Ours is a country which has always been obsessed with fairness, particularly so when it comes to women. Most of us have grown up watching Fair and Lovely ads. No wonder we have a booming 2000 crore industry of skin-whitening products. Being a dusky woman in India is tough. Even Rafi saheb had to compose a song to prove a dark person’s innocence with, “Hum kaale hai toh kya hua, dilwaale hai.”Here are a few annoying things that Indians need to stop saying to dusky women.

“Rang aisa hi raha toh shaadi kaun karega tumse?”

This one has been shot at us so many times, even from distant relatives. Why are they so bothered about our shaadi, when they barely know us? Is shaadi and being fair the only two things in a women’s life?

“Aur kaali hoti jaa rahi hai.Thoda besan hi laga le.”

From besan to rose water, the suggestions are never ending. And they come from our very own family members. Thank you very much for the advice, but we don’t need to match your idea of beauty.