What is strength measured in, I wonder, as I ponder over 'Mardaani'. Mardaani... ( Image Source ) Somehow, the word reminds me of Rekha in a Sari, hair open, on a horse, wielding a sword - akin Rani Laxmibai, I guess. What is outwardly apparent is the physical strength. But is it enough, if not supported by emotional toughness? I can't think of a female I know who has wielded a sword or even a stick, for that matter. Never had to (fingers crossed!), but strength some of them have had in bounds. One such person is my aunt, Preet. And this is Preet's story. Preet's a good girl - that's how her mother always talked about her. Born in 1950s India to Punjabi parents, who were 'refugees' in 1947 when they came to India from Pakistan. (Preet's father would, once in a while, rant about having been called a refugee in his own country - but that story is for another time, another blog-post) When she was born, the family was still struggling