A Silent Scream....

(This article is a fiction.)

On 27 December 2008 I went to the Rajawadi Hospital at Ghatkopar. Vikas Salunkhe, a member of Bal-Vikas (an NGO) was sitting beside her. She was draped in a white gown. Both her hands were being fed saline. Her face looked very pale. She had become very weak. She didn’t even the energy to move her eyes around. She had lost the count of what was happening around her. She hadn’t seen me before but I had seen her before.

I distinctly remember the day – 21st December 2008. I was in my Chevrolet UVA. I was stuck at the Saki Naka traffic signal. My favorite song was being played on the radio. Suddenly my eyes got stuck on this girl with a red frock. Her frock was striped. There were lots of patches applied on it. She had dark circles around her eyes. She was among the 10-12 kids who were playing football made of a sock that was stuffed with paper. I should say that she seemed like the Maradona of that group. Suddenly a man came from behind and slapped her and started scolding her.
The light turned green and I had to move on. The next day again I got stuck at the Saki Naka signal. This time she was not playing with her friends. She had a bunch of packets of peanuts. She knocked on the window of my car. I lowered the glass and took 10 packets of peanuts from her (even though I hate peanuts.)I complimented her on her football skills. She was stunned – maybe because she was wondering why I was keeping an eye on her or maybe because she herself wasn’t sure what game she was playing..!
She smiled and went away happy that she had done a business of rs.30 in just 2 minutes. The signal turned green and the cars behind started honking and I moved on.

Back to 27th December 2008. I asked Vikas as to what prompted such a sweet girl to get admitted at Rajawadi Hospital. Vikas then narrated the plight of that cute girl. On 23 rd dec ie., 4 days ago, she was subjected to inhumane acts. Abbas Bhai, the head of beggars in and around Saki Naka saw her at the Saki Naka signal and took her to his den. Abbas Bhai was sure that she was the best fit in his ‘beggars Kingdom”. That cute girl was then tormented in every unimaginable way. Drops of acid were sprinkled on her hands and feet. Her hair was cut unevenly. Her tongue was cut; and so were 3 fingers from her left hand. Every attempt was made to make her look like an authentic beggar. That night 3 local goons visited Abbas Bhai. That sweet girl who was tormented during that day was surrounded by all four. Then --------------------------. She was then thrown near the Ramabai Bus stop, near to Saki Naka. When she opened her eyes, she found herself in Rajawadi Hospital. Her name is Bindu. Now, she just stares at the ceiling and wonders why GOD had been so cruel to her. With her tongue cut, she can’t even talk, argue or complain. Tears flow from her eyes. Each tear is like a silent scream. There are so many Bindus in our society. Let’s join hands to fight against child injustice. Let’s get this society rid of such Silent Screams.