A Hero's Tale: Sona Khatik
Sona Khatik is a well know radio personality in Kapilvastu. Her simple yet confident persona is supplemented by her mellow and sweet voice and her alluring, down-to-earth nature is charismatic. Her radio programs, mainly in her local language, Awadhi, is every local household's favorite. Strangers greet her with a smile of acknowledgement in the streets and she is overwhelmed with praise and recognition she has garnered for her work. But a thought also triggers in Sona's mind 'Would she have got the same treatment from the people in the society if she was an uneducated Dalit girl?'
Sona shares her story, which blends scenes of poverty, discrimination, a search for identity, and her fight for education. “I vividly remember the day when my father came to me and told me that I had to stop going to school as my family of ten needed an extra breadwinner. I was confused and I simply did not know what to do -- on one hand, I knew that my family needed my support, but on the other hand, I simply couldn't let go of my dreams of becoming educated. I knew I was an outcast in the eyes of society already but when I told my father that under no condition would I let go of my studies, I knew I would become an outcast from my family as well. My father was furious and he made it clear that he would not support my education then now onwards which left me devastated as I knew that my fight for education would not be complete without my parents’ support.’
Sona fiddles with her kurta and closes her eyes as she recollects, with strong emotions of nostalgia visible in her face. She continues, 'My father told me I could do nothing, even if I was educated, because I was a Dalit and for a Dalit to dream of a good life was a utopian dream. Throughout my life I had lived with the branding that I was a from a Dalit community, I was an untouchable and I belonged to a deprived group but I had had enough of this and I desperately wanted to change the mentality of the society which had defined us as different. Deep down I knew that I could only herald a change if I was educated. At that point, the possibility of continuing my studies seemed bleak but I knew it wasn't the time to give up. I had to brace myself for the challenges in the future.’Mathematics and English were the subjects she did with ease so Sona started tutoring small children in her nearby locality. This small initiation proved fruitful for her as she managed enough money to pay her tuition fees and was also able to contribute some amount to her family. 'I used to wake up in the morning to study, do my household chores and go to school. After a tiring day I would walk for hours to give home tuition to children. My legs would be sore but still my determination for a better life tomorrow kept me going.' Sona smiles and adds, 'My hard work finally paid off because I passed my SLC with good marks. My parents who were previously against me started praising me. My neighbors showered congratulations, and my juniors looked at me with pride. I was so happy that day.’
'When I was tutoring, I also gave knitting and sewing classes and knitted which also fetched me more income and now I am confident that I will not have to be dependent on anyone for my studies again because I have saved enough money for my further education'.
Sona stops for a moment and recites how she joined the radio 'One day I saw a Vacancy notice in Radio Kapilvastu. I applied and I was selected. For me the job was not simply about money, it was about the recognition and respect I had always fought for. I knew now I was in a position where people would listen to me and through the radio medium I could change peoples’ views on various social evils and ill-customs. Today, I run programs in my own local language 'Awadhi' and, by judging my skills, Equal Access Nepal has also appointed me as a local radio producer for a program on education.'
Proudly she states, ‘Today people do not recognize me because I come from a certain community, they recognize me for my work and the achievements that I have made and it was all possible because I am educated.’
The future may also hold manifold challenges for Sona but with her positivity, spirit of hard work and confidence, and her trust in her instincts, truly makes Sona Khatik a hero.
Words: Ayush
Comments
I liked it
the way she has not broken in a hard time circumstances
I appreciate all Dalit to take lass ion from Sona khatik
If the same courage if she continue
all the time there is no doubt her feature await
giving various respect to Sona which she deserve
Truly yours
Ishwarlal Sonkar (khatik)
A-1 Aayushi
j b nagar
Andheri east
Mumbai 400059
cell 09820995040
Wonderful article, many in Nepal share Sona's faith but Sona is a true winner !! Loved the article so much !
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