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Monday, April 13, 2009

Mukhtaran Mai- Coming full circle

This is a story that needs to be told. From my perspective.

It really looks like the other day, but its actually seven years since I and the world heard this nam.

And reeled with the shock and horror of it all. For here was a woman who had been gang raped in Meerwala, in the Southwest of Multan, Punjab, Pakistan .

The reason- Her brother who was then 13 years old was accused of having illicit relations with an older woman from a rival clan.

So the village council ordered that it was Payback time.

On her...

She lived to survive those minutes, and then went on to be the voice for many, many abused Pakistani women.

Till her rapists were brought to book on the orders of General Musharraf and got their just desserts...

Time passed, she went to the UN and spoke..

And continued living a solitary but meaningful life.Having opened three schools, two for girls and one for boys, where about 1000 children from the poorest families get an education.

Something which she herself was denied.

Then came a new phase.One where a policeman fell in love with her and proposed.
Gabol Khan who was nine years her junior, and already married, so she could only refuse.

Yet his persistence and real love for her finally convinced her.
But strange as it may sound, it was his first wife's Shahla's persuasion which helped her arrive at a decision,...
To marry the man who swore that he couldn't live without her.

So today, Mukhtaran Mai's life has come full circle.

Where she is now a newly married, having found some level of peace and tranquility.
In addition to continuing the crusade that she started, and vows to continue, till she lives.

Makes me truly happy .To see a happy ending..
At least for one gang rape victim

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