The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Bold and determined girl shows the way

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, May 17, 2006

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Others

Bold and determined girl shows the way

J.B.S. Umanadh

COURAGEOUS: Kanakavva of Ghanpur in Medak district

Toopran (Medak): Twelve-year-old Kanakavva of Ghanpur in Toopran mandal knew exactly what she had to do when she stepped out of her in-laws' place. She has walked 10 km all alone to reach the Toopran police station and made a complaint against her 28-year-old husband for marrying her against her will and the law. Her parents Mallayya and Lakshmi married her off to Vaddera Srinivas of the same village on March 20 this year. Srinivas was a widower as his first wife Kalavva died due to ill health a year ago.

Inspiration

Impoverished and fragile, the fourth class student is very determined. She drew inspiration from Renuka of Venkataiayapalli under the same police station who ran away from the marriage she was forced into. Unable to bear the torture in her in-laws' place, Kanakavva had only one place in mind where her problems could be heard and solved. Speaking to The Hindu , Kanakavva said that her parents, who had two more children to take care of, would not be sympathetic to her predicament. "If I failed to get the support of the police, my parents would have sent me back," she said. Toopran Sub-Inspector Prabhakar registered her compliant on May 13 and booked a case against the bridegroom and his parents under IPC Section 494.

Relatives upset

Kanakavva's relatives, however, strongly believe that the girl took a wrong decision. Her mother Lakshmi, who along with her husband, ekes out a living by breaking stones in the nearby quarries, is inconsolable.

Lakshmi's brother, who played an important role in the marriage, had no remorse and said that she (Kanakavva) did not object to the marriage on that day.

Unperturbed by the scornful looks of her relatives and onlookers Kanakavva said: "I want to study further. I know this marriage is illegal and let me join the school again."

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