I vividly remember being taken by my mom and probably my nani or another female relative, when I was seven, wearing a sky blue color frock (my fav) and white pants/pyjamas in some chawl in Bhendi Baazar (the Bohri moholla). I was very happy as I loved to meet new people. I was lying down, my frock was held up…then I don’t remember anything. Just that there was intense pain as I walked back and I was told to keep myself clean…you know, using Dettol water for istinja (wash after urination). I feel the trauma as I even type this. I cried a lot. It was not just that. I think it did affect my sexual performance. College days when young girls were too busy trying to get male attention, I was called The Ice Maiden. I went to a convent and then to women’s universities. No dearth of guys as I have 2 elder brothers, 3 in fact, as we lived in a joint family.

I had a love marriage but my husband was not happy. He repeatedly told me (jokingly) that my father was to blame for having me circumcised and taking away his pleasure.

I haven’t figured whether it’s a dysfunction of a physical, psychological or emotional nature.

I have two grown up boys and now don’t care much about myself but will surely want to extend all my support so the next generation can see a change.