Gently Falls the Bakula
Transcript of Gently Falls the Bakula
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SudhaMurty
GENTLY FALLS THE BAKULA
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Contents
AbouttheAuthor
BytheSameAuthor
Dedication
Preface
ONE
TWO
THREE
FOUR
FIVE
SIX
SEVEN
EIGHT
NINE
TEN
ELEVEN
TWELVE
THIRTEEN
FOURTEEN
FIFTEEN
SIXTEEN
SEVENTEEN
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EIGHTEEN
NINETEEN
TWENTY
TWENTY-ONE
TWENTY-TWO
TWENTY-THREE
TWENTY-FOUR
TWENTY-FIVE
TWENTY-SIX
TWENTY-SEVEN
TWENTY-EIGHT
TWENTY-NINE
THIRTY
THIRTY-ONE
FollowPenguin
Copyright
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AbouttheAuthor
SudhaMurtywasbornin1950inShiggaoninnorthKarnataka.ShedidherM.Tech.inComputerScience,andisnowthechairpersonoftheInfosysFoundation.AprolificwriterinEnglishandKannada,shehaswrittenninenovels,fourtechnicalbooks,threetravelogues,onecollectionofshortstories,threecollectionsofnon-fictionpiecesandtwobooksforchildren.
HerbookshavebeentranslatedintoallthemajorIndianlanguagesandhavesoldover300,000copiesaroundthecountry.ShewastherecipientoftheR.K.Narayan’sAwardforLiteratureandthePadmaShriin2006.
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BytheSameAuthor
OtherbooksbySudhaMurty
FictionTheMagicDrumandOtherStories(Puffin)MahashwetaDollarBahu
Non-fictionWiseandOtherwiseTheOldManandHisGodHowITaughtMyGrandmothertoReadandOtherStories(Puffin)
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Toallthosewomenwhoallowedfamilycommitmentsandresponsibilitiestooverpowertheirownaspirations
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Preface
ThiswasmyfirstnovelinKannada,writtenaboutthreedecadesback.Itwasextremelywellreceivedthen.Ihadnotseenthecorporateworldfromcloseandonlyimaginedhowit
functioned.Butnow,inreallife,Ihaveseenitall.Iamawarethatindustrialization,technologicalprogressandscientificadvancementarenecessaryandbringprosperitytoourcountry,buttheyhavetheirownshortcomings.Theycreateawholesetofproblems,sociologicalandpsychological.ThisnovelissetinnorthKarnatakainthe1980s,soitmayappearoutdatedin
someparts.Butthestoryissuchthatitcanhappeninanypartofthecountry,eventoday.Theremustbeinnumerablecoupleswhohavebeenthrough,andarestillgoingthrough,suchdilemmas,beitinasmalltownoramegacity.IhavechosenHubliandBombayasthesettingforthenovel.Thesetwo
placesareverydeartomyheart,sinceIgrewupinoneplaceandintheother,Ihaveenjoyedworking.IwouldliketothankKeertiRamachandraforeditingthemanuscriptand
Penguinforpublishingthenovel.
SudhaMurtyBangalore
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ONE
ItwasadayofgreatexcitementforthestudentsofModelHighSchool,Hubli.Theresultsofthedistrict-levelinterschoolessaycompetitionweretobeannouncedthatmorning.Thecompetition,opentostudentsofthetenthstandard,wasaprestigiousonenotbecauseoftheprizemoney,butbecausetheawardhadbeeninstitutedbyahighlyrespectedessayist.Theprize-winningessaywouldbesenttothestate-levelcompetition.Thehallwasabuzzwithanticipation.Theboyswereinanimateddiscussion,
thegirlsinwhisperedspeculation.Competitionssuchastheseinvariablythrewupunexpectedwinners.Uglyducklingsoftenturnintobeautifulswanswhentheyaretested.Sowhowasitgoingtobethistime?Thesuspensewaspalpable.WhenthehistoryteacherMrKulkarniwalkedin,asuddenhushfelluponthe
room.Sensingthetensionintheair,MrKulkarnidecidedtoprolongthesuspensealittlelonger.Hebeganbysaying,‘Iknowallofyouarewaitingimpatientlyfortheresults
oftheessaycompetitionandtoknowwhothewinneris.ButIamgoingtoaskyoutowaitalittlelonger.Iwillreadouttheessayfirstandallowyoutoguesswhotheauthorofitcouldbe.AfterhearingtheessayIamsureyouwillagreethatitisamostmatureandheartwarmingeffort,definitelydeservingoftheprize.’Afewooohsandmildprotestsof‘tellusfirst,Sir,’werequicklysilenced,as
MrKulkarnibegantoread:‘Allaremychildren...Iamliketheirfather.Likeanyfatherwishesforhischild,
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Happinessandcomfort,Iwishthatforallhumanbeings;Eternaljoy.WhereverIam,WhetherIamhavingmydinnerorataparty,Whetherattendingtomattersofsecrecy,orinspectingthecattlepens,Whetheronajourneyorrestinginmygarden,Informersmustbringmethenewsofmysubjects.WhereverIamIwillworkrelentlesslytobenefitmypeople.Sacredofalldutiesisthepathofdharma.Amanwhoisnotconsciouscannotfollowdharma.Dharmashouldflourish;notperishLetpeoplestriveforitsgrowth,Andnotwishitsdestruction!’
ThesearewordsinscribedonthestoneedictsofDevanampiyaPiyadassiAshoka.Ashoka,thesonofBimbisaraandgrandsonofChandraguptaMauryahasearnedforhimselfaspecialplaceinthehistoryoftheworld.Therehavebeenmanygreatkingswhofoughtwarsandwonmajorbattles—likeAlexander.Thereweregreatsaints,fullofcompassionandwhoshowedkindnesstoalllivingcreatures,likeChristandBuddha.Butthecombinationofakingandasainttherewasnone,otherthanAshoka.EmperorAshokawasagreathumanbeing.AfterthebattleofKalinga,hesaw
theterriblesufferinginflictedonthepeopleasaresultofthewarandhewashorrified.HisheartmeltedandhedecidedtobemoretolerantandcompassionateanddedicatedtherestofhislifetothepracticeandpreachingofDharma.Hebegantolookuponhissubjectsashischildrenanddideverythingfortheirwelfare.Whenwestudyhisrockedicts,weunderstandthenatureofthisnobleking
andcometoknowhisvaluablethoughtsaboutDharma.Perhaps,Ashokadidnothaveachangeofheartandturntonon-violence
merelybecauseoftheKalingawar!Thateventmayhavemerelyactedasaspurforanalreadygentleandsensitiveemperor.‘Ashokahadhisedictsetchedthroughoutthekingdom,onpillars,onstones
andincaves.ItissaidhiskingdomstretchedfromKarnatakainthesouthtoPakistanandthebordersofAfghanistaninthenorth;fromtheArabianSeainthewesttowhatisnowOrissa(thenKalinga)intheeast.HehadtheminscribedinPali,Prakrit,BrahmiandAremicsothathismessagewouldreachthecommonman.HehasdescribedtheKalingawartooinsomeinstances.Itissaidthatin
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thosedayswhenthepopulationwassmall,onehundredthousandpeoplewerekilledinthewarandtheriverDaya,onthebanksofwhichthewarwasfought,hadflowedredwithblood.Ahundredandfiftythousandpeopleweretakenawayasprisoners.Onecanimaginethehorrorsofthatwar!‘SomeoftheedictsoftheemperorcanbefoundinMaski,GaviMatain
RaichurdistrictandSiddapurainChitradurgadistrict.ThatitwasAshokawhowasknownasDevanampiyaandPiyadassi,theMaskistoneedictwasthefirsttoreveal.‘Theedictsinformusthathewasagreatwarrior,kindtohissubjects,a
worthyemperorandadeeplyreligiousruler.TodaythekingdomofAshokadoesnotexist.Buttheprinciplesofthefiveidealsknownas“Panchasheela”,formulatedbyhim,arethegreatesttreasureshehaslefttothismodernworldofconflicts.Thesystemsofadministrationhesetuparecommendable!ThatiswhythenameofAshoka,whodidnotremainmerely“dearofgods”butalso“dearofpeople”,istodayshiningbrightnotonlyinthehistoryofIndiabutalsointhehistoryoftheworld.Isalutesuchanemperor.‘India,whichboastedofsuchakindmonarch,isblessed.Itisalandasholy
ashewhoruledit.TheancientKannadapoetPampawrote:Thislandissopiousandsacred,thatIfIamnotrebornasahumanbeinginthisland,God,thenpleasemakemeasingingcuckooorahummingbeeatleast!
