Women's Day: Rita Malhotra

Rita Malhotra

Dr. Rita Malhotra is a mathematician, poet, essayist and translator. Former Principal, KNC, University of Delhi, Post-Doctoral Fellow, University of Paris, she holds the august offices of Academic Advisor SI College Chennai and World Poetry Ambassador India (courtesy WP Canada). With sixteen published books, her writings are globally published and translated into 14 languages. Recognitions include The Honour by World Congress of Poets, ‘Distinguished Poet’ Award Canada, Honour for international Cultural Relations Romania besides others.

her tears have no dreams

the soul soaked in fear

she is sold from man to man, each

grazing along pastures of blind lust

like a fragile rose petal carried away by

ruthless mountain winds, she is victim 

to cruel carnal pleasure in animal eyes

time seems to have crossed the fence

of all reason 

her body under a scanner

the soul torn out of her being, she is

a trafficked bride for a male heir

religion of humanity shamed

another history is subsumed in 

warped social perceptions

was that really the Shiva-Linga**

she worshipped from girlhood

to womanhood 

or merely a piece of rock? 

else why would those intense prayers

lead her to the wolves’ den?

in her anguished agony is heard a

soul-wrenching call “Draupadi,

i beseech you to circumscribe me”

today, she is a stranger even 

to her own shadow

her mute screams of protest drown

in the murky abyss of savaged silence

will darkness ever pave a path to light?

i am bereft of any answer 

uncertain tomorrows trace a question mark.

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Setu, March 2025