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Good Bye 2012

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The Mayans were correct about one thing. That the world would end in 2012. It certainly did for India. We lost a 23-year old woman called "Nirbhaya" or "Damini" (depending on which media outlet you follow). She was no ordinary girl. She has, for all practical and necessary purposes, become "The Voice of India". No one in mainstream media or the general public knows her name, rightfully so. She was left to die after a horrific ordeal on Dec 16th, 2012 and unfortunately, the Braveheart, passed away this past Saturday, Dec 29th, 2012 after battling for her life in a Singapore (and Delhi) hospital. She was cremated in the wee hours of Sunday, December 30th, 2012.

It's a sorry state of affairs in India. No woman is safe, still. Numerous reports of molestation, rapes and gang-rapes have been reported AFTER Nirbhaya/Damini's reported incident and struggle for life, and some have been from Delhi (again) and a case of molestation of a girl (possibly minor) in a bus (again) was reported yesterday. 

I wish and pray that Nirbhaya/Damini comes back to life with the strength and will of a 1000 warriors and lead India in a way that makes the country feel secure, independent and "PROUD".

I, for one, am ashamed at this incident (and many others). No feel good stories, no personal achievements of the past 11 and a half months of 2012 can 'compensate' for what transpired in the last 15 days of December.

There has been a tremendous outpouring of support and anger and numerous demonstrations demanding change and we have heard from politicians that Nirbhaya/Damini's life and struggle will not be in vain. Depending on your perspective, no matter how hollow that may sound (kind of expected nowadays), we must rally behind the lawmakers and politicians, for once, to allow for newer stricter laws and even more stringent punishments for the offenders. 

O Dear One, you have given a voice to a sleepy India already reeling under the weight of corruption and threat of constant attacks from outside, but I hope I know that you have gone to a better place where you can be rest assured, there is no one trying to take advantage of you. God bless your soul and may give your family the strength to survive while living in your memories. Roam free and be without fear.

I heard that you were brilliant in studies and when you take your next birth, may you succeed and go to the highest levels of whatever you set out to be. I am so sorry this had to happen to you!

Here's wishing All Indians, friends and family - A very SAFE 2013 and beyond. 

"Happy" is way over-rated.

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