JAIPUR: Girls of Titriya village in Chaksu block are waging a battle against the practice of being married at an early age. As Dev Uthni, the auspicious occasion for tying the nuptial knots that falls 10 days after Diwali draws near, girls of the village are determined to stand up against the social evil.
Sanju Sharma who is a teacher in the village recalls that when she was just 14, her grandfather exerted pressure on her father to get her married. However, Sharma had a lucky escape since her grandfather died and she could continue her studies.
Speaking to DNA, Sharma confided that unlike her grandfather, her father wanted her to continue her education. Castigating the practice of marrying girls at an early age in the rural areas of the state, she said, "I always wanted to be self-dependent."
She regretted that out of a group of eight friends, six had to tie the knot at an early age. "We need to stand up against this social evil," she said.
Meera Meena has a same tale to tell. She said, "The situation in villages close to cities like Jaipur is improving." Meena is also a teacher and she is determined to help the state government and NGOs curb child marriage. "We are a group of five girls and want to pursue education to become self dependent rather than enter into wedlock at an early age. We will do whatever we can to prevent child marriage," she said.
The credit for a change in the villagers mindset goes to the Sanskrit college that encourages girls to study. Chaju Sharma, a villager, said, "Around two decades ago, the Sanskrit college was constructed. Ever since, it churns out more than 20 prospective government teachers each year. The college takes credit for removing social evils to some extent."
SP (rural) CB Sharma said, "The police cannot take direct action to curb such social evils." With Dev Uthni round the corner, NGOs and social organisations have started visiting rural areas to sensitise villagers about the evil practice.
