one showed courage to lift the baby.
Now, it was Raman’s turn to deal with Radha’s betrayal.
Instead of defending Radha, he kicked her viciously for delivering a curse in
the form of a girl child. Radha cried in pain. Baby suddenly became quiet.
Slowly, she opened her tiny eyes and looked at her father. Radha could see a
streak of hatred in those little eyes. Raman gave the child a dirty look and
strode out of the room. Quickly and quietly, the neighbors who had gathered,
dispersed.
Radha picked her child up, gave it a gentle bath in the
warm water that was kept ready for the baby boy. The moment water touched her,
the baby cried out. Radha noted a sense of defiance in the child’s voice and
for a while felt proud of her motherhood. She took the child close to her bosom
and as if on cue it smiled at her. So, pretty was her child that for once Radha
felt a surge of love for the new-born. She let the child suckle her breasts. Moments
later, her heart sank when she realized that she was a prisoner in the house
and may not be able to keep the child alive.
Presently, mother-in-law walked into the room with Raman
in tow. She ordered Radha to stop feeding the child and shouted an ultimatum to
get rid of the child at earliest. Radha cried, only to get kicked one more
time. She knew she was too weak to do anything. She only pleaded to be allowed
to feed the baby before handing it over for whatever they wanted to do with it.
Her mother in law barked at her telling her firmly that she will have to
accompany Raman to bury the bundle of misfortune. Radha must share the blame
just in case the law caught up with them.
Slowly, Radha came out of the shock. It dawned on her
that she could not go against the tide. She will have to be practical and
follow the unwritten rules. After all, she too was seeped in the same culture.
She decided to be strong and not deviate from her ‘dharma’ of a loyal wife. She
recalled conversations with Raman during earlier stages of pregnancy when she
had sworn to sacrifice her child if it was a girl. Though she fed the baby a
couple of times when she cried, she avoided looking directly at her child’s
eyes. She was trying to mentally detach herself from her own child.
Later in the night, they wrapped the baby in rough cotton
fabric and took her to distant fields. Raman dug a shallow grave while Radha
held the child close, breast feeding her for one last time. Then they placed
the new-born in shallow pit of the grave. Just before they could cover the
grave with soil, fate dealt another hand. A bunch of wild dogs came in their
direction, barking ferociously. Both of them ran for cover leaving the new-born
to its fate. They were sure that dogs will tear the baby apart.
As the dogs came near the child, they suddenly became
quiet. Leader of the pack sniffed at her. The child was in deep slumber, her
face serene, oblivious of the danger lurking around. For some inexplicable reason, the dogs just
walked away from the site, leaving the child alone.
Next morning, a car was passing on the road, not far from
the open grave. A middle-aged couple was travelling in the car. They were Renu
& Rajat from Rohtak which was a town about 60 kms from Rurki. Rajat was a
highly respected businessman of Rohtak. Renu and Rajat made a perfect match.
Both were religious minded and full of compassion for others. They ran
charities including a school exclusively for girls.
Life was a fulfilling and satisfying journey for both of
them except one shortcoming. They had no issue. Absence of a child troubled
them equally. They yearned for a child irrespective of whether it was a boy or
a girl. Life for them was incomplete without a child. They had tried all
possible means to conceive but drew a blank. Inference from plethora of medical
tests had revealed that Renu’s physiology could not support fertilization.
Rajat accepted the conclusion with equanimity. A distraught Renu finally accepted
it as a verdict from God. Rajat suggested adoption but was resisted by Renu,
saying she did not want to go against the God’s will.
Both were spiritually attracted to Swami Akhandanandji- a
sage who had a sway on the people of Haryana and nearby areas. Swamiji resided
in an Ashram and taught Vedanta to his students. On week-ends and festival days
his followers thronged the Ashram to listen to his discourses. Renu and Rajat
would invariably attend the discourses. It was a Guru-Poornima – a day on which
disciples thank their Gurus by paying respect and showering gifts on them. Renu
and Rajat had visited Swamiji for this purpose and were on their way back home.
On the way, Rajat felt an urge to relieve his bladder and
asked the driver to stop at a suitable spot. Renu was half-asleep when the car
came to a stop.
Rajat got out and went into the fields by roadside. As he
was coming back towards the car, he heard a faint cry. He stopped and tried to
listen carefully. It clearly was a feeble sound of a child crying. He walked a
few paces in the direction of the voice. He saw something least expected in
that wilderness. Inside a shallow pit there was a baby, apparently new-born,
crying with its hands stretched out, as if urging him to carry her. He just
scooped her out of the pit and headed towards the car. Being familiar with
rural scenario, it did not take him long to understand the situation. Such jobs
were normally done at night and the only surprise was that the operation seem
to have been abandoned half-way, leaving the child alive.
Rajat walked towards the car with the baby in his arms.
