Deepak
Age: 17
“I want to become a news reporter when I grow up. The plan is to first do my graduation in BA Programming and then study Mass Communication. I like History; I loved reading about the Mughals. I hate Maths from the bottom of my heart. My father is a vegetable vendor and has been working hard to provide for me and my 4 siblings. All of us are studying right now. He wants me to chase my dreams. He tells me to do what I want and that he’ll take care of the finances. My oldest sister wanted to become a doctor, but she couldn’t quite crack it. She’s in her final year of graduation right now. We’re going to marry her off as soon as she’s done with it. Last year ho jaega, itna pad liya, bahut hai (She doesn’t need to study any further). Aaj kal ladkiyon ko samaj mein bahar bhejna bada woh hota hai (Sending women out into the society is looked down upon). We wanted her to be educated for her own happiness and so that her in-laws don’t shun her as unpad, gavar (uneducated, ignorant). ”
– As told to Tania Goklany. She met Deepak at Samiksha Shiksha Sanstha in Delhi’s Sangam Vihar.
All the very best for your future! Your father seems a very good one, but why have 5 children, because I personally feel it will be tough to provide quality education to 5 children in any middle-class family….any how that is not something for you to answer.
Salute to your father. Do the right thing by your sister; if she wants to study more and work, let her do that. You are able able to work towards your goal; similarly she has the right too. If each of the children able to contribute to the family by working before getting married, your father will have at least a relaxed old age. Try to change the society rather than limiting your sisters dreams and marrying her off for the sake of the society.
If you want to be an educated man do not talk about your sister not needing an education.
Why did your father get into this position of having to fend against all odds by having 5 children in the first place? Do you look at your sister like an object to be disposed off? Nowadays men and women are equal and can fend for families equally. It is a norm in society for couples to lead their own lives away from families. When that is the case, how is a son different from a daughter. Many women do not even change their family name any more. Why should they give up their identities? Children are also free to choose either their father’s or their mother’s name. This is a reality in advanced nations.
All the Very best for your career. Never Give Up child . Do your best and best thing will you reach you on time. Best Wishes
i liked your attitude towards your goal and your father’s determination to help you achieve it.All the best for that. But the thought you have about your sister (for that matter any girl), about not going out and having a shot at there career is plain WRONG. I don’t know what aspirations your sister has but to generalize that; in your words: “Aaj kal ladkiyon ko samaj mein bahar bhejna bada woh hota hai (Sending women out into the society is looked down upon)” is just wrong. The last thing India needs is it’s young generation to think like that or get influenced by society in wrong way. I sincerely hope you change your mindset about this.
Congrats to your father to continue the education of you all.. Sisters education is equally important, don’t stop her but support to continue…………
It is sad that you think your sister “doesn’t need to study any further” and that “Sending women out into the society is looked down upon”. This really reflects the patriarchal mindset in the Indian society.
Your sister is a human being who can decide for herself if she wants to study further, marry, or have a career.
This is the 21st century and we live in a high tech age. Congrats to your parents . Don’t bother about society. All of you should be free to do whatever that is that you want
congrats Mr Deepak you are the luckiest one who have a great dad. i went through your story, i’m really inspired
by your father doing well, i really respect him.and god may bless
your all family to scale the heights of excellence…