‘ItoopraytogodthatImaybebornagainandagaininsuchacountry.’Bythistime,thoughthenamehadnotyetbeenannounced,eachoneinthe
classknewthatitcouldonlybeMsShrimatiDeshpandewhocouldhavewrittensuchanessay.MsShrimatiDeshpandewasaslim,tallgirl,withawheatishcomplexionand
good,clearfeatures.Shehadunusuallylonghairthatreachedbelowherknees.Shealwaysworeastringofbakulaflowersinherhair.Shrimatiwasoneofthebrighteststudentsinherclass.Sowhentheteacherfinallyannouncedhernameasthewinnerofthe
competition,herclassmateswerenotsurprised.Theybrokeintoloudapplause.TheshyShrimatiwashappybutembarrassed.Luckily,thebellrangjustthensotheteacherquicklyhandedhertheessaybeforeallthestudentsrushedout.
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AsShrimatiwasgatheringherbooksandgettingreadytogohome,sheoverheardtheconversationofsomeboysfromherclass.Theywereengrossedinadiscussionaboutthebestessay.TheywereexpressingtheirsurprisethatShrikantDeshpandehadnotgotthefirstprize.ShrikantwasShrimati’srivalintheclass.Atall,fairandhandsomeyoungman,hewasknownforhisstrongdeterminationtobethebest.Nowthathewasbeateninthisessaycompetition,hisfriendsMalleshShettyandRaviPatilweremostupset,evenmorethanShrikanthimself.Itwasamatterofprestigeforthem,andthethoughtthatShrimatihaddefeatedhimwashardtoaccept.TheywereventingtheirangeronShrikant.Thiskindofrivalrywasverycommoninthecoedschoolsofthosedays.‘Shrikant,youshouldn’thavegivenherachancethistime,’fumedRaviPatil.Shrikantsmilinglyreplied,‘Takeiteasy,Ravi.Historyisnotagreatsubject.
Canjustonegoodessaymakeyouatopper?Writinganessayisnothingbutfillinguppages.Realintelligenceisscoringinscience.’‘Don’tyaptoomuch,Shrikant!AllofusareawarethatShrimatiisnota
dumbgirl.Acceptyourdefeatwithgrace.Sheisintelligentandhardworkingandwilldefinitelyscorebetterthanyouineverysubjectifyoudon’tlookout,’retortedRavi.Malleshwasnoddinghisheadinagreement.‘Comeon,Mallya,’saidShrikant
tohisdearfriend,‘youalsodon’toverestimateher.Iagreesheisgoodbutonlyinartssubjectslikehistoryandlanguages.Normallywomenareveryfondofhistorybecauseitisanaccumulationofgossip—likesomeemperorhadthreewives,thelastwifehadsixsons,etc.Thisdoesn’trequireanylogicorreasoning,onlymemorizingfacts,whichgirlsaregoodat.’‘Howdoyouknow?’RaviquestionedShrikant.‘YouknowthatIamherneighbour,Ravi.Icanseeherstudyingfrommy
room.Everydayshegetsupatdawn,probablytopreparesuchkindofessays.IfIhadalsopreparedlikeher,Iwouldhavewrittenabetterone.’NoneofhisfriendswerepreparedtoaccepttheexcusesShrikantwasmakingforhisfailure.‘Don’tfoolus,Shrikant.Whywouldyouwakeupsoearly?Isittojustwatch
herstudying?Weknowthatyouarealsoashardworkingasherbutsheisanydaybrighterthanyou.Mymotherwasscoldingmesayingnoneofusdo
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anything,exceptroamaround,butShrimatidoesallthehouseworkandalsostudies.Ithinkmymotherisright.’MalleshwasupsetwithShrikantbecauseheknewthathecouldn’tbeat
ShrimatiandnowordsofShrikantcouldconsolehim.Astheboysstartedwalkingout,RaviPatilsaidtoMallesh,‘Mallya,youare
sothick-skinned!WhyareyougettingsoupsetwhenShrikantisnot?Heisconcedingdefeatsoeasily.Why?Becausewhenapersonisinlove,heisreadytoacceptdefeat.HaveyounotnoticedwhyShrikantalwaysgivesawayhisfirstpositiontoher?Becausesheisgoingtobehisbetterhalf!Seeeventheirnamesmatch—Shrimati-ShrikantDeshpande.Onedayyouwillunderstandthefinerfeelingsoflove,Mallya,don’tworry.’SosayingRaviburstoutlaughing.Shrimatiturnedaround,redwithembarrassment,andsawShrikantstaringat
her.Hetoolookedbaffledandfeltequallyidiotic.Afteramomentortwo,heexploded,‘Shutupyoufools!Don’tjustspeak
whatevercomestoyourmouth.Thereisnothinglikethat!It’sallyourimagination.Iwasnotresponsibleforhername.Ifyouhavethegutsgoandaskher.’HewassurethattheywouldnotaskShrimati!InNorthKarnatakaamarriedwoman’snameconsistedofherfirstname,
followedbyherhusband’snameandthenthesurname.Inthecaseofanunmarriedgirl,herfather’snamewashermiddlename.PoorShrimati!Hername,whichwasthenameofLakshmi,thegoddessof
wealth,wasalsoasignifierforamarriedwoman.Andherfather’snamewasShrikant!BothsheandShrikanthadthesamesurname—Deshpande.Thisunusualcombinationofnameshadledtoallthejokesandteasingthat
shehadjustheard.ButneitherShrikantnorShrimaticoulddoanythingtostopit.
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TWO
ShrimatiquicklywalkedoutoftheschoolwithherclassmatesVandanaPatilandSharadaEmmikeri.Shewasinnomoodtotalk.Anextremelysensitivepersonbynature,shehadoverheardallthecommentsthattheboyshadmadeandshewasembarrassed.SheandShrikanthadbeenclassmatesfromthefirststandardandtheyhadbeenneighboursforgenerations.Buttherewasabitterrivalrybetweenthetwofamilies,fromthetimesoftheirforefathers.Theyhadonceownedlandsadjoiningeachother’sandtheirenmityintrudedintotheirhomeseventoday.Shrimatididnotlikethekindofloosetalktheboyshadindulgedinandshe
wantedtotalkaboutherdiscomfituretosomeone.Sinceshehadnosistersorbrothers,shecouldonlytalktoherfriends.Butthatday,evenherfriendsweretooexcitedaboutherwinningtheprize,andwereinnomoodtolistentoanything.‘Shrimati,IamsogladthatShrikantwasputdowntoday.Andwithhimhis
friends.ThatMalleshShetty,hetalkssuchrubbish,makingfunofusgirlsallthetime.AsforRaviPatil,hethinksnoendofhimself!Allsaidanddone,thefactisourschoolmateshavenomanners.Theydon’tknowhowtobehave.Youservedthemright.’‘Shrimati,Ireadawoman’sbrainweighslessthanaman’s.Isittrue?’
Sharadawasalittleworried.‘Shari,’Shrimatisaidaffectionately,‘youshouldknowthatintelligenceis
independentofweight!’
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‘Iwasconfused,Shrimati.Iamnotasbrightasyouare,see!’Afterapauseshecontinued,‘ButyouknowthatShrikant’smotherGangakkaandhismaternaluncleSheenappa,theythinkthatheisthebrighteststarinthesky.Sheenappakeepscomingtoourshopandtalksnonstopabouthisnephew.IhadtakenavowwithgodHanumanofBhandiwadvillagethatifyoubeatShrikantinthefinalexam,Iwilldistributespecialpedastoeveryoneinschool.TheseDeshpandesaretoomuch.Eventhoughtheydonothaveanylandsleft,theirarrogancehasnotdiminished.’VandanaPatilpinchedSharada’shandtostopherbutSharadawasnotso
brightastounderstandthatthiskindofcommentwouldhurtShrimati.AfterallshetoowasthedaughterofalandlessDeshpande!BhandiwadisasmallvillagenearHubliandthelocaldeity,Hanuman,isvery
famousforbestowinggreatboonsuponhisdevotees.ThereisastrongbeliefthatifsomeonerequestedafavourandfastedonSaturdays,theirrequestswouldbefulfilled.Inreturn,theyjusthadtooffersomesweetstohimtothankhimfortheboon.SincethepedasofDharwadwereveryfamous,somuchsothatpeopleofNorthKarnatakasaidthatifyouhadn’teatenthepedayourlifewaswasted,Sharadahadpromisedtoofferthem,nothingless.Theotherwell-knowntempleinthatregionwastheRailwayEshwartemple
inHubli,abusier,morepopulous,commercialtownthanDharwad.ThesmallEshwartemplewasadjacenttotherailwaystation,sothepresidingdeitycametobeknownas‘RailwayEshwar’.Peoplebelievedthatifoneprayedtohimofferingthebilwapathrawithall
devotion,theirwisheswouldcertainlybegranted.However,Eshwar,thatisShiva,expectednothinginreturnbecauseheisonegodwholoveshisdevoteesunconditionally.Vandana,nottobeleftbehind,toldShrimatienthusiastically,‘HeyShrimati,I
willalsopraytoRailwayEshwar.Ifyoucomefirst,Ishallperformaspecialpujaforhim.Hewilllisten,heisaverypowerfulgod.’Shrimatismiledatherfriends’affectionateexpressionsandsaid,‘Shari,
Vandana,whyareyouprayingtodifferentgods?ShouldIgetthefirstrankonlytobeatShrikant?Oneshouldstudywelltoacquiremoreknowledge.Anexaminationisnottheultimatemeasureofone’sintelligence...HaveanyofyoueveraskedmehowIwrotethisessaythathasmoreinformationthanthe
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textbook?IhadactuallyreferredtodifferentbooksonAshoka,Buddhism,etc.Forme,AshokaisreallyagreatpersonandIrespectandadmirehim.IwouldratherspendmoretimelearningabouthimthanstudyingjusttogetmoremarksthanShrikant!’Herwordsupsetbothherfriends.Theyhadbeenprayingsohard,andit
seemedallawaste!‘Forgetit,Shari,letusnotprayforShrimati.Wethoughtthatsheisonourside.ButitlookslikesheisonShrikant’sside.SheisShrimatiShrikantDeshpandeafterall.Ultimatelytheyaretwosidesofthesamecoin.Wearetheoutsiders,’Vandanamuttered,peeved.Shrimatiwasabouttosaysomethingbutshedidn’t.HernamewasShrimati
ShrikantDeshpande,andthat’swhatcausedheralltheproblems.MrsShrikantDeshpande.Whosays‘What’sinaname?’Here,everythingwasinthename!
