Two Drops of Life !!

At 8 AM, She arrived at railway station. Trains were on schedule so far. People were sipping tea, Coolies are preparing for new day and never sleeping railway station was on it’s way to greet new day.  She was the first person to arrive from her team. She prepared her kit, wore the campaign cap and without waiting for other team members, she began her work,, to spot the children.

Laxmi(F 65) was working as volunteer for Polio day campaign, a campaign planned by India to eradicate polio from the country. The health workers and volunteers on Polio day, assemble at public places, with their polio kit and vaccinate the child, by two drops of life as they advertise.

 As Laxmi spotted the first child of the day, she went to him and ask his parents “ Polio drops pilaya ?” Mother nodded negatively.  Laxmi poured two drops of Polio vaccine into baby’s mouth. While pouring the drops, Laxmi saw the eyes of child and found her God in it. Mother gave her thanking look and they boarded the train. Laxmi felt elated. She had just contributed in protecting a child from disease. It was fantastic feeling.

Slowly her team members arrived and they also joined the drill. At age of 65, Laxmi was most energetic worker among all. She was totally focussed on her work. She continuously spot children, inquire and if required feed them polio drops. Then get back to her seat and wait for another child.

She spotted a couple with a child, running to catch the train. Laxmi interrupted their rush and asked for Polio drops ! Mother wanted to stop, but impatient father urged her to forget and get on the train as they were late. Mother was confused. Laxmi understanding the predicament, with authoritarian voice ordered “ Stop, vaccinate your child”.. Father angrily replied “ we will miss the train” Laxmi replied in same manner “ So be it, don’t miss the train of life”.. Father was taken aback by Laxmi’s sheer authority and conviction. Lamxi poured the drops and couple hurriedly boarded the train. Mother winked her hands to Laxmi from window, thanking her. Laxmi  smiled in relief.

Shilpa, a young collegian girl in Laxmi’s team had very big competitive ego. She believed that life is competition and she has to win always..  Looking at Laxmi’s relentless pursuit of children and vigour to give them polio vaccine, her competitive urge invoked. She took Laxmi’s pursuit as challenge and decided to spot more children than her. She forgot that she is competing with woman much older and wiser. When Laxmi spotted a child, Shilpa used to follow her and reach to the child faster, giving winning look to Laxmi. She was finding match-winning fun in this.  Laxmi tolerated her childish behaviour silently. For her, child and polio drops were more important than anything else.

Acts without inner commitment and merely provoked by ego, fades fast. As story of hare and tortoise, Shilpa got tired at the evening and her ego dried out. Laxmi was tired too but she wanted to remain at station till her Polio kit was over. Shilpa urged her that their schedule timing is till 6 PM and they have to stop their campaign after that.  Laxmi was firm that she will not leave the station, till her kit is finished. Shipla urged other team members to persuade Laxmi to end-up the task as scheduled. She argued that if Laxmi stays back, then entire team also had to stay back as matter of principle. Getting into Shilpa’s argument, whole team urged Laxmi to finish, but Laxmi was firm and least bothered about her team. She bluntly told everyone that she will not leave the station, till she has last drop of Polio Kit. Team had no answer.

Shilpa hurt by her own ego, left the station in anger which had no impact on Laxmi. Slowly rest of the crew also left, leaving Laxmi behind.  Laxmi was busy in her noble task.

During Night time, Railway station became more lively, messy  and  filled by more passengers. In the crowd of passengers, it was difficult for Laxmi to reach out to needy children but she kept going. Trains were arriving and departing, passengers were moving haphazardly, burdened coolies, TCs surrounded by waitlisted passengers with money-filled fists, few baggers identifying their possible customers.. among all these Laxmi kept on finding her babies and pouring 2 drops of life. Her body was aching, her old legs were tired, her head was spinning in pain but she ignored her body cries and cribs. She kept her body dragging in pursuing her babies. When she felt giddy, she sat and drank a drop of water, ate a biscuit and re-energized again… She continued till 11.30 PM, till her kit was over. After pouring last drop into a baby’s mouth, she felt relieved and relaxed. She can excuse herself now. She has done what best she can do.

She knocked the door of her house and heard the noise of metallic leg braces. Puja, her younger daughter, opened the door.  Laxmi saw her daughter in leg braces, her legs were eaten by Polio. Laxmi who was vaccinating numerous babies on polio day, failed to vaccine her own daughter from Polio !!!

