A simple girl from a remote village of Kerala has become a celebrity in fine morning. She has become a source of inspiration and a subject of discussion and among campus, women’s organizations, families etc. 

Sreekala, a very common girl from Kollam has shown commitment and courage to fight against dowry; by sacrificing her own engagement. Now, she has become a star in Kerala. It is a story of how one fine morning a girl from a poor family becomes a celebrity. Press, women's organizations, social forums approached her and offered their support for her fight against dowry. 

All the preparations of her marriage had been done. Even the feast was almost ready. At the last moment the fiancé’s relatives demanded the remaining amount. They had asked for one lakh rupee as dowry at the time of engagement. But due to severe financial problems, her father could not pay the full amount. He promised the bridegroom's parents that they would pay 25,000 later.  

But the bride grooms people were not kind enough to agree this. They called on Sreekala's father and scolded over telephone on the dowry issue. Her father had begged to the bridegroom's father to compromise on the issue. Till the last anxious moments Sreekala's family tried their best to solve the problem.  

But when the other side insisted on their demand, the heroine of this story has taken a firm decision call off that marriage. She thought it was not fair to marry a man whose family is demanding for dowry in such an indecent manner. She wanted to avoid a life-partner who had tried to bargain her on dowry. She discouraged her family to proceed with a marriage of convenience. 

Many prominent personalities called on Sreekala and promised their support to fight against the social evil-dowry. Vanitha Commission chairperson Justice D. Sreedevi visited Sreekala's small house in Kollam and appreciated her.” I feel proud of Sreekala on her firm and brave decision against the evil dowry system." - Sreedevi told. Sreekala would become a role model for all girls-justice said.  

Vanitha Commission is planning to give an award to Sreekala as an encouragement of her heroic attitude. As a surprise, at last Sreekala is married to her relative. After the news flashed about Sreekala, her relative came forward to marry her and they married within no time. 

PS: reportedly, the bridegroom and his relatives later agreed to conduct the marriage even without the rest of the amount – what a pity? However Sreekala reiterated her stand and called off that marriage which considered money than herself.

Similar Stories : ‘Dowry’dasan Nairs - August 29, 2006

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