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THREE
Beforethereorganizationofthestatesin1956,thedistrictsofDharwad,Karwar,BelgaumandBijapurwerepartoftheBombayPresidency.Asaresult,thesedistrictsbearagreatersimilaritytothecultureofMaharashtrathantothetraditionsoftheerstwhileMysoreStateinthesouth.WhentheywereallunifiedtoformthestateofKarnataka,thesefourdistrictswerereferredtoasNorthKarnataka.EventhoughKannadaisthecommonlanguageofthestate,thelanguageofDharwadandtheotherthreedistrictshasitsownaccent,intonationandevenvocabulary.Bijapur,homeofthefamousGolGumbaz,oneofthelargestdomesinthe
world,isknownforitssalubriousclimate,fertilelandandtastyproduce.ThereisaKannadaproverbthatsays,‘OncetheDonihallaisfullofwater,thestreetsofBijapurarefullofjowar.’Thenforthenextfourtofiveyears,peopledidn’thavetoworryaboutthecrops.Karwarisonthewestcoastandrichinnaturalresources.TheSahyadri
mountainstowerovertheregion.Belgaum,situatedontheborderofMaharashtraandKarnataka,hasalotof
Maharashtrianinfluenceandisextremelycultured.ButDharwadstandsapart.Itisacityofhills,educationandmusic.Great
exponentsoftheKiranagharanabelongtothistown,itishometosomeoftheoldesteducationalinstitutions,andisknownforitspeace-loving,literatepeople.TherewasatimewhenpeopleinKarnatakasaid,‘IfyouthrowastoneinDharwad,itwillhiteitheramusicianorawriter.’ThoughHubliisonlytwenty-twokilometresaway,itdoesnotpossessthe
serenityofDharwad.Itismoreofabustlingcommercialcentreforcottonand
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serenityofDharwad.Itismoreofabustlingcommercialcentreforcottonandredchillitrade,amongotherthings.Intheoldendays,somefamiliesfromthisregionhadhelpedthePeshwasof
Maharashtra.Asatokenofappreciationtheyweregivensomelandsinthearea.Havinghereditaryownership,theselandswerepassedfromonegenerationtothenext.Asaresult,thelandlordshaddifferenttitlesandoveraperiodoftime,thetitlesbecamethesurnamesofthosefamilies,like,Deshpande,Jahagirdar,Inamdar,Desai.Untilafewdecadesback,theselandlords,includingtheDeshpandes,usedto
ownvastlandswhichweretilledbythelandlesslabourtheyemployed.Mostofthetimethelandlordsdidnotevenvisittheirfields.Andyet,thepeoplewhohadworkedforthemforyearscouldneverhopetoownevenatinypieceoftheland.Sincetheyconsideredthemselvesaristocrats,thelandownersdidnotbelieveinworking.Theyspenttheirtimeindulgingthemselvesinallsortsofbadhabits.Itwasapurelypatriarchalsocietywheretheheadofthefamilydecidedeverything—beitarrangingamarriage,makingadonationtoatempleoranordinaryhouseholdmatter.Thewomenwerealwaysinthebackground,suppressed,andsubservient,irrespectiveoftheirage.AfterIndiagotindependenceandlandreformswereintroduced,mostofthese
landownerslostmuchoftheirproperty.Suddenlytheyfoundtheirincomesdrasticallyreduced,andtheirexistence,thatofthelowermiddleclass.Theyhadnotcultivated;neitherdidtheyknowanyskillsnorweretheyusedtohardwork.Buttheirfamilypride,arroganceandegoremainedasbefore.TheywerelikeatornBanarassaree.ThoughShrimatiandShrikanthadsuchacommonculturalbackground,their
temperamentswereverydifferent.Onceuponatimetheirfamilieshadeverything,buttodaytheyhadnothingmorethanahugeancestralhouseandafewpiecesofland.Theyfoundithardtomaintaintheoldhouse,buttheycouldn’tabandonitandliveelsewhere.Itwasanissueoffamilyprestige.Thoughtheywereneighbours,theirforefathersalwaysfoughtlikecatsand
dogs,attheslightestprovocation.Actuallyitwastheirmountain-likeegosthatwasresponsibleforthecontinuedenmity.Anotherboneofcontentionwasthatthetwofamiliesbelongedtodifferent
sects—onefamilyworshippedShivaandwascalledSmartha,theotherwasaVishnudevoteeandhence,Vaishnava.Whilethiswasnotanissueforthemen,itwasamajorfactorforthewomentofight.Theendresultwasthattherewas
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itwasamajorfactorforthewomentofight.Theendresultwasthattherewasnocommunicationatallbetweenthetwofamilies.Shrimati’sgrandmotherRindakkashouldhavebeenborninakshatriya,or
warriorfamily,forshewasextremelyaggressive.Shewasreadytofightwithanybody,anytime,anywhere!Shedidnotevenrequireareason,becauseshedisagreedwitheverything.PeopleusedtosaythatherpoorhusbandBindappacouldnotputupwithhiswifeandsohaddiedatanearlyage.ButthetruthwasthatBindappahaddiedbecausehewasoldandhadbeena
slaveofmanyvices.Althoughhewasrich,hewasarrogant,uneducatedandchauvinistic.Rindakkawashisthirdwife.Theyhadonlyoneson,Shrikant.Rindakkahadbecomeawidowataveryyoungageandprobablythathadmadeherfrustratedandirritable.Thoughshewasuneducated,shewasanintelligentlady.Shrikantgrewuplikehisfatherbutwithaneducation.Hewasnotverybright,
andextremelylazy.Ittookhimseveralyearstocompletehisdegreecourse,andwhenhedid,noonewouldgivehimajob.Hewasnottookeentofindoneeither.So,hestayedinHublithoughhewasjobless!Hisdailyroutinewastowakeupanytimeafter10a.m.,playcards,gethomeandrelax.Neverinhislifehadheearnedasinglepaisa.Rindakkahadhopedthatmarriagewouldmakehimresponsible.AsiscustomaryinNorthKarnataka,amarriagealliancewouldnotgobeyond
thefourdistricts.ItisveryunlikelythatonemarriesacrosstheTungabhadra.Hence,fromtheneighbouringcityofDharwadtheeducatedKamalawaschosen.BythetimeKamalacametoherhusband’shouse,allthelandshad
disappearedduetotheTenancyAct.Thoughtheeconomicsituationbecameverydelicatetheprideandarroganceofthefamilyremainedintact.SensitiveKamalagaugedthesituationquicklyandtookupateachingjobatalocalschool.Shewasthesolebreadwinnerforthefamilynow.Butstill,Rindakkawouldshowherauthorityasamother-in-lawandutterpungentwordsthatwouldhurther.Kamala,anintrovert,neversaidanything.Sheneitherlookeddownuponherhusbandnordefiedhermother-in-law.AftermanyyearsofShrikantandKamala’smarriage,Shrimatiwasbornand
indeed,shebroughtachangeintheirlives.ThoughShrikantraoDeshpandepaidnoattentiontohiswife,hewouldalwaysbeconcernedabouthisdaughter.
