"If Marriage Is Abusive...": Kerala Lemonade Vendor-Turned-Cop Cautions

Kerala police Sub-Inspector Aanie SP's life stands out at a time when a number of cases of domestic abuse have been reported in the state.

When Aanie SP, a Kerala police Sub-Inspector, walked out of her abusive marriage more than a decade ago, she was merely 19, and already nursing a newborn. Today, at 31, she is policing the very small town whose streets she once roamed doing small jobs like selling insurance, lemonade, and ice cream. Her life of grit and determination stands out even more at a time when a number of cases of dowry deaths and domestic abuse have been reported in the state.    "Married life is about adjustments. But when things cross the line, your ability to bear, especially in physical violence, there's nothing to think about. Just call your parents. Go to your parents," Ms Aanie told NDTV. "My son was nine months old when I walked out of an abusive marriage...I would make Rs 3,500. Of which, Rs 3,000 would go towards the house rent, Rs 400 for my son's day-care. I would be left with only Rs 100. I would do more odd jobs to make ends meet." At state capital Thiruvananthapuram's Varkala police station, the Sub-Inspector appears prompt at addressing grievances, despite a stream of people visiting her to congratulate her on her being posting there recently.