‘‘I appreciated the little things that made me, me.

When I was in school, I was the only one with 'dark skin'. Everyone else was fair. It didn't matter to me until some boys in my class started bullying me because of my skin color. They had creative abuses for me. I remember crying in the school bus and all the way home. This continued for a few years.

It was only ten years later that I realised how beautiful I looked, and that my skin colour was coveted by so many. It helped that i made great friends who loved me for my personality and met my now husband, who’s skin is darker than mine! My brain started getting more and more powerful because of the work I put into it, and it showed on my face and personality. There are still some days I don't feel I am nice looking, but thankfully it’s temporary, and I know now how smart I am. This helps in combating my insecurities. I read books, I worked hard at my profession, I appreciated the little things that made me, me.

It took me many years to get over my insecurities over my looks, but now that I’ve crossed over to the other side, I can’t believe I used to worry about it!

Lubhyathi Rangarajan

Lubhyathi is a succesful lawyer in Delhi and co founded an organization for criminal justice work