Invited to "Oprah" Winfrey Show-Nisha Sharma ,a 21-year-old Indian woman who packed her husband-to-be off to jail minutes before their wedding on May 11, 2003 because he asked for a larger dowry. She has been invited to appear on Oprah Show

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January 01, 2003

The invitation has been signed by the show’s associate producer, Veronica Langel," Nisha’s father, D D Sharma, told a newspaper. It has already been communicated to Nisha through the US Embassy which has expedited her visa formalities, the paper added.

Others invited to the show include Nisha's software engineer husband, Ashwini Sharma, and her younger brother, Gyaneshwar. They will reach Chicago on January 11 for the show likely to be aired two days later.

"I am happy I have a chance to be heard internationally. No one should submit to social blackmail, anywhere in the world," Nisha told the newspaper.

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Nisha Sharma became a media celebrity after she got her "dowry-greedy" groom Munish Dalal and his mother behind bars a few moments before her wedding on May 11.

Nisha's father, who owns a car battery factory, found the groom by placing an ad in the local paper. He negotiated Nisha's dowry with the groom's family, and says they insisted he give them two sets of appliances - one for the new couple and one for the groom's brother.Her father saved for ten years to pay for the car, the reception, and even the wedding video.

But the Dalal family's dowry demands increased by the day and touched the absurd limit on the wedding day. "We had spent Rs 15 lakh on the wedding. "The Dalals come from a less affluent background, but we went for the marriage because the boy was educated."

Stacked in the living room are two washing machines, two refrigerators, two home theater systems, an electric oven, a flat screen television-all from leading brands and all meant as dowry. A gold-coloured Maruti Esteem, 'gift-packed' with satin ribbons, is parked outside. It was the model Munish demanded.

The same thought crossed Nisha's mind when she was in bridal attire. She was shocked by the greedy demand for more cash on the wedding day.

Her family had agreed to hand over all sorts of household goods over to the family of her prospective husband. Then at the last minute, just before vows were to be exchanged, the groom's family demanded an additional $40,000 in cash.

Her father refused and it was then that the happiest day turned nasty indeed.

They came inside and said we want the cash and they took my dad and said, now give us the cash, give us the cash.

My father said "I don't have the money". That time he had the money, but that time he said: "I don't have the money".

She slapped my dad's face, in front of the boy and spat on my dad's face. And using abusing words for my dad in front of the whole family was abusing. They were saying if you don't have the money, why do you call us. After that I called the police.

Nisha's father, Dev Dutt Sharma claimed that he was "fundamentally against giving dowry as cash", but he did give it "for the sake of my daughter". He regrets it now

Her parents said they were proud of her. "I brought up both my son and daughter as strong individuals," said her mother, Hemlata. "That's why Nisha was able to take such a strong step on her wedding day-something that most brides would not do."

Nisha is now flooded with appreciative letters and marriage proposals (from places as far as Kabul). But the family has had enough of marriages for the time being and wants her to focus on her studies. She is a third-year student of software engineering at Indraprastha University in Delhi and is also doing courses on textile design and Web design.

A political party has asked her to stand for elections but she politely declined. Her parents have, however, agreed to a local publisher's proposal to bring out a comic strip on her story.

Another admirer sent her the painting of a woman with a flag and sickle. Something Nisha would not have even spared a glance for, three weeks ago. It now hangs proudly in the drawing-room.

Dalal was arrested. And Nisha turned cause celebre overnight. A fearless, if fragile, image that newspapers and television have flashed many times over since. And the nation got to know Nisha, with her dainty hands henna-adorned, sitting against the many cardboard boxes filled with her dowry.

But the most significant chapter in Nisha's story perhaps is the response it has evoked from people. "Foreign and Indian newspapers, TV channels, radio stations have all been applauding me," preens Nisha. "Sunil Dutt visited me, lawyers have been offering to fight my case for free. Also women's organization, our neighbors, unknown people have been calling up to congratulate me!" And then there's the spate of marriage proposals. "Many boys are telling their parents they want to marry a bold girl like me," Nisha shares without a trace of shyness. "But this time I'll ensure all the marriage dealings are upfront."

Nov10, 2003

Nisha Sharma, who hit the headlines six months ago for sending her would-be groom to jail for demanding dowry, on Wednesday married a software engineer.

The marriage was solemnized at a quiet ceremony at her residence in Noida in the outskirts of Delhi. Her husband Ashwin Sharma is based in Modi Nagar, a small town close to Noida. "I have got my life partner. I want to forget my past. I am going to start a new life," Nisha (21), a software engineering student.

The match was arranged through a common family friend. The engagement had taken place in September 2003. She was dressed in a deep red sari for the marriage. As per her mother-in-law's wishes, Nisha will now be known as Nitisha for "better luck."

His father gave a gold chain to his daughter. The marriage was simple and we had invited only a few people. I am happy that everything went off well."

 

Sharma

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