Sushmita Sen etched her name in history by winning the Miss Universe Crown in 1994. Beyond her extensive list of professional accomplishments, she captured the hearts of millions. At the age of 24, she fearlessly embraced motherhood by adopting her first daughter. Challenging both Indian law and societal norms surrounding single motherhood, Sushmita faced numerous obstacles on her journey.
Sushmita Sen’s Struggle to Secure Passports
In a recent interview, Sushmita Sen shared a poignant anecdote about her struggle to secure passports for her daughters. She revealed the bureaucratic challenges she encountered, particularly the insistence on including the father’s name. A common requirement on legal documents in India. Recounting her experience at the airport office, she expressed frustration at being asked for the father’s name. Despite identifying herself as the mother. Sushmita humorously suggested, “Arey bhaiya, likha hai, mai maa hoon. Aap waha par dash likh diijiye na” (“It’s written, I am the mother. Just put a dash there”). However, the authorities persisted, stating, “‘Nai, nai, yeh nai hoga'” (“No, this won’t work”).
Sushmita Sen’s Courageous Adoption Journey
Undeterred, Sushmita Sen took the matter back to the court, a move that resulted in a significant victory. The court issued a stern letter warning the authorities that they could face ‘contempt of court’ if they continued to insist on the father’s name. Sushmita fondly recalled this moment as pure happiness, marking a triumph over bureaucratic hurdles that attempted to undermine her identity as a single mother.
Reflecting on a pivotal moment in the early 2000s, Sushmita Sen remembered the bold decision she made to adopt her first daughter. In an unprecedented case, she, a young and fertile woman, navigated the legal complexities of adoption while being single. During the court proceedings, a judge posed a shocking question to Sushmita’s father, Shubeer Sen, asking if he was concerned about his daughter’s marriage post-adoption. In response, her father asserted that while no father would be thrilled with such a decision, he had not raised his daughter to be someone’s wife. Sushmita applauded her father’s unwavering support, highlighting her commitment to the path of motherhood she had chosen.
Sushmita Sen’s journey reflects not only personal triumphs but also a resolute challenge to societal norms and bureaucratic hurdles, showcasing her indomitable spirit and commitment to her chosen path of motherhood.
