In the modern age, where progress and enlightenment are celebrated, it's disheartening to witness the persistent struggles faced by women. A recent incident on television, as I was channel surfing, left me questioning the plight of women in our society. I stumbled upon a scene of a saas (mother-in-law) berating her bahuraani (daughter-in-law) for a seemingly trivial act - adding onions to a curry. The young woman, in her delicate saree, wept profusely, her tears tarnishing the beauty of her jewel-studded attire. Why does such injustice persist? This portrayal on television, while seemingly dramatic, reflects the bitter reality of many women's lives. The issue of dowry, which may not have been about onions in this case, has been a longstanding menace. Mother-in-laws tormenting their son's wives is not an uncommon story. Countless women face abuse, both emotional and physical, when they fail to meet unreasonable dowry demands set by their husbands' families. Records illus