Zehra Nigah’s poem “Main bach gayi ma, main bach gayi ma” imagines an unborn girl speaking to her mother. Its refrain, “I was saved, mother, I was saved,” is bitterly ironic: the speaker imagines that not being born has spared her the violence and restrictions imposed on girls. The English version published by Scroll was translated from Urdu by Rakhshanda Jalil.
Who wrote the poem, and who is speaking?
Pakistani poet Zehra Nigah wrote “Main bach gayi ma, main bach gayi ma.” In Scroll’s 2017 feature, Rakhshanda Jalil translates the title and refrain as “I was saved, mother, I was saved.” The speaker is an imagined unborn girl addressing her mother—not an adult narrator recounting a documented personal experience.
Scroll published the feature on January 24, 2017, for National Girl Child Day. A Government of India institute bulletin also records the observance on January 24, in its 2022 example. The date gives the poem’s publication context; it does not establish when or why the observance began.
What does “I was saved” mean?
The refrain works through irony. The speaker calls herself saved because, in the poem’s imagined situation, she has escaped a life in which being a girl exposes her to cruelty and control. The Poetry Translation Centre reads the line in this way: as not being born into a world hostile to girls. That is a literary interpretation of the poem, rather than a literal account of a particular pregnancy or event.
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchPC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
The poem’s force comes from the gap between the language of rescue and the suffering it evokes. “Saved” sounds like relief, but the circumstances that make such relief imaginable are an indictment of the world the speaker describes.
What violence and restrictions does the poem describe?
In Jalil’s 2017 translation, the imagined girl names forms of gendered violence and constraint. The poem’s culturally specific vocabulary should be read in context, not treated as a description of universal customs.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
- Satta-vatta: Scroll glosses this as “give-and-take,” referring here to the exchange of women as brides.
- Kari/karo-kari: Scroll glosses these terms as honour killing.
- Surma: The 2017 feature explains this as antimony used to line the eyes; the poem turns the image into one of harm.
These glosses identify how the terms function in the published translation. They are not a claim that the practices named are shared by all communities or families.
Why do English versions use different wording?
There is more than one English rendering of Nigah’s poem. Jalil’s Scroll translation from 2017 and the excerpt from her later collection The Story of Eve: Selected Poems differ in phrasing and line breaks. For example, the 2017 version uses “coloured every pore” and “surma of acid”; the later excerpt uses “seeped into every pore” and “kohl of acid.” The Poetry Translation Centre also publishes a separate translation, with notes on Urdu vocabulary and the speaker’s “own sleep.”
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
These differences are translation choices, not evidence that one English version is the sole canonical wording. When quoting or discussing a particular phrase, name the translator and edition. The 2017 Scroll version begins: “I was saved, mother, I was saved” — Zehra Nigah, translated from Urdu by Rakhshanda Jalil.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Where can readers find more of Nigah’s poetry?
The Story of Eve: Selected Poems, translated by Rakhshanda Jalil, includes this poem and offers a way to read more of Nigah’s work in English. The Poetry Translation Centre page is another useful resource: it provides an alternate translation and explanatory notes.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
