‘Trauma keeps us awake all night, we didn’t deserve it’
The Hindu
Mother of 16yo rape survivor says her daughter used to dream of becoming a pilot, but now they have little hope. The accused, aided by his wife & 2 children, allegedly committed the crime multiple times. The victim's mother has taken a break from work to be with her daughter.
“My daughter dreamed of becoming a pilot, but now we have little hope. The trauma keeps us awake all night,” said the mother of the minor rape survivor, who was allegedly sexually abused for months and impregnated by now-suspended Women and Child Development (WCD) Department official Premoday Khakha.
Mr. Khakha was aided by his wife, Seema Rani, and their two children in the crime committed several times between November 2020 and January 2021, according to the complaint filed with the police.
The official’s wife had allegedly told the girl to undergo abortion and “forcibly” terminated her pregnancy. The crime came to light only this August, after which the police arrested the official, his wife, and their two children. All are in judicial custody now.
Traumatised by the events, the 16-year-old girl’s mother said it has been months since her daughter left the school. “She stays alone and does not talk to people, not even friends,” the mother said.
“I know she likes to write, but whenever she sits down, she ends up staring into thin air. It breaks my heart to see my child like this. We have not done anything to deserve a life like this?” she added.
The mother said her daughter used to attend counselling sessions every day, but now doctors have suggested it on alternate days. “We don’t know if it’s getting better,” she added.
“She is fighting many battles. After she lost her father, we were distraught emotionally. Even if we say we hope for better days, we know it’s uncertain,” she said.
Almaya Munnettam (Lay People to the Fore), group in the Ernakulam-Angamaly Archdiocese of the Syro-Malabar Church opposed to the synod-recommended Mass, rejected a circular issued by Major Archbishop Raphael Thattil and apostolic administrator Bosco Puthur on June 9 to implement the unified Mass in the archdiocese from July 3.
Pakistan coach Gary Kirsten stated that “not so great decision making” contributed to his side’s defeat to India in the Group-A T20 World Cup clash here on Sunday. The batting unit came apart in the chase, after being well placed at 72 for two. With 48 runs needed from eight overs, Pakistan found a way to panic and lose. “Maybe not so great decision making,” Kirsten said at the post-match press conference, when asked to explain the loss.