Twenty years ago, Laxmi was residing in small town. After giving measles vaccine, Puja got high fever. Town people told her that Gods were angry on her.. As result, Laxmi refrained from any other vaccination for her children. Laxmi ignored Polio dosage and but Polio did not spare Puja. Virus ate her legs and now Laxmi is regretting for not vaccinating Puja against Polio.

Now Whenever Laxmi looked at Puja in leg braces, she felt terrible guilt and felt responsible for her misery. She could not go to the past and correct her mistake, but surely can contribute in saving other children from becoming victim of Polio.

Tonight she slept, remembering faces of all the children, she has attended. She felt proud on herself and her guilt-ridden-soul relaxed bit.  

Two drops of life, can make or break the leg braces…

By

Vadan

IT happens only in India !!!

When I was in Norway as a student, I used to visit city library (Deichmanske-bibliotek). While searching a book, I saw a pictorial book on India. The first sentence of that book was.. India is most interesting country in the world.

In deed, India is most interesting country in world, which is solely run by God. I have heard a monotonous joke many times, that one soviet diplomat was non believer but after visiting India, He started believing in God’s existence.  

In this regard, I want to share my true life experiences, which really make our country UNIQUE… These examples are categorized as Ugly, Bad and Good.

Water Vs Paper !!! (Ugly)

 I landed at newly build Asia’s largest new terminal 3 of Indira Gandhi Int. Airport from Chicago. It was amazing to see newly built beaming terminal 3 , with swanky interiors, working escalators and cleanliness matching to international standards. Me as middle class Indian, always feel happy when I see newly opened AC Mall, new fly-over bridge, in our case newly opened airport terminal. I feel boost to see my country’s infrastructure is catching up (slowly) with developed countries.  JJJJ

After initial inspection of shops and restaurant, I went to washroom, just to inquire cleanliness. It was crystal clean. J There was one onsite cleaner, with latest cleaning tools. I was happy to see that everything is in order. I went to one of toilets.  It was as clean as never used and I tempted to use it. After using, I found toilet paper box empty. 1^st heartbreak L As Indian, I know how to use mini shower for the purpose thus I managed.  

I wanted to fix that problem so I summoned that cleaner and told him to refill the toilet paper box. He emotionless-ly answered me that, he does not have the key. What Key ?? I found toilet paper box with a lock !!!! So I asked him who is having Key ? He replied “ the Supervisor”. I continued “ Call your supervisor and fill the box “. Reluctant as he was, he called his supervisor. His supervisor was at Terminal 2 and will take 30 mins to arrive. 2^nd heartbreak. L L I told him that if passengers who does not know how to use mini shower for the purpose, without toilet paper they will be in mess !!! He did not had any answer to my passionate query. I was visualizing a white man, who does not know the function of mini shower,  asking for toilet papers in emergency and gets reply to wait for 30 mins.. His face.. and his anger.. !!! I reconciled my imaginations that white man will surely learn the means of Mini shower !!

I don’t know who has designed such toilet-box-locking policy. This is an example of Trust Deficit between Airport Authorities(AAI) and Passengers, where AAI, assumes that passengers who are traveling by international airline,  will steal the toilet papers and control of such valuable items should lie with Supervisor than cleaner…

After coming out of washroom, impression caused by swankiness of Terminal 3 has evaporated. I understood that just by developing external swankiness, will not make us developed country. True strength lies in designing people-centric internal policies and processes.  

In limited world,  I have travelled, Toilet-box-locking-policy,  I have seen only at Indira Gandhi International Airport. It happens only in India.

New Addresses (Bad)

Shiv Shakti Hall, front of Geeta cinema, JP road, Andheri(W). That was the address of my distant friends’ marriage reception. As he has sent hardcopy of the marriage invitation, I had to go.. (I reciprocate eMail invitations by greeting back on email only, cost-time savings from both sides). I used Google map to locate the marriage hall, but confusingly there were 3 marriage halls with same name on JP road !! Thus I decided to call the hall admin, for the directions. He replied me and his reply amazed me “ Just take JP road, turn right from Geeta Cinema and in front of Metro Piller no 100, we are located. “.. Front of Metro Pillar no 100,,, that’s new landmark !!

