"When I was a young child, a palmist visited my home. He looked at my palms and told me that I would not have a happy married life. Since I was an inquisitive child, I asked him how he could see that. He told me, “Your mind line runs independently of your lifeline; they should overlap in order to have a successful marriage”. “But your Karma can always bring about change”, he added.

I knew that if the palmist meant that to have a successful marriage, I would have to sublimate my identity, he was asking for the “impossible”. I was, am and always will be fiercely independent. As I grew up, I realized that if a relationship was crushing my dreams and ambitions I would need to opt out of it and I did. With a graduate degree and a young daughter to take care of, I started on my journey of independence in 1997.

Today, I work tirelessly to ensure that women everywhere are aware of their rights under law. I have also started a school where I give free education to needy children. I believe that if I had given in to my matrimonial obligations, I would have ended up serving only one person; today I serve many.

Despite my independence, I am not against the institution of marriage and even tell my daughter that marriage is a beautiful journey of companionship. However, I also feel that there is no perfect age for marriage and no perfect job for a woman. I want my daughter to understand that she is an independent woman first and foremost. Other roles such as that of a wife, daughter, sister or mother are optional. I want my daughter to not only have choices, but also to understand what choices are the best for her regardless of convention. ”