India, May 31 -- Trigger Warning: This speaks of domestic violence and may be triggering to survivors.

"Anju, let us go to Masi's place since you can drive now"-this was my mom encouraging me to drive. I had just learnt driving, was extremely scared of using the reverse gear but my mom was happy to go with me to her sister's place which was 15 kms away just so that I gain confidence in driving.

This is but one example of how she did everything possible to encourage me and my sister.

A childhood as just us 2 sisters

Living in a conservative area of Bhopal, the capital city of Madhya Pradesh, girls in my neighbourhood came back from school and worked in the kitchen as this was their training to be good wives and daughters-in-law. I on t...