I am familiar with Indian address-landmarks as above Kamal Chemicals, opposite Bhavani Provision store, next to Parle Galli(street), below Chotu Pannwala, but Metro Pillars..  I have heard for first time.. I know Metro line pillars are being constructed between Andheri(W) to Ghatkoper to build Mumbai’s first Metro line. Construction is going on since ages (Don’t’ know when it will be finished and Am I lucky enough to travel in Mumbai Metro in current life ?  ) . Nice to know that Metro Pillars are already being used for civic services, before actual Metro line !!!!

Numbering Metro pillars and using it as landmark was catchy and unique about my city … It shows that how we innovative we are in using our resources in resource-scarce country.... Now metro pillars is used as landmarks .. May be we will have addresses as “Vimal Mahata, Metro Pillar No 100, Adheri-Ghatkoper Line, Mumbai 40. “ short and sweet, as addresses in developed countries..  It happens only in India.

Working System (Good)

In Pre Internet era, where we had to stand in queue to book Railway tickets, I had booked a ticket for me (M 28) and my uncle (M 60) for Ahmedabad. Day before travel, my uncle had postponed the travel hence I need to cancel his name from the ticket.

I went to reservation counter at Dadar. Amidst mess and chaos, I submitted my cancellation form to the booking clerk. He cancelled and retuned the modified ticket. To my horror, he has cancelled my name, instead of my uncle’s !!! Before I protest, he closed the window and reservation time was over.. I was left in lurch…

After elaborate thinking, I decided to travel with same ticket and convince ticket checker (TC).  Next day I sat on my uncle’s seat and waited for TC to arrive. I was tensed. As I saw TC, butterfly started flying in my stomach.. I was rehearsing the lines; memorized for, newly born  TC Uncle.

My mind was imaging all kind of possibilities..  How if TC uncle could not be convinced!!  I imagined I am being thrown out of train couch and all passengers are staring me with disgust.. These hallucinations, fears were making my life for tensed and terrible..

Instead of being castigated in front of fellow passengers, I cornered TC uncle at door- passage. I explained my woeful experience at ticket counter and requested him to let me travel on my uncle’s ticket. After I finished my emotional appeal with mercy-seeking, almost crying facial expressions.. ( so that sympathy related emotions can be awaken in TC uncle), he professionally replied to me” Travelling on your uncle’s ticket, is considered as you are traveling without ticket. You should be fined: Double the charge of full ticket plus penalty of traveling without ticket. So it would be 3 times more than original ticket charge.” So I have paid Rs.800 for a ticket, now I have to pay Rs.2400 as penalty.

Thunderbolt hit me… I intensified my appeal with hope that he will able to read my tears.. But I failed and his professionalism was stone hard. Finally I gave up and changed my appeal into anger. I cursed railway department for harassing passengers. Bla bla.. He replied that if I have filled my forms correctly and it was mistake of booking clerk than I should complain with penalty receipt. Based on my complaint, investigation will happened and if I am correct, than money will be refunded. I did not believe him. Who in railway’s lousy administration, will conduct investigation for me !! I gave up and decided to pay the fine.

As soon I got my wallet out to pay the fine, Rs. 2400, TC uncle’s attitude changed. He whispered “ Your work can be done if you pay Rs.1000”… I understood, he was asking for the  bribe. It was tempting for me.. but I was so angry on TC Uncle that I did not want to make any deal with him, rather happy to pay Rs.2400. I declined the offer and he got disappointed… He tried to convince me that complaint will not help, and I will end up losing money. But I stood by my decision, paid the fine, got the receipt and went to my seat, angrily.

When I returned to Mumbai, I still had that receipt in my wallet. I decided to take a chance. I went to Western Railway Office at Churchgate and submitted my application, along with receipt and copy of pan card. I met a clerk, accepting the applications. He was buried under files and piles of papers.. Entire hall ( size of regular marriage hall) was filled by paper Towers.. huge paper files, stacked on each other to build towers.. It was an image of true Indian Office.. I asked the clerk, when will my application will be heard ? He replied all these paper are in waiting list, your application’s turn will come after we are done with them..”  pointing at paper towers..

I did not had any thing to say.. I left the office without single ray of hope of justice.

Next whole week, I lamented my railway sad story to my friends, office colleagues, relatives, cursing railway system and administration. Once my inner frustration vented out, I forgot the happening.

After six months or so, I have received a post. In times of courier services, it is surprising to receive a POST. It was from Railway department, informing me to collect my Rs.2400 from Dadar Reservation counter, within a month………… I was not happy.. (which I should be) , rather I was SHOCKED..    IS IT POSSIBLE ! Is it possible that my application, got heard in paper towers, without a single phone call or bribe !!! Is it possible that some gentlemen/women in railway, investigated my application, checked my cancellation form and reverted !!!! Given the paper Towers at Railway office and orthodox admin system, this looked wonder to me !!

