Vidhiya? Sadhiya?

She was a widow with two children, both of them girls. Her husband had died in an accident and she got her husband's job on compassionate grounds. So, food, shelter, clothing, education and other basic needs were taken care of. The major problem was their health condition. All three often had epileptic seizures. One of them would be hospitalised almost every month. But inspite of all this, they were always positive about the future. They would never complain, blame anyone, even raise their voice. Both the girls had artistic inclination excelling in Kolam(rangoli), sketches, hand work etc. They even did graduation through distant learning programs.

Like all mothers, She too wanted her daughters to be happily married. Everyone in the family were overjoyed when they found a groom from a good family. She did not hide her daughter's medical problems and the groom's family seemed understanding. They did not demand much, not even a grand wedding!She was extremely relieved to have done half her duties now that the eldest daughter was married. Everyone else in the family too felt happy for her. But 'man proposes, God disposes'! She was shattered when her eldest daughter came back complaining of terrible abuses! More shocking was the news of the groom's mental condition. He was normal most of the times but suffered from violent mood swings at times. Now the groom's family accepted that the groom had mental problems and had been advised that he would be cured after marriage!!!

The Elders in the family talked and decided that the groom would seek medical help and on getting cured would be reunited with his wife. The daughter was adamant about not going back to him but nobody listened. Amidst all these distressing events, She got one of those epileptic attacks which had been on bay for sometime. Again, back to the days of hospitals, medicines etc. Then came the devastating news of her eldest daughter's suicide!

What is her crime? Why is she subjected to so much torture?

** - This is not fiction. The lady is a distant relative of mine. Today is her daughter's 3rd death anniversary.

21st Century Women

My heart aches everytime I think about this post by Ramya Nageswaran! Puts me to shame to think of all my whinings about life's little inconveniences.

My Salutations to Anshu Gupta and all those people who are making a difference to the lives of fellow human beings. Check out Goonj.

Swadesh

Lately a lot of NRIs are talking about going back to India. Reason: 'they are bored with abroad life and that the Indian economy is picking up'. Why does this bug me? What if people are smart enough to make their hay when the sun shines? Why should I think about those people who (for whatever reason) couldn't/wouldn't/didn't move abroad looking for greener pastures? What if these 'foreign return' tagged people affect those hard working people's chances on the career front? After all it is a dog-eat-dog world! Survival of the fittest(or the smartest) is the mantra here!