On Monday one of our fellow bloggers, Rolling, (Nabina) left a disturbing comment (refer below) on my blog suggesting that she was being harassed and mistreated by certain members of her community. Since this comment she has not made any comments on any other site with the exception of her last post soon afterwards.
Melissa (Metaness) and myself attempted to send her personal mails and no response was forthcoming. We also contacted Kerry and Joan, but they indicated that there is nothing they can do but suggested we post a page airing our concerns.
If you have any way of contacting her in order to enquire about her wellbeing, or if you know of any authority or NGO which can be contacted in India who may be willing to follow up, or know of any reporter in the Ahmedabad environs who may be in a position to investigate the situation further, please let me or Melissa know that we may follow up further?
Many thanks,
Newton, Melissa, DJ, Angie, James and other concerned OSers
Comment posted on 13 June 2009:
You deserve better than consideration and pity and shelter or favours. You deserve a decent, good life on your own merit. Your mind is capable of doing more for the community than an average man, only you need to believe that and summon your pride to defy your fears.
Btw, for everyone here, even I am on the point of being evicted, because I am that kind of Hindu that eats meat fish, and the landlord the kind that don't. They have taken three months rent in advance (for which they refused to give a receipt and the local Methodist Church Pastor says that is ok) , the broker has already claimed his brokerage that is one month's rent money, it has been only a month - now they refuse to sign my agreement or honour their word.
Not being married, without a man or anyone to stand up for me here in this strange city, I do not speak their language, there is nothing I can do. School will not intervene, nor can I go to the police as there is no proof of transaction. Millions in India, women that dare to dream and do their thing without compromising, live this kind of life.
So James you are not alone, nor you Angie: my community will not help you know why? Because they think I am the Maverick. By refusing to take another man, by doing my thing, by not giving in, I stand out. So did my sister whom I lost two weeks back to the bite of bees.
Everybody said, "but she brought it upon herself, who asked her to live alone in the village when she could be in the city?" but she wanted to serve in the rural areas where we need good teachers.
I have been asked to leave, they came - four men knocking at my door a little while ago to intimidate me. I simply didn’t open the door - would see what I can do tomorrow morning. Maybe I would just pack up and leave if school does not help. Go and work for a less known school that provides accommodation but where there would be no job satisfaction, where I could never write curriculum to effect change or actively participate in the process of change.
But my safety should be important to my school. and me. So ... I may quit. So am looking at religious bigotry, hostility, homelessness, on the verge of another move, job change, regressing back to uninteresting, unrewarding work - whew! Im going to sleep now and think of this tomorrow.
Nabina did make contact but as per her comment below she is NOT OK and is virtually fighting for her life in a very sexist and bigoted community.
This is her latest message sent on 16 July 2009:
hi everybody,
am NOT fine as my Indian blogmate seems to think. I am fighting: my urge to lash out at the system, people that pretend to 'understand', or sympathize making you feel weak, every word they utter, every gesture they undertake pointedly designed to say, "you are inept, you attracted this to yourself, this would never happen to us - we are better than you are". Hurting, degrading, trampling upon your self-respect.
however, am not alone in my predicament, millions of women suffer what I do here, so am going to write about this in my blog.
I do know this could very well be a losing battle am fighting if I cannot take you along - social evils never die ntaural deaths, they need 'killing'.
If you feel, honestly, you feel it in your hearts that whta hppens is not right, do think about it all and help me build resistance.
later - if I live on - if I a roof over my head, and can afford my computer still. thank you. and if I die, the story would remain in my blog - take it up one day, for countless women in India especially, that get mowed down bec they dared to choose or voice their concerns. thnks
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Comments
bumped,
dj
Sending good vibes your way, Rolling!
Sharon
circumstances. But i do know that not long ago she made a trek across india to the location
she was at. I hope and pray she is en rout back to
whence she came...i guess all we can do is wait for her to get computer access again.
i worry for her, becasue she is..has been..a beautifu sheltered
unspoiled soul...tho tough..at least in words in print
http://nabinatrisha.wordpress.com/
After a quick scan, I noticed one person (Sakhi) who mentioned calling Rolling, so I thought perhaps they might know each other in real life. I commented on Sakhi’s latest post in hopes that she can help make contact with Rolling. I haven’t received any news since then, however. If people want to keep checking back for a response, here’s the url:
http://laghukatha0shortstories.wordpress.com/2009/07/06/aagam-and-vaidehi/#comment-5073
It might also be helpful if others want to try contacting any of the other Wordpress bloggers from India who may have a way of reaching Nabina. We need all the help we can get to make contact across the seas.
Thanks, everyone!
