[Script Info]
Title: 
[Events]
Format: Layer, Start, End, Style, Name, MarginL, MarginR, MarginV, Effect, Text
Dialogue: 0,0:00:10.08,0:00:16.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The month of September 1942\Nis etched in my memory.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:16.99,0:00:20.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It was a few weeks\Nbefore my twelfth birthday,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:20.51,0:00:22.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and my father had just died.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:23.52,0:00:26.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,My mother, who had\Nno professional training,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:27.04,0:00:33.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,found it very hard to spend\Nthe fees for our school fees.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:33.65,0:00:35.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And my three brothers and me,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:36.99,0:00:41.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,she took the help of friends\Nand scholarships
Dialogue: 0,0:00:41.70,0:00:43.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in order to educate us.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:44.29,0:00:48.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,She didn't make a difference \Nbetween my brothers and me.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:49.47,0:00:52.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,All she wanted was that\Nall of us should excel.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:54.13,0:00:57.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,When I was 20, I had\Na semi-arranged marriage,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:58.33,0:01:03.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and my husband was posted,\Nin 1954, to England,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:03.46,0:01:04.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I went with him.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:05.76,0:01:10.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I took advantage of being there\Nfor three years and studied law.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:11.80,0:01:14.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,When I returned to India,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:14.40,0:01:20.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I was required to train with a senior \Nbefore I could practice law.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:20.67,0:01:23.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So I decided I should get the best lawyer,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:23.86,0:01:25.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,join the best lawyer,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:25.57,0:01:29.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I zeroed down on someone \Ncalled Sachin Chaudhary.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:29.13,0:01:33.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But it was extremely difficult\Nto get an appointment with him.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:34.12,0:01:36.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,After great difficulty, I did,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:37.22,0:01:44.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I was full of trepidation\Nwhen I went to meet him.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:45.25,0:01:48.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But I put on a brave front, \Njust as I am doing now.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:48.51,0:01:49.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:01:50.17,0:01:52.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Applause)
Dialogue: 0,0:01:57.35,0:01:59.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,He had some idea why I had come,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:59.66,0:02:01.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but he wanted to be completely clear.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:01.75,0:02:05.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So I told him that I wanted\Nto practice law
Dialogue: 0,0:02:05.36,0:02:07.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I wanted to join his chambers.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:08.28,0:02:12.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,He was not in favor\Nof women joining the law,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:12.59,0:02:14.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,so he tried to dissuade me.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:14.65,0:02:15.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,He said,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:16.27,0:02:19.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"Young woman, instead of joining \Nthe legal profession,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:19.96,0:02:21.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,go and get married."
Dialogue: 0,0:02:21.23,0:02:22.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:02:22.27,0:02:23.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So I said to him,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:23.28,0:02:25.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"Sir, I am already married."
Dialogue: 0,0:02:25.45,0:02:26.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:02:26.68,0:02:29.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"Then go and have a child," he advised.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:29.68,0:02:32.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"I already have a child."
Dialogue: 0,0:02:32.04,0:02:33.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:02:33.22,0:02:36.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"It's not fair to the child to be alone,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:36.90,0:02:38.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,so you should have a second child."
Dialogue: 0,0:02:38.76,0:02:40.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:02:40.09,0:02:43.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I said, "Mr. Chaudhary,\NI have two children."
Dialogue: 0,0:02:43.53,0:02:46.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:02:46.62,0:02:49.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, taken aback\Nfor the third time, he said,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:49.98,0:02:51.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"Come and join my chambers.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:51.81,0:02:55.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You're a persistent young woman,\Nand you will do well at the bar."
Dialogue: 0,0:02:57.62,0:03:00.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,After about 20 years of practice,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:00.24,0:03:03.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I was appointed a judge\Nat the Delhi High Court,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:03.55,0:03:05.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and in 1991,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:06.31,0:03:11.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I was the first woman to be chief justice\Nof a state high court.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:11.11,0:03:13.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Applause)
Dialogue: 0,0:03:18.29,0:03:19.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,As I mentioned earlier,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:19.53,0:03:21.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I was 20 when I got married,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:22.74,0:03:29.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and my fiancee and his family \Nnever demanded a dowry or anything else.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:30.42,0:03:32.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We had a simple celebration.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:33.45,0:03:38.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We served vanilla ice cream\Nand salted cashew nuts.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:38.25,0:03:42.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But we still had fun,\Nand we enjoyed ourselves.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:42.32,0:03:46.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, you can see, that you\Ndon't need anything extra.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:46.26,0:03:52.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But I, now, I'm happily married\Nfor the last 64 years.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:52.24,0:03:54.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Applause)
Dialogue: 0,0:04:01.88,0:04:06.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Every woman, every mother,\Nwants her daughter to be married.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:06.61,0:04:08.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And when she meets a young man,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:08.33,0:04:13.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,she tries to size him up\Nto find out if he's a suitable boy.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:14.57,0:04:17.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But at the back of her mind is worry.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:17.66,0:04:19.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Does he want a dowry?