Renu was surprised and enquired, whose child it was. Rajat replied, saying it
was Guruji’s Gift to her. He argued that Guru is next only to God and on the
auspicious day of Guru Poornima, they had received a gift from him. What God
had denied directly was delivered through the blessings of Guru. Rajat asked
the driver to take the car back to the Ashram. Upon reaching the Ashram they
sought audience with Guruji. Before, they could explain, Guruji looked at them,
smiled and complimented them on having received God’s gift. He did not seek any
explanation. He then took the baby in his arms walked to the sanctum sanctorum
of the temple and placed her at the feet of the idol of Lord Krishna. After
reciting some mantras, he sprinkled holy water on the child. She cried out
loudly. Guruji motioned to Renu to pick her up said, this is a blessed child.
Take good care of her.
Renu requested Swamiji to give a name to the child. He
closed his eyes and a moment later said she is God’s Preet (Love) and named her
‘Preeti.
Destiny’s survivor Preeti, who was facing imminent death
the previous night, landed in the most comfortable abode she could have ever dreamt
of. She was to receive enviable parental care. Renu & Rajat left nothing to
chance. They provided the best upbringing any proud parent could bestow. She
grew up amidst plenty and yet showed love, humility and compassion towards
others. True to her name, she was pretty and vivacious. She was blessed with a
very sharp and mind and will-power.
Only fall side to her otherwise rosy life was the
nightmares which bothered her no end. Frequently she got these attacks. She
would hallucinate in her sleep – seeing violent dreams. She could not fathom it
but decided to fight the dread. She was a fighter determined to conquer all the
fears of life.
Preeti had free rein to steer her own course of life. Her
parents would come up with polite suggestions but never tried to impose their
will. Her schooling was done in Rohtak school started by her own parents. For
college, on her own request she was sent to Delhi. She joined the famous
Miranda House college and lived in the hostel. Every week-end she would visit
parents at Rohtak. She had taken up Social Science as her Major. Once she
graduated Renu and Rajat suggested matrimony. Quite a few proposals from
prominent families were received. Preeti, very politely side-tracked the
subject. Ultimately, she expressed her desire to pursue further studies abroad.
She felt it would provide her better exposure to new insights in
child-psychology. Her professor Ms. Chopra, seconded her views. Rajat &
Renu, as usual acceded to her wishes.
Preeti secured admission at New York University. At the
university, she shone as one of the most active, vocal and brilliant students. She
became favorite of her guardian professor-Dr Hiro Watanabe. Preeti opted for
‘psychology of abandoned children’ for her Thesis. Prof Watanabe had done lot
of work in this field. He had spent two years in Japan and Vietnam meeting post
war abandoned children in both countries. Preeti too visited both countries. On
way, she stopped at Delhi to meet her parents and spend Diwali with them.
She was awarded her Doctorate and went home to spend two
weeks with her parents. On her return Prof Watanabe proposed that she join
UNICEF in their newly formed wing of Child Psychology. She was happy to accept
the offer and plunged into her work routine. She was conducting surveys,
visiting countries with problems in her area of specialization. She had found
her vocation and dedicated her intellect into it.
Her trips to India also became as frequent as to south
Asian countries because she would combine the two. Now that she had reached a
level of maturity, Rajat revealed to her the truth behind her past. He
deliberately opened the subject only during the last evening before her
departure for New York. He also handed over to her a sealed envelope containing
details of her biological parents which he could find out using his contacts.
Rishabh was a handsome IIT/IIM lad also based in New
York. After Engineering and Management Degree, he opted for a shift to a
Finance Company having operations in multiple countries. His extra-ordinary
skills had earned him not only a lucrative position but obtained Citizenship in
record time. He lived at Long Island, owned a 5-bedroom house, a Lamborghini
and a Mercedes. Basically, from Lucknow, he had impeccable manners and prided
himself for coming from the land of Tehzeeb and Tameez.
During one of his talks on Psychology of Investments he
had met Preeti. And both had struck instant rapport. They kept meeting
thereafter. Both had strong views but also appreciated each other’s prowess in
respective fields. Their interests in cultural arena had lot of similarities.
Both enjoyed full spectrum of music starting from Indian Classical to Symphony.
Operas at Broadway was another common interest. Both even liked Badminton as
well as Tennis. They attended New York Open Tennis tournament together. In
short, they had enough reasons to remain in touch.
Developing proximity of hearts was obvious. Time came
when Rishabh tried to propose to Preeti only to be politely declined. Rishabh
tried it couple of times again but of no avail. When he tried to probe further,
she said she has some unfinished task before thinking of matrimony. Rishabh’s
parent were mounting pressure on him because they had received some very
prospective proposals. Even Renu and Rajat were very keen on her tying the
knot. As in all other matters, they did not press beyond gentle nudges.
For the small circle of their close friends Preeti had
remained an enigma. One moment she would be in a joyous mood, all excited and
chirpy, the next, she would suddenly slip into depression. Her real persona was
of a serious individual dedicated to her goals but she blended it with fun and
mirth. Rishabh was the only person really close to her. Even, he failed to read
her mind.
