New Delhi [India], July 16: In India, the birth of a child is often expected to bring joy. Yet, for many women, that joy is clouded by a deep-rooted societal bias—disappointment when the baby is a girl. In I Want a Boy, obstetrician and gynaecologist Dr. Aruna Kalra reflects on over 25 years of experience in government hospitals and private clinics, offering a stark look at the enduring preference for sons across the country.
Through moving stories of her patients, colleagues, and even her own life, Dr. Kalra captures the heartbreak that unfolds quietly in delivery rooms. Mothers refusing to look at their newborn daughters, women risking their lives with repeated pregnancies in the pursuit of a son, and families pushing for sex-selective abortions—all reveal how deeply this bias runs. One such tragedy involved Aarifa, a nurse and colleague, who died during her third pregnancy trying to have a boy. These are not isolated incidents; they’re part of a widespread, often unspoken reality.
The idea for the book took shape during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the silence of lockdowns gave Dr. Kalra the space to revisit the diaries she had kept for years. Initially turned down by publishers for being “too tragic,” the manuscript eventually found a home with Vitasta Publishing. But the book is more than just a collection of patient stories—it is also deeply personal. Dr. Kalra shares her own experiences: being married young, raising a child while pursuing medical training, and even facing societal pressure during her own abortion. These moments add raw honesty and vulnerability to the narrative.
What makes the book even more powerful is its reminder that son preference is not limited to rural or uneducated communities. It exists just as strongly in urban, educated, financially stable households. Despite legal efforts like the PC-PNDT Act, which bans prenatal sex determination, illegal practices continue quietly, and the emotional toll on mothers is often ignored.
Dr. Kalra emphasizes that while laws are necessary, real change requires shifting cultural thinking. Girls need to be valued, not tolerated. Medical professionals, too, must be more attuned to the silent suffering of women, offering care that is ethical, compassionate, and free from judgment.
She believes that change begins early—through conversations in schools and homes, through equal treatment of sons and daughters. And while the book is filled with painful truths, it ends with cautious hope. She sees signs of progress in young couples rejecting outdated norms and families welcoming daughters with love.
I Want a Boy is not just about gender bias—it’s about courage. The courage to speak up, to listen, and to change. Through her honest and unflinching account, Dr. Aruna Kalra offers a timely and important reminder: change begins when we stop pretending everything is fine, and start telling the truth.
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