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noattentiontohiswife,hewouldalwaysbeconcernedabouthisdaughter.Shrimatigrewupwithajoblessfather,adomineeringgrandmotheranda
timid,lovingmother.KamalatookutmostcaretobringShrimatiupwithstrongvaluesandagoodeducation.ShrimatiinheritedherloveforliteraturefromhermotherandevenasachildspokepureKannada.Butshewouldarguewithhergrandmotherandalsoquestionherfather.Shegrewupabright,extremelyaccommodatingbutintrovertedyounggirl.HerneighbourShrikantDeshpandehadadifferentstory.Shrikant’sfamilywereSmarthas.HisfatherRaghannaDeshpandewasa
shadebetterthanhisneighbourShrikantDeshpande.Buthediedwhenhissonwasstillinmiddleschool.Hehadbeenaclerkatthepostoffice.Gangakka,hiswife,wasacunning,manipulative,fierceandanextremelypracticallady.Raghannahadleftbehindtwochildren.Theelderchild,Rama,wasanaverage-lookinggirlandnotatallagoodstudent,whereastheyoungerone,Shrikant,wasgood-lookingandveryintelligent.Hewastheappleofhismother’seye!Shehadpinnedallherdreamsonhim.Normally,quarrelswouldarisebetweenRindakkaandGangakka,the
differenceinagebeingnobarrier.GangakkawasactuallyKamala’sagebutbecauseofherreticentnature,Kamaladidn’tfightwithanybody.Gangakkahadanolderbrother,Sheenappa.Hewasasweet-talkerbutavery
shrewdman.HewastheonlyonewhohadstoodbyGangakkawhenherhusbandpassedaway.Noonebuthimselfhadknownthereasonthen.HehadfouruglydaughtersandhehadaneyeonShrikant,hopingthatatsomepointintime,hewouldbeabletogetShrikanttomarryoneofhisdaughters.Otherwise,hewasnotamantohelpasinglepersonwithoutavestedinterest.Ramatooklongerthanusualtocompleteherdegree.Asshewasnotgood-
looking,itwasalittledifficulttofindagroomforher.Withgreatdifficulty,Sheenappafinallyfoundoneandsoon,Ramawashappilymarried.Whenshegavebirthtoason,itwastreatedlikequiteanachievement.Gangakkafeltthatherdaughterwasveryfortunate.ShrikantwasunlikehissisterRamawhohadinheritedallthebadqualitiesof
theirmother.ButShrikantwasfocusedonhisstudiesanddidn’tcareabouttherivalrybetweenthetwofamilies,orSheenappa’sroleintheirlives.Inthespacebetweenthetwohouses,therewasabakulatree.Thebakulais
aboutthesizeofaneemtreeandhasalovelycanopyofdarkgreenleaves.The
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treelivesforatleastahundredyears,andthemoreitrains,themoreflowersitbears.Thebakulaflowerisveryunusual—itistiny,palegreenish-brownincolour,andisshapedlikeacrown.Asflowersgo,itisunattractive,butithasadivinefragrance.Evenwhentheflowersdryandbecomebrownthemildfragranceremains.Whenthetreeisinbloom,theflowersformacarpetonthegroundbeneathit.Thebakulaflowerisafavouriteofthegodstoo!ItwasMayendandthehotsummerofHubliwascomingtoanend.Theripe
fruitsonthemangotreehintedtheendofthemangoseason.FarmerseagerlyawaitedShravan,therainyseason—aseasonthatbringshappinesstonatureaswellashumanbeings.TherearesomanypoemswrittenandsungaboutShravaninDharwad.Itisindeedaninspirationforpoets,butahurdleforyoungmothersandtheaged!Thebakulatreestoodgracefully,asusual,spreadingitsfragrance.Itwas
evening,andtheflowerslayontheground,formingacarpetofblossoms.GangakkaDeshpandehadasmallhouseinabigcompound.Sheandher
husbandhadwantedtoextenditoncetheybecameprosperous,butunfortunatelythatneverhappened.ThoughGangakkahadabittertongue,shewashardworking.Shedidnotwastehertimeaftershefinishedhercooking.Shehadmadeabeautifulgarden,withmanyfloweringbushesandvegetableplants.Itwasapartofherritualtowakeupearlyinthemorning,pickflowersandmakeagarland,toofferatthetempleofRailwayEshwar.Thiswasirrespectiveoftheseason.Shebelievedthatthiskindofdeedwouldbringprosperityandhappinesstoherchildren.ButGangakkawasveryunhappyaboutonething,andthatwasthebakula
tree.Itstoodexactlyinthemiddleofthecommoncompoundofthetwohouses,indicatingthatitbelongedtobothofthem.Notonlydiditgiveflowers,italsogavethebestshade.Andthat’swhatmadeGangakkaangry.Nothingwouldgrowinthatshade.Shethoughtthetreewasanuisance,thatittookupalotofspace.InGangakka’sdictionary,everythingwasmeasuredintermsofusefulness.Beitahumanbeingorsomematerial.So,thetreebecameaboneofcontentionbetweenthetwofamilies.Shewouldkeeptellingherneighbourtocutoffthetreesothatshecouldgrowmoreplantsandgetsomesunshinetoo.Shrikant’sroomfacedthebakulatree.Throughouttheyear,themildscentof
thebakulawaftedinthroughhiswindow.Hehaddevelopedaspecialattachment
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totheseflowersandsoheopposedhismother’sideaofcuttingthetree.Ontheotherside,nobodyexceptShrimatihadthetimetotendthegarden.
Herfather,ShrikantraoDeshpande,hadnotimeforanywork,letalonelookingafterthebakulatree.KamalawouldalwaysbebusywithherschoolworkandRindakkawasanoldwoman.Rindakkadidnotwanttocutthetree,notbecauseshelovedbakulas,but
becauseGangakkawantedto.Inspiteofthebattlebetweenthesetwofiercewomen,thebakulacontinuedtobloomeveryday.
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FOUR
Itwasthedaythetenthstandardboardexamresultsweretobeannounced.AfterthelastexamShrimatihadtoldhermotherthatshehaddonefairlywell.Shewasnotthekindwhowouldexaggerate,beitsuccessordisappointment.Shrikanthadtoldhismotherthathehaddoneextremelywellandwasalso
expectingarank.MorethanShrimati,herfriendswhohadbetonmanythings,wereworried.
EventheteacherswerewonderingwhatrankShrimatiandShrikantwouldget.Theywereundoubtedlythemosttalentedstudentsintheschool.Eitherway,theschoolwouldgetthecreditforgettingarank.Athome,GangakkaandRindakkawerewaitingtoknowtheresultstoo.Shrimatiwastheonlyonewhowasnotatallperturbed.Shewasneitherbent
upondoingbetterthanShrikantnordidshelookuponhersuccessasamatteroffamilyhonourandpride.ItwastruethatshewasbrighterthanShrikant,butexamresultsdidnotalwaysreflectordependuponintelligence.ThoughShrimatiwassoyoung,shehadtheequanimityofanascetic.Overthe
years,shehadsometimesscoredmoremarksthanShrikant,atothershehadbeatenherscores.Shehadtakenitinherstride.So,thatday’soutcomedidnotholdanyanxietyforher.ButShrikantwasrestlessandimpatientfortheresults.Holdingabakulainhispalm,hewaswonderingwhyhewasfascinatedbythistinyflower.Theflowerwasneitherasbeautifulasarosenorhadthefragranceofajasmineorchampaka.Andyet,itwasalwaysveryspecialtohim.Itheldaninexplicableattractionforhim.
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Shrikantrememberedmanyancientstoriesthatconnectedthebakulawithromance.Itseemsintheoldendays,whenyoungmentravelledfardistancesformanydays,theywouldcarrysmallobjectsinmemoryoftheirlovedones.Thebakulaflowerwasonesuchmementothattheseyoungmencarried,because,eventhoughitwoulddryup,itwouldstillgiveoutthesamefragrance,likethebeloved’slove.Withoutrealizingit,Shrikanthadcometoassociatethebakulaflowerwith
Shrimati.Itistruethattheyhardlyeverspoketoeachother,butitwasequallytruethattherewasastrangeattractionbetweenthem.Perhapsitwastheirage—adolescence—ortheteasingoftheirfriendsorjustthewaytheirnamesconjugated!Ofcourse,itwasShrikantwhowasmoreattractedtowardsShrimatithanshewastohim.ThoughShrikantwasthemoreextrovertedofthetwo,andheoftenwonderedwhatwasinShrimati’smind,hewasn’toutspokenenoughtoaskher.OnlyShrikantandGangakkawereathome.Gangakkawasawarethatthe
resultswereduetocomeandsoshethoughtshewouldlightgheelampstopleasethegods.TherewasalotofgheeathomeandsinceShrikantwouldnoteatit,Gangakkauseditforthelamps.TherewasaknockonthedoorandwhenGangakkasawitwasthepostman
bearingatelegram,shebecameverynervous.Itremindedherofherhusband’sdeath.Forher,atelegramwouldalwaysbringbadnews.Holdingthetelegraminherhand,sheprayedtogodtoforgiveherforusingtherancidgheeandpromisedthatshewouldusethefreshone,ifthistelegramdidnotturnouttobearbadnews!Inatremblingvoice,shecalledShrikantandhandedthetelegramtohim.
