India is planning to reach for stars in space with Gaganyaan but in families in small nook and cranny of this country, honour killings, caste and racial discrimination still eat up most of the villagers¡¯ life.
In July 2016, a 78-year-old, Dhajja Ram¡¯s granddaughter, a 17-year-old B.A student Sweety was allegedly beaten to death by father Balraj and mother Sudesh in Sonipat district, Haryana. Why? Because the girl was in a relationship with a boy from another village. The family didn¡¯t approve of the affair later burnt her body in a shed.
Photo: Indian Express/Dhajja Ram with Tarun Sharma
The girl¡¯s uncles Raju and Suresh and elder sister, Meena were also arrested later, the Indian Express reported. But the 78-year-old wise, Dhajja Ram was shocked at his son¡¯s misdeed and he lodged a complaint at the police station on the same day at 10:20 pm.
Due to his complaint, five of his family members were sentenced to life imprisonment. Following which, Ram became confused and filled with grief and emotions. Though he had reported the injustice caused to Sweety, he didn¡¯t have the financial means to sustain Sweety¡¯s three siblings.
Photo: Indian Express
¡°I just got this money (Rs 1,800 as the old-age pension) from the post office but my eyesight is very poor and it is difficult to count the money,¡± he told The Indian Express. He pays around Rs 6,000 for the children¡¯s private education. The family of Suresh (his second son who is in jail) helps with the money.
However, there is light at the end of the tunnel. A crowdfunding effort by an IT professional, Tarun Sharma has helped Dhajja Ram receive a sum total of Rs 51,700. Sharma is working as an IT professional in Pune, told IE, ¡°After reading the story, I wanted to help Ram because what he did could bring about a change in Haryana. I approached the crowdfunding platform Milaap and started the campaign ¡®Help Dhajja Ram¡¯¡±
In four months, Sharma received 74 contributions and the total sum of Rs 51,700 will be given to Ram over a span of 10 months. The first instalment of Rs 5,000 was deposited in his account last week. ?Ram told the news website that he shall use the money for his grandchildren¡¯s education and a better phone connection.