Tears slowly rolled down the sides of my eyes. Hot, wet and burning the skin on my face. Today should have been the happiest day of my life. I lay on the softly covered bed. The bedroom was decorated with garlands of fresh flowers hanging from wall to wall. The smell of the subtle sandalwood from the burning incense by the side table spread all around. A tray full of fruit, nuts and sweetened saffron with cardamom milk was on the other side of the table. This was the way bride and bridegrooms from India would celebrate the first day of marriage. The whole family would have worked hard to make this room look heavenly, welcoming the new bride to the family. But….the bridegroom? He was nowhere, he was gone…my new family downstairs where in shock and could not believe the events leading to such a scenario. Reflection – everybody was reflecting about themselves, the family unit, life and traditions.

My brain tried to focus over the last six weeks. What had changed? Me, Twinkle Gala had become Twinkle Sen after arriving in England. How? Because I dared to believe in dreams, love and friendship. Because I had faith in my culture, traditions and believed in people. But now…now all these beliefs lay shattered around me like pieces from a broken mirror, each piece telling a story of my journey bringing me to this destination of utter hopelessness.

Six weeks before I was a happy, chirpy, contended young woman of 20 years. The eldest of 4 siblings – two brothers and one sister. My parents were well respected in our town and community. My dad was a manager in a bank and my mother a housewife. We were a hard working middle class family, very closely knit. I had freshly graduated with a Business degree in medium English, having started school early in childhood. Early start in education was a norm with most middle class family as the idea was to get graduation as early as possible and embark on a good working career or marriage for girls. This was the lifestyle for most Indian girls in India. We lived in a metropolitan city of Rajkot, Gujarat.

Rajkot, situated in the Saurashtra, a region in the western Indian state of Gujarat. Vibhaji Jadeja and Raju Sandhi had founded the city of Rajkot, in 1610, known as ‘the City of Princes’. This bustling city was once the British Government’s Headquarters. Today, Rajkot, was modern, progressive, industrious, and a beautiful city, a major industrial town. The city had a rich heritage of ancient civilization alongside the modern and freedom struggle in its history. Rajkot, rich in memories of national politics as well as cultural history of India. Mahatma Gandhi had called the city a ‘priceless laboratory for the freedom struggle based on non-violence’ in the last century. Mahatma Gandhi who had spent the early years of his life here when his father was a ‘Diwan’ or Prime Minister to the king of Saurashtra. Mahatma Gandhi is said to have married Kasturba, his wife, in Rajkot, although both were born in another city called Porbandar. In this, the 21st century his philosophy of non-violence may seem to be idiotic, naïve or silly, but Rajkot offers you an insight into the life of this great man who almost single-handedly led a great nation to freedom from the British Empire and shaped India's destiny. Rajkot, was a centre for Gujarati handlooms and handicrafts using colourful beads and mirrors, famous all over the world. The Gujarati dishes, which are known for their sweet and sour taste – the famous city of ‘the thali'. A city, famous for its beautiful sterling silver and gold jewellery. Rajkot, where festivals are celebrated with zests especially Holi, Diwali, Navratri and Dussehra. It is indeed a treat watching or playing the folk dances of Gujarat -the Dandiya Ras and Garabas during Navratri in October-November time are memories to cherish.

Eventually, these flood of memories made me drowsy, tired, leading me to fall asleep. The last thought on my mind was that I was the daughter from the city, which had led to the liberation of a nation, and, I was going to fight my destiny, my shattered dreams. I will be a catalyst for change for many Indian women. I will rise again, I will dream again. How, I will think later….a rhyme came to my mind as I began to drift off to sleep

I will rise
I will fight
To make my shattered dreams right
I will be the light
To make justice be mine