village and long ago his father was punished for doing something that did not
conform to the orthodox set up of the village: his father was asked to leave the
village because he sent his children to school to learn English. Since then, the
family has been living in Kargil town, which is where I live with my husband
and children now. My father-in-law’s liberal attitude inspired me.
Much later, once again in the same village, parents stopped sending their
daughters to school. This happened when a girl and boy eloped. After incessant
efforts, I was able to convince the parents to send their girls to school, as a
result today these girls are employed, and some are pursuing higher studies in
colleges. I regret that I myself did not get an opportunity to study beyond my
matriculation because that was not a priority and girls were married off at a
young age. Parents would only send us to school when there was no work at
home.
It has indeed been a long journey for me especially when I have not received
the kind of support that would encourage me to take on more challenges. I
lost the elections and that might leave a negative impression but I also know
that I was brave and that my courage will leave a more long lasting impression
on women’s rights in Kargil.