Responsibility of Every Citizen

Netra:
After sharing my past with the media, I felt relaxed as I never liked to hide my identity from the public. Today everything was cleared, and I am free from the tension that what others would think of me if they come to know my past.
The reporters started murmuring among themselves. I care the least about their talk or comments.
"Madam, may I know who is your ex-husband?" one of the reporters asked me.
"Madam, do you choose Akshay sir as he saved you?" someone asked me again.
"Madam, if you both are in love, why did you marry Jeevith, sir?"
My patience was dead with their bullshit questions. I have explained to them what a girl faced due to child marriage and how she was forced into prostitution. They didn't care for it but was interested only to know who I love and my marriage.
"Enough!" I yelled at them.
"Who do I love or who was my ex-husband are essential things to the public, right? I just don't understand how these details would help the common people. Can you please let me know how it would be useful to anyone, or what do they gain from this?" I asked, and they didn't reply.
"No use, right? Then why do you want to know about my personal life?" I shouted at them.
"I came here not to answer your useless questions but to tell you what I want citizens to know.
I faced the most horrible situations when I was in that prostitution house. Akshay rescued me, but still, many Netras were struggling in this women trafficking where they were forced into sex work sooner or later. Their flesh was used as a commodity without valuing their feelings. It should be stopped.
Instead of focusing on the affairs of celebrities and their life, start focusing on the issues that matter and helps many in society. Protecting girls is not just the responsibility of the government or the police department. It's the responsibility of every individual.
India is still a developing country in terms of economy but has been ranked the top in rape and sex racket. Why? The society which sees a prostitute without respect would honor the one who is behind this sex racket and who use minor girls for their lustful desires. Is this what we do as humans?
Remember, a prostitute is also a scapegoat whose life was smashed for the greed and lust of many people. They were lacerated, both physically and mentally, as a part of their work. Don't torture them further with your abusing words and hurtful behavior. If possible, lend them a helping hand or sit in your comfort zone, shutting your mouth but don't increase their pain. If their family and this society did not accept the rescued girls, where would they go? Unless they are brave, they are forced to choose death or continue in that flesh trade profession. We always pray or care for women who got raped and killed but treats harshly and abuse those victims who stay alive. We make their life hell.
Before condemning rape, paying tribute to dead rape victims, and spamming the social media with posts against the rape culprit, question yourself. What did you do to bring a change in their lives? Have you ever pay attention to any girl or girl child who roam in the market missed from their parents? Did you try to speak to your child or younger sibling to create awareness among them that they should inform you if anyone touches their private parts or behaves suspiciously? No. In our nation, parents and teachers feel uncomfortable teaching even the topic reproductive system though it was included in the curriculum. How could we imagine to give sex education to the child in such a conservative society?
But, it's the need of the hour. We should consider creating awareness among our children to be careful from such devils. As elders, we should always keep an eye on the children around us, though they are relative's child or the neighbor or your child. Save them. Aware them. Let them grow in the secure environment where they can breathe with freedom and where their childhood is not crushed under the feet of any pervert.
Girls are abducted, sold, and introduced into sex work by their family, relatives, neighbors, friends, which clearly shows that they have no safety anywhere.
Unless we take the responsibility of saving our daughters, sisters, and girls, we can never expect India to prosper as a nation free from rape or preserve girls getting trapped in the sex racket. Be careful about your child until they attain a certain age and then train them in self-defense techniques so that they could save themselves.
Teach your son, brother, boyfriend, or husband to respect the women. A woman is not a possession but a human who has feelings and the one who is the creator of every human being. Without a woman, no one would come into this world. Her sex organ is not a mere body part that fulfills the lustful wishes of a man but a sacred place from where every human would step into this world. If you can inculcate this thought into the minds of every person, no one would view her as a pleasure toy. Instead will salute them and worships them as a goddess of creation."
I said, and all the reporters clapped for my words.
"Madam, we are sorry for posing unimportant questions to you and concentrating on the issue, which helps none. From now, we will do our best to create awareness among citizens and rescue girls from this sex racket. We don't care for our life, and we love to become martyrs in this battle," the reporters said.
Some of them hugged me appreciating my courage and confidence. I felt happy hoping that my words would change the perspective of many in the society towards rape victims and rescued sex workers. They don't need our sympathy or words, which are of no use. They need our support to restart their life and live a respectful life by establishing their career.
We reached home, and Akshay came to me. I could notice a spark in his eyes. He looked at me for a few minutes and then hugged me. I didn't react and stood as a statue as I am damn angry with him. Akshay kissed on my forehead.
"I am sorry, Netra. I didn't understand your heart. I thought about what would happen to your reputation in the society if you leave your husband, Jeevith. But I didn't know about your feelings or what your heart wants. Forgive me, Netra. Please forgive me.
Until I read this diary, I didn't know that you, too, love me. Why didn't you tell this to me, Netra? I lived a life where I saw hell without you. Only after knowing that you are in love with me, I asked you to marry me. I am sorry for forcing you to accept Jeevith," Akshay said, holding my hands.
I took off my hands from his hold.
"That's okay, Akshay. However, it was just the past. I loved you, but it's over. It's over in the moment when you had forced me to accept Jeevith as my husband and sent me to his room for the first night. That day, I didn't find any difference between you and those idiots who forced me to go inside the room of those men who were waiting to use my body for their pleasure without my consent," I said, wiping off my tears.
"Netra, please don't compare me with them. I tried to reconcile you with your husband," Akshay said.
"Against my wish," I said.
"No one needs my consent. Anyone can come into my life and go as they wish. Order me whatever they want me to do and say whatever they want to say. How could you think that I can accept Jeevith, who accused my character several times? A girl could tolerate anything but not blame on her character. He might not be a direct reason but was an indirect reason for the damage to my life. My heart can never accept him, forgetting the pain.
I respect you, Akshay, but now I don't love you. I am leaving. Bye."
I took my luggage, but Akshay held my hand.
"Leave my hand, Akshay. You have no right to touch me," I said, remembering him hesitating to touch me and standing idle when I hugged him as I got married to Jeevith. I hate you, Akshay. I would never forgive you.
Akshay left my hand.
"Netra, please don't leave me. Atleast think about our children," Akshay said.
"Our children have the greatest father in the world who would take good care of them, and mother is not that necessary," I said.
"How could you say that? Children always need their mother," Akshay said, trying his best to stop me.
"It was you who ordered me not to visit our children, and you would take care of them. Did you forget that?" I said.
"I am sorry, Netra," Akshay said.
"I have absolutely no time for nonsense, and emotional blackmails because Netra is emotionless and feeling less," I said and left him starting my journey towards my destiny, which my heart desired.