Lets make our own Malalas!

A young woman Ramlali, from a Lucknow village, works in a local school where she cooks Mid-Day Meal for children. In the same school her two daughters study. Her relatives who are against sending daughters to school attacked Ramlali and beat her badly fracturing her hand. In the past also, they had beaten the mother and daughters only because they did not want Ramlali to work and send her daughters to school. Last attacks were also so violent that Ramlali had to be admitted in a Trauma Centre. The anti-education brigade had tore the school books and had also beaten the girls. 

Ramlali had lodged complaints with the police, twice but to no avail. The third time was so distressing and demoralising that the woman had to fled from the village along with her daughters. Now, she cannot continue with her work because of threats as well as her physical condition. The family has come to the city seeking some help and justice. The daughters cannot resume their studies till the issue is sorted.

The story of this woman appeared in one of the Hindi newspapers today and it made me think how Malala Yousafzais are made. Just like Malala of Pakistan, Ramlali was also adamant to educate her daughters and make them capable enough to make their own decisions in life. The daughters too are good in studies and were doing their mother proud. 

However, when Malala Yousafzai was attacked for promoting girls' education, the world acknowledged her efforts and since then she has been globe trotting as an ambassador for girls education. She is spreading the message and inspiring others to push the issue of girls' education. 

Ramlali is only a humble version of Malala in the making!

  

Incidentally, when Ramlali was facing the wrath of male chauvinists who opposed her determination to educate her daughters, there was a high level meeting, headed by the Chief Secretary of the Uttar Pradesh government, was being held. 

The Chief Secretary, holding the highest office of bureaucracy in any state government) was reviewing the status of literacy campaign in the state capital. The meeting had the representation of all the who's who working in the field of education in government as well as private sector.

I hope anyone of those stalwarts attending the meeting has read the story and is already contemplating to act for Ramlali and  her daughters. It is time for them to convert their words and commitments into action. It is the most opportune time to create our own Malalas, who are emerging from the remote rural corners of the nation, and advocate for girls education through them.