‘Why did God make me so ugly? Am I not your daughter? Was I exchanged at the hospital? Or did you leave me in the sun one day and that’s why I became so dark?’

Meera, one of three siblings, has been struggling with her identity since childhood. She is subjected to mean, insensitive remarks by neighbours, relatives, and random people around her due to the lack of pleasing physical attributes. Constant comparison with her fair, blue-eyed sister further deteriorates her relationship with friends, family, and most importantly, herself.

A shocking incident involving the household pets pushes Meera over the edge, forcing her parents, especially her father, to take action and bring her back to reality.

Will Meera be able to find her footing in this hypocritical world that preaches “looks don’t matter” while constantly objectifying and running towards beautification? Will she be able to accept herself for who she is and overcome the hatred she has for herself?

About Change Stories:

Change Stories by Kapil Raj is an amalgamation of five independent short stories.

True social development cannot be achieved without breaking existing stereotypes and adapting our mindsets to the subsequent changes. Each short story interweaves a heartening story with a deeply imbibed social issue, hardened public belief, and associated fabrications. As you read the narrative, you watch and evolve with the characters, sometimes feeling yourself in them – empathising in circumstances that may or may not have existed in your lives. The stories will highlight the suffering that was never supposed to take place had we brought about a meaningful change for ourselves and others in the society. However, there’s always a first, and it can start here. We live how we think, and we think how we choose to live.

Kuroopa is the first story launched in the series.