unheard voices

There is a growing resentment within me and even after knowing that it is created by the government, it still feels very strong. Living in the Northern part of the country and having grown up in the North-East, I love my chicken, fish and mutton. Because I was born to a Brahmin family thankfully, pork is not one of my favorite meat. However, I equally like all the vegetarian preparations that most of my friends have to offer or relish on. Most of my favorite lunch boxes (yes, Arpita and Anushree I am talking about you guys here!) from college and work are vegetarian and I can still die for them. As someone not with a voracious appetite, if I am the only non-vegetarian in the room, I will always go and enjoy the vegetarian dishes that my friends would have and up until now I was never conscious about this fact. It is only in the recent days, in the growing political scenario of orange uniform and meat ban that I have become protective of my right to my choice. My diet, my culture ...

Very soon you all will grow up to recognize me and am sure all your parents will introduce me as your mad Aunt (mahi or pepi). I already have many mad stories and promise to have many more by the time you all can sit together along with the family and laugh. To start with, right at this moment am writing you this letter with a plastered foot, the story behind how I managed this will come to you later! In spite of the happy, mad self that I am; I am concerned about you all. I am concerned about the world that you will grow up in. And I am concerned about the communal, patriarchal walls that will tie you up in spite of the best upbringing that you will get. You will go to school and see the images of your nursery rhymes where the women will be shown in the kitchen and the men will be shown with a briefcase. Your tiny mind will form its first impression. You will sing rhymes which will read ‘the king was in the counting house, counting out his money; the queen was in the parlor eati...