'Women face sexual harassment in some form or the other every day, but the horror you have had to endure is something most of us cannot even begin to imagine. You fought. You screamed for help. You did not give in.'
'You did not let what followed break your spirit.'
A Woman In Today's India salutes Mumbai's Braveheart.
Dear Braveheart
I had to write to you today.
I had to tell you how proud I am of you, how inspired I am with your brave spirit.
Women face sexual harassment in some form or the other every day, but the horror you have had to endure is something most of us cannot even begin to imagine.
You fought. You screamed for help. You did not give in.
You did not let what followed break your spirit.
You found within you the strength to go a police station and give them all the details.
In fact, say the police, it was your minutely detailed statement that helped them arrest one of the bastards who did this to you so quickly.
Even as you recover in hospital, and protests against what happened to you rise in the city, in the media and on the Internet, I feel very sure about certain things.
That you will stand strongly through whatever lies ahead, and ensure these thugs pay for their bestiality.
That you will not let the evening of August 22 define your future in ways that it should not.
That you will go on to live a full and happy life, unmarred by shadows.
To your amazing family -- thank you for standing tall and strong with your daughter, for being her rock at her time of need. Everyone needs a family like you.
To your male colleague -- thank for being a human being (I won't say Man!). For having the courage to do what is right -- whether it was trying to protect your colleague or going to the police station or identifying the criminals. Wish there were more like you!
As for you, dear Braveheart, you are a shining beacon of hope for the women of India.
With all my best wishes and admiration.
A Woman In Today's India
Image used for representation purposes only. Photograph: Vivek Prakash/Reuters
