It was turmeric that made 12-year-old Poonam* of Kyotan Purva village realise that she was getting married. Ten-year-old Jagriti*, from the same village, got married six months ago, but in her case it was vermilion, which made it sink in that she was finally bound by nuptial vows.
Turmeric and vermilion, or haldi and sindhoor, though insignificant in themselves are immensely symbolic. Applying the former on the body before marriage and the later on the forehead afterwards are deep-rooted customs of the Indian Hindu society.
But Poonam and Jagriti are not alone as many other girls of their ilk have to resort to such symbols to understand marriage, because they're too young to comprehend it otherwise.
This is Shrawasti district in Uttar Pradesh, the most populous and among the least literate states of the world’s fastest growing big economy.
According to Census 2011, one in every four girls born in Shrawasti is married off before she turns 18 making it one of the worst performing districts in the country – ninth in over 700 to be precise.
If that is not alarming enough, sample this: “couples” in the age group of 10-19 have given birth to six million children. And Uttar Pradesh leads the ranks at over 1 million.
Just to be sure marriage of girls below 18 and boys below 21 years is illegal in India but the practice continues unabated.
In the absence of childhood, dreams and desire they are left to face the realities and repercussions of premature marriage, and in many cases premature parenthood too.
‘Child Brides of Shrawasti’ looks at the stories of such girls who have lost their innocence too early.
*Names changed