‘Shrikant,hereisatelegram.SeewhetheritisfromByadagi?’ByadagiwasthesmallvillagewhereherdaughterRamastayedwithher
husband,Krishna.Gangakkacouldthinkonlyofherdaughter.Herhorizonwasextremelylimited.Shrikantwasequallycurioustoknowwhatitwas.Heopeneditquickly,
glancedthroughitandsaidtohismotherinadelightedvoice,‘Avva,thistelegramisfromtheBangaloreSSLCBoard.IhavestoodsecondintheentireBoard.’Gangakkadidnotunderstandwhatthatmeant.Allshewasinterestedinwas
whetherhewasfirstintheschool.
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whetherhewasfirstintheschool.‘Shrikant,areyoufirstintheschoolornot?Haveyouscoredmorethan
Shrimati?Whohastakenthefirstplace?’Shrikantsmiledathismother’signorance.‘Avva,IhavestoodsecondintheentirestateandoughttobefirstintheHubli
Centreandofcourseourschool.Idon’tknowaboutShrimati,butshewouldn’thavescoredmorethanme!Youknow,nowIcangetafullscholarshipandyouneednotstruggleformyeducation.’Shrikantwasveryhappyindeed.Gangakkarememberedherlatehusbandandhereyesbecamemoist.‘Shrikant,LordMylaralingahasblessedus.Hehasalwaysbeenkindtoyou..
.’ButShrikantwasstillgettingusedtotheideaofhavingdonesowell.Hehad
neverexpectedtogetthesecondrank.Atthemost,hewasexpectingtobeoneamongthefirsttwenty.Nowhewasmostcuriousastowhohadgotthefirstrank.ItmustbesomeonefromMysoreorBangalore,hethought.ThenhisthoughtsturnedtoShrimati.Whatrankhadshegot?Ataponhis
shouldershookhimoutofhisreverie.HeturnedaroundtoseehisteacherMrKulkarni.Hewasbeamingwithpride.Hisusualpaan-stainedmouthwasunusuallycleanthatday.Inhishappinessheseemedtohaveforgottentoeathispaan.ThumpingShrikantonhisback,hesaid,‘Shrikant,youbothhavemadea
record!Intheentirehistoryoftheschool,suchathinghasnothappened.TheBoardhasinformedusthatShrimatihasstoodfirst,andyousecond!Youhavegivenusawonderfulrewardforhavingtaughtyou!Generally,thefirstandsecondranksdonotgotothesameschool.Butwehavebeenfortunatetobethefirstschooltogetthetoptwoplacesinthesameyear...’Shrikant’smindwentnumb.MrKulkarni’schattercontinued,butShrikantdid
nothearaword.Hadathunderboltstruckhimorhadhetouchedalivewire?Hecouldn’tbelievewhatMrKulkarnihadtoldhim.Hisbubbleofhappiness
vanishedandhewasclosetotears.Buthecontrolledhimself.Menwerenotsupposedtoshedtearsinfrontofothers!HefeltlikeArjunaintheMahabharatawhowassofocusedonhisarchery
skillsthatifheevermissedhisaim,hesufferedunbearableagony.JustthenGangakkacameinandtoldKulkarniSirthathemustatleasthave
somesweetssincehehadbroughtthegoodnews.Buthesaidthathewantedto
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somesweetssincehehadbroughtthegoodnews.ButhesaidthathewantedtogoandseeShrimatiandthathewouldcomebacklater.Absent-mindedlyShrikantsaidnamaskartohisteacherandwentbacktohis
ownthoughts.Hismindwasprickinghim:ShrikantDeshpande,youhavemissedyourtarget.YouhaddismissedShrimatiasameregirl,butsilentlyandsoberlythatgirlhasgivenyouapowerfulanswer!Shehasshownyouwhatsheiscapableof.Shrikanttriedtoanalysethereasonforhisunhappinessanddisappointment.Whathadgonewrong?Actually,nothinghadgonewrong.Thecauseforhisdisappointmentwasher
success.Thoughhehadscoredmoremarksthanhehadexpectedorhopedfor,Shrimatihadscoredmorethanhim.WasheevergoingtobefreeofthisShrimati?Wouldshealwaysbeachallengetohim,andinhercalm,smilingway,defeathim?WhatwouldhesaytoRaviandMalleshnow,afterboastingtothemthathewassmarterthanher?Shrikant’sgazeturnedinvoluntarilytoShrimati’shouse.Hecouldsee
Shrimati,dressedasusualinacottonsaree,astringofbakulaflowerstuckedinherlongplaitheronlyadornment.ShewasengrossedinaconversationwithherfriendsSharadaandVandana.Whatweretheytalkingabout?Weretheylaughingathisdefeat?Wasshe
gloatingoverhersuccess?Shrikantwasgettingmoreandmoreagitated.JustthenhesawhisgroupoffriendsledbyMalleshandRaviapproachinghis
house.Malleshhadagarlandinhishand.ShrikantwentouttomeetthemandMalleshgarlandedhim.Theninalowtonehesaid,‘Congratulations,Shrikant!Shemaybefirstbutyouarefirstamongtheboys.’ShakinghandswithShrikant,Ravisaid,‘Comeon,Mallya,didweknowthat
Shrikantwouldgetthesecondrank?Thisisindeedabonusforus.SowhatifShrikanthasnotgotthefirstrankthistime?Hewilldefinitelygetitnexttime.Haven’tyouheardthefamouspoem,“Tryandtryagainboys,youwillsucceedatlast.”’Mallyalaughed,‘Yes,yes,thatpoemisespeciallywrittenforboys.’PattingRaviontheback,hesaid,‘Now,let’snotbejealous.Isn’tsheour
classmatetoo?Hasshenotbroughtglorytoourschool?AsfarasIcansee,wehavemadealotoffunofherbutshehasn’tretaliatedevenonce.Weshouldgo
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andcongratulateher.Shrikantyoumustalsocome.Iamsuretherewillnotbeanyproblem.’Shrimatihadbeensurprisedtoseethetelegraminformingheraboutherfirst
rank.Shehadnevereverexpectedthat!Whenhermotherhadaskedheraboutherperformanceintheexam,shehadcasuallysaidthatshehaddonefairlywell.Thisfirstrankmadeherreallyhappy,butshekepthercool.Actually,itwasherfriendswhowereabsolutelythrilled,particularlySharada,
becauseShrimati’ssuccesswasaone-upinthegirls’campandone-downintheboys’camp.Rindakka,whohadlookeddownuponShrimatialltheseyearsbeauseshewas
notasfairandgood-lookingasherself,wasverypleasedthathergranddaughterhaddonebetterthanherneighbour’sson!Suddenlyhertonechanged.‘Afterallsheismygranddaughter,’shesaidwithprideinhervoice,‘shehasinheritedmyintelligence.’Shrimati’sfatherShrikantDeshpande,too,wasbeamingwithhappinessand
wasveryproudofhisdaughter’sperformance.Hebehavedasthoughhewasresponsibleforit.Kamalahadalookofpeaceandsatisfactiononherface.ButinShrimati,therewasabsolutelynochange.WhenShrimatisawthegroupofherclassmatescomingtowardsherhouse,
shewonderedwhattheywanted,whatwouldhappen.Shewasn’tcurioustoknowShrikant’smarks.Thoughnotfirstrank,shewassurehewouldhavealsogotverygoodmarks.Shequicklywarnedherfriendsandthepeopleathomenottosayanythingto
Shrikant.‘Afterall,anexaminationisnottheindexinlife.Itisjustamatterofluckatthatmoment.Idonotwanttohurtanybodywhentheycometoourhouse,’shesaid.Sharadawasmostdispleasedwiththisremark.