 I happily went to Dadar and received my money. At that day I was happy Indian. Now whenever discussion on India’s lousy bureaucracy erupts, I never forgot to mention this case study…

After all It happens only in India J

Regds

vadan

Partition

Partition

This short story is about an automobile mechanic, who was victim of his own mental fears.

RC Garage was a vehicle repairing workshop owned by two mechanics : Radhe and Chotu. They were quite knowledgeable about vehicle mechanism and very customer friendly. Hence I used to service my scooter at their garage since last 8 years. Our relationship has also grown over the years. Both of them worked in quite harmonious way and prospered in their lives under roof of RC garage.
My scooter has developed certain battery issue, hampering it’s performance. I called Radhe for the repair. He told me to visit the garage at 10 AM. My preferred time was around 4 PM. Surprisingly he was insisting on 10 AM. I could not understand the reason behind his insistence. Finally, I agreed on his timings.
I reached to his garage. He was waiting for me eagerly. I could not find Chotu around. I asked whereabouts of Chotu, which Radhe ignored to answer. I found fewer vehicles than usual in the garage. Radhe was totally engrossed in his work. This level of commitment to work can possibly be achieved when passion becomes profession. It’s always inspiring to watch such commitment.
While Radhe was working on my scooter, Chotu has arrived. I noticed that both of them have ignored each other’s presence. Chotu started working on client’s car silently. It was unusual because I have never seen both of them working so silent. The FM radio was also switched off. Chotu wanted a screwdriver, lying near to Radhe. I noticed that instead of taking help from Radhe, he went all way to another side of garage to get similar kind of screwdriver. I smelled dispute between them and as friend of both I thought to intervene to resolve the issue. I asked the reason for the dispute. Radhe kept mum but finally Chotu broke the silence.
Chotu disclosed that Radhe wants to work separately. On insistence, Radhe charged Chotu on financial cheating, which Chotu opposed vehemently. It seemed that Chotu was shocked on and argued passionately against Radhe’s decision. Since both of them did not have enough capital to buy or rent new garage, they had no option to share the same garage. Radhe insisted on separate timeslots for working and separate tool set. Hence they will have separate customers and tools to work with. I understood, the reason behind Radhe’s insistence on 10 AM was to make me his client, before Chotu arrives. Working at different timeslots on same garage means that each of them will work only for few hours and rest of day will be spent being unproductive. Separate hours of working, will also decrease their capability to handle more customers hence decreased revenue. Till now they used to share their tools and managing the business but separate toolkit will be costly to buy. Chotu’s arguments had made sense to me and I requested Radhe to sort out the issues and avoid the separation. Radhe was totally adamant. He has made his mind for separation. Finally Chotu turned emotional. He explained that he and Radhe were from same town and came to Mumbai together. They were trained under same Mechanic teacher and stayed together for initial years. They have shared the grief and happiness of life and supported each other in hard times. Chotu was not able to understand the reason for Radhe’s anger. Chotu requested, pleaded and begged Radhe to avoid separation but Radhe was not listening.

I left garage with heavy heart. That night, I was thinking about Radhe’s stubbornness. I felt that Radhe was not telling the real reason behind his decision. He was hiding some unexposed fact. Radhe’s body language was somehow not confirming his verbal expressions. Something was there in Radhe’s mind which was not coming out.
After few months when I went to service my scooter, I found that RC garage has been shut down. Neighbor told me that dispute between Radhe and Chotu grew and finally they decided to shut down the garage. My real worry was not to worry about them but find new knowledgeable mechanic for my scooter !!

