Tuesday, 20 September 2011-10-19

After travelling for half an hour, I reached Krishna Menon Memorial Women’s College. I came alone as Mallika M’aam and Jancy M’aam was taking on the interaction session at the earlier college (Chinmaya Arts and Science College for Women). We did this adjustment to reach more students. And we so adjusted the schedule that soon after my screening of the video in the college I would be joined by Mallika M’aam to take on the interactive session. Everything went as according to our schedule and the interactive session began.

Mallika M’aam, one of our precious assets was really in use of many young girls. Her words spread the magic. There I saw a transformation in these young lives before me. Girls stood up to raise their voice against dowry and marriage issues. How to face a drunkard husband, what should I do about the peer pressure, Should I share my experiences with my parents, perfect dressing were among the apprehensions of the young girls. And to their joy, they received the apt answers to their questions. Mallika M’aam and Jancy M’aam moved the girls to the brighter side of the life.

Be bold, positive and firm to face your present and future was the message.

20^th September 2011

Third college of the day. Quite tired but with no loss of energy. The crowd was much bigger than the earlier two colleges of the day. We were faced with 1200 young and enthusiastic girls.

The screening of the video’ Unarthupattu’ brought lot of expressions in the faces of these young girls. The issues shown in the video was discussed in the interactive session.

The young girls actively took part in the interactive session and brought forward their doubts. They were attended by very experienced Mallika M’aam and Jancy M,aam. Reaching to such a mass is great, though it has its own disadvantages.  But we were delighted at the fact that we could reach to so many girls. And we were possibly able to make them aware about their status and rights was our satisfaction.

The staff and students both were equally supportive and their cooperation helped us a lot.

26 September 2011

This being the final day of our campaign bears lot of sentiments. We were to take two colleges today. We reached the college at 11:00 a. m. The screening of the video began soon after the introductory session. The screening and Interactive session at the college was more or less the same as the other colleges. We took 600 young girls. The interactive session with them was very lively. The questions and their reactions to the answers was great.

The crowd that we were faced with was very disciplined and cooperative. So in that way it was really helpful to us. Mallika M’aam impressed young girls beyond limit. They were encouraged to be bold to face any situations of their life. Silence should be ended and expression of your feelings by words and actions was encouraged by M’aam.

I was happy and sad as well. Happy for getting back with my family and sad for the separation with Mallika M’aam. One more college to go & then Mallika M’aam will be going back to her city with the memories of young and vibrant girls of Kerala.

I had a very nice experience of my life. The young girls, Unarthupattu, Mallika M’aam and Jancy M’aam will always be the part of my cherished memories.

Thursday, 22 September, 2011
10:00 a. m. to 11:30 a. m.

We reached Malappuram and we are about to take on three colleges today. The first college that we ventured into is Anvarul Islam Women Arabic College. We reached the college at 09:30 am and were ushered warmly in. There was a crowd of 135 young girls before us. All through our campaign in different colleges, I found it to be the least crowed. As we went inside the hall where the screening of the documentary and the interaction session was to be taken place, we saw the hall fully occupied in a much disciplined manner.

After the screening of the documentary, we waited for the young girls to shoot their anxious and curious questions. Mallika Maa’m started but then to my surprise not even a single girl turn up with her question. I went running from one girl to another in hope of a question but in vain. I just felt coldness there. For me it was all new because in all our earlier colleges we use to run short of time answering to the apprehension of young girls.

Well, a new experience to my diary.

The trip is on its third phase and the excitement head on.

Unathupaattu definitely had its bang with South Kerala ; the girls going loud about their binding insecurities.   On 20.9.11 it took off with the Chinmaya Arts and Science College for Women, Kannur. The session was scheduled for 9.15 a.m. That was a highly demanding morning ,if you ask me. But it miffed them not, this group of young women with sunshine faces and mystic charms. Surrounded by such a splendid gang, you don’t have to look afar for a kick in , do you?!

The schedule was more or less the same with the screening  followed by an interaction led by Mallika and Jancy. However, the responses remain ever- varied and  questions numberless. Whoever said we “mallu girls” are a draggy lot ; well thou art seriously mistaken! Daily chores, a drunken husband, bespectacled children , a stuffy workplace… the list of intimidating future prospects posed lofty interrogations before the panel.  The discussion further geared up towards unveiling many deep rooted ideological conflicts and ethical dilemmas.

A spunky self and a gritty imagination make challenges less severe .

It is indeed a struggle and you can’t save a few rashes .

Get your fingers dirty if you want the stains off.

Mallika and Jancy did provoke compelling sensibilities and facilitated a self reasoning out which erstwhile lay neglected.

Here we go. Sing it aloud ,ladies!

These boots are made for walkin’

And that’s just what they ‘ll do….

Are you ready boots? Start Walkin’!

Kudos ,Chinmaya!