Mother's letter(SUDESHNA MAJUMDAR) This morning I was surprised for a moment when I found your room empty. I had forgotten that my daughter has gone miles away to start her own journey. This is the first time that you have been away from home, from me. This is a very critical and important phase of your life and so I want to share certain things with you which I wish somebody would have told me when I was your age.

In this world… How to live your life, how should you conduct yourself, what to do, what not to do, what’s right, what wrong, all these things would be told to you, taught to you and will be imposed upon you by different people; but don’t let others define your life for you. Decide for yourself what’s right and what’s not and stick to what you feel is right; because the only right thing is what your conscience tells you and not what the world tells you. There is nothing more important than your self-respect, always protect it. It’s very easy to get lost in this world, to change yourself according to their standards, to limit yourself, to belong… to be like everyone, but it’s difficult to create your own identity, to push limits, to walk on your own path, to fall and to rise again. Remember, your true beauty is your confidence, your courage and your smile. Any other definition of beauty is futile. My dear, always think positively. There will always be some short comings in people around you but don’t consider it as a representation of the society.

There is still a lot of goodness around you and this is a very good time to be a girl. You have got everything which many generations before you were deprived of, you have freedom to live your life to the fullest, to make your own decisions - respect this freedom and exercise it responsibly. Don’t be afraid to live the way you want to. Don’t budge, Stand and fight all the difficulties you face and the most important thing is - choose your battles wisely.

Competing with men is not the sole purpose of your existence. This world is not a competition amongst men and women. We are not here to race against each other but to thrive together. Our soul is gender-less. It just breathes inside the body of a man or a woman. You are fortunate… you got a woman’s body- respect it, take very good care of it. Embrace your womanhood and enjoy every aspect of it. You are God’s most beautiful creation - live like one. You life’s most beautiful and the most exciting phase starts… Now!!

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