I found new mechanic for my scooter and RC garage’s memory has been washed out from my mind. That day I returned home late night. I took last Borivali local train and reached my station at darkest hours of night and moments before wee hours of morning. It was raining very hard and I was in dire search of auto rickshaw. I am very afraid of whims of auto rickshaw drivers. They may give you ride or may not ! They are kings and we, as passengers are at mercy of their whims. Under heavy rain, luckily I found an auto, who was willing to give me ride. I just jumped into the auto. I was surprised to see Radhe as auto driver !!!!
I had many questions to ask. But Rain was so heavy that I was busy in saving myself from torrents of rain. Rain became nastier. Radhe could hardly see the road. I requested Radhe to wait till Rain slows down. He agreed. Coincidently we were stopped right in front of closed RC garage. Having no other option, Radhe took his auto under the shade of RC Garage. He came out of auto and touched the closed door of RC garage. Radhe seemed very depressed. I could not feel his energies, I have experienced when he worked as mechanic. He looked at few rusty tools lying on the floor. He picked one of it, judged it and threw it as useless. I could not stop asking Radhe that why RC garage was closed ? Radhe casually replied that he could not work with Chotu. Chotu was fraud. I could not feel the truth in his words. I wanted to grab him and shack him till he tell me the truth. I curbed my feelings and asked mere formal question “When did he started driving Auto and left his mastered profession ?” He replied that after shutting RC garage, he could not work as mechanic, the memories of RC haunting him. I felt that Radhe is opening up. I got closer to Radhe, put my hand on his shoulder and asked him to tell the truth. He turned around and I found small tear in corner of his eye.

He lighted a cigarette, exposing his inner dilemma.
“ My wife is very beautiful. All my friends were jealous of my fortune, including Chotu. That day I have invited Chotu for dinner.. At time of dining, Chotu crossed the limit. When my wife was serving him Roti, he suddenly touched her wrist intently twice... I could not bear that visual of his fingers touching my wife’s wrist.. I could not sleep at that night and till now that bloody visual keeps recurring in my mind. That day I have decided to sever all my relations with Chotu..”

The lid has broken and worms are coming out of bottle. I knew that Radhe haven’t spoken about this incident with Chotu or his wife and merely assuming things, based in his perception. I replied Radhe that touching wrist is very minor gesture. May be Chotu did not mean anything and it can be merely just a small incident !! May be Radhe was victim of his own suspicion, wrong perception and mental complex about his wife. Radhe was not accepting any of my arguments. He was adamant that Chotu had devil in his mind and if not stopped he could have stolen his beautiful wife.
Rain was stopped and we headed towards my home. Sometimes we can be blinded by our mental beliefs that we tend to forget the practical approach. Deep emotions became driving force and our actions are guided by emotions rather than reasonability. Pakistan’s founder Mr.Jinnah was having ambition of becoming India’s first Prime minister. As he saw that Jawarharlal Nehru was having greater chance, he fulfilled his lifelong ambition by creating new country based on religion. On the surface, Mr.Jinnah formed new country, Pakistan for Muslims community. The real reason might be his inherent desire to RULE. If Mr.Jinnah would have been first PM of India, may be Pakistan would not have formed. Same argument about desire to rule is applicable to Ambani family and Thakckery family’s division. Ambition is an emotion and so does Fear. In our case, Radhe’s inherent fear of losing beautiful wife was reason for his spat with Chotu. His fear has not just ruined his carrier and mental peace. But as we could not stop formation of Pakistan, separation of Ambani family or Rise of MNS (Maharashtra Navnirman sena), I could not stop RC garage’s partition.
Engrossed in these thoughts, I left Radhe’s auto. I was standing on lonely, wet road , watching Radhe’s auto crossing the potholes, splashing the dirty water and finally disappeared in the darkness.

I felt the silence,,, after the storm. I didn’t like that and wanted to save myself from it. I rushed to my home.


Regds
Vadan
© Vadan Mehta., all rights reserved.

Bomb Blast in My House

Around 8.30 PM in the night, my wife has received call from her sister, living at Bhopal. I assumed must be regular chit-chat call, but intent of the caller was different. She asking about our well being. My wife replied that “yes, everything is fine”, considering rains in the city. But my sister-in-law was asking about something else, Bomb blasts at south Mumbai.

My wife drew our attention to the blasts. We switched the TV channel from ‘ Tarak Metha ka Ulta Chasma ’ (comedy) to news channels. All the news channels were energetically as ever, screaming about bomb blasts.

Personally I have become insensitive to terrorist attacks. After seeing 1991 Mumbai serial blasts, 2007 train bomb blasts, 2009 Taj attack  and other numerous blasts at various places in the country, bomb blasts do not emotionalize me as it was few years ago. I have accepted as part of my destiny as Indian. I was just interested in knowing the places of blasts and what new methods, terrorists have innovated to scare us. The blast places were Zaveri Bazar, Dadar Kabutar Khana and Opera House. I stay at Borivali (area quite far from blast locations) and my family members were with me,  so I  did not had much to fear and as insensitive as I was, watching the news without any emotions or attachment.  