Dialogue: 0,0:04:19.66,0:04:21.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,If so, how much?
Dialogue: 0,0:04:23.01,0:04:25.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In fact, it's the curse of dowry
Dialogue: 0,0:04:26.10,0:04:30.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that makes parents not want to have girls.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:32.07,0:04:37.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In the old days, when girls and boys\Ndidn't have equal inheritance,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:38.05,0:04:42.69,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a young girl was given stridhan, \Nwhich is bride's wealth,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:43.25,0:04:45.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,at the time of her marriage.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:45.99,0:04:49.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It was something that was passed \Nfrom a mother to her daughter
Dialogue: 0,0:04:49.45,0:04:50.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and consisted of jewelry.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:50.94,0:04:52.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It was her personal property.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:53.31,0:04:59.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But even that was often taken away\Nby the bride-groom's parents
Dialogue: 0,0:04:59.08,0:05:02.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and given to the groom's sister \Nwhen she was getting married.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:02.76,0:05:05.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So the bride had nothing.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:06.42,0:05:09.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Slowly, the prevalence of dowries started.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:09.29,0:05:11.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This meant gifts were given
Dialogue: 0,0:05:11.42,0:05:13.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,not only to the bride
Dialogue: 0,0:05:13.39,0:05:17.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but to the bride-groom and to his family.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:17.66,0:05:20.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And demands, dowry demands,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:20.24,0:05:23.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,were negotiated at the time\Nof an arranged marriage.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:24.83,0:05:29.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Parents were worried as to how \Nthey would meet these demands,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:29.53,0:05:34.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,which sometimes increased\Nfrom day to day and from hour to hour
Dialogue: 0,0:05:34.67,0:05:36.69,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,as the wedding date approached.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:36.69,0:05:41.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Sometimes, just as the wedding ceremony\Nwas about to take place,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:41.00,0:05:42.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a fresh demand would be made.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:43.45,0:05:45.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It was a great trauma for parents,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:45.30,0:05:47.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,especially those who had\Nmore than one daughter.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:47.92,0:05:51.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They were bankrupt,\Nspent more than they had,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:51.86,0:05:57.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and the extortion sometimes \Ncontinued even after the wedding.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:58.19,0:06:01.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So instead of loving their daughters\Nand wanting to have them,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:01.95,0:06:03.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,they considered them a curse.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:04.91,0:06:09.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And they resorted to something\Nlike female feticide
Dialogue: 0,0:06:09.71,0:06:11.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or female infanticide.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:13.56,0:06:17.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In order to prevent this evil of dowry,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:17.98,0:06:19.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,an act was passed.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:19.18,0:06:21.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It was called the Dowry Prohibition Act,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:21.21,0:06:22.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,1961.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:23.14,0:06:26.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Before the act,\Ndowries were displayed openly.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:27.05,0:06:29.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,After the act, the displays stopped.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:30.50,0:06:33.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But the giving and taking\Nof dowry continued,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:34.46,0:06:40.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and the demand for ostentatious\Nfunctions and feasts
Dialogue: 0,0:06:40.15,0:06:42.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,by the bride-groom's family,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:42.36,0:06:45.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to be paid for by the bride's family,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:45.68,0:06:47.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,continued.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:48.32,0:06:51.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This was really terrible.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:51.51,0:06:54.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And very few parents
Dialogue: 0,0:06:54.74,0:06:58.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,would reject a young man
Dialogue: 0,0:06:58.62,0:07:01.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,if he or his family demanded a dowry.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:01.77,0:07:03.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Most would not,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:03.36,0:07:08.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,even though they knew\Nit was illegal to give or take a dowry.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:08.58,0:07:10.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Let me give you an example.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:11.37,0:07:13.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The year was 1991.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:13.70,0:07:17.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,A very senior Supreme Court of India judge
Dialogue: 0,0:07:17.37,0:07:19.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,had arranged his daughter's wedding.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:20.100,0:07:22.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I asked him,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:22.02,0:07:23.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"Are you going to give a dowry?"
Dialogue: 0,0:07:25.10,0:07:26.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Remember,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:26.14,0:07:30.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,this was 30 years after the passing\Nof the Dowry Prohibition Act.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:31.07,0:07:32.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,He was quiet.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:33.12,0:07:34.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And then he said,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:35.26,0:07:37.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"I'll tell you the honest truth.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:37.89,0:07:40.79,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I will indeed give a dowry for my daughter
Dialogue: 0,0:07:40.79,0:07:46.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because I cannot sacrifice\Nher happiness and her life.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:46.10,0:07:51.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In my community, she cannot\Nget married without a dowry.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:52.46,0:07:56.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But I promise you,\NI will not take a dowry for my son."
