Ramya Abhinand – Me Otherwise

From Victim to Crusader- Jayamma Bhandari and her Mission to Rehabilitate Sex Workers #WATWB

Ramya Abhinand — Mon, 28 May 2018 09:38:01 +0000

I read Jayamma’s story on a lazy Sunday morning. It was the month of March, and my local daily carried her story in an obscure corner. I am glad my eyes spotted the column. Every year, ahead of International Women’s day, extraordinary women of India are conferred with the Nari Shakti Award by the government. Thirty nine year old Jayamma Bhandari and her story stood out this year. A crusader for sex workers, Jayamma has come a long way- from being a victim, to working towards rehabilitating women in the flesh trade. Jayamma’s story may seem to be straight out of a Bollywood film. Three hundred kilometers off Hyderabad, in the district of Nalagonda, Jayamma grew up in her uncle’s home. Orphaned at the age of three, her childhood and adolescent years were strewn with difficulties. Her extended family who saw her as a burden, married her off at the first available opportunity, to a man who inflicted nothing but physical and mental abuse on her. Her husband pushed her into flesh trade, soon after the birth of their daughter. With no family support, income and minimal educational qualifications, she was left with no choice but to succumb to her husband’s pressures. Jayamma was pushed to a point when she considered killing herself. However it was her young daughter, who gave her the courage at the moment to fight it all out. It is not actually this struggle which stands out, but it is her journey as a crusader that fills one’s heart with admiration. After years of being a victim of prostitution, Jayamma decided to work with a mission. It was a mission to work for other women, in a similar situation. Jayamma founded her NGO called Chaitanya Mahila Mandali to help sex workers find sources of employment and earn income in a more respectable way. Through the organization women can undertake courses to get onto the path, to live life on their own. Working in high risk slums, the NGO also raises awareness on sexual and reproductive health issues. Preventing victimization of children of sex workers is another prime area of work. Through the Chaitanya Happy Home, such children are provided with education and an opportunity to learn life skills. Today, through her organization, Jayamma has helped better the lives of over 5000 women and 3000 children. In Jayamma’s own words, “It’s really a daunting task to convince them as some of these women have become addicted to alcohol, drugs, smoking, sex and living in that environment. We have the challenge to win their confidence and persuade them by offering help and support. Forcible rehabilitation doesn’t work in such cases and, as such, de-addiction, counseling, and slow, long-term therapy become necessary to restore their lives”. Jayamma today is a friend, mentor and care giver to many children and women who have now sought a better life, under her support and guidance. In our country where prostitution is not illegal, but exploitation is rampant, we need more such Jayammas to ensure vulnerable individuals are not subject to a life of sexual and mental torment. *Featured Image Pixabay This post is part of the We Are the World Blogfest, a monthly event to showcase stories of compassion. The hosts for this month are: Shilpa Garg, Inderpreet Kaur Uppal, Peter Nena, Andrea Michaels, Damyanti Biswas.

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One Indian Girl- #AtoZChallenge

Ramya Abhinand — Tue, 17 Apr 2018 05:11:56 +0000

“You need a man to support, inspire. . .understand you. Help you be the best person you can be, banker, mother, both, whatever. And until you find a man you trust enough to do that, why settle?” ― Chetan Bhagat, One Indian Girl I am not a Chetan Bhagat fan. I find his books pretty average, and yes, definitely over-rated. His books are no great pieces of literature, yet they appeal to the masses. And as I always say it, reading a Chetan Bhagat is akin to watching a Karan Johar film. They are loaded with relationship tangles, without any depth in the plot. Yet, I do read them once in a way. The last book of his was One Indian Girl. The girl who fights the stereotypes Radhika Mehta is educated, intelligent and ambitious. She is a topper of sorts and after her MBA degree from IIM; lands herself a job as an investment banker at Goldman Sachs. She heads to New York, to start her professional life, much to her parents’ dislike, who are keen to see her married at 21. New York is a new world for Radhika. She lives her life and accomplishes on the professional front, earning a bonus her father seldom saw in his entire banking career. Her mother though doesn’t appreciate it and the pressure to “settle” down into matrimony is mounted upon her. But here is an independent girl who dares to live her life her way, dealing with relationships the way she deems right. Despite the predictability of the book, I liked the portrayal of the character of Radhika. From the men she encounters to the pressure she faces at the hands of her parents, Radhika dares to fight everyday patriarchy that most women face on a regular basis in society. This post is a part of the A to Z Blogging Challenge where I write about twenty six women characters from books, who have left an impact on me. You can read the previous posts here- Women in Books

