Nirbhaya: The Prologue of Change

by Rajender Krishan

Nirbhaya:
Someone’s daughter
sister, a student
a free Indian citizen
a young woman in her early twenties
brutally tyrannized,
tortured, traumatized
and gang raped
by a group of maniacs
in the capital city of India

From that moment
aspiring to live
until her last breaths
              in Singapore
              an alien land
              where, perhaps
              preordained to meet Yama
she died a million deaths
stirring a billion hearts

She is gone
Justice remains languishing
in commissions and inquiries
of crumbling institutions
nurtured by corrupt officials
under the facades of
feudal democracy
thriving deceitfully
on oppressive intimidation

Will this be another saga
that will terminate inconsequentially?
Will such maniacs walk scot free
to recreate the scene again?

We will not let this happen again.

She has died
to become alive
in the hearts of the youthful might
revitalized and fortified
as the prologue of change!


Nirbhaya: Fearless
Yama: The Hindu God of Death

Illustration by Sagar Kumar

Read Also:
Wolves
Rape: Enraged India Seeks Change
Metamorphosis

28-Dec-2012

More By : Rajender Krishan

Views: 1488 Comments: 19

Comments on this Poem

Some times I also think something like Pranlal Sheth, probably barbaric people need barbaric punishment - (please don't take it literally) -- something like 'Sharia law'. We are not fit for the modern world, we deserve medieval treatment.

N.Mutsuddi
02-Jan-2013 07:45 AM

Truly poignant poem!

P. Mohan Chandran
01-Jan-2013 14:20 PM

Such grue some incidents are happening for centuries.
Punishments have been given and still incidents continue.
It is a black dot on our character.t
Government has to change its mode of operation.
It should shoot the culprit in public square so that future
criminals learn their would be fate. Others will throw stones
at them for human satisfaction

PRANLAL SHETH
30-Dec-2012 02:57 AM

Poignant poem,sir.

Sony Dalia
30-Dec-2012 01:34 AM

This requires exemplary punishment.

Srikant Mohanty
29-Dec-2012 21:21 PM

This has to be an eye-opener-- to wake up all concerned from the habitual complacency. RIP, the soul of the hapless victim.

Seshu Chamarty
29-Dec-2012 12:52 PM

"We need Change !" - Oh, Yes we do ! But Who brings in the change? How to change hooliganism to humanism in our nation?

No answers....

It's we who can bring in change 'The people of this nation' - Lets educate people (a few tens to over hundreds of them) - Spread awareness on what can be the repercussions of such a shameful act - Least we can do is educate our sons, brothers and friends on how 'Men' are a beautiful gift to all Women provided by God as protectors against evil and ill-will.

Varsha
29-Dec-2012 11:19 AM

Came across this Quote yesterday which speaks volumes....

MEN MIGHT TALK ABOUT WOMEN'S LIBERATION, BUT THEY ARE ACTUALLY CHAUVINISTIC. - John Abraham (Bollywood Actor)

I must say the above is a poignant self-realization by a man.

alwaysaparna
29-Dec-2012 10:16 AM

"she died a million deaths
stirring a billion hearts"..True

I endorse the spirit of your clarion call in the last stanza . Apt and poignant poem. Amen!

pgrnair
29-Dec-2012 10:14 AM

29 December 2012
TO: Mr. Rajeder Krishan
In to-day's morning newspaper I didn't find the news of death of the girl and, so, I was hoping against hope that she would survive by God's grace. I know from your mail for the first time that the poor soul has passed away. Let her soul rest in peace in the Heaven.
I have to recall again Aldous Huxley's amazing prophesy in early fifties ~ "History of human civilization is going to be one of victory of Belial (=Devil) over God>"
Our respect for women, revered as our Mothers, is dwindling alarmingly fast. Remedies have been suggested ~ Death penalty, Life imprisonment, Sterilization of the rapists etc. But how many rapists will be rounded up by our corrupt police / politicians the main players in stooping our nation to an abysmal low!
Rajat Das Gupta

Rajat Das Gupta
29-Dec-2012 09:17 AM

Irony: climbing fast the rungs of civilisation and hurtling down to abysmal depths of ancient stone age brutality!

Pavalamani Pragasam
29-Dec-2012 04:24 AM

...'She has died to become alive..." are some great lines you have written. Most heart touching poem. Alas, one feels exasperated in this country-despite being a democracy we are utterly helpless.

V.K. Joshi
29-Dec-2012 03:50 AM

You have described the tragedy, the anguish, the cause all so thoroughly and yet so concisely in a touching way. I hope it touches us all and gives us a resolve to do something about our country and attack the root cause of all these problems. Thank you.

drgopalsingh
29-Dec-2012 02:19 AM

A moving tribute to the young eternal soul by Rajender ji indeed. It addresses the human sensitivities as also the hopeless scenario in a developing country like India. Death to the rapists is fine but we must look at the problem with a bigger vision. Death to the guilty will not spell the end of the crimes like rape.What is missing is the culture to live a reasonable life. In a nation with a billion strong population, the problems stem from the fact that half them are living in abject poverty and in the darkness of ignorance and illiteracy. An empty stomach with a cap of rampant ignorance leads to frustration not ethics. What we in India need is education not necessarily literacy. A land of saints and prophets, where have we faltered? Centuries of living under the scourge of tyrannic rulers, first by Moghuls and then by British, have oozed out the cultured blood out of our veins and left us to lead a life of shame and penury.

Rajen Kumar
29-Dec-2012 01:43 AM

Touching poem with unique politico-social touch.

BS Murthy
29-Dec-2012 01:18 AM

Mr. Rajender Krishan has presented us with a poignant poem, sensitive as always. Today let us only be silent for a minute in memory of Nirbhaya (as Times of India named her) who is no longer amidst us. Analyses could resume tomorrow.

Priyadarshi Dutta
29-Dec-2012 00:34 AM

As the prologue of change!
Sad but true.
Very timely and heart-felt tribute that sums up the national mood of deep despair, disillusionment and some hope out of this tragedy: Let the moribund system be shaken NOW! Let there be no such future victims and young deaths caused by brutal thugs!
Let us make this world safe for the other half!

Sunil
29-Dec-2012 00:19 AM

The current attitude and dispensation of our country INDIA - an Insensitive Nation Doing Irrational Acts - superbly captured in this poem that articulates the angst of all the common citizens especially women (not the political types..)

Padmaja Iyengar
28-Dec-2012 23:58 PM

Its all fault of upbringing and parenting, or better say sanskaar that starts right from the day the fertilisation begins and baby comes in the womb of mother.... We have to analyse ourselves....what we cultivate or inculcate by our thoughts and deeds in the offspring so we get in result ....hence, Its an alarm to the society, to all the parents ... no agitation or dharna pradarshan can stop the happening but our own conscience ...that is to be awakened...and a better parenting and upbringing is a key factor to the solution!

farhat farooqui
28-Dec-2012 23:31 PM