In a country where girls are killed in the womb even before they are born, and mothers are cursed if it’s a baby girl, we are so proud of this father who fought to provide a life of dignity for his wife and 3 daughters.
Image: HoB
Though some husbands refuse to see the misery and harassment of their wives at the hands of his family, this inspiring husband refused to shut his eyes.
Because of life circumstances, he may have let his wife struggle a bit, but he made sure her struggle doesn’t go on forever. While sharing his inspiring journey with HoB, the father of three daughters shared:
“My dad was a farmer, but we were in dire straits for as long as I can remember — we used to eat banana peels to fill our stomachs. Sometimes we’d even go and attend marriages 20 kilometres away, on foot — just to get something to eat.
I remember, once while we were on our way to attend a marriage, my sister fell sick and couldn’t walk, so I had to carry her on my back and walk for several kilometres. But I didn’t mind, we needed the food to survive.
However, deep down, I knew that I couldn’t keep living my life like this and desperately wanted to get out of this misery. So as soon as I turned 17, I ran away from home and came to Mumbai — to work and earn.
But I realised that surviving here is a different ball game altogether. I knew a bit of masonry work and used to go and stand at a ‘naaka’ — in the hope that some contractor would hire me for work. But several days went by and nothing happened. I remember, I used to sleep on footpaths during that time and barely ate anything.
Then, finally, one day, a contractor approached me and I agreed without even asking how much he was paying. I worked tirelessly for hours, and at the end of it — I was paid Rs.18. I can still remember my hands shaking while accepting the money. Gradually, I started getting more work and was also able to send some money to my family.”
But, what really inspired him to fight for a better life was the treatment that his wife and daughters received from his family. Sharing the details, he further added:
“During this time, I also got married and moved back home for a while.
Soon, my wife and I were blessed with our first daughter — our family was complete!”
With First Daughter
“But this happiness was short lived, my family started ill treating me and my wife because they wanted a son.
I couldn’t fight with them, but it broke my heart to see them behave like that. Eventually I had to return to Mumbai for work, and it killed me to leave my wife alone with my family — but I had no choice.
The harassment continued for a couple of years and my wife beared it all — for me.”
Image: HoB
Slowly but steadily my condition improved and in a couple of years I finally managed to save enough — to call my wife and daughter here to stay with me. We bought our first house for Rs. 30,000.
I was so happy that I didn’t have to slog on the streets anymore, or live my life on my family’s terms — I was finally independant!
It’s been 40 years since, and looking back…I’m proud of all my struggles.
I’m proud of my desperation to get better, be better and make a life for me and my family — the way I wanted to.
I may not have achieved all the luxuries in the world, but simple things like giving my family, my kids a life where they don’t have to worry about their next meal — is by far, my biggest luxury yet.”
Image: HoB
What this husband has given to his wife and 3 daughters is way better than any luxury in the world. His desire to give a better and dignified life for himself and his family is what we want to celebrate.
At IFORHER, we salute his determination and hope this heroic story will inspire many more husbands to not let their wives and daughters suffer in silence. A life full of dignity is way more important than a life full of large bungalows and an expensive lifestyle.