Suddenly a thought bolted me. My unmarried uncle is staying at Sukh Sagar, place very close to Opera house, one of the blast location. Now my attachment to blasts has changed from informal to personal. I dialled my uncle’s cell phone and it was out of coverage. I tried his residence landline number and it was unanswered. I made numerous attempts to call but he could not be contacted.   

News channels’ horrific images of bomb blast sites and my uncle’s disconnectedness, made me very jittery. A person who was aloof about the happening few moments ago, now became a victim himself. I started getting all kind of thoughts about the situation. 

“ What fun these terrorists is having by bombing us.. !! Our law is very soft and that’s why these rascals are fearlessly bombing us !! Look at Kasab, he is still living...If i became Prime minister, i will catch these terrorists and kill them exactly in same way... tie them to bomb and blast them at Opera house, exact location they have planted the bomb.. and let it be live on TV so that other aspire to-be terrorists do not dare to bomb us.. 

We all know that Pakistan is behind the blasts..Our government has done till date is go to US and cry about Pakistan.. US gave us ONLY consolation.. US and China are behind Pak and that’s why they dare to help terrorists. Pak could not defeat us in military war so started this kind of proxy war. We are helpless.. We have to just suffer.. OR  We should nuke Pakistan, let them also nuck us.. Once for all let finish the problem.

Why uncle’s cell phone is not reachable.. may be battery is discharged or network is jammed.. These cell phone companies should be fined heavily for not providing service when man needs the most. They should be penalised for their behaviour..

But what about land line.. It is ringing but no one is picking up   !!! Where the hell Uncle has gone ! Must be gone to see the wreckage of bomb blast.. Does he has any sense to call me  to ensure he is fine.. !! What If something would have happened to him ?  “ etc.

Engulfed in all sort of negative thoughts, I called his nearest friend. His friend told me that he has not met him since a week. It was nearly 10.30 PM and had been an hour since I was trying to contact him. I decided to visit his house at opera house to check about him.

I tried final time on his cell and luckily I got through. I poured my anger on him when he received the call.

Me: Hello, Kaka (uncle) where are you ! We all are worried..

Uncle: I am fine...

Me: Have you heard about Opera house bomb blast.. ! Can’t you call us ! We are trying to call since an hour.. !

Uncle: Ya,, I have heard.. I am at Lonawala, enjoying our association party..

Me: you are lonawala.. Oh... Enjoy.

I disconnected the line and was relieved that he is fine. Only pain left, was Why he has not invited me to Lonawala. Having warm cup of tea with panner pakoda, in Lonawala’s misty monsoon is like, heaven.

 

All my previous thoughts about terrorism has been washed out.I switched back TV channel from News to my favourite comedy serial ‘FIR’. I forgot all my worries, pains, deaths, wounds and engrossed completely in  FIR’s comedy.

That’s the way I fight against terrorism.

regds
vadan

SECOND SHOCK !

She was shocked. Her dream was shattered. All her prayers, mannats have gone in vain. She was disheartened that her prayers have not attended by her God. She was not able to digest the fact that she can’t change her destiny and had to live with. She had to live with that disturbing truth her entire life. She kept asking her God again and again, why her dream has failed, what was her mistake? Why ? But her God had many more things to do, other than just answering her stupid queries. She had started losing trust on her God, she had worshipped her entire life. And she had not gained the desired fruit of that loyalty.

Sushilla’s daughter Monica had given birth to second baby girl. Mother and child were healthy and fine, but Monica’s In-laws and her mother were deeply shocked. They have done all poojas and mannats to get a BOY, but Monica gave birth to a GIRL. This was the reason for shock. The feeling of shock has aggravated as she was the second daughter. They were quite confident this time, that it’s going to be Boy, as all their relatives, pundits, astrologers have indicated the same. But God had another plan and Monica gave birth to a baby girl, shattering their dream and desire.

