Dear Chatterjis,
I have read your posts and comments on gender discrimination with great interest and would like to share my story with you.
My daughter is three weeks old and has been totally rejected by her grandparents.
The moment I gave birth and they told me she was a girl, I felt a slight pang. I said to my husband “your father is going to be so upset”. I hated myself there and then for even caring what my father in law thought, but I have seen his response to my first daughter and I did not want the same for our new arrival.
At home, hours later, my in-laws sat discussing their misfortune whilst I was in the kitchen and my new arrival upstairs. I cried and cried for hours. I wanted these people out of my house so that I could fill my baby’s heart only with love and not disappointment.
My father-in-law had expressed his desire to have a grandson from before I was even pregnant and anything less would not be good enough. He refused to deliver mitai (sweets) to our relative and family friends. My mother-in-law refused to help us.
I have sat indoors for three weeks with terrible mastitis and haven’t been able to hug my daughter in as much. I cannot wait to be able to pick up my daughter again and tell her how much I love her and no-one will tell her she is not precious.
I have been brought up in this country and cannot believe what I am going through and can only say to any woman, cherish your children, you are lucky to have them.
Thank you, Anon.
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