Neela

Nithya, daughter of Neela, at 24, knows that she isn't meant for marriage. She wants to travel the world, teach little children and preferably not have any of her own. Her mother Neela,62, is all for this idea.
What made you think like that?
I was from a conservative family from Thanjavur that believed in early marriage for girls and a lot patriarchy. Though I was the second daughter, at many points, I was the only bread winner for the family. I remained unmarried till I was 28, a big deal for girls at that time. My parents were spoken about in many ill ways just because I was unmarried. But I moved to Chennai and tasted what freedom really felt like. Though my parents didn't realize it, but they had given me wings, so when I got married, I was a complete person. Generally women tend to think that they are completed by the men in their lives, but that's not true. Especially in today's day and age. It is the union of two complete human beings. And if my daughter doesn't need that companionship, I don't see why I should force her into it, if anything I want to give her those wings that my parents unknowingly gave me. My husband passed away many years ago, and I have lived so far, without companionship.  It isn't impossible. If anything, it's empowering.