The sun had kissed the mountains, birds were making their way back to their nest, the sky was painted red. It was a cold breezy evening. Sharada and Padmaja were not done playing their hopscotch. Sharada's grandmother Girijamma was sitting on an easy chair and reciting soundarya lahari as her daughter in law Mangala swept the front yard. Soon night pitched in and there came the call for the girls to get back home. Ranganna, Girijamma's son was a clerk at the local bank. He'd returned after an exhausting day at work. Mangala laid out food and water for the family. It was her tradition to feed all of them before she could eat her supper.
Having finished her duties Mangala crept into her room where exhausted Ranganna was already asleep. Mangala was a bright student in her young school days. During those times where girls were not encouraged to study more than matriculation(current days' 10th grade), Mangala's dad who was a teacher by profession had gone all odds to make his daughter a graduate in English Literature. However, she was married off soon after and her dreams of getting a job and becoming financially independent had been shattered. Girijamma had a vision of her ideal daughter in law. I'd find the one for my son who'd look after not only his desires but also his ancestral home and hold its principles high, who would always be positive and maintain the family's name and fame - quoted Girijamma often to her relatives. Mangala sacrificed her ambitions and was disturbed initially in her new abode. Slowly she got into the routine and always kept herself acquainted with the current affairs. Ranganna and Mangala had welcomed Sharada 11 years ago and it was time she fulfilled all her daughters dreams and ambitions. Sharada inherited affection towards books at a very young age and craved for knowledge just like her mother. Ranganna had a different attitude with respect to education than his mother Girijamma. Ranganna supported his wife in every aspect but could not go against his mother's old schooled principles.
Days passed, turned into months, years and almost in a blink of an eye Sharada had cleared her matriculation exams in flying colors. She secured a rank in her state and was felicitated by the government for her achievement. Ranganna and Mangala were elated at this news. Mangala made Sharada's favorite sweet - Besan laddu loaded with ghee. The house was filled with the sweet aroma and there was happiness in every corner. Girijamma had breathed her last a couple years ago and the wall behind the armchair where she usually sat, now adorned her photo.
Mangala had started working as an assistant librarian in the city library recently. She had once asked her bed ridden mother in law if she could take up a job if she was having time after finishing her duties in the household to which Girijamma had nodded a faint yes. Mangala was a happy soul who cherished every moment of her life. Sharada followed her footsteps. She got an admission in the most prestigious college and her honor subjects were Physics and Mathematics.
Ranganna's family was an example for many out there who followed suit and let their daughters gain knowledge, and let their wives work if they liked it.
Comments