Apart from drenching under the shower of poverty, exploitation and abuse in slums of Bangladesh, adolescent girls have to face the pressure of marriage. Even though they are inclined towards pursuing studies, the prevailing atmosphere hinders them from carrying over their much desired wish.

Shimu, a thirteen year old girl is facing a similar problem. She is residing with her grandmother who wants her to give up studies and get married. Also, the grown-up boys who hang around the muddy alleys in the slum keep sending her notes, saying they will abduct her if she won’t agree to wed. Grinding poverty overwhelmingly stark economic conditions compel the people to marry their children, especially girls, early as it would have ‘one less mouth to feed’. As could be obvious, Shimu is not in favor of settling down so early rather she wants to make ‘it’ a reality.

‘It’ refers to a moving role that she played in a TV serial that became a major hit, which was directed towards ‘girls’ education’ in the nation. Shimu was the protagonist in the story that ran on the similar lines as that of her real life story. The soap opera made her a recognizable figure all through the nation who was able to show the true colors of a girl’s passion for studies. Her photograph hangs in classrooms across the country on posters advertising the show and that her story has become a symbol of the struggle to keep girls in school.

But the irony is such that the protagonist herself is in need of some helping hand that could pull her out of the crises that are looming o’er her head.

Via: Washington Post