Dalit

I am Dalit

I am a woman

I wasn’t treated as Dalit since I lived in a nice building in a city

I didn’t celebrate Diwali like others

I celebrated Buddha pournima, and Ambedkar Jayanti

I lived in a secular place. I am very lucky.

I loved my family – educated, compassionate & hard-working

I became Dalit when I scored low marks in JEE-Mains and got into Govt College, Aurangabad for Electronics Engineering using my reservation cut-off.

I became Dalit when I first came to USA and saw that girls here are confident, and determined, and knowledgeable and happy

I became Dalit when I came across a family which had people from every profession – all kinds of doctors, and engineers and businessmen.

I became Dalit when I didn’t want to be religious and told everyone I follow Buddhism

I became Dalit when I was excluded from my own team and wanted to learn why am I insecure and fearful all the time