THE GIRL-CHILD

It has been five months since the ‘good news’ and you have been waiting eagerly.
Waiting impatiently for this happy moment in your maried life.
Look at the screen for the ultra-sound results.
That flickering, black-and-white screen may be a monitor for the world, the answer to the suspense of five months.
For the result could be one of two things.
It could be that the little pea-sized foetus on the screen is your hope and joy.
The one who will carry the lantern of your family name into the future
The pride and joy who lights up the home with his little smiles and playfulness
The one who will have a bright and illustrious future for which you will sacrifice and you will encourage
The one who will bring home a beautiful bride to grace your home
The one who will be your crutch and support in old age
The one who will light your funeral pyre and do your last rites
You will be revered and honored by him even after you are gone

Or else, it could be that other thing…
The girl child……the burden…

That ultra-sound screen is more than just a monitor.
It could be a window to your soul but also to the the thread of misogyny that runs through our Indian society.
What that screen will reveal is not just the XX or the XY chromosome combination
- it will also reveal the colour of your blood and the beat of your heart.

Do you welcome her with joy (hurray)?
Or gradual acceptance (boy would have been nice, but girl is nice too)?
Or with resignation ( maybe next time we will be more lucky) ?
Or with anger ( my daughter-in-law has given birth to a girl again ) ?
Or with muted determination ( I’ll make sure my son tries for another baby) ?
Or decide not to welcome her at all?? ( infanticide, foeticide)

This sad and terrible phenomenon is seen among Indians in India and even in the UK, US and Canada.
Whenever I hear any Indian talking to Westerners about our great culture and values and heritage, there is a small part of me that says -
Have you looked in the mirror lately??.

http://vidhyaiyer.sulekha.com/blog/post/2008/07/girl-child.htm