Dialogue: 0,0:07:58.25,0:08:00.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This is not what I wanted to hear,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:00.63,0:08:05.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but at least it was half a step forward.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:06.19,0:08:07.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So what do you think?
Dialogue: 0,0:08:08.65,0:08:11.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Can the passing of laws change attitudes?
Dialogue: 0,0:08:14.11,0:08:19.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In India, with a very patriarchal society,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:19.87,0:08:25.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,changing attitudes and changing\Nmindsets is extremely difficult,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:25.01,0:08:28.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and it's a slow process,\Nbut we need to fast-forward it.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:29.18,0:08:30.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I had hoped
Dialogue: 0,0:08:30.98,0:08:34.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that with the succession laws\Nbeing changed
Dialogue: 0,0:08:34.19,0:08:37.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and daughters getting\Nsome inheritance rights,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:37.87,0:08:41.79,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the law would have had\Nsome effect on the evil of dowry.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:43.58,0:08:45.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In 1956,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:46.03,0:08:48.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the Hindu Succession Act was passed,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:48.73,0:08:50.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and in that year,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:50.39,0:08:54.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it was provided in the act\Nthat daughters and sons
Dialogue: 0,0:08:55.11,0:08:57.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,would get equally
Dialogue: 0,0:08:57.39,0:09:01.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,from their father's property\Nwhich was self-acquired.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:03.95,0:09:06.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This, of course, \Nshould have made a difference.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:07.54,0:09:09.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But it didn't seem to have done that.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:10.98,0:09:14.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In fact, women\Nwere not willing to assert.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:15.40,0:09:17.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Let me tell you of an incident.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:18.46,0:09:20.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I was a judge at the Delhi High Court.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:20.49,0:09:23.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Three young men\Ncame for me and wanted -
Dialogue: 0,0:09:23.86,0:09:25.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,their father had died,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:25.03,0:09:27.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,he hadn't left a will,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:27.02,0:09:30.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and they wanted their property\Nto be divided into three parts.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:31.08,0:09:33.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I found they had three sisters.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:33.47,0:09:34.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So I said to them,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:34.64,0:09:39.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"I will divide it into six parts\Nbecause that's what the law says,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:39.21,0:09:41.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and each sibling should get one share."
Dialogue: 0,0:09:43.46,0:09:44.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They protested.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:44.53,0:09:45.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They said,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:45.84,0:09:47.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"Our sisters are married,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:47.63,0:09:50.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,our sisters have got dowries,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:50.70,0:09:55.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and they have given us \Nrelinquishment deeds."
Dialogue: 0,0:09:56.13,0:10:00.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I was not happy, so I insisted\Nthey bring the sisters to court
Dialogue: 0,0:10:00.64,0:10:01.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because I was not sure
Dialogue: 0,0:10:01.91,0:10:06.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,whether the sisters had been coerced\Ninto giving their relinquishment deeds
Dialogue: 0,0:10:06.14,0:10:07.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or they didn't know the law.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:08.76,0:10:10.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,When the women came, I asked them,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:10.75,0:10:12.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"Do you know the law?"
Dialogue: 0,0:10:12.54,0:10:15.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And they said, "Yes."
Dialogue: 0,0:10:15.72,0:10:17.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"So then why are you\Ngiving up your share?"
Dialogue: 0,0:10:18.74,0:10:20.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And this is what they said:
Dialogue: 0,0:10:21.40,0:10:27.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"We do not want to have\Nany problems with our brothers
Dialogue: 0,0:10:27.21,0:10:30.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or spoil our relationships\Nwith our brothers
Dialogue: 0,0:10:30.24,0:10:34.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because if in the future\Nwe need anything of any sort,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:34.94,0:10:39.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to whom shall we turn\Nexcept our brothers, our natal family?"
Dialogue: 0,0:10:41.54,0:10:45.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So they knew what was happening.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:46.25,0:10:48.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I said to the young men,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:49.74,0:10:51.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"If you were six brothers,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:51.47,0:10:54.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,you would have happily shared \Nand got one-sixth each,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:54.96,0:10:57.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,so why are you depriving your sisters?"
