Most of us when frustrated spit out those cuss words, fret over the situation, curse the government or the lack of it, blame it on law and order and what not. Another way that’s much positive to channel frustration into something better is to do what helps others and brings a change that we want to see. Taking the reins in your hands and doing your bit never harms.
I am sure this is what Ram Devineni thought when in 2012, the horrific Delhi Gang Rape made the news. A filmmaker by profession, he leveraged his strengths, worked with another comic artist Dan Goldman and India’s first comic book with a rape victim as a hero, Priya’s Shakti was born.
The comic is the story of Priya, a commoner and a rape victim. She depicts the gender biases we have all heard of. She wants to become a teacher but is not allowed to study further, she starts working but is harassed by men in the village, she is independent but she is pinned one day and raped. Then her family blames her for all this.
Dejected, she prays and Goddess Parvati comes to her rescue. While you may here think, why Hindu mythology and a God in between – India has 80% Hinduism followers and the mythology is known to most people.
With Goddess Parvati’s supports, Priya begins her second innings and encourages women to speak up against crimes, men to respect women and not to create differences based on gender. There are plans to make this comic available to children’s schools. They are colorful, have the fantasy element and of course teach young minds the right thing.
Not just that, the project brought together street artists and Bollywood poster painters to create murals on the walls of Dharavi, Mumbai which is Asia’s biggest slum. The team is also working with a not-for-profit organization to spread the word, they have an app to help women in need and there are augmented reality games based on the comics that you can download and check out.
You can get a free version of the comic – E-Pub Version for Most eBook Readers / Mobi Version for Amazon / Download a PDF copy.
Here are some excerpts from the comic that I downloaded from the website.
The message is strong and the idea to do good is wonderful.
I am blogging from A to Z during April and the theme I have chosen is set on women. I am also a minion on co-host Pam’s Unconventional Alliance along with Claire, Shalini and Rajlakshmi. Visit us, show us some love and don’t leave without sharing your thoughts.
happiness and food 
This is just the kind of initiative we need to change mind sets. Children learn best through comics and we need to change the attitudes of future generations- men need to respect women and women need to know they can do anything !
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Pretty ingenious comic book to bring to light these issues that need addressing. The excerpt you share is really interesting and well done.
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Thanks for the links Parul
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Absolutely splendid! Thanks for giving me something good for ‘thing I discovered today’ 😀
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Came back to your blog after a month or so.
This is such a good piece of information. I am so glad you are writing about it!
Keep it up.
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Thanks for the links, Parul. A powerful idea, indeed, and what a great way to spread the message.
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This comic book is just what our Indian youngsters need. This important lesson may or may not be understood by the elders of the previous generation, but the younger ones can surely learn about these things right now, and thus form a rational opinion.
Honestly, even though the Delhi rape case was in the news for such a long time, I hardly came across many articles about this comic book. I’m glad you brought about awareness about it, and also shared the links to gain access to them.
Keep going Parul! You’re doing a fabulus job! 🙂
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I like this concept. High time that our books reflect the reality of the present times and inspire.
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I vaguely remember reading about it. But thanks for this useful reminder. Will download the eBook. It seems like a good way to reach out to young girls and help them discover their own Shakti. I rather like the idea of bringing goddess in the story, that’s the Indian psychology at work. Indian mind respondsost naturally to such cultural symbology.
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Superb post Parul. Love the entire theme and thought behind Priyas Shakti and adore Parvati Devi’s involvement in it. The strength of the Mother Goddess is meant to evoke the innate strength in every girl child 🙂 It is natural and beautiful and also feels like an Amar chitra katha connect.
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the graphics are so brilliantly done and powerful too. I haven’t heard about this before. Thanks for sharing all this information 🙂
A Whimsical Medley
Twinkle Eyed Traveller
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What a wonderful initiative and how inspiring! Catching them young is the best way to making real progress! Mindsets can be moulded more easily at a younger age. Thanks for sharing this wonderful post!
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I think most of us like a story where a victim gets their due against the perpetrator of a crime. It’s a matter of rooting for the underdog and seeing regular people like ourselves standing up against evil and winning.
Arlee Bird
A to Z Challenge Co-host
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Glad to have come across this sometime back. Thanks for sharing this wonderful initiative here for the benefit of all. Prejudice against women is so strongly ingrained within our society…takes a hell of a lot of courage and sharp thinking to come up with something that challenges the mindset.
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Do you know how awesome you are for bringing all this to light?
I had heard of this before but never seen the comic. Now that I have I’m in awe. I’ll be checking all of it now.
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I think that is the most creative way to instill gender equality amongst the children. They always grab fast from their books and stories and the impact is always life long!
Cheers
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Beautiful and thanks for bringing this to our notice! Never heard of it before and I’m glad I did today! Thanks, Parul 🙂
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