Standing against child marriage, Tripura minority girl selected for Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar

Agartala: A Class X-standard minority girl from South Tripura, Jyotsna Akhter, has been selected for Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar by standing against as many as six attempts of child marriage initiative in different families, including hers, in the village over the course of a year.

She will be receiving the award from President Draupadi Murmu at an event at Rashtrapati Bhawan on January 22. Jyotsna is studying at Amjad Nagar High School in Belonia with brilliant results, but her parents made an attempt last year for her wedlock. Initially, she tried to convince her parents but failed.

Jyotsna said, “Her marriage ceremony became an issue in the family and among the relatives. At some point, they all decided to solemnise my wedding with the boy they selected when I was only 15 years old, going against my wishes. I was kept confined in the house, and my conversations with my friends and attending school were discontinued. Finding no other option one day, I managed to call one of my teachers and explain the matter.”

The teachers informed Childline of the situation, and with the help of the local administration, she was rescued from the house. Later, the teachers and officials held a series of counselling sessions with the parents and forced them to step back from their decision. But Jyotsna had to face a lot of trouble in the family for her brave step.

Thereafter, Jyotsna stood behind five such child marriage attempts in her village and mobilised the administration to prevent them, said the principal of her school, Subrata Chakraborty, adding that she made an outstanding contribution towards society by preventing child marriages. Hailing from a minority family, Jyotsna has emerged as an inspiration and a symbol of hope in the fight against child marriage.

Besides, Jyotsna has been playing the role of a frontline worker for Balika Manch, formed by the South Tripura District Magistrate. She has been invited to attend the Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi on January 26.