India remembers Dec. 16 Gang-rape victim on 1st anniversary

People across the country remembers the victim of the brutal Delhi gang-rape on the first anniversary yesterday, the 16th December. The victim's family held a prayer vigil in their house.

Major newspapers, portal websites, blogs and twitters in the country were abuzz with writers, bloggers and users raising the concern and safety of women which most say needs to improve more and such attack never repeat in the history of the country.

A year ago, on the dreadful night of December 16, 2012, a 23-year-old physiotherapy student was raped on a moving bus in front of her boy friend on a Sunday night by six men. She was beaten with an iron rod and her intestines ripped out. Doctors said they had never seen such brutality.

"This is not only an animalistic act, but in the past 20 years I have spent in this profession I have never seen a victim of sexual assault being subjected to such brutality," said a senior doctor at Safdarjung Hospital.

The girl nicknamed Nirbhaya by the Times of India was airlifted to Singapore for treatment but succumbed to her injuries and died in a Singapore hospital on December 29.

The incident awoke thousands of Indians pouring in to the streets of Delhi demanding the punishment for the culprits and demanding the safety of women in the country.

The Fast Tract Court convicted four adults Mukesh, Vinay, Akshay, Pawan, Mukesh of 13 offences including gang-rape, unnatural offence and murder of the girl and attempt to murder her male friend. They were awarded death. The case has been sent to Delhi high court for confirmation. The first accused Ram Singh died in a trial period. Meanwhile, the sixth accused, who is a minor has also been convicted and awarded three years term at a probation home.

The victim's parents observed a prayer session at their residence, seeking peace for their daughter's soul.

"People who are unable to attend this prayer session are requested to pray wherever they are so that God gives peace to my daughter. May God help people change their mentality, bringing in some change in the society," the victim's father said in a choked voice.

He also raised concern as there seems to be no change in the society's mindset.

"In the past one year, the situation changed, the judicial system moved and the law witnessed transformation but I see no change in the society. … Rape, molestation and sexual harassment are still happening," he said.

Prayer sessions and candle light vigils were held at various places across the country.