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F IVE
Therainyseasonhadsetin.Therewasacontinuousdrizzle.Motherearthwassothirstythatshehadbeenlongingfortheshowers.Thedriedyellowgrasswasturninggreen.Flowersbloomedandwerelookingfreshasifafterabath.Thebeautifulchampakaflowersshiveredinthecoldbreeze.Thebakulatreewassohappythatitwasladenwithblossoms.Thoughitwasnotpouring,thecontinuousdrizzlewasmakinglifedifficultforeveryone.EvenGangakkawastiredofpickingupthebakulaflowersandmakinginnumerablegarlandsforallthegods.Almostaweekpassedbyincelebrationsandfelicitationsafterthe
announcementoftheresults.TherewasgreatjubilationinShrimati’sschoolbecauseofthetworanksthattheschoolhadbagged.Withthisresult,theschool’sreputationgotahugeboostandtherewasalongqueueofparentswhennewadmissionswereannounced.ShrimatiandShrikantwerethefocusofalltheattention.Theyweregiven
numerousprizes,muchpraisewasheapeduponthembytheirteachersandstudentslookeduponthemasrolemodels.Inallthesefelicitations,neitherShrimatinorShrikantcongratulatedoreven
spoketoeachother.ThoughShrimatitriedonceortwice,Shrikantdidnotrespond.Hewasstilltoohurt.SoShrimatiwithdrew.Itwasnotproperforagirltopushtoomuch.InaplacelikeHubli,suchthingsmatteredalot.Girlswerenotsupposedtoeventalktoboysinpublic.Aftertheexcitementhaddieddown,Shrimatidecidedtogoandvisither
maternalgrandmotherwholivedinDharwad.Shewastoooldtotravel,sothe
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granddaughterthoughtshewouldgoandgetherblessings.ShrimatitooktheHubli-Dharwadlocaltrain.Aftertheofficerushhour,the
trainwasusuallyempty.Shrimatigotintoadesertedcompartmentandsatbyawindow.Sinceitwasquiteaboringjourney,shehadbroughtabookalongandassoonasshesettleddown,openeditandstartedreading.Justasthetrainwasabouttostart,Shrimatirealizedthatonemorepersonhadenteredthecompartmentandoccupiedtheseatoppositehers.Shelookedupandtohersurprise,founditwasherclassmateShrikantDeshpande.Foraminute,shewastakenaback,butshesaidnothing.ShrikantwasequallysurprisedtoseeShrimati.HewastravellingtoDharwad
tomeethissister’sin-laws.WhenhelookedatShrimati,hedidnotknowwhattodo.Thiswasthefirsttimebothofthemwerefacingeachotherwithouttheirrespectivefriends.Shrikantwasquicktoobservethatshewassimplydressedasusual,withnojewelleryexcepttheglassbanglesonherhandsandthestringofhisfavouritebakulaflowerstuckedinherhair.Themildfragranceofbakulapervadedthecompartment.Helookedather
faceandsawshehadanaturalsmile,whichwasneitheringratiatingnorcondescending.Shrikantmusteredupenoughcouragetotalktoher.‘AreyougoingtoDharwad?’heasked,knowingverywellthatthetrain’s
destinationwasonlyDharwad!‘Yes,tomeetmygrandmother.ShelivesinMalmaddi.Whataboutyou?’‘IamgoingtomeetsomerelativesinSaptapur.’Theconversationstopped
there.AlthoughShrikantwasgregariousbynature,thatdayhedidnotknowwhatto
say,eventhoughhereallywantedtotalktoher.HefeltdrawntoShrimati,butcouldnotsaywhy.Perhapsbecausetheywereoppositesinnature,orbecauseshewashisrivalorbecauseforbiddenfruitisalwaysmoredesirable!Suddenlyherememberedhehadnotcongratulatedher,soheextendedhis
handandsaid,‘Congratulations.’Shrimatiwasconfusedforamoment.Agesture,likeshakinghandswitha
man,wasnotcommoninthesocietyofthattime.However,shereluctantlytookhishandandshylysaid,‘Thanksand
congratulationstoyoualso.’‘Whyareyoucongratulatingme?Forhavingstoodsecond,isit?’
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‘No,Shrikant.Believeme,Ithinkyoursuccessismoredeservedthanmine.Thereisnogreatdifferencebetweenthefirstandsecondrank.Itisonlyamatteroftheexaminer’smoodandafewbetteranswers.ManyatimeIwantedtotalktoyou,andtellyouhowmuchIappreciatethequalitiesyouhavewhichIdon’t.Youaresofocusedandhardworking.Overaperiodoftime,thesequalitieswillfetchyouwhateveryourwant.Unlikeyou,Iamhappywithsmallthings...’Shrikantwassurprisedbyherwordsandhappytoo.Agirlwhowasbrighter
thanhimhadappreciatedhisqualities.Hefeltelated!Suddenlyheknewhowtheconversationcouldcontinue.‘Shrimati,whichcollegeareyougoingtojoin?’‘Ihavedecidedtotakeuparts.’ThatmeantShrimatiwouldnotbeaclassmateanymore.Morethanthatshe
wouldnolongerbehisrival!Thethoughtcheeredhimup.‘Whydoyouwanttotakeupartswhenyouaresogoodatscience?’‘Iammoreinclinedtowardshistoryandliterature.Moreover,Ihavea
principleofmyown.Weshoulddowhatwereallylike.Fortwothingsinlifeitisveryimportantforustomakeourowndecisions.Oneiseducation.Ibelievewemuststudyonlythatsubjectwhichwelike.’‘Whatabouttheotherone?’‘Theotheroneismarriage,becausepartnersremainwitheachotherforeverin
life.Otherthingslikechoosingasareeorbuyingahousecanbereversed.Butnotthesetwothings.’Shrikantagreedimmediately,aslongasshewastakingadifferentstream!Buthewasreallypuzzled.ItwasveryunusualofshyShrimatitotalkso
frankly.ShrimatitoobegantofeeluncomfortablebecauseherhandwasstillinShrikant’shand!Hehadnotleftit.Gatheringuphercourageshesaidsoftly,‘Willyouletgoofmyhand,please?’Shrikantquicklydroppeditandlookedveryembarrassed.Hehadn’trealized
howlonghehadbeenholdingontoherhand.ThetrainhadnowreachedAmargolstationandtherewasnosignaltogo
ahead.Sothetrainhadtohaltthere.ItwasgoingtobelatereachingDharwad.ShrikantfeltthatthiswasagoodopportunitytogettoknowShrimati.Already
hehadrealizedthatshewassodifferentfromwhathehadimagined.Whatevershesaid,itwassimple,straight,clearanddirectlyfromtheheart.Therewasno
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artifice,noattempttoshowoff,nothingputon.Muchashedidn’tliketoadmitit,heknewthatshewasdefinitelymoreintelligentthanhim.Andallthiswhile,hehadbeenhearingonlynegativeremarksaboutherfrom
hissisterandmother.Perhaps,theywerenotevenawareofhertruenature.Howwouldanyoneknowherwithoutbecomingfriendswithher?‘Shrimati,nowourpathswillbedifferentandourfriendswillbedifferenttoo.
Inourschoolwecouldhardlyspeakbecauseofournames.Nowonwards,letusbegoodfriendsandtalktoeachother.’ShrimatilookedintoShrikant’seyes.Shelikedthisstraightforward,good-
naturedboy,shedecided.Whatwastheharminbeingfriends?‘Wherecanwemeetandtalk?Youknowthebackgroundofourfamilies.My
grandmotherandyourmotherarealwaysaround.Icannotmeetyououtside,’Shrimati’sfacewastroubled.‘Don’tworry,Shrimati.Everyproblemhasasolution.Andthisisnotagreat
problematall.YouknowthateverymorningmymothergoestotheRailwayEshwartempleandittakesheratleastanhourtogothereandcomeback.YourgrandmotheralsogoestotheRayaraMatthaatthesametime.Thatisthebesttimeforustomeetandtalk.’ShrimatiwassurprisedatShrikant’sobservation.Evenshewasnotawareof
suchdetails.‘Butwherecanwemeet?’‘Godiskindtous.Wehaveabakulatreeincommon.Earlyinthemorning,
theflowersarefreshlyfallen.YoucancometocollectthemandsowillI.Isitnotarightplace?’ShrimatilikedShrikant’sstrategyandnoddedherheadwithasmile.
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S IX
Shrimati,VandanaandSharadajoinedtheartscollegewhileShrikant,RaviandMalleshjoinedthesciencecollege.Twomonthslater,Mallesh,findingthesciencecoursetough,joinedthe
commercecollege.Sincetheclassmateshadallgonedifferentways,nooneteasedShrikantorShrimatianymore.Shrimatilovedthecollegemorethanherschool.Ithadanexcellentlibrary
andshecouldborrowthebestbooksfromthere.Asherclasseswereinthemorning,shewasfreeduringtheafternoons.Soshewasabletohelphermotherathomeandhaveenoughtimetostudyandread.Kamalawouldhavelikedherdaughtertostudymedicine,butshedidnotsayanythingknowingherdaughter’sinclinationtowardshistory.Shrikantraowantedhisdaughtertobecomealawyerbuthedarednotsayanythingtoher,knowingherscantrespectforhim.ShrikantandShrimatiwouldmeeteverydaynearthebakulatree,andtalk
aboutvariousthings.Shrimatiwoulddiligentlygatherthebakulaflowers,whileShrikantwouldtalkabouthiscollegeandhisdreams.Duringonesuchconversation,Shrikanttoldher,‘Shrimati,Idon’tlikeyou
callingmeShrikantlikeeverybodyelse.IwantyoutocallmeShri.’ForamomentShrimatididnotunderstandwhathemeant.Butwhenshe
realizedit,sheblushedandnoddedherhead.Nooneineitherhousewasawareoftheir‘flower-gatheringmeetings’.ThetwoyearsofPreUniversitypassedwithoutanydifficulties.Andsodid
theirfriendship.
