An year since Dec 16 Delhi gangrape: Many 'Nirbhayas' still live on

A lot has been written and broadcasted in media since the 23-year old paramedical student Nirbhaya was brutally gangraped in a moving bus on the night of December 16 last year.

Nirbhaya- meaning fearless and brave, was the name given by the media to the gangrape victim of December 16.

The brutal gangrape and the internal injuries inflicted on Nirbhaya were so severe that even doctors who were treating her were shocked.

Doctors at Delhi's Safdarjung hospital who were treating her, termed her case as "extremely unusual and extremely rare" and said they have never seen such grave injuries to the intestine in cases of sexual assault.

A week after Nirbhaya was gangraped, she was reported to be psychologically "composed and optimistic" about her future and has started communicating.

But December 29 was the day when she lost the battle for life and perhaps left for a better world while undergoing a treatment at a Singapore hospital.

For Nirbhaya's family, she will always remain alive in the form of her memories, she shared with her parents and two younger brothers.

Her mother said that last words of their beloved daughter daily echoes in her ears when she stepped out of her home at 4 pm. She told her mother that "she will be back soon", but she never returned...

Nirbhaya's horrific story left the entire nation jolted and almost everyone followed her case and the aftermath very closely.

But what remains a shameful reality is that even after a year, there have been thousand cases of rapes, gangrapes, molestation and sexual assaults on women.

During the massive protests, all people united at the India Gate, the Raisina Hill and the Jantar Mantar to demand for fast justice for Nirbhaya. People had anger in their hearts and had the perpetrators been left in the public, Nirbhaya could have got justice on spot.

But, the judicial and the legal system takes its own course. And during the trial, the main accused Ram Singh committed suicide inside his cell in Tihar jail in March.

Out of the remaining five accused- four (Mukesh Singh, Vinay Sharma, Akshay Thakur and Pawan Gupta) have been awarded death sentence after being found guilty of rape, murder, unnatural offences and destruction of evidence and the fifth one, the 'so- called' minor accused is serving three-year prison term given by the Justice Juvenile Board (JJB).

Even after nation-wide protests with sloganeering , demonstrations, candle-light vigils and awareness campaigns, 'women safety' still remains the most unattended issue.

Rapes were happening before December 16, 2012 and they continue to take place, even today on an increased rate, if statistics are to be believed.

The fact that Nirbhaya's case was the rarest of the rare as it was committed in the most inhumane and dastardly manner, that resulted into her death- brought the nation together to fight for women safety and sought justice for her.

But sadly, the mindset of the perverts haven't changed a bit since the incident. The monsters in the form of human beings still roam freely and search for the next prey.

Nirbhaya's case also took a political turn when politicians started blame-game on each other. Now, the BJP's chief ministerial candidate Harshvardhan has demanded that December 16 should be made an "annual pledge day" against violence towards women in memory of Nirbahya.

But, the pertinent question is what "change" in terms of women safety such an idea can bring, if implemented.

Everyday should be a day where no crime against women ever take place. For that, Indian male-dominated patriarchal mindset needs an immediate overhaul.

In the present scary scenario, there is a 'Nirbhaya' in every girl, in every woman who takes a step outside her home and ironically, these Nirbhayas (bravehearts) have a sense of 'fear' inside their hearts regarding their safety.

In New Delhi

The juvenile accused in the December16 gangrape and murder of paramedical student, is escorted after being produced at Juvenile Justice Board in New Delhi.

In New Delhi

17-year-old accused in the December 16 gangrape and murder of paramedical student, is escorted after he was produced before the Juvenile Justice Board for a hearing in the case, in New Delhi.

In New Delhi

Media persons trying to save themselves from rain at a hearing for the trial of the juvenile accused in December 16 gangrape and murder case by a Juvenile Justice Board in New Delhi.

In New Delhi

The juvenile accused in the December16 gangrape and murder of paramedical student, is escorted after he was produced before the Juvenile Justice Board in New Delhi.

In New Delhi

Members of All India Mahila Sanskritik sangathan during their protest demanding harsher punishment for the juvenile, accused in the December16 gangrape case at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi.

In New Delhi

People pay their tribute to the Delhi gangrape victim at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi.

In New Delhi

Defence lawyer in the Delhi gangrape case A.P Singh speaks to the media outside High court in New Delhi.

In New Delhi

Gangrape convicts Vinay Sharma, Pawan Gupta (face covered), Akshay Thakur and Mukesh Singh (clockwise from left) being taken to High court in New Delhi.

In New Delhi

People light candles to pay tributes to Damini, the victim of the gang-rape, on the first anniversary of the horrendous incident at Jantar Mnatar in New Delhi on Monday.

In Kolkata

An artist paints during a demonstration in Kolkata on Monday on the 1st anniversary of the gang rape and murder of a 23-year-old student at Delhi.

In Kolkata

Members of All India Democratic Students Organisation and All India Democratic Youth Organisation take part in a rally to observe 1st anniversary of Delhi gang-rape incident, in Kolkata on Monday.