RESHMI TELLS HER STORY

I am Reshmi Roy, 17 years old, hindu. I have read upto class III, my mother tongue is telegu and I was sent to NIJOLOY from Sukanya home in March 2006.

My father Sudharanjan was a government bus driver and we lived at Khera, Rudrapur near Bilaspur. My father suddenly resigned his job and took to drinking. My mother, Sabita had no other alternative but to work as a labourer at construction sites. My father whom I miss very much, ultimately left my mother for another woman. My mother who also had a son by a previous marriage asked him to come and stay with the family.

My elder step-brother thus came to stay with us and that decision had a disastrous consequence on me. He used to beat me frequently and was occasionally bold enough to sexually assault me.
I started working as a maid servant at Udham Singh Nagar, Dineshpur, which was just adjacent to Khera. I avoided coming back home, as he had repeatedly raped me on several occasions.

I was in such a mental state that one day I fled from home, took a train from Rudrapur station and reached Delhi after an overnight journey. I knew no one in Delhi. I was repeatedly raped on two separate occasions by unknown people who had struck up acquaintances with me. I was much afraid to ask for help but help soon arrived. I was rescued by the police and sent to a local home called Prayas.

I did not like the home and fled from there with another girl. We took a train to Kolkata, reached the girl’s house. I stayed at my friend’s place for three months (details of this friend is not available).

I was later rescued by the police and sent to Cini Asha. I was then sent to Sukanya Home (Govt Home) where I stayed for two months before being finally sent to NIJOLOY for vocational training and rehabilitation.

I have gone through such multiple traumatic phases in my small life that I am quite astonished that I still want to enjoy life. My counseling sessions in the later part of 2006 helped me to find a new meaning in life. I want to stay at NIJOLOY as I have found my best friend in Naina Biswas at NIJOLOY.

Shall I tell you a secret ? I have met Naina’s brother, who works in Delhi. I like him very much. I am going to marry her brother some day.

Nowadays I am quite calm. My irritation and aggressiveness have lessened to a great extent. I have grown stronger both physically and mentally. I have grown taller and gained five kgs in the last three years. I also have a great appetite. I am also into non formal studies as well as dancing, tailoring and block printing. I hope to do best of both. Though my mother tongue is telegu, I can read and write Bengali very well !