Kimberly with Janta and her family. Janta is first from right, next to Kim. Photo was taken in 2001.
Kimberly Burwash’s visit this time was tinged with a note of sadness.
Her friend Janta whom she has known since her first visit to Vrindavan 7 years ago, was married a few days after Kimberly arrived in Vrindavan in February.
We went to visit Janta and bring her some gifts. She was very sad that we would not accept an invitation to her wedding. The legal age for marriage is 18 years and Janta is only 15. We did no wish to condone Janta being ‘married off’ in this in way and though we care for Janta, we could not attend.
Janta told us that she was not in favor of the idea but had yielded to the demands of her family.
She also said that her mother has been very harsh with her all her life. She has been beaten a great deal by her, locked up and not allowed to go to school. She has had to do household chores and take care of her younger siblings for most of her young life.
Janta’s mother is a widow with 11 children.
Janta was hopeful that once she is married her mother will be kinder to her because she will not be looked upon as a burden anymore but will literally be ( paraiya dhan) “someone else’s property.”
Janta’s mother has promised to keep her at home till she is 18 after which time she will go to her husband’s home in a neighboring village.
She is apprehensive about how she will be treated there as well, because her husband has 3 unmarried sisters.
She was very brave when she spoke with us and she seemed to have a genuine hope , perhaps a result of all the convincing her mother and elders have tried to do, that her life will improve somewhat with what she sees will be a new beginning.
Janta has now been, married a few weeks. She came to visit us yesterday and she said that the boy’s family is now demanding a fridge and a water cooler.
A recent photo of Janta
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