Dear Nirbhaya,
I have not seen you, I have not heard you but yes the day you died you left a lump in my throat. Why Nirbhaya, why. Because even without knowing you or seeing you I could relate to your pain. The pain every woman feels for chasing a dream, chasing an ambition in this country. Yes like me you also had dreams. Dreams of completing your education, dreams of having a good job, dreams of having a handsome prince, dream of having kids and dreams of having a career and family life.
But Nirbhaya all those dreams of yours were nipped in the bud by some men who thought you had no right to decide what you want. And Nirbhaya who gave that men that courage to do what they did to you. We Nirbhaya. The so called progressive society in which you and me belong.
This society gave by its silence gave them the boldness to do what they did to you. This society by the restriction they kept on you and me gave them the courage to rip you apart brutally. The society by its apathy towards its daughter made them what they are.
But Nirbhaya you too taught this society something. That how much ever this society wants to bind its daughters it cannot be done. Our souls will fight, fight for our rights, fight for our rightful place in this society. When you said I want to live you actually made the silent society erupt in a storm to support you. You made even the unknown people cry for you. You made the government sit up and notice. You gave other women voice to speak about the harassment they are facing. You became the bright light that guided many a soul to fight. Nirbhaya you may be no more. But Nirbhaya the light you have lit in the hearts of many young people like me refuse to die. One year down the lane still daughters are getting violated, but they are making their voices heard. They are making the system looks up. Yes Nirbhaya one year down the lane rest in peace wherever you are. Your death has made a difference, a difference atleast in the thought process. Nirbhaya you wanted to live and believe me you are living in the heart of every woman who wants her right.
