Dr. Sarojini Sarangi

I am your darling daughter,
I will glow
with your golden countenance!
I will reflect
with your resemblance!
I will develop
In your shape!
Dance always
- in the mirror of your eyes.

Remain submerged, I will
In the Ganges of your love and affection.
Once only, after my birth
I will see you - as my mother.
Your radiant image will form a part
of my heart.
Not once, but always
Will I take birth
- As your darling daughter!

My flesh and blood will
Sing your name in unison.
I am you - my mother incarnate!
I will germinate and transform myself
From a sapling to a tree that bears fruit.

Oh! Mother
Give me birth just once!
Give me freedom from your womb.
And wings to fly.
Give me life!
Allow me to listen - To my heart's content
The captivating story of this vastness, around me.

Oh! Mother
Truth - you will not hide.
Will you give me birth?
Or decimate me by listening to others?

I will be reborn
From your ruddy self.
As a lotus - I will fill the whole world
with my sweet fragrance
As Mandakini - The Ganges
I will flow from “ Himalaya ” to “Kumarika”.
With a hermit's heart
and radiant beauty
I will be an exclamation
in the whole world!!
Have you ever thought
Whom I shall resemble most?
Little do I know - whether you want to see me
as your daughter.
But my eyes crave to see you as my mother.
The first rays that fill my; eyes emanate from you.
My whole body shivers in anticipation!

Oh! Mother
I don't know
whether you take heed of my words.
My lips are not yet open
to speak your language.
Today, on this August Day -
Tell me the truth - Oh! Mother
Will you pledge with your blood stained hand,
By squeezing the earth
That you won't kill your darling daughter
Even before she is born.
That you will give birth
Not only to one daughter
But hundreds and thousands of daughters
Don't you ever want them to spread
Happiness and bear fruit - just like you
Oh! Mother

(Translated by Dr. Siddharth Sarangi)

This poem on female foeticide is selected by Department of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India and in collaboration with plan India International has been made a documentary film “ATMAJA” and distributed to all territories of India in different language. This poem is also distributed to 60,000 villages of India . This film has also got a prize in New York film festival.