A poetic tribute to the stunning success of India’s wonder women – Sania Mirza, Sania Nehwal and Mary Kom
BADRI RAINA
Saina, Sania, Mary Kom—
Had I been born with a similar name,
Me that am mediocre male,
I too may have blazed a trail.
O wondrous three, and many more,
That scale such pinnacles of grit
In a land where goddesses are fine
But girls are a priori pronounced unfit,
We bow to the fathers, husbands, men
Who took a back seat to your strength,
Who set aside all jaundiced things
To let you soar on fulsome wings.
Of you we ask do not become now
Glamour goddesses of gold;
Give to legions of denied nubiles
The daring to break the stranglehold.
