“You are beautiful though you are dark”, girls please stop feeling happy on hearing that. It ain't a compliment. That's one of the most racist comments a girl can hear.

Little, I knew life is gonna be challenging only for the reason that I am dark-skinned. The earliest incident I could remember is my mom scrubbing n number of turmeric packets on my face to make me fair and stop the tiniest of hair growth, she thinks otherwise at the age of 5.

People constantly keep reminding me had I been fair, I would look very beautiful, but why? why do u want to change me? why does my complexion bother you this much?. Most of the people are influenced and have soaked their brain with the unrealistic beauty standards of society which is constantly advertised in television ads, movies, series.

I had this one incident when my grandmom insisted on taking care of my sister and not me, only for the mere fact that she was fair and I am not. why does one's skin complexion deprive the love and affection one should get. Relatives are constantly concerned about my skin color, guess their love was seen on the tubes of fair and lovely they bought me.

Attending family functions, a random aunt whose son is dark-skinned embarrasses saying “Oh god, you are getting darker day by day, how are we even going to find you a groom. I mean seriously is that even your problem?. One of the worst things I heard in an Indian household once, goes this way "when the groom visits you, hide your fair sister, or else he may select her"mocked a relative. 

Why is that colourism always target women and not men?. I Know society had a major role to play in this. We are tired of listening to the advice,” live for yourself and not the society".But is it even about the society we are upset for criticizing?. No, colorism is something that starts from our own closest circle and family, we hear them almost everyday that it has become normal to get mocked and laugh them away. 

Dear girls, never get hurt or used to people's mocking, it's high time we give it back. Stop self-criticizing, embrace, feel confident and accept your own skin. Let's make this world a slightly better place for those beautiful dusky girls out there who soak all the negativity and stand strong and brighter than ever.