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Neapolitan Series- My Brilliant Friend- #AtoZChallenge

Ramya Abhinand — Mon, 16 Apr 2018 05:38:48 +0000

“We were twelve years old, but we walked along the hot streets of the neighborhood, amid the dust and flies that the occasional old trucks stirred up as they passed, like two old ladies taking the measure of lives of disappointment, clinging tightly to each other. No one understood us, only we two—I thought—understood one another.” ― Elena Ferrante, My Brilliant Friend My Brilliant Friend is the first of the four part Neapolitan Novel series by the Italian novelist Elena Ferrante. The book is a translation of the original, and this probably is one of the reasons as to why I took a hell lot of time to complete it (actually over a month). The narration seemed to drag on and the plot was presented in a sort of hotch-potch manner. Nevertheless I did manage to read through completely, and the two main protagonists- Elena Graco aka Lenu and Rafaella Cerulla aka Lila, would stay in my mind for a long time to come (this despite the fact that I didn’t quite enjoy the narrative style). The Neapolitan Series follows the lives of two friends from a neighborhood in Naples in Italy. Living lives amidst poverty and turmoil, their bond grows in the most unique fashion. Growing up under tough conditions, the girls begin to rely on each other to get ahead in life. Elena is the diligent young girl in school whereas, Lila is a child prodigy. She teaches herself to read and write to get those high grades in class. Elena is fascinated by her friend and worships her in many a ways. She considers her a “Brilliant Friend”. As the two grow up, their paths begin to diverge. Where Elena goes on to attend high school, Lila must satisfy herself in her father’s shoe shop as her parents refuse to pay for her education after elementary school. Lila designs her own academic program that serves as a valuable tool for Elena, pushing her towards literary excellence. Yet, Elena is intimated by her friend and she finds herself pushing to keep up with Lila. Despite the love between the two, there is an element of disdain too. Where Lila would greet the small victories of Elena’s with utmost aloofness, Elena would often become haughty with her successes. For me, the book may have failed on certain fronts. But I did love the way it sketched different shades of female friendships. My Brilliant Friend speaks volumes about some lifelong relationships that go through ups and downs, yet manage to remain intact. This post is a part of the A to Z Blogging Challenge where I write about twenty six women characters from books, who have left an impact on me. You can read the previous posts here- Women in Books

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Me Before You #AtoZChallenge

Ramya Abhinand — Sat, 14 Apr 2018 09:20:07 +0000

“Push yourself. Don’t Settle. Just live well. Just LIVE.” ― Jojo Moyes, Me Before You Me Before You by Jojo Moyes isn’t one of those books with oodles of romance. Yet, this book has it in it, to give you that emotional tug at the heart. It depicts a beautiful journey of two distinct individuals- Louisa Clark and Will Traynor. Where Louisa Clark may seem way too whimsical, Will is a quadriplegic as a result of an accident and, is seldom interested in all things around him. But life has plans and the two paths meet. For me, it is the character of Louisa Clark that left a lasting impression. Louisa may seem to be just another ordinary working girl She sure does have her quirky ways and a rather weird sense of style. She has her reservations in life, and is constantly overshadowed by her bright younger sister at home. Yet, there is this undying spirit within her. She takes up the job of a caregiver for Will Treynor-a quadriplegic, despite the fact that she hasn’t an iota of knowledge on how to deal with one. To top it up tackling Will’s mood swings makes the situation more complex. But Louisa doesn’t give up. With her optimism and wit, she sails through it all. She tries to see the best in everything. Indeed a tough task at hand, this strong girl, not only learns to manage Will’s medical condition; she also brings in the much needed cheer to the recluse Will. The book sure didn’t have a happy ending, but here is this woman who oozes out optimism despite having her own set of issues, fears and concerns in life. This post is a part of the A to Z Blogging Challenge where I write about twenty six women characters from books, who have left an impact on me. You can read the previous posts here- Women in Books

