In some parts of India, even today, the birth of a girl child is considered to be a bad omen. For what reason, I seriously don't know, it's been considered so. Usilambatti , a small village in Tamil Nadu, still is known for killing girl infants. I feel this is an outrageous practice and am sure all of you would agree.  I just felt like writing this story. Hope you enjoy it!



The wedding bells are ringing. Shantha is all ready to step into the life long commitment of marriage. As any village girl, Shantha has not seen her bridegroom Raman , but is still blushing at the cheerful comments made by her friends and the local ladies. The wedding is held with pomp and fun. Raman's widowed mother Nalini is there, happy for her son, but she is the typical "Mother-in-Law" that any girl would fear of! Staunch, orthodox, religious , Shantha was totally unaware of the future with Nalini.

Raman and Shantha, together bow to Nalini, to get her blessings.

"God bless you, and very soon I should listen to the cries of my "PERAN" (Grandson), She said.

Shantha was happy and did not realize the seriousness. In two months, the house was filled with happiness. Shantha declared her pregnancy to her mother-in-law. Nalini wa s thrilled.

"But you are not going to your mother's house for the delivery. I'll take care of you. You are bringing the child into the world who is going to continue the generation of his grandfather and father."

Shantha managed a smile and innocently asked,"Amma, what if it is a girl?"

Nalini gave a tight slap and Shantha's cheeks  turned red, the fingers of Nalini showing on her cheek. All in tears, Shantha now realised what she was into. Small and petty quarrels did not bother her, but this was scary. 

She spoke to Raman about this and he said,

"Shantha, I know it's going to be boy! Don't worry"

" What if???". She got another slap. Talking to Raman was of no use. Everyday Shantha prayed for a boy,. Nalini excited, took very nice care , but it was only fear in Shantha's heart that was killing her.

The day arrived. Shantha was in pain. Her parents had come . In a way she was happy but they had no voice. The sounds of the infant echoed in all the rooms and Nalini knew it.

"It's a girl! All my pains are in drains. Why the hell you could not give me a grandson! Remember the next time it has to be a boy!" she stormed.

Inspite of Shantha's and her parents cries, Raman and Nalini, gave the infant to the maid servant to have it killed. Shantha was shocked. Raman very cooly said,"If not this next time God would be with us". Shantha had become a child- wending machine. The next time,

"Take her to the town-hospital and check the sex of the baby." Nalini said. Ill-luck was destined to Shantha. She was forced to eat pine-apples and pappayas and they aborted the child.  Shantha was not allowed to come out of her house, neither her parents were let in. Next time Raman had forced her to indulge in sex with her and Fate was not in her favour.

At the Hospital

"Raman, leave her here. Lets get back and you can marry someone else", said Nalini. 

Raman, his mom's chamcha had no voice or brains of his own, he would just listen to amma.

The days to come....

Shantha's parents came to take her back . Already they were poor and Shantha did not want to be a burdern. She left for Chennai and joined an Ashram for Women there."Abode of Heaven" took care of Shantha's delivery, and in her hands was a beautiful little girl.A child with tender hands, feet, lovely eyes, cheeks like rose petals, cried in her arms. Shantha named her"Lakshmi" . Lakshmi was her only hope.

Shantha worked as maid , as a labourer in costruction companies, and as a helper in"Abode of Heaven". Lakshmi was a smart intelligent kid, who had high ambitions. To be a "Cardiac- Surgeon"  was her ambition and she strived for it. Her mother was her idol! She worshipped her. She won a lot of laurels and scholar-ships. After  years of struggling , Shantha was the the proud mother of Dr. Lakshmi. 

"hehehoho... the ambulance was screaming, and the ward boys rushed a fragile old lady who has had a heart - attack  and was counting her days. Dr. Lakshmi rushed to the ICU to give her immediate treatment. Another man, whose face was famished , who was in deep sorrow was sitting next to her. Some sort  of love and compassion gushed in Lakshmi's heart when she saw them. She took every little care of their needs . The old man would say he had no money for all this, and Lakshmi would say, 

"You are like my father, how would I take money from you?". Tears would flow in his eyes and he would weep. The old lady opened her eyes after a few days. She would see Lakshmi and say,

"Dear, You are a blessing to your parents. I want to see them and talk to them."

After a lot of debates Shantha came to see the man and the old lady. She was shocked to see the battered man and the lady. They were equally shocked. Silence ruled the situation but Lakshmi could sense the tension. Lakshmi immediately understood and she held Shantha's hand tightly.

Raman and Nalini weeped and weeped. They cofessed everything to Lakshmi, about Raman's remarriage, his wife's death, life in the jail for all the sins committed.

Nalini was  now laying her head on Lakshmi's lap and she said," I have wronged your mother and your sisters. I killed them. I never realised how precious life is! I have suffered throughout, from the day Shantha was abandoned by us. Being a woman , I never realised how a girl leads her life as a girl, a wife, a mother,sacrificing her dreams at every stage of life. I am ashamed dear, but today I am the proud granny of Dr. Lakshmi You are a blessing dear! Shantha please forgive me." 

Saying so, Nalini breathed her last .........