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I am a Muslim woman of a small town where women are puppets in the hands of men and are like a decorative piece. In our families, mothers give endless good teachings to their daughters, before marriage, so that they could turn their homes into heaven. They never look at the changing needs of the society. It is difficult to change such staunch regimes and go against the society, for our parents teach us to follow the principles made by our forefathers.

I got married in 1983 when I was 21. I was a graduate pretty, decent and a very shy, poor girl. I was married into a high-class family, to a fun loving and carefree guy who very loving, caring and broadminded. It is difficult to get such a man even today. He was a man of self-respect and I respect him for this. He did not take a penny from his father and started a small business. I wanted to join him to lessen his burden, he was happy at this but every one in the family had strongly objected. For a high society Muslim married woman, to work, was below dignity according to them. My husband still supported me, as he knew I was right but I did not want any hassles so I did not join him.

Slowly our business started flourishing. In 1990 my husband had to leave to the US for a very important business meeting. At that time there was no one who could look after the business in his absence. I told him to take help from his family, but they refused. He wanted me to take care of the business in his absence. He left trusting me and leaving every thing on me believing if there will be any problem my in laws would support me. As it was a small business, we could not afford any loss.

Things were going fine and smooth until a week later, I got a call early in the morning, from my brother to inform about the dacoity in the factory. Listening to this I lost all my senses, I did not know what to do and where to go. I was feeling absolutely helpless and was under shock. After 15 minutes I got a call from my husband. I gathered all my senses and managed to talk to him. I did not tell him any thing. Then I went to the factory only to find nothing. I informed my in laws and instead of helping me, they broke all hell loose, criticized my husband for leaving things on me and for being careless.

Having my own family members poke fun at me I got even more exhausted but controlled my emotions. It was all a big mess for me as I was a very simple, shy & homely girl. Single handedly, managed police inquiry, insurance claims and many other woes. That was a testing time and every thing was going wrong. To top it all I fractured my leg.

After a month my husband came back with good business from the US. Seeing my condition, learning about the theft and family reactions he lost all hope love and expectations from his family, Three days later we left home. I joined him in business and with the grace of God our business flourished & its now quite big. I have six kids.

We still have good contacts with the family, as we never broke ties but the tough period I went through is unforgettable. Now my in laws come to me for business tips. This gives me more confidence. They know they have wronged us but guess its ego that does not permit one to accept his mistakes easily.

The world, relations, people, every one love and respect only money. I am lucky to have a loving husband. With his support I am the first Muslim businesswoman in our town.

Though society has changed at some levels, people are still egoistic and money minded.

At times you experience such relations, which make you sit back and think.