Today Sushila was on her way to grocery store to buy food-items for child’s naming ceremony. If it would have been boy this function would have been lavish, but with girl child, naming ceremony has reduced to a formality. While walking on the pavement, Sushilla was lamenting on her bad luck and ruthlessness of her God. Sushilla has committed long list of commitments to the God, if Monica births a boy, as Yatra to Tirupati, 1001 laddus prasadam to Siddnivinayak, Sweat distributions in nearby slum, etc.. but all these have no value now. God was not interested in her briberyJ

Sushilla reached to the store and purchased necessary goods, with least amount of interest. Being part of literate, urbanized, modern family, Sushilla can’t publically show her unhappiness over 2^nd baby girl, and thus it was kind of muted, but attitudinal displeasure rather than spoken one. Sushila was not very enthusiastic to speak about new born child to her relatives. Her relatives, like her, reacted more or less same way as Sushila, upon hearing the news... unhappy and consolatory   ...

Lost in thoughts, Sushilla crossed the main road, without noticing car horns and traffic signal. There were others walking with her on pavement also, but Sun was blazing hard especially on her.  She turned to the Society lane and was spotted by Mrs.Shetty. Mrs.Shetty asked about Monica and Sushila has to inform her about birth of girl child. Hearing this, Mrs.Shetty smirked with avenge-full gaze to Sushilla. Sushilla had reacted same manner, when Mrs.Shetty’s daughter had given birth to second girl chid. This sort of family rivalry has been continued since long time between them. This time it was Sushila’s downturn and which was unbearable to her.

The Indian urban middle class has quite modernized itself during last decade and especially after economic liberalization of 90s. They are benefitting from 8% economic growth, and adapted western lifestyle to certain level.  Jeans wearing daughter or daughter-in-law is common sight and so does, their love for English language. But sometimes, this middle class is confused between new thought-process; its new modern lifestyle has to offer and old traditional values, germinated deep into their psyche.  Whenever both clashes, creates confusion. Sushiila is going though that confusion.

Sushila could not understand why the hell she was feeling sad, when she suppose to feel happy and joy !!! She could not understand why she welcoming her new family member with such disgrace ? Why so negativity about girl child and what about dignity of woman !!

The origin of Sushila’s negativity of girl child is residing, in century old Indian patriarchal tradition. As per Taliban way of thinking ‘woman is like beautiful rose and should be protected’. Our ancestors were having similar line of thoughts and as result, this beautiful rose, was pushed inside the house and deprived from education or any sort of vocational training.  Woman restricted to manage household and Man suppose to bread earner of the family.  As consequences Man’s market value increased because as says he who pays the piper calls the tune, this world became Man’s world and un-earning woman became so called burden, especially in our societies.

CUT to 2011, Sushilla, a semi-modern grand-mother, living in Mumbai’s sub-urban area Malad’s Cosmo society,  does not believe completely in girl as burden, but still traces of old mentality is found in her psyche. Even she agrees in girl education and woman empowerment, belief is strong that, one boy per family is MUST to carry the family name forward. An ideal family for her is couple, with two children,(a boy and a boy or girl). Monica’s second daughter has shattered her thoughts for ideal family. She wasn’t that sad when Monica gave birth to first daughter, but with second one, she was quite upset.  How Monica is going to raise, protect and marry her two girls, kept her worrying. Confused Sushilla kept consoling herself and gave examples of Sonia Gandhis and Chanda Kochhars(ICICI Chief) to convince herself that in this flat world, girls are also achiever, but century-old programming of mental thoughts were not letting her do so.

At Society gate, Sushila met Mrs. Janki Patel, a friend. She knew that Janki had terrible knee problem and she is awaiting her daughter for medical check-up. Janki had 4 sons and single daughter. All of her sons area settled in US and only daughter is in Mumbai. Her daughter has refused to settle in US, as she was not willing to leave her ailing mother alone in India. She was married and living very close by. Sushilla was listening to Janki’s story silently.

Janki’s daughter arrived in the car. She helped Janki to get into the car and they drove for medical check up.  Sushilla kept watching her car, till it disappeared in the web of traffic. While watching all these activities, something strange started happening into Sushilla.. A magic.

Sushila felt like curtains have removed and sun shine has entered into the room. She started feeling energetic and happy. Her century old beliefs are being eradicated and new fresh thought’s seeds are being germinated into her mind. She remembered how she has helped her parents and ln-laws, exactly the way Janki’s daughter. She felt proud about how Monica has managed her professional carrier and personal responsibilities. She remembered all the sacrifices, she has made for her the family. Her dignity as woman, has started unleashing. She started feeling refreshed and energetic, like never before. First time in her life, she has realized her true potential and now she will not let it die.

Sushila reached home. She hurriedly went to new girl child and carried her. She embraced her to the chest and said “I am sorry”. Now there will be lavish naming ceremony.......