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16 year old Nirma (blind folded), plays with her friends and cousins in Shravasti, Uttar Pradesh, India. Nirma is married to Rakesh from a nearby village.
16 year old Nirma (blind folded), plays with her friends and cousins in Shravasti, Uttar Pradesh, India. Nirma is married to Rakesh from a nearby village.

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11 year old Suman plays with a twig while she takes a break between chopping wood at a nearby forest in Shravasti, India. Suman got married at 10 years of age and learnt of her marriage when the ceremonial turmeric was applied on her hands.
11 year old Suman plays with a twig while she takes a break between chopping wood at a nearby forest in Shravasti, India. Suman got married at 10 years of age and learnt of her marriage when the ceremonial turmeric was applied on her hands.

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15 year old Usha learnt of her marriage when the wedding ceremonies commenced. She continues to live with her parents, until the 'Gauna' ceremony happens, but confesses to a loss of freedom since her marriage.
15 year old Usha learnt of her marriage when the wedding ceremonies commenced. She continues to live with her parents, until the 'Gauna' ceremony happens, but confesses to a loss of freedom since her marriage.

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Children participate in a school activity. On the wall is painted, 'Education is the essential of life.'
Children participate in a school activity. On the wall is painted, 'Education is the essential of life.'

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Sheela and Sanju Sonkar place their hands casually over each others. These tattoos are symbolic of the marital status of the girls in certain communities so much so that they are not accepted in their husband’s house if they don't wear them.
Sheela and Sanju Sonkar place their hands casually over each others. These tattoos are symbolic of the marital status of the girls in certain communities so much so that they are not accepted in their husband’s house if they don't wear them.

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14-year old Muskaan's* family members apply turmeric on her body as the wedding ceremonies commence at her village.
14-year old Muskaan's* family members apply turmeric on her body as the wedding ceremonies commence at her village.

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Family and friends of Muskaan* wait for the arrival of the groom on the wedding day. The 14 year old's marriage has been fixed to 21 year old Raju*.
Family and friends of Muskaan* wait for the arrival of the groom on the wedding day. The 14 year old's marriage has been fixed to 21 year old Raju*.

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Muskaan* being dressed up by family and friends on her wedding day. She discontinued her school when her wedding was fixed because her father thought it wasn't appropriate for her to attend school anymore.
Muskaan* being dressed up by family and friends on her wedding day. She discontinued her school when her wedding was fixed because her father thought it wasn't appropriate for her to attend school anymore.

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Muskaan being draped in a sari on her wedding day by her friends and relatives. When asked about what was going on her in her mind, she said, 'What is there to think or feel about it, it happens to everyone.'
Muskaan being draped in a sari on her wedding day by her friends and relatives. When asked about what was going on her in her mind, she said, 'What is there to think or feel about it, it happens to everyone.'

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The groom, 21-year old Raju*, is welcomed in the house with ceremonies, as part of which, rice is being showered on him.
The groom, 21-year old Raju*, is welcomed in the house with ceremonies, as part of which, rice is being showered on him.

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As part of the ceremonies Muskaan* walks around the fire followed by the groom on their wedding day. One in four girls in Shravasti, is married before she turns 18 years of age.
As part of the ceremonies Muskaan* walks around the fire followed by the groom on their wedding day. One in four girls in Shravasti, is married before she turns 18 years of age.

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Muskaan* being draped in a red cloth on her wedding day.
Muskaan* being draped in a red cloth on her wedding day.

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As part of the ceremonies Muskaan* walks around the fire followed by the groom on their wedding day.
As part of the ceremonies Muskaan* walks around the fire followed by the groom on their wedding day.
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Muskaan's* elder sister, Rekha, attends her wedding. Rekha herself got married when she was 10 years old.
Muskaan's* elder sister, Rekha, attends her wedding. Rekha herself got married when she was 10 years old.

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Muskaan's* house buzzes with activity on her wedding day.
Muskaan's* house buzzes with activity on her wedding day.

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Anjani sits in a corner of her husband's house during the 'Gauna' ceremony. In this part of the country, a bride does not start living with her husband right after marriage, but typically happens after a ceremony called 'Gauna.'
Anjani sits in a corner of her husband's house during the 'Gauna' ceremony. In this part of the country, a bride does not start living with her husband right after marriage, but typically happens after a ceremony called 'Gauna.'

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Suba Bano (L) got married to Firoj Ali, when both were 17 years old. They share a one room house with Firoj's parents and sister. Under the constant gaze of the family members, the couple don't talk much and are not even aware of each other's likes or dislikes.
Suba Bano (L) got married to Firoj Ali, when both were 17 years old. They share a one room house with Firoj's parents and sister. Under the constant gaze of the family members, the couple don't talk much and are not even aware of each other's likes or dislikes.

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A photograph of Raju is hung along with posters of Hindu Gods. Raju's wife, Reena Devi, prays to them everyday.
A photograph of Raju is hung along with posters of Hindu Gods. Raju's wife, Reena Devi, prays to them everyday.

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Reena Devi, 18 years old, takes a moment of rest in her bedroom by her 15-day old second child.
Reena Devi, 18 years old, takes a moment of rest in her bedroom by her 15-day old second child.

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The total fertility rate in Shravasti is more than 5, which means that an average woman in the district produces at least 5 children in her lifetime.
The total fertility rate in Shravasti is more than 5, which means that an average woman in the district produces at least 5 children in her lifetime.

CHILD BRIDES OF SHRAVASTI

Text by Asad Ali and Bala Sundaresan

It was turmeric that made 12-year-old Suman realise that she was getting married. Ten-year-old Jaggi, 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.

This is Shravasti district in Uttar Pradesh, the most populous and among the least literate states of the world’s fastest growing big economy.

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.

*Names changed

mail.saumyakhandelwal@gmail.com
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