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Little Fires Burning #AtoZChallenge

Ramya Abhinand — Fri, 13 Apr 2018 05:50:43 +0000

“All her life, she had learned that passion, like fire, was a dangerous thing. It so easily went out of control. It scaled walls and jumped over trenches. Sparks leapt like fleas and spread as rapidly; a breeze could carry embers for miles.” ― Celeste Ng, Little Fires Everywhere What an apt title indeed for a novel that explores the intricacies of relationships. For often it is fear, insecurity and sorrow that burn a deep hole into relationships. At the core of the book is the story of a mother and daughter, and around this core are many other little stories inter-woven. Shaker Heights is a progressive little suburb of Cleveland. It’s a place with long winding roads, well laid out homes, perfectly colored houses and all things meticulously planned. The residents of this suburb have successful lives, living by the rules of one of the prominent residents- Elena Richardson. And there is Izzy She is the youngest of the Richardson and is considered to be the black sheep of the home. Her behavior is seldom approved by anyone in the family. But is Izzy really what Mrs. Richardson fears she is? Or has Mrs. Richardson created Izzy the way she is? The most rebellious of the Richardson children and a freshman in high school, she seldom likes her heavily regulated life. She is a child who is over parented; yet, Izzy learns to use her voice. She believes in actions, to change a circumstance that’s not really favorable. She attempts to change all that makes her unhappy in her life. A young teen she is, yet Izzy has her head firm and knows what she wants. Celeste NG is an American author whose first novel Everything I Never Told You was the Amazon book of the year in 2014. Little Fires Everywhere is her second novel released in September 2017 and won the Good reads Readers Challenge Award for 2017. This post is a part of the A to Z Blogging Challenge where I write about twenty six women characters from books, who have left an impact on me. You can read the previous posts here- Women in Books

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Kinsella’s Can You Keep a Secret #AtoZChallenge

Ramya Abhinand — Thu, 12 Apr 2018 02:22:16 +0000

“I’ve always had this deep-down conviction that I’m not like everybody else, and there’s an amazingly exciting new life waiting for me just around the corner.” ― Sophie Kinsella, Can You Keep a Secret? Emma is a young, beautiful woman with a huge heart, irresistible spirit and way too many secrets. At least, they were secrets until she spills them all to a stranger…who turns out to be her boss! Working as a marketing assistant at Panther Cola, she is hoping to climb the corporate ladder, expecting to be promoted soon. Yet, disappointments are a plenty, when the first marketing deal with a client goes all wrong. On a turbulent flight from Glasgow to London, Emma ends up spilling the beans about her life- her discomfort with G-strings, her dislike for the office coffee, her feelings towards her best friend, relationship with her boyfriend and many other intimate details, to a complete stranger seated by her side. When the flight lands, Emma hopes she would never ever meet the stranger again, only to discover that the young man on the plane is none other than Jack Harper, the CEO of her company. The book is fun and playful with shades of fear, rejection and love experienced by Emma. I loved the irresistible spirit of Emma Corrigan. Sophie portrays issues of an everyday girl- times spent with roommates, squabbles with family members, and office gossips. When a book puts together life’s simplest pleasures, you can be sure that it’s going to be one great read. Can You Keep a Secret is Sophie Kinsella’s finest. This chick lit author is most popularly known for her Shopaholic series. This post is a part of the A to Z Blogging Challenge where I write about twenty six women characters from books, who have left an impact on me. You can read the previous posts here- Women in Books

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Jefferey Archer’s Florentyna from Kane and Abel Series #AtoZChallenge

