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Today, men feel dowry is their birthright. I don't like it, but I'm sure I won't be able to marry without giving dowry.

A girl should get married when she is 25. At that age, she is mentally mature. I want to marry a responsible boy. I cannot expect a man without bad habits like smoking. But I would prefer one who has limited bad habits

Love before marriage is not bad, but it should be platonic. There should be no necking or kissing or sex. Sex before marriage is bad. We were taught in school about HIV and AIDS. Now that I am studying nursing, I know more about the subject.

India is okay now but it has to improve a lot. Politicians have to do their job.

Our biggest problem is starvation. Schemes meant for the poor are not reaching them; the poor are not even aware of these schemes. Did you read about the shocking incident where an entire village was eating ground mango seeds? What was the government doing when this happened? They were not even aware of this tragedy till the media highlighted it.

If politicians fulfilled their election promises, the country would be in better shape. The rich are getting everything. The poor are not even aware of their rights.

In the villages, many schools only have classes up to Class VIII. These schools should be upgraded to Class XII. Parents don't like to send their girls to other villages to study, so girls have to stop studying after Class VIII.

Many villages don't have doctors or hospitals. Villagers have to travel a great distance to get medical aid. Even when the doctors visit villages, they treat the patients with disdain and disrespect because they don't have the money to pay high fees. We need more doctors and more hospitals in rural areas.

Cleanliness is not important in our country. Despite all places having municipalities and panchayats, you can see trash everywhere. Mosquitoes are there everywhere because of stagnant water and open drains. Chikungunya, dengue and malaria spread so easily... it's pathetic.

Most of the people in my village don't have bank accounts. To open an account, you need to have proof of address, proof of identity, photos, an introducer and a minimum balance of Rs 50. This must be made simpler. Also, the minimum balance should be Rs 10. Only if people have bank accounts will they think of saving money.

The poor should be the priority in every scheme. It is not only the government that should help the poor. The NGOs can also do their bit and the public should do the most.

People should see that government schemes reach the people they are meant for. I paid a donation to get admission; I did not like to do it, but I had to if I wanted to study. We don't have enough colleges. It is the shortage that leads to capitation fees.

My mother wants me to work abroad and make lots of money. But I don't want to go. I cannot imagine living without my parents, friends and country.

I want to serve my country, especially the villages where there are no doctors and hospitals. We might be the kings of software, but where looking after our people is concerned, we are paupers. That's because we don't have our priorities right.

I will do what I can to help people as a nurse. I think I can make a difference in rural India.