Andhra Pradesh - Ongole   

Teenager's crusade against social evil

Special Correspondent

ONGOLE: A 13-year-old schoolgirl here has turned into a crusader against child marriages and enlisted the support of the District Collector to thwart the attempts of her parents to perform her marriage with her maternal uncle. The district administration is now projecting her as an icon to check child marriages.

At her tender age, Gunti Naga Lakshmi witnessed the vicissitudes of life and displayed keen observation, a strong will and determination to achieve her goal.

As her father became an alcoholic, the poor family shifted from Markapur to Podili where her mother also worked as a tailor to augment the family income. Both her elder brothers studied up to sixth class and contented themselves doing odd jobs.

But Naga Lakshmi, who was good at studies, yearned to continue her education and reach a respectable position in life. Her parents nipped her ambitions in the bud. Even as she was studying ninth class at Podili, they proposed her marriage with her maternal uncle, a mason, aged 25 years. She refused the proposal.

As the parents went ahead with their plan, she decided to thwart their attempts beginning her heroic struggle. She informed the MRO and the police, but they did not respond. Undaunted, she continued her efforts. She called up the Collector and informed her about her plight following which the police and revenue officials swung into action and rescued the girl. She was admitted to Bala Sadan, a rescue home for girls here. The Collector, who reviewed cases relating to domestic violence and child marriages at a meeting here on Friday, asked Naga Lakshmi to share her experiences. Asked what she would like to be in life, pat came the reply, "A police officer".Reason ? She found that teachers are respected only by their students while police are feared and respected by every one in the society.

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