Ramya Abhinand — Wed, 11 Apr 2018 04:27:14 +0000

“Congratulations, Mr. Rosnovski. You have a beautiful girl, said the obstetrician. The multimillionaire chairman of Baron Group of Hotels, Mr. Abel Rosnovski frowned. But he quietly went with the doctor and peered through the observation window. He saw his baby among the row of tiny faces. Her little fingers were curled into a tight fist. Abel smiled, proudly. He had read somewhere that a child was not expected to do that for at least 3 weeks.” — Jeffrey Archer (Kane and Abel) This is Jeffery Archer’s Florentyna Rosnovski! When Archer wrote about Florentyna, it was in an era, when the world quite didn’t have as many powerful women as leaders. From her birth in Kane and Abel, followed by the Prodigal Daughter, and Shall We Tell the President (the sequels to Kane and Abel); Archers Florentyna is a woman who is spirited in every way, successful and a go getter. She may be the angry woman to many or the determined one too. When I look at Florentyna Rosnovski, it’s her ability to give her 100%, which left a lasting impression. From successfully building her own fashion store “Florentyna’s”, to becoming the chairman of the Baron Group after her father’s death, she fights out all battles including sexual abuse. She keeps going on, in a male dominated spectrum to finally emerge victorious at politics, becoming a member of the House, later a Senator, and then the President of America. A powerful woman character I have always loved and admired, Florentyna stood out in the Prodigal Daughter and Shall We Tell the President! The story moves delightfully from one page to the next with unexpected twists and turns. This post is a part of the A to Z Blogging Challenge where I write about twenty six women characters from books, who have left an impact on me. You can read the previous posts here- Women in Books The book is available on Amazon in paperback and e-book format.

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If Tomorrow Comes – #AtoZChallenge

Ramya Abhinand — Tue, 10 Apr 2018 05:46:55 +0000

“I will survive, Tracy thought. I face my enemies naked, and my courage is my shield.” ― Sidney Sheldon, If Tomorrow Comes I am a Sidney Sheldon fan. Just love the suspense element that his books hold within it. But must say, have had my reservations on the portrayal of women in a few of his books. Nevertheless, here is a book, where I loved the main protagonist-the beautiful, intelligent and strong woman that she was. If Tomorrow Comes and Tracy Whitney Meet Tracy Whitney, the young woman, who is smart and independent. She is warm and compassionate too. An idealist in every way, yet when her whole life goes topsy- turvy, Tracy lets go of her idealism, and all that see seeks is vengeance. A successful banker in Philadelphia, she is engaged to a wealthy heir. When her mother commits a suicide, Tracy realizes there’s more to it, and that there is a big mafia nexus behind her mother’s death. Tracy tracks down Joe Romano the main person responsible, but he tries to rape her and is wounded in the struggle. A case is filed against her for a theft by Joe Romano. Her attorney convinces her that she will get a much shorter sentence if she pleads guilty, but the judge sentences her to fifteen years, and she realizes that the judge and the attorney are both working for Romano. As she goes to jail, her employer and her fiancé abandon her and the unborn child. However she miscarries the child. Filled with rage, Tracy now decides to seek revenge on all the men who have ruined her life. Framed for no valid reason, Tracy fights her way out of all turmoil, and gets behind each one of them. If tomorrow comes is a tale of betrayal and of revenge. When a strong woman is provoked, she can pounce back in a million ways. This post is a part of the A to Z Blogging Challenge where I write about twenty six women characters from books, who have left an impact on me. You can read the previous posts here- Women in Books

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Hosseini’s A Thousand Splendid Suns #AtoZChallenge

