NOTE: We at Humans of Madras would like to clarify that due to an error, there was a mix up in yesterday’s story and picture, due to which that post was taken down and is now being reposted.
“I was 23 when I got married to my then best friend. It turned out to be an abusive relationship. When I walked out of it at the age of 27, I figured that I want to do something to help other women with stories similar to mine.
Till I faced my situation, I had no idea about how things worked. Things like, how to find or what to ask your lawyer. It took me a while before I could completely come out of this, but with the firsthand experience in divorce, physical abuse and trauma, what unveiled in me was a burning desire to do my part to remove the stigma and the awkward silence surrounding divorce, domestic violence and mental health issues.
Taking in lessons from my own life, I launched a support group for women named ‘Project Kintsugi’. Originally started exclusively for women, this support group is one where people come to share their stories without the fear of judgment.
As people opened up about their struggle with their demons, I could find myself developing a kinship with them which also helped me in my healing journey. I have been able to successfully complete offline meetings as well as a few online ones. With each meeting, it feels like an assurance for me to keep doing what I want to do.
With respect to abuse and trauma, the key concern is finding a safe space to share and find good sources to help– therapists, psychologists, support forums etc. That’s when I started a nationwide repository where people could find lawyers, therapists, psychologists and similar support contacts to seek help when they need it the most.
Back in the time, when life as I knew it, came crashing down, it felt like an impossible feat for me to get up and find the light. But I learned that with time, everything heals and you find the inner strength to move forward. The all elusive happiness finds you even when you thought it was an unachievable task.
Project Kintsugi has grown leaps and bounds today and I am shortly launching a telegram channel. 27 year old Indu would have had a hard time believing that the light at the end of the tunnel was not very far but I am glad that she persevered and found her light.”
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