One fine morning, Rishabh got a call from Preeti. She was
excited, in boisterous mood. She wanted Rishabh to reach her house without
delay. She would not tell what was it about but was having high mood swing. He
called his office and informed them that he would be delayed, got ready
double-quick & drove down. Preeti’s excitement had rubbed on him too and
was in happy space of mind. On the way he picked up some exotic flowers and her
favorite pastry, “Death by Chocolate”. Main door of Preeti’s apartment was just
ajar. He pushed the door and shouted, “Hey Preeti, here I am with your favorite
flowers and pastry. Can’t wait to know what exciting information you are about
to give.” He heard her feeble response, asking him to go into her bedroom. He
rushed inside only to see her all dressed up, a bottle of Champagne in bucket
of ice on the desk. However, Inexplicable anguish was written all over Preeti’s
face. Rishabh could not fathom the situation. He kissed her on cheek and tried
to cheer her up by handing over the flowers and showing box of her favorite
pastry. Preeti remained unmoved and even refused to acknowledge Rohan’s
compliments. She just pushed the pastry box aside and threw the flowers onto
the bed.
Rishabh’s was losing patience but realizing it was a
delicate situation kept his cool. He sat close to her and gently rubbed her
back, asking, “what happened dear?”. She just mumbled that her unfinished task
was over. “That calls for celebration” he shouted patting her back.
It was a strange situation. Here was a ‘very much in
love’ pair. They made an awesome two-some and were envy of their social circle.
But their lives oscillated between the ‘highs’ of zestful living to ‘lows’ of
Preeti’s moods. She would withdraw in her shell whenever she had bouts of
depression. Rishabh was afraid it was going to be the repetition of same cycle.
Very gently, he tried to coax her into revealing what the matter was. She
responded by showing him a message lying on her fax machine. He read it. ‘Raman
died of snake-bite.’
Rishabh was now more confused. He had never heard this
name before. Preeti’s parents had passed away one after the other a year back.
And as he knew, she had no siblings. It was a mystery and he insisted she
explain properly. Suddenly, she became hysterical and started screaming, “I am
a killer, call the cops”. She went on and on. To stop the hysteria, Rishabh
gave her a tight slap. She stopped instantly and started crying. Rishabh knew
the hysteria was over and sitting close to her he started caressing her and
asking her to explain.
Preeti started talking. Between her sobs, she told
Rishabh that she was an adopted child of Renu and Rajat. Her biological parents
were Radha and Raman living in Rurki village near Rohtak. Because she was a
female her real parents had not only abandoned her but wanted to bury her
alive. Her surrogate father, using his contacts had found out about Renu &
Raman and few years back he had revealed the facts to her.
She said while in her mother’s womb, she could hear the
whispers of her parents but did not understand the meaning. She said later she
started having nightmares in which she witnessed her biological parents trying
to get rid of her by burying in the grave dug by them. At this stage, she would
hear barking of dogs and the nightmare would get over. She would get up all
drenched in sweat.
The history of nightmares and revelation about her
parents trying to kill her resulted in deep trauma which explained her
mood-swings. Once she knew the facts, she had paid several visits to Rurki
village and saw her house and parents. Instead of any attachment she felt
revulsion on seeing them. She found unfathomable difference between her foster
and biological parents. Her hatred for Radha & Raman gradually turned into
intent to kill them. During her official tours she used to spend some time at
home. She would also, visit her village. She also met her school-mate Durga at
the village. Durga had married but became a widow few months later. She was
back in village living with her parents. Preeti took Durga in confidence and
together they worked out a plan to kill her parents. Durga located a
snake-charmer in the village. He used to sit near the village temple playing
his pipe and displaying snakes to villagers. In turn, passers-by would throw
coins at him. Durga and Preeti cultivated him. They found out that the snakes
on show were tamed not to bite anyone. Their fangs were removed and their bite
was non-poison.
Durga & Preeti also found that the snake charmer used
to catch snakes regularly and tame them at home. As a result, at any given
time, he had few venomous snakes which could kill instantaneously. Radha and
Raman used to visit the temple regularly. She pointed them to the charmer and
paid him handsomely. The charmer would release a venomous cobra at Preeti’s
parents one by one. The charmer suggested ‘Nag-Panchami’ day to strike.
Preeti’s parents always visited the temple on that day and would also bring
milk for the snakes. Durga would
coordinate and keep Preeti informed about the progress. Since snake-charmer
used to sit there for many years and always had harmless snakes, nobody would suspect.
By chance Radha had died of Dengue even before the
snake-charmer could strike. Raman was left and Preeti was waiting for the snake
charmer to target him.
As per Durga’s message the plan had achieved desired
results. Preeti’s mission of life was accomplished successfully. She was elated
but same time felt the guilt. It was a plan that had worked. It would leave no
trace of her involvement. But now a fierce battle of wits was going on in her
mind. One side felt, she had done the right thing but the other side was
accusing her of murder. Rishabh tried to convince her of her having done the
right thing.
I would like to know from readers what they feel about it.
Guilty or not?
DAUGHTER
of INDIA - a story by Guru Vig
Draft dated 27/07/2011
