Ram, a teacher in an ADW (Adi Dravida Welfare) School in Vellore district, was overjoyed when he heard that he was soon to become a father. However, dark clouds loomed on his horizon that threatened to eclipse his joy… His parents told his wife Lakshmi that se could return home only of she gave birth to baby boy.
Ram, a Human Rights Education teacher in a school, was a sensitive person who believed in gender justice and social inclusion. He was well informed about the rights of the girl child and her entitlement to a life of dignity, equality and respect. He vehemently argued with his parents and even told them that he preferred a girl child! Despite his firm stance, his parents were not convinced and stood their ground.
However, when his daughter was born, Ram, brought the mother and baby to his parents’ home, despite stiff opposition from his parents. To make matters worse, Ram’s brother’s wife gave birth to baby boy, which was a cause of much celebration in the family. His parents began to ill treat Lakshmi and also began to openly shower preferential treatment on the daughter in law who had had a baby boy.
Unable to tolerate this gross injustice and violation of human rights, Ram decided to shift to an independent home.
“I am happy to be away from such a hostile environment as I want my wife and child to be happy. Am sure my parents will one day realize  their mistake. If not for the HRE classes I too would have been inhuman and insensitive like my parents.  I also reassured my wife that it was not a ‘crime’ or ‘sin’ to give birth to a baby girl and that girls are to be valued and treated on par with boys.â€