I am from an ordinary Indian family. My parents are god-fearing,duty-abiding,decent folks who are respected among their family, friends&neighbors.Politicians are ppl abt whom they read in newspapers&see on TV.They have their worries abt me being part of what they consider as muck

They fear about my safety and other forms of abuse that I could face in politics. They have always respected their children's freedom of choice, be it with our education, job or whom we married or many other important decisions in our lives.

So with this too they do not interfere beyond a point. They keep their fears to themselves, but occasionally express it. It is not that I am totally fearless myself. I look at fellow politicians (men/women), the kind of stuff they face, the way they deal with it - I learn tons.

The troll army is omnipresent. When I have appeared on TV debates, I stick to the topic, go prepared with my arguments and say what I have to say firmly. Not many people even notice me I think :)

On the other day I spoke on a TV channel on the current border issue...For the first time I was forceful, my decibel level was high as I was quite emotionally moved by the plight of our soldiers & also by the BJP representative’s constant,unwarranted glorification of their leader

For the first time I would have come across as a street-fighter (which I am deep inside…the part of me that involuntarily manifests itself when I come across extreme injustice around me). The debate got over.

I usually go back and see the debate many times online. I send it to my uncle, my brother-in-law, and a few friends who send detailed feedback on what I say (content, delivery etc). This exercise has helped me improve quite a bit since when I started out.

This time I saw that the troll army had done its job with abusive comments under the YouTube video I was shaken a little, wondered if it was all worth it….was worried about my family, especially my parents and little daughters coming across these comments.

I still haven’t mustered enough courage to send the link to my usual group of reviewers It seemed like a small indication of all that may come my way in the future, especially what happens to women in public life.

But when I quietly thought about it, there were two things that encouraged me to go on and not be deterred. 1. Was the purpose that made me get into politics in the first place.

2. My leader Mr. @RahulGandhi – the courage, fortitude, steadfastness, resolve, mental strength that he has shown for almost a decade in facing an extremely abusive troll army supported by money and political power.

I may lose, but like my leader I will not give up. I will continue the fight because I know it is a good fight.
I hope I do so as dignifiedly as him. https://theprint.in/opinion/pov/trolled-abused-mocked-bullied-rahul-gandhi-offers-a-window-into-battling-mental-health/442617/?fbclid=IwAR0-I-zeen1u1s3IKF9Z9oLNVLWe274yFmf3h55L_UD8-_vhmEE3tE5nnDQ