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Shrikanthadgrownmoreconfidentandmature.Hedidverywellintheexamsandgotagoodrank.Withhismarks,hecouldgetadmissioninanyoftheengineeringcollegesinKarnataka.ButhehaddecidedtositfortheentrancetestforIIT.OfthefivepremiertechnologyinstitutesinIndia,theIndianInstituteofTechnology,Bombaywashisfirstchoicesinceitwasclosesttohome.Buthewastakingabigchance.Theentrancetestwastoughandthecompetitionwasstiff.RaviPatilalsodecidedtojoinShrikantinpreparingfortheentrancetest.Shrikantmetoneoftheirseniors,VasudevShenoy,whohadgonetoIITthree
yearsago,andgotalltheinformationandtipsonhowtoprepare.HewasdeterminedtogetintoIIT.BothRaviandShrikanthadfinancialproblemsbutthatdidnotdeterShrikantfromhisambition.Hetoldhismothertosellapartofthelandifneeded.TheirfriendMalleshalsodidfairlywellinhiscommercecollege.Shrimati,whosefavouritesubjectswerehistory,sanskritandenglish,had
joinedtheartscollegeforaBAdegree,muchtoeveryone’ssurprise.Shewasknownasanextremelybrightstudent,sootherstudentspointedtohersaying,‘See,that’sShrimatiDeshpande.ThoughshestoodfirstintheBoardshehasjoinedtheartscollege!’Shrimatiwouldsmiletoherself.HerfriendSharada’sfamilywantedhertogetaBAdegree.Thesubjectdid
notmatter.Adegreewasararethingintheirfamily.Vandana’sfatherwantedhertodoanMA,likehehaddone.Evenaftertheyjoinedcollege,therewasnochangeinShrimati’sdaily
routine.She,VandanaandSharadawenttocollegetogetherastheyhadgonetoschool.Thoughshewasveryfrankandfriendlywiththesetwogirls,shehadnottold
themofherdailymeetingswithShrikant.Infact,shehadnotwantedtoshareitwithanybody.Shecouldnotexplainwhy.SoontheIITresultswereannounced.ShrikantandRavibothgotthrough,and
securedadmissiontoIIT,Bombay.Shrikantevengotthesubjectofhischoice,computerscience,unlikeRaviwhohadwantedmechanicalbutgotmetallurgy.ShrikantwasgoingtostayawayfromHubliforthefirsttimeinhislife,and
hewasfeelingalittleuneasy.HewouldhavetostayinBombayforthenextfiveyears.Hewassurethathewouldmisstheearlymorningmeetingsunderthe
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bakulatree.Inthelasttwoyearshehaddevelopedastrongattachmentfor‘hisShrimati’.Itwasmorethananadolescentcrush,heknew.Shewasveryspecialtohim.Shrimatiwassadtoo.LikeShrikant,shehadalsogotusedtomeetinghimin
themornings.Now,forthenextfiveyears,thatwouldnotbepossible.Thoughhewouldcomehometwiceeveryyear,thelongabsencecouldchangehismind,shethought.WhatifhemetsomesmartbrightgirlsinBombay?Wouldhisaffectionforherremainthesame?Whenravishinggladioliandfragrantrajanigandhaswerearound,wouldherememberthetiny,self-effacingbakula?Thedayoftheirlastmeetingdawned.Shrimatididnotsayanything,butshe
waspale.Shrikantknewshewasupset—hecouldreadhermind.‘Shrimati,’hesaidtoherinanassuringvoice,‘youknowthatIamhighly
focused.Iamgoingthereonlyforstudies.Iwilllookneithertotheleftnortotheright.Nothingmatterstome.IamandwillalwaysbeyourShri.’‘Willyouwritetome,Shri?’‘OfcourseIwillwrite.Inthesecondandfourthweekofeverymonth.And
youmustwritetomeeveryfirstandthirdweek.’Shrimaticouldsaynothingmore.Sheloweredherheadandbentdowntopick
upthedelicatebakulaflowers.Shrikantsaidtoher,‘Shrimati,I’llmissyourcompanyandourflower.’‘ThenIwillencloseaflowerineveryletter,’Shrimatipromised.Bothofthemweresoengrossedintheirconversation,theyhadforgottenthat
theyhadcrossedthetimelimit.Rindakkawasbackfromthetemple.NotseeingShrimatiinthekitchen,shehadstartedyelling.‘Shrimati,whereareyou?Themilkisboiling.’Shrimatiwasstartled.‘Shri,Ihavetorunnow.Whenwillwemeetagain?’SmilinglyShrikantsaid,‘InDecember.Buttellme,Shrimati,towhich
addresscanIsendtheletters?’‘Thereisalwaysasolutiontoeveryproblem,haven’tyoutoldme?Writeto
myaddressbutdon’twriteyouraddressattheback.Nobodywillcometoknow.’Shrimatidislikedsuchdeceitfulmethodsbutinhercircumstances,shehadno
choice.
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SEVEN
NeitherhadShrikanttravelledmuchnorhadhehadmuchexposuretotheoutsideworld.SinceallhisrelativeslivedinandaroundDharwad,hehadnotgottheopportunitytogoanywhereelse.OnlyafterjoiningIITdidShrikantgettomeetandknowaboutpeoplefromdifferentpartsofthecountry.IIT,Bombayhadasprawlingcampus.ItwaslocatedinPowai,asuburbof
Bombay.Theatmosphereinsidetheinstitutewasastarkcontrasttothecrowded,bustlingcityoutside.Thecampushadalotofgreenery,andthemanybuildings—offices,classrooms,labs,auditorium,canteen,hostels—werespreadoutoveralargearea.Therewasnodistraction;itwasanidealplaceforstudies.Therewereveryfewgirlsintheengineeringcourse.WheneverShrikantcameacrossagirlinthecampus,hewouldthinkofShrimati.Withherintelligenceandcapacityforhardwork,shewouldhavedefinitelygotaplaceinIIT.HeoftenimaginedwhatlifewouldhavebeenlikeifShrimatiwasalsothere.AtfirstShrikantwasveryhomesick.Hemissedhisfamily.Hefeltamisfitin
thecosmopolitancrowd.Butasthedayspassedhebegantoenjoythecourse,hemadefriendsandgotusedtothefood.Allhisclassmates,nomatterwheretheycamefrom,whatlanguagetheyspoke,weretherebecausetheywerereallybright,andveryfocused.Beforelong,hefoundhewashappyinIIT.Ashehadpromised,hewrotetoShrimatieverysecondandfourthweekofthe
month,andsharedallhisfeelingswithher.Hedescribedinhislettersthecoursehewasdoing,thefoodinthehostelmess,thenewfriendshehadmade.Throughhiswords,heintroducedhertotheirworld,andtothecharmsofBombay.Shrimati,ontheotherhand,didnothavemuchtosay.Therewasnogreat
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changeinherlife.Yetsherepliedregularlytohisletterseveryfirstandthirdweekofthemonth.Sheneverforgottoencloseabakulaflower.WheneverShrikantreceivedherletters,hefeltasifShrimatiwasstandingnexttohim,thegentle,mildlyfragrant,homelybutextremelyaffectionateShrimati!Oneday,ashewasholdingthebakulainhishand,hesuddenlyrealizedwhy
theflowermeantsomuchtohim.Thebakulawasnow,forhim,asymbolofShrimati,apersonificationofher!Shrikantcollectedallthebakulaflowersinasmallbagandplaceditbeneath
hispillow.Heknewthatthescentfromtheflowerswouldnotfadewithtime.Timemarchedon.ShrimaticompletedherBAdegreesuccessfully,getting
twogoldmedalsinhersubject.SharadaEmmikerimanagedtogetthrough,whileVandanapassedwithasecondclass.ThenextstepwastoapplyforanMAcourseatKarnatakaUniversity,Dharwad.VandanaoptedforpoliticalscienceandShrimatiforhistory.Thetwofriendscommutedtotheuniversityeveryday,coveringthetwenty-
fivekilometredistancebytheuniversitybusratherthanbythelocaltrain.Bothofthemenjoyedtherideandusedthetimetocomparenotesontheirrespectivecoursesandclassmates.ShrimatiwaseagerlylookingforwardtoDrRao,thepresentVice-Chancellor,returningtohisparenthistorydepartmentthefollowingyear.Shehadheardsomuchabouthisbrillianceasascholarandhiswonderfulteachingskillsthatshewasconfidenthewouldinspirehertogiveherbesttothesubject.However,theydidmisstheirfriendSharada.Aspromised,ShrikantvisitedHublieveryDecemberbutinthesummer
holidayshewouldtakeuptrainingwithdifferentcompaniestogetpracticalexperienceandgreaterexposure.Onlythelasttendaysofhisvacation,whichinvariablycoincidedwiththebeginningofthemonthofShravan,wouldhespendinHubli.ThosedayswereforShrimati.GangakkalookedforwardtoShrikant’svisitstoo.Shewouldcookavarietyof
dishestomakeupforthetimehersonmissedhomefood.Shebelievedthathecamehometobewithher.GangakkaneverdreamtthatitwasShrimatiwhodrewhimtoHubliandthatitwasherheyearnedtosee.Now,althoughtheycouldmeetattheUniversitycampus,theycontinuedthe
ritualoftheirearlymorningchatunderthebakulatree.Thetree,solewitnesstotheirconversations,smiledindulgentlyonthem.
