Reproductive Rights

 Sreedevi was born as the second child of Achuthan and Uma couple in a lower middle class Nambiar family in a village near Payanur.Her father had got 20 cents of coconut plantation.He was also working on partime basis in a chit fund.As usual Sreedevi and her brother Sreelesh got good school education.Sreelesh after 10th standard became disinterested in studies and failed in plus two.His father without wasting time mobilised money and through their neighbour arranged a visa to Qatar where Sreelesh acquired a sales man's job sreedevi after plus two opted for BA Economics program in an Arts and Science college.She was cheerfully undergoing the Under Graduate program.During the second semester one day early morning her father developed discomfort in the chest and they took him to nearby doctor but he was referred to the Medical College hospital.After diagnosing severe block they advised angioplasty and it was done.

  After angioplasty was done Achuthan's confidence level had gone down.He was always talking about his risks and responsibilities.He stopped his work in the chit fund.His immediate priority was to conduct the marriage of his daughter at the earliest.Eventhough Sreedevi was not willing to distract her studies she yielded to her dear father's wish.Accordingly he searched and found out Suresh the bridegroom who was working in a public sector undertaking whose house was near the railway station .Their marriage was solmenised in the neighbouring temple and Achuthan was extremely excited.

      After marriage Sreedevi shifted to her husband's place where mother in law, sister in law and brother in law were staying along with them.Initially she felt difficulty in managing household work and attending college and studies.She had to get up at 4.30am and could go to bed only at 10.30pm.Any way she was able to score first division in her graduation.She wanted to do Post graduation.There was stiff opposition from mother in law and even the husband was silent.Several arguments and counter arguments followed.According to  mother in law " for a girl graduation was enough to bring a job, Don't waste your time think about upbringing a family"During these arguments days were lost and the last date for submission of P G applications came to an end. 

      After one month Sreedevi saw a report in the news paper  that the newly established Central University of Kerala Kasaragod was offerringMA programs in Economics and comparative literature.She gathered courage and some how conveyed the advantages of both central university and MA program and her decision to appear for the program.Their was neither opposition nor support to her decision.As expected she got admission, since the program started  late the number of students admitted were less, but they enjoyed excellent facilities, treatment and academic atmosphere. In Economics program since Sreedevi was the only girl student and rest were boys she got priority in university functions . After first semester she became pregnant and all in her family especially mother in law were very happy.They advised her to avoid travel.Including semester vacation she avoided travel for nearly three months.She was following her studies through contact with friends and visiting neighbouring computer centre.Afterwards she resumed coming to the university campus.She had to travel by both train and bus to and fro.After one week when she was returning back to home she felt discomfort in her stomach and when she reached home it turned to be severe pain and bleeding.Luckily her husband was there and she was rushed to the hospital where hospital authority after examination told that the foetus has been aborted and D&C needs to be done After D&C she had gone to her house to take rest.Since second semester examination was approaching she returned back to her husband's house which was nearer to the railway station. But all was not well within the house. Mother in law picked up quarrels with Sreedevi alleging that "she had murdered her grandson!(some how she gathered the information that the aborted foetus was a male).We will not allow you to go anywhere.I want my grandson back.Enough is enough.After all you are not going to become the collector." Through out the quarrel Suresh remained a passive spectator, which was disheartening to Sreedevi.Sreedevi argued with her husband about the remaining one academic year how crucial it was, the legal protection of women's rights and she even threatened him resorting to divorce.Finally next day he accompanied her to the university telling mother that they were going to procure transfer certificate from the University. When they reached the campus students, friends as well as faculty unanimously supported Sreedevi's position and argued against the stupidity of discontinuing the PG program half way.Even then Suresh was not  convinced.

    Finally they approached the Head of Department.HOD patiently heard the arguments of both of them.He asked about Suresh's job,salary and promotion prospects.Since it was a loss making public sector undertaking job prospects are very weak to him.HenceHOD argued need for an income support from wife's side.Already Sreedevi had completed one year and only one year is required to complete the PG program.Moreover reproductive Rights are vested with women only. So please wait for one more year to impregnate her.With regards to frequent travel Department was willing to relax attendance as a special case.Some how Suresh allowed her to continue the MA program and she had successfully completed it with A grade.Then HOD on deputation returned back to his parent institution in Pondicherry.After three years a very cheerful Sreedevi was calling her professor to inform him that she was blessed with both a child and job thanks to the protection given by reproductive rights!