Each week when I think about what I might talk about in next week’s Monday Mindset, I will often randomly open up a page in a book or have a conversation, or life happens that sets off a fire in my belly and a topic to talk about, usually around business or career. Tonight on this Easter Monday it has nothing to do with business or career. In fact the subject knocked the wind out of me. I happened to switch on the ABC to see the documentary, India’s Daughter. The story of Jyoti Singh, who was gang raped by 5 men and 1 juvenile on a moving bus in 2012. I recalled the story when it hit the airwaves at that time, but a snippet on a newsfeed, or a 1.5 minute story on the nightly news, didn’t really sink in the way that this documentary helped it to sink in.
In Monday Mindset this week, I want to devote this space to remembering and honouring Jyoti and her memory. A young woman who had just finished her final exams to become a doctor. A young woman who had gone out to see the movie ‘Life of Pi’ with her male friend, as she was about to start intern shifts and wouldn’t have any spare time. A young woman who was raped and molested with the most unspeakable injuries, and died of those injuries 3 weeks later. A mother who held her daughters hands and in her final moments heard her daughter say the words “I’m so sorry mummy I was so much trouble” It broke my heart to see and hear.
You were focussed, intelligent, beautiful, determined and ready to give service. It would have been our honour and privilege to know you Jyoti. My heart is full of sorrow that this happened to you in your country, in your home town. May you rest in peace.
This powerful documentary interviewed the remorseless rapists who were quoted saying that its a women’s fault if she is raped. In our country its hard to imagine that our daughters or young people would be at risk doing every day things like going to the movies. This week I will think of Jyoti and her family. We all know how small the world really is, so I feel strongly that we must give voice and contribute what we can to create change in cultures around the world that holds views of women that is archaic and no place in the future.
If you want to see the documentary which is currently banned in India, the link is here:
http://www.abc.net.au/4corners/stories/2015/04/06/4210121.htm
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