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theirconversations,smiledindulgentlyonthem.VandanasooncametoknowaboutShrikantandShrimati’sfriendship.But
shedidnotmentionittoanybody.SheknewthatifGangakkafoundout,theconsequenceswouldbeserious.WheneverShrikantcametotheUniversitytomeetShrimati,Vandanawould
returntoHublialone.IfRindakkaaskedwhyShrimatihadn’treturned,Vandanawouldcoverupforherfriendandsay,‘Sheisstudyinginthelibrary.’ShrimatifoundUniversitymuchmoreexcitingthancollege.Shelearnedthat
historyisnotmerelyconcernedwithmenoranation.Everythinghadahistory.Music,dance,artandevenhistoryhadahistory.Graduallyshedevelopedafinecriticalsensibilityandtrainedherselftothinklogicallyandreduceemotionalidealism.Bytheendofthefirsttermitselfsheunderstoodtheimportanceoffieldvisits.Theymadeeverythingshereadintextbookscomealive.ThedepartmentorganizedmanysuchtripsasaresultofwhichShrimatisawanumberofhistoricplaces.Shewasamazedtofindhowacountry’spresentculturedependedonitspasthistory.Thewell-manneredShrimatiendearedherselftoherteachersandclassmates
alike.Theprofessorsweredelightedtohaveanintelligentstudentlikeherinthehistorydepartment.Inthemeantime,Vandana’slifewastakinganewturn.Asshewasneithera
verybrightstudent,norkeenonacareer,herparentswereplanningtogethermarried.Theyfoundaneligibleyoungman,Pramod,anengineerworkingwithLarsen&Toubro,awell-knowncompany,inBombay.PramodwasoriginallyfromBelgaum.HewastheonlysonofhisparentsandtheyownedasmallhouseinBombay.Sincehedidnothaveanyfamilycommitments,waswellqualifiedandheldagoodjob,hewasmosteligibleinthemarriagemarket.Aspertradition,thetwohoroscopeswerematchedandPramodcametosee
Vandanawithhisfamily.Helikedherandthemarriagewasfinalized.BythenVandanawasinthefinalyearofherMA,sobothsetsofparents
decidedthatthemarriagewouldtakeplaceafterherexams.ButafterPramodcametoHubliafewtimestomeether,Vandanalostinterestinherstudies!ShrimatiwascurioustoknowwhatVandanaandPramodtalkedabout.Theirs
wasanarrangedmarriage,theydidnotknoweachother,sowhatdidtheysaytoeachother?‘Vandana,whatdoyoutalkaboutwithPramod?Youdon’tevenknowhim.’‘WhatdoyouspeakwithShrikantforhourstogether?’Vandanacountered.
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‘WhatdoyouspeakwithShrikantforhourstogether?’Vandanacountered.‘Well,hewasourclassmate.Moreover,wehavebeengoodfriendsforalong
time.’‘Oh,don’tgivemethatexplanation!Itisnotmerefriendship.Askyourself.
Nobodyspendssuchlonghours,withouttellingpeopleathome,withjustafriend!’Shrimatifellsilent.Suddenlyshebegantofeelastrangeloneliness.Itwasnot
thatshehadnotthoughtofmarriage.ButnowshecouldnotthinkofanyoneotherthanShrikantforahusband.Havingseenherincompatibleparentsandthekindoffamilylifetheyledshe
wassureshewouldonlymarryapersonwhowouldunderstandherfeelingsandhaveconsiderationforher,unlikeherfatherwhoonlythoughtofhimselfallthetime.AlthoughShrikantandshewereclosefriends,theissueofmarriagehadnot
yetcomeup.Shefelttherewassomethingbetweenthemthatwentbeyondfriendship.Evenifshehadnotshownanyemotionoutwardly,inherheartshewasquiteattachedtoShrikant.Whatwasonhismind,shewondered.Whileitwasnaturalforhertothinkofmarriage—shewasofmarriageable
ageafterall—ShrikantcouldnotthinkofanythingotherthancompletinghisB.Tech.andgettingagoodjob.Marriagewasfar,faraway.InoneofherusuallettersshecasuallymentionedVandana’sengagement.OnedayaftertheDecembervacations,whenexamswereroundthecorner
andShrimatiwasbusywithherseminars,ShrikantsurprisedShrimatiwithanuntimelyvisittoHubli.Shrimatiwasoverjoyed.TheydecidedShrikantwouldwaitforShrimatinearthetownclocktowertill
shefinishedherseminar.‘Shri,’shesaidtohim,‘Idonothaveclasstoday.ShallwegotoAtthikolla?Itisnothotoutside.’AtthikollawasapicnicspotinDharwad,knownforitsmangogroves.Atthis
timeoftheyear,earlyFebruary,allthetreeswerecoveredwithtender,newleaves,reddishgreenincolour.Itwasaverypleasantseason—winterwasoverandtheheatofsummerwasyettobegin.UsuallyShrikantwouldneverdisagreewithShrimatiinsuchmatters.Butthat
dayhesaid,‘No,let’sgotoThackerayPark.’‘CallitChennammaPark,’exclaimedShrimati,hersenseofhistory
promptingheroutburst.
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promptingheroutburst.Centuriesago,theBritishcollectorofDharwad,amancalledThackeray,had
foughtabattlewithChennamma,thequeenofKittur.Theofficerhadlosthislife.TheBritisherectedamemorialinhisnameandbuiltapark.Beforeindependence,itwasknownasThackerayPark.Butafterindependence,thepatrioticpeopleofDharwadcalleditChennammaParkbecauseitwasQueenChennammawhohadkilledThackerayinthebattlefield.‘It’sallthesame.Willtheplacechangewiththename?Let’sgo.’Shrikant
wasnotbotheredaboutsuchthings.Vandana,havingseenthemfromadistance,wentbacktoHublialone.
ShrikantandShrimatiwenttoThackerayorKitturChennammaPark.ItwasoppositetheMentalHospitalontheHubli-BelgaumRoad.Therewereveryfewpeopleinthegardenandmostofthemweresleeping,usingtheirhandasapillow.Theychoseabigbanyantreeandsatbeneathitssprawlingbranches.Shrimatiwasingreatspirits.Notonlyhadherseminargoneoffverywell,
she’dalsohadthissurprisevisitfromShrikant.Shewaschatteringcontinuously,whilethenormallytalkativeShrikantwasindeepthought.Shrimatididnotnoticeanythingamiss.‘Shri,todayIhadaseminarandeveryoneappreciatedmywork.Ispokeon
Ashoka.Doyouremember?Ihadwrittenanessaywhenwewereintenthstandard.Today,Icanwritebetter.Thattime,IhadlessaccesstobooksandIwasmoreemotionalaboutAshoka.Evennow,wheneverIreadaboutAshoka,myrespectforhimgrowsandhefascinatesme.Shri,isthenameAshokanotbeautiful?HistorianscallhimDharmashoka—thevirtuousone...’ShrikantinterruptedShrimatiandwithamischievoussmileasked,‘Itseems
youlikethatnamealot.So,ifyouhaveason,willyounamehimAshoka?’Shrimatilookedathimwithsurprise,wonderingwhythesubjectofnamingan
unbornsonhadcomeup!Smilinglyshereplied,‘Yes!What’swrongwiththat?Iwouldnotthinktwice
beforedoingit.Butsinceyouaskedaboutnames,Shri,letmetellyouthatIalsolikethenameAdityavikrama.Vikramadityawasatitleintheolddays.Wheneverakingachievedsomethingextraordinarythroughbraveryandadventure,hewasgiventhetitleVikramaditya.DuringtheGuptadynasty,
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ChandraguptaIIwascalledVikramaditya.IfIhaveanotherson,IwillnamehimAdