Why only the Father's Name?
Contributed by Sonia C
Hi all,
Read this wonderful article by Hetal Vyas in Mumbai Mirror where the High Court went out of their way to help a young girl who refused to fill in the `Father's Name' category for her passport.
Her situation is heartrending, but indeed, not uncommon. My maid was telling me her story only yesterday. She had left her abusive and dowry-demanding husband. He didn't help at all with her three children, either financially or otherwise. She brought them up all on her own (can't stop admiring her nerves of steel). Finally, she was enraged when her child's school refused admission unless she brought a letter from her husband, and his birth certificate. "I don't know where that drunkard is. He hasn't met us in 5 years. From where will I get his birth certificate?"she pleaded. But the authorities refused to budge. Finally, she had to spend a month's salary on getting some false documents made. She was mad with anger. "I've kept my children in my stomach for 9 months. I have endured the labour pains. I have worked hard to pay for the clothes they wear; the food they eat. I have fed them and washed them. Yet, all they want is the father's name, who doesn't even care about them." This incident has scarred her for life. But I was glad to see that anger in her. It is needed. It's worrying when people stop getting bothered and just accept things.
Read the fabulous story below. Please write to the editors on mirrirfeedback@indiatimes.com. Also Mumbai Mirror is holding a poll on the same issue. The poll is "SHould Father's Name be mandatory in documents". For SMS - Type MTPOLL, leave a space, and send your opinion to 58888. OR email mumbaitalking@indiatimes.com and leave your opinion. You can also call 22735700 and leave your opinion. The results will be out. tomorrow, so bombard them with a `No' people!
Hi all,
Read this wonderful article by Hetal Vyas in Mumbai Mirror where the High Court went out of their way to help a young girl who refused to fill in the `Father's Name' category for her passport.
Her situation is heartrending, but indeed, not uncommon. My maid was telling me her story only yesterday. She had left her abusive and dowry-demanding husband. He didn't help at all with her three children, either financially or otherwise. She brought them up all on her own (can't stop admiring her nerves of steel). Finally, she was enraged when her child's school refused admission unless she brought a letter from her husband, and his birth certificate. "I don't know where that drunkard is. He hasn't met us in 5 years. From where will I get his birth certificate?"she pleaded. But the authorities refused to budge. Finally, she had to spend a month's salary on getting some false documents made. She was mad with anger. "I've kept my children in my stomach for 9 months. I have endured the labour pains. I have worked hard to pay for the clothes they wear; the food they eat. I have fed them and washed them. Yet, all they want is the father's name, who doesn't even care about them." This incident has scarred her for life. But I was glad to see that anger in her. It is needed. It's worrying when people stop getting bothered and just accept things.
Read the fabulous story below. Please write to the editors on mirrirfeedback@indiatimes.com. Also Mumbai Mirror is holding a poll on the same issue. The poll is "SHould Father's Name be mandatory in documents". For SMS - Type MTPOLL, leave a space, and send your opinion to 58888. OR email mumbaitalking@indiatimes.com and leave your opinion. You can also call 22735700 and leave your opinion. The results will be out. tomorrow, so bombard them with a `No' people!
Labels: Women's empowerment, women's rights
posted by sc at
2:57 AM
8 Comments:
Great.
Thanks for sharing the story.
I am very happy at this landmark decision.
I admire your maid's guts to say out aloud what is really true.
By
Mampi, At
August 27, 2008 at 3:56 AM
Yes, I also read this article and ummm... the times are changing indeed but very slowly.
By
Cuckoo, At
August 27, 2008 at 8:30 AM
Thanks, soni. U;re a gem for sharing!! Agree with mampi and cuckoo. It's about time!!
By
Roop Rai, At
August 27, 2008 at 10:42 AM
After my father's death I hated writing "Late" and then writing his name.
So on school forms and everywhere else also, I would cross out "Father" and write"Parent" and write my mother's name.
I think family of origin as an identifier should not be there.
By
@lankr1ta, At
August 27, 2008 at 10:47 AM
After my father's death I hated writing "Late" and then writing his name.
So on school forms and everywhere else also, I would cross out "Father" and write"Parent" and write my mother's name.
I think family of origin as an identifier should not be there.
By
@lankr1ta, At
August 27, 2008 at 10:47 AM
Hi Alankrita,
In adding `parent' as a category and writing out your mother's name, did you even face any problems, uncomfortable questions etc? Do share more... I don't know anyone else who has had the guts to do this, though many may have wished to. :-)
By
sc, At
August 27, 2008 at 12:13 PM
People did ask once or twice, but I always replied that it was hurtful to me. And officials rarely created a problem. But this was strictly for University records. Delhi Univ had a parents name in their forms and In Nainital, people never insisted I write my dad's name.
However, this "father's name" rule means that people who are orphans will be denied passports. Which is fairly ridiculous.
By
@lankr1ta, At
August 27, 2008 at 12:19 PM
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Kartar Aasra Trust, At
January 14, 2012 at 11:08 AM
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