Mannu Kanwar

Mannu Kanwar—victim of  domestic violence, village makhanpuria case 2008

 Mannu kanwar  got married in a rapjput family(so called upper caste) family . a year after her marriage her mother in law died and her father in law told her that she will have to fulfill her role as a wife also alongwith her role of a daughter inlaw. Mannu was shocked to hear that but with determination and courage he kept fighting his bad intentions and looking that that her father in law subdued a little. Bravely and intelligently she made a place for herself in that house without giving in to the pressure. Very soon new problems started to crop up.  Their house started making and selling alcohol at home .so in a 2  room house every night people witll come , get drunk , fight curse each other. All this became a headache to live and became a daily routine. She stayed there for 15 years and had 4 kids. 3 daughters and 1 son. I night her husband for 500 Rs promised a person to marry off one of her daughter when the girls came in teenage. This is the point when Mannu packed up from the house in the night itself and left with her kids since she knew it will be difficult to keep her daughters safe in this house. She walked 3 km on foot caught a bus to bhilwara where her paternal family was. Since last 4 years she is living with pride , earning a living for her kids through sewing and making sure that all the kids get good education.

 She is filled with pride and has proved that if you set your mind to something then nothing is impossible. She showed great courage in leaving her husband and has set up a great example to show that women can survive on their own and bring up their kids all on their own if they work hard and hold on to their dignity and confidence. Taraji’s organization helps such 30-35 such  women who have left their husbands due to various such reasons,  to  live, sustain and thrive in their independent life

She is given this honor since she never succumbed to the pressure of family and society , she did not let herself and her kids get exploited. She  herself took control of her life whenever it was needed to find a dignified life. She sends out the message that we should never compromise with injustice and we should always fight it. Her example uplifts many women’s confidence in that area and inspires them. Hopefully many girl’s  future will be saved through such  awareness ..inspiring them to take action themselves to fight exploitation and injustice.