I have no father and my mother works as casual labour and also brews ‘gudumba’ (country liquor). I studied till Class X in KGBV at Peddakothapally and my brother was sent to a private school till Class V. I was engaged to marry when I was 14 years old to Ravi who was 16 and an orphan. He was considered an eligible bachelor with assets. I wanted to study further and did not want to marry. In the meantime, my marriage was delayed for a year as my father died. Soon after, I was forced to marry him. I was determined to study and continued to go to school even after I got married. I dropped out of school after completion of class XI when I delivered a boy. I wanted to pursue my education and so rejoined school. But I dropped out again in Class XII as my daughter was born. I was determined to complete Class XII and did so against all odds. I had to manage home, my children, take care of oxen, cows and work on land on my own. I was also scolded when I did not work well. I carry both children to work. My husband did not help me at all.
Narrative provided by M Venkatarangaiya Foundation in their report ‘…and they never lived happily ever after. The battle for justice goes on: Voices of married girls in Telangana’