Dialogue: 0,0:10:58.06,0:10:59.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But they were adamant,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:59.98,0:11:06.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and their sisters also were not willing\Nto withdraw their relinquishment deeds.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:06.91,0:11:11.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, though they were aware,\Nthey were not willing to assert.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:14.29,0:11:19.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Many people are not aware\Nthat since 2005 -
Dialogue: 0,0:11:19.32,0:11:21.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that's almost 10 years ago -
Dialogue: 0,0:11:22.26,0:11:26.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the daughters' rights of inheritance\Nhave been widened
Dialogue: 0,0:11:26.48,0:11:31.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and now include not only\Nthe self-acquired property of the father
Dialogue: 0,0:11:31.49,0:11:34.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but also the ancestral property -
Dialogue: 0,0:11:36.44,0:11:42.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,unless, of course, the father\Nwills away the property to someone else.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:42.29,0:11:45.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So fathers, we tell you,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:45.08,0:11:48.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,do not will the property away\Nto your sons or daughters.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:48.63,0:11:52.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Make sure your daughters\Nget their legitimate share.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:52.99,0:11:55.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Applause)
Dialogue: 0,0:11:58.50,0:12:05.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You know, it reminds me\Nof the story of Sudha Goel
Dialogue: 0,0:12:05.48,0:12:09.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because daughters need\Nto have control of their property,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:09.41,0:12:10.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,they need to feel secure,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:11.53,0:12:14.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and Sudha Goel had been given a dowry.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:16.00,0:12:21.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,One December night,\Nthe neighbors heard her screaming:
Dialogue: 0,0:12:21.80,0:12:24.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"Bachao! Bachao! Save me! Save me!"
Dialogue: 0,0:12:24.43,0:12:27.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So they rushed and forced\Ntheir way into the flat
Dialogue: 0,0:12:27.90,0:12:30.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and found her in flames.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:33.14,0:12:37.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Her mother-in-law and her husband\Nwere simply sitting there.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:38.61,0:12:42.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,She said, "These people have killed me.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:42.88,0:12:45.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They have taken my gold and everything."
Dialogue: 0,0:12:47.62,0:12:53.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,There are hundreds of such cases\Nin India every year.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:55.34,0:12:56.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,How do we do it?
Dialogue: 0,0:12:56.59,0:12:59.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,How do we take steps to stop this?
Dialogue: 0,0:13:01.22,0:13:06.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I think that I can\Nsummarize it in four words.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:07.79,0:13:10.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,First, awareness.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:10.72,0:13:13.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Second, assertion.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:13.60,0:13:15.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Third, attitude change.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:16.36,0:13:18.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And fourth, action.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:20.26,0:13:22.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, sisters,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:22.63,0:13:26.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,don't be blackmailed by -\Nemotionally blackmailed by your brothers.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:27.15,0:13:30.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Don't take dowries;\Ndon't take after dowries.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:30.13,0:13:31.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Demand your inheritance.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:32.64,0:13:37.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Brothers, husbands, and fathers,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:37.88,0:13:42.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,make sure that your daughter\Ngets her legitimate share.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:43.58,0:13:48.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And make sure that she has\Nthat confidence that is important for her.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:48.86,0:13:51.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Do the legal thing, not the illegal.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:52.77,0:13:54.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So when you look forward,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:55.17,0:13:57.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,make sure your daughters get\Nwhat they deserve.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:58.45,0:14:01.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You should not let your daughters down,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:02.21,0:14:04.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and they will not let you down.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:05.77,0:14:07.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Applause)
Dialogue: 0,0:14:10.79,0:14:12.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So this is the mantra:
Dialogue: 0,0:14:13.26,0:14:15.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Inheritance, not dowry.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:16.06,0:14:18.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Inheritance, not dowry.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:18.80,0:14:24.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Repeat it, act upon it,\Nand get others to act upon it as well.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:28.64,0:14:34.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I'd like to end with an appeal\Nby a daughter to her parents.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:35.74,0:14:39.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"Father, why do you\Ndiscriminate against me
Dialogue: 0,0:14:39.73,0:14:42.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,when I can be as good as my brother?
Dialogue: 0,0:14:42.12,0:14:46.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Mother, nurture, nourish, and educate me,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:46.57,0:14:50.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and you will see\Nthat I will not be a burden
Dialogue: 0,0:14:50.62,0:14:53.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but will control my own destiny.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:54.00,0:14:58.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And you will have nothing to fear\Nwhen Brother is not there.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:58.10,0:15:01.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I will look after both of you\Nin your old age.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:01.45,0:15:04.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I ask only to be treated equally.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:04.61,0:15:06.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Will you not dare?
Dialogue: 0,0:15:06.53,0:15:09.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So that I have the freedom to choose\Nand the right to care
Dialogue: 0,0:15:09.74,0:15:13.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and am no longer\Nthe prisoner of my own gender,
Dialogue: 0,0:15:13.87,0:15:18.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,unable to resist or retaliate\Nagainst injustice.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:21.08,0:15:23.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Oh Father, give me a chance.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:23.31,0:15:25.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Just give me a chance.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:25.25,0:15:28.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Oh Mother, break the bonds of tradition
Dialogue: 0,0:15:28.55,0:15:33.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and let me into the sunlight\Nto dance, to dance, to dance."
Dialogue: 0,0:15:33.81,0:15:35.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Applause)