Opening Doorz

By Shatakshi Kiran | Opening Doorz Editorial | March 08, 2021

International Women’s Day Special

It is no hidden fact that children take their father’s name but I, Shatakshi Kiran, daughter of Kiran Kumari took my mother’s name after I was disowned for being born a girl.

My father disowned me for being born a girl

I was two years old when my parents separated. Her only fault: I was born a girl! My dad wanted a boy. My mother had to face the abominable difficulties of life, having to raise a ‘girl child’ in a mostly conservative society and also to work for a living. She decided to complete her B.Ed degree so that she would be able to help everyone by giving them the gift of knowledge. She became a teacher. My maternal grandmother has always been there to support her and took care of me while she was working. They are my pillars of support, the two most important women in my life.

It is because of their love, care, and affection that I never felt the absence of my father. Thanks to both of them, I participated in each and every co-curricular activity. Be it dance, painting, playing the guitar, athletics … you name it and I have excelled in it. My mother taught me that life is too short to be sad about our past and have grievances against anyone. Therefore, one must follow their heart and enjoy every moment of it by being optimistic and grateful.

Despite all adversities at the hands of our conservative community, my mother did not debilitate but supported and inspired me to chase my dreams. She is an independent woman who raised me single-handedly and taught me the significance of learning and education. She taught me that the biggest wealth and weapon is knowledge itself and it can never be taken away from us. It was because of her education that she has her individual identity and was able to give me the best life that I could ever ask for.

My Mother, My Everything

She used to work in the morning and in the evening she would take tuitions to ensure there was enough cash flow to enable me to have whatever I needed. She has sacrificed a lot for me never once displaying her pain. She has always considered my opinions about important matters and believes that it is very important for every individual to have their own say about every aspect of life. One should never be afraid of asking questions because the more you ask, the more knowledge you gain, and the brighter you shine.

My mother is a farsighted person who believes in being organized and always having a ‘Plan B’ in place. She used to invest a lot of time in my sporting activities during school and also in academics. It was my childhood dream to be a model. She encouraged me to move in that direction.

My mother is the best cook in this entire world and I am the biggest foodie. She knows how to cheer me up by making my favourite dishes. I can proudly say that I am a single girl child who wants everyone to look at me and remember that everything happens twice: first in mind and then in reality. Therefore, one has to first believe in themselves and their dreams. She is my best friend with whom I can share everything.

My Mother, My ‘Hero’

At a very young age, I realised in a harsh way that we can’t count on people and so I decided to make a difference in this society by helping people and making my mother proud of me. I am very attached to the cause of helping the orphans and underprivileged children of our country because they are the future of our country. I am so grateful to have the most amazing and supportive mother who became the spark to my fire. She always tells me to be confident and true to myself and work hard to achieve my goals.

There was a time when I would be in conflict with myself: ‘Why me?’ I would think. ‘Why did my father leave me?’ But today, I am thankful and grateful to God for giving me the best family I could ever ask for. I no longer say, ‘Why me?’ On the contrary, I say, ‘Thank God it’s me.’ If it was my mother’s presence that gave me strength, then it was my father’s absence that gave me the drive to make a difference.

My mother is my ‘Hero’. She is the definition of a strong, independent, and confident woman. For lack of a better word, I use the term ‘Hero’ for her, a hero without a cape or a secret identity. When I look at my mother, I am amazed at the way she took hold of her life. I also realize that there is no limit to what we, as women, can accomplish.

(Shatakshi Kiran is a 20-year-old who is pursuing her Engineering at D Y Patil University, Navi Mumbai. This pragmatic girl, who has also begun her journey in the modeling world, wants to inspire people through her life journey. Her steely resolve resonates from the city she comes from—Jamshedpur).

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