( m&m )
RATED
( m&m )
Melissa
I am sure she is simply dealing with her woes which can become quite overwhelming when a woman is alone in Ahemdabad!! It is rather worrisome.
Just bumping too ...only in Bengali
—Melissa
I'm hoping as others that she is in transition. Neverthless based on her last comment, even this would have been against her free will and that there are people out there attempting to break her spirit. It also is disconcerting that many people had the same concern over her absence and that there is absolutely no response as yet. But moreover that her failure to respond happens to be after such a distressing message.
I'm also hoping that anyone connected to a woman's rights advocacy group attempt to connect with her in order to assist her in the future with what she is attempting to achieve. India is a great country in so many ways, but that gender discrimination is one aspect that is still a blight on the nation, and her courage is greatly admired and should be recognized as not just mere rhetoric on the subject.
Here's praying that this is a mere storm in a teacup.
It took me awhile to figure that one out, but as far as I can tell, that's where the "bump" came from.
:~)
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Melissa, i talked to her and she seems to be fine though have some things on mind. I told her about you being concerned about her. She might respond to you directly.
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Thanks goodness she's OK and thanks for the concern. But still take heed of the circumstances and what our dear friend has to endure in this day and age.
Thanks all!
http://laghukatha0shortstories.wordpress.com/2009/07/06/aagam-and-vaidehi/#comment-5076
I’ll let you know if I receive any further messages, but at least we can go to sleep on this encouraging note.
—Melissa
Rolling posted on my page on July 12 and July 13.
am NOT fine as my Indian blogmate seems to think. I am fighting: my urge to lash out at the system, people that pretend to 'understand', or sympathize making you feel weak, every word they utter, every gesture they undertake pointedly designed to say, "you are inept, you attracted this to yourself, this would never happen to us - we are better than you are". Hurting, degrading, trampling upon your self-respect.
however, am not alone in my predicament, millions of women suffer what I do here, so am going to write about this in my blog.
I do know this could very well be a losing battle am fighting if I cannot take you along - social evils never die ntaural deaths, they need 'killing'.
If you feel, honestly, you feel it in your hearts that whta hppens is not right, do think about it all and help me build resistence .
later - if I live on - if I a roof over my head, and can afford my computer still. thank you. and if I die, the story would remain in my blog - take it up one day, for countless women in India especially, that get mowed down bec they dared to choose or voice their concerns. thnks
Thank you for allowing the comments on this post.
To Rolling:
Your voice is one I always seek here on OS. Your voice will serve you now. I wish you strength and safety, and I am so very sad for your experience which I know mirrors the land. You are in this reader's heart.
—Melissa
( m&m )
—Melissa
peece,
dj
( m&m )
( m&m )
I prefer to look beyond a woman who is in distress for there are many men women and children who are in dire straits at this time. Rather, I personally prefer to look critically at the issue she is raising and the abhorrence that underlies it, that a woman cannot be who she prefers to be, to express her god-given individuality, something taken completely for granted by so many, merely because she was born into a particular culture and of a "inferior" sex, and therefore is expected to be subservient to all men, and of no worth without a man.
I prefer to keep this candle burning until such time that Nabina is in a position to voice what has happened, and so perhaps to give a voice to billions of other woman all over the world who are oppressed in this way. This I say as a human being who sees no meaningful distinction from any other, except in our unique individuality. I know there is not much anyone can do but to find ways to sincerely connect with Nabina's plight, and beyond that who knows what you are capable of doing and who you may find in your path who may assist.
( m&m )
(&(&&)&)
`|/
|
Shortly she indicated that your encouragement and support strengthened her and allowed her to face her employer, but because of the prejudice against women attempting to find their own way, they have difficuilty empathizing with her situation.
I suppose this much she wouldn't mind me sharing:
I do not ask for money, please tell David that I do not need money, I am qualified to get a job anywhere in India, but money does not help when you're a woman alone here.
For now let's see whether we can bring together a network that may support her in her courageous action.
She also asked that we stop the vigil, but it would be nice if you could give her support on her blog, her latest post is taken like a woman, lived like a woman.
I'll keep you posted on the latest.
Trying
With gratitude to everyone who shared in this journey, and who will continue to offer their support as the battle wages on,
Melissa
knowing you are there - the amazing things you did for me leads me to hope and continue to believe in goodness and trust myself to do right
am thankful to you every single one of you and would wish good for you at all times and more love in your lives
Nabina
a calmer grateful Nabina
damn proud...all seems
almost ok now, eh?
bless you, J
just wanted to bump you up
to 100 comments
and enquire
when you
gonna
write
some
thing
new?