Today as Amrita stood tall on the dais, with a thousand palms applauding
her for the
breakthrough in Genetic Engineering, she credited and thanked her mother , Nirbhaya,
for her guiding spirit.
Nay Amrita was not born in an improvised family but her
rich ‘zamindar’ grandfather-
patriarch tried to throttle her as soon as the umbilical
cord was cut. The young Nirbhaya
barely out of the labour pains shielded the tiny
life. Despite looking wan and feeble, her
fierce mien and ululation pulverized the
ageing head of the family. Nirbhaya's husband a
nincompoop put a pococurante demeanor while the sordid ordeal was being played
in
the ‘haveli’. The breeze stopped in its track and the sheep swallowed its
bleats into
deafening silence.
Nirbhaya, as her name suggested, stepped out of her marital
threshold gathering her
courage and the new-born Amrita in her arms. No voice
cajoled her to stay behind. The
blood of 'Durga' ran in her veins and voice of 'Kali' ordained her to take this step. The
firmament bowed, showering their with
blessings.
Nirbhaya’s parents did not welcome her but the security of a
roof over her head was not
denied. She picked up the books again, breastfeeding
Amrita and changing the diapers.
Two pair of feminine feet entered the school premises, one
as a student and another as a
teacher. Thus began the arduous journey for Amrita to
culminate at the dais. Nirbhaya’s
palms refused to stop cheering for her
Amrita.
The media-persons thrust their microphones towards Nirbhaya
for sound bytes.
“Whatever I had earnestly wished for, has become the fulfilled
goal of my life”.
Nirbhaya’s words resonated through the television screen of
the crumbling ‘haveli’. The
patriarch‘s photograph hung on the wall adorned
with a sandalwood garland.
Reena's Exploration Challenge # 4. Thank you Reena S.
Notes : Zamindar : family owning huge tracts of land.
Haveli - huge mansion.
Durga and Kali are Indian goddesses.
Nirbhaya means fearless.