Ramya Abhinand — Mon, 09 Apr 2018 00:46:09 +0000

“One could not count the moons that shimmer on her roofs, Or the thousand splendid suns that hide behind her walls.” ― Khaled Hosseini, A Thousand Splendid Suns A Thousand Splendid Suns is Khalid Hussein’s masterpiece. An incredible saga, the book could move one and all. Set in a time span across thirty crucial years in the history of Afghanistan, the book speaks volumes on those tough times and the lives of people, caught in it. The story of Mariam and Laila Two women- Mariam and Laila are distinctly apart, yet when their paths cross, their lives become similar. Mariam faces the stigma of being an illegitimate child, from her early years of life. She is married to Rasheed who is far older than her, much against her wishes. Mariam’s inability to have children turns Rasheed bitter, and she soon finds herself facing physical and mental abuse in her marriage. With the war raging outside, Mariam’s life behind the veil gets tougher, until Laila enters her life. For Mariam, Laila was initially the woman who stole her husband away. But soon she realizes that the young girl is in a similar situation- living life on the whims and fancies of the man who owns them. Her hatred turns into a motherly love of sorts, towards Laila and her little child. It is through Laila that Mariam begins to give and receive love, an emotion that she had been starved of, all through her life. Laila, born a generation apart, comes with a different set of ideologies about life, love and family She is intelligent, and bold. She provokes Mariam to risk their lives and escape from the clutches of Rasheed, something which Mariam had seldom tried to undertake in all those years. Her constant efforts to make it to the orphanage to visit her daughter Aziza is commendable indeed, despite the possibility of beatings by the Taliban, who seldom permit women from venturing out on their own. When Laila is forced to undertake a caesarian for the birth of her second child, without any anesthesia, she exhibits her strength and will to survive. The two lead lives in the toughest times in Afghanistan. With women’s rights being practically absent, survival becomes a struggle. It is an act of fearless anger, when Mariam is driven to kill Rasheed. Venting out all the pent up feelings, she is ready to face any consequence that may follow soon after. In her selfless act, she clears the way for Laila to escape, and lead a life of peace, far way in Pakistan with the only man has ever loved- Tariq. It is this sense of debt to Mariam, and to her country Afghanistan, that Laila is determined to return back from exile in Pakistan. A Thousand Splendid Suns is a deeply moving story of family, of love, of the status of women, and of salvation. A book that I have read more than once and can still pick it anytime. This post is a part of the A to Z Blogging Challenge where I write about twenty six women characters from books, who have left an impact on me. You can read the previous posts here- Women in Books

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Gone with Wind & Scarlett O Hara #AtoZChallenge

Ramya Abhinand — Fri, 06 Apr 2018 18:29:07 +0000

“Dear Scarlett! You aren’t helpless. Anyone as selfish and determined as you are is never helpless. God help the Yankees if they should get you.” -Rhett Butler” ― Margaret Mitchell, Gone with the Wind Definitely a voluminous read, yet the book and its protagonist would stay in one’s mind, after that last page is turned over. Not many like her, despite the major portion of the book being based upon her. Sympathies have always been with Rhett Butler, the man who wooed and finally does get to marry her. To me she was an enigma of sorts She is Scarlett O’Hara. She is pretty, oh well the Southern belle who grows up in the Georgian plantation in the times of the American civil war. She is seemingly selfish, shrewd and definitely vain. Yet, I just couldn’t stop myself from admiring the strength that lay within her. From a spoiled teenager, she transforms herself into a hard-working woman. Scarlett inherits the strong will of her father and with the war raging all over, it is Scarlett who shoulders the troubles of her family. She may have been opportunistic in her desires, as well as, in marriage, however having seen a life of struggles, Scarlett just had to be that way. The hard-headed girl that she was Scarlett also exhibited her father’s hard-headedness. And this quality makes her rise up against the social restrictions when she is widowed at a young age. With a strong determination she pursues all goals, to achieve everything she desires by any means. Though very often, her ways are ruthless, yet it is these efforts that prevent her family from starvation. She possesses a remarkable talent for business and leadership and with her razor sharp intelligence she gets through the hardships plagued by the American civil war. Scarlett lives her life the way she deems best, deciding what constitutes as success to her. Gone with the wind is Scarlett’s story. And her character would remain etched in readers’ minds for years to come. This post is a part of the A to Z Blogging Challenge where I write about twenty six women characters from books, who have left an impact on me. You can read the previous posts here- Women in Books

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