Author:
Publication: webindia123.com
Date: June 7, 2005
URL: http://news.webindia123.com/news/showdetails.asp?id=86494&cat=IndiaKuamzara,
Orissa
Swapna Barik proudly sports a long
red streak of vermilion, a symbol worn by Hindu married women.
But it was not a fairytale romance
for Sagra Khatoon, her first name, as she defied her Muslim family to elope
with her Hindu lover.
Sagra, a resident of Kamarhati village
of West Bengal, met Sukumar Barik when he came to stay with his father
in their neighbourhood for two years. Sukumar's father left for Mumbai,
later in search of better opportunities, leaving him to look after a shop
they had run together.
Soon Sukumar fell in love with Sagra.
It was a taboo relationship for everyone in the conservative village but
the two did not lose hope.
Since the time Sagra's relationship
with Sukumar began, it looked doomed. Ostracised and nowhere to go, the
couple found refuge in a cowshed where they were barely managing.
But because of their love for each
other and the help from several social organisations, the two were able
to tie a knot according to the Hindu rites.
And now their love has borne fruit
and Sukumar's family has finally accepted the marriage. Sagra was renamed
as Swapna Barik and has earned her place in Sukumar's modest family home
at Kuamara village in Bhadrak district of Oirssa state.
"We got married without the consent
of my parents or his parents. We moved out of our family homes. But then
they eventually accepted me. Now it is okay, my in laws have accepted me,"
said Swapna.
Reva Malik, Sukumar's mother, said
the marriage initially came as a shock to them but now they have realized
that human relationships are not bondage to one's religion.
"Earlier I had not given the consent
to the marriage just like other members of my family. But when everyone
accepted her, I too accepted her. I got my husband's consent to get her
home. I always treat her well and scold her when she does something wrong.
Otherwise she is a daughter to me," she said. (ANI)