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

Happy Easter and a glorious Spring....

...

This is one Blog post just to wish everyone a Very Happy Easter along with a glorious Spring.

Enjoy the days just before summer comes in, for these will pass even before one realizes it , and then before one knows, half the year will be over...

For you know what they say... "Time and tide wait for no-one."

P.S -All the Easter goodies shown here- Made by our daughter Neha

Praying and coming together -as a Community.

I've always ducked invitations to 'Satsangs'.

Or anything that sounded remotely like one. Not knowing what it entailed, and not wanting to make my way of life and living any different.

But this morning it was an occasion that I couldn't possibly...avoid.
So I went, wondering what exactly lay ahead...

Only to be pleasantly and delightfully surprised.
For I truly realized what the 'power of togetherness' entailed.

When many people scome together for a purpose, in this case to celebrate Ram Navami combined with a few basic tenets of the 'Art of Living.'

Chanting and reciting the same words/Mantras,breathing in and out simultaneously, singing.

Or then even, just sitting together in silence.

Successfully instilling a deep, profound and long lasting feeling of peace within me...

It really is true, you know, the power of a 'Community' is greater than the power of 'one'..........