For some of us, it was our father who taught us how to value ourselves in a patriarchal society.
He taught us how not to let society and its ancient traditions break our independent and strong soul. And, in the moments when we were left alone to fight the struggles, he had the back of his little princess.
And one such lucky soul is Suvarna Chavan, who is blessed with a super supportive father – Sriram Chavan.
After hearing the inspiring story of this father and his sacrifice, you will not only applaud his courage, but also his spirit and love for his daughter.
Sriram Chavan, a truck driver by profession, grew up in a society, that believed Betis were nothing more than a liability on the family and deserved lesser love and support than Betas.
But he never believed that a baby’s gender should decide how much father’s love and support he/she should get.
Though Sriram himself only studied to class X, he made sure he provided all the supported his daughter Suvarna needs to overcome every obstacle to get herself a graduation degree.
He not only supported Suvarna to reach her true potential in education but also had her back when Suvarna, 22, was thrown out by her in-laws months after her marriage as her kidneys failed.
Sriram and his wife Malubai were proud and happy parents when Suvarna got married in April 2018 after earning her degree in science.
But sadly, the happiness was short-lived as their innocent and young daughter underwent a series of traumatic events soon after marriage. Within months of her marriage, Suvarna suffered from acute vomiting, migraine, and unconsciousness.
And, when she came to know about her kidney failure at such a young age, she was broken and hopeless.
But, the times when she needed her husband and her new family to support her, she was left abandoned and homeless to die. While recalling the trauma her daughter went through, Suvarna’s mother shared with TOI,
“When her in-laws learnt of her kidney failure, they said they would not care about a girl who cannot work and may not have children.”
The shameless and inhumane in-laws said Suvarna deserved to be dumped on the road.
Suvarna’s parents were shaken to the core. But, rather than letting her daughter struggle alone, Chavan’s fatherly love pushed him to go to any extent to save his daughter.
Chavan took Suvarna to Muljibhai Patel Urological Hospital in Nadiad. For the treatment, when the shameless in-laws refused to return the 10-odd tolas of gold gifted in dowry, Chavan sold his land for Rs 6 lakh.
Sharing his love about his daughter, Chavan said:
“I have three daughters and a son. I know people will sell everything off for a male child. But I love my daughters as much, or rather a bit more,”
Chavan not only sold his 2-acre land to raise money for a transplant for Suvarna, but also donated his own kidney to save his Bitiya and give her another chance at life.
After realizing how much her father has sacrificed for her, Suvarna has vowed that she will leave no stone unturned in making her father’s life a bit easier.
“My medicines cost Rs 33,000 per month. My father has given me his all. If I become well, I will take up a good job and look after him. I will never let him drive trucks again.”
We wish Suvarna will get better soon and give her parents a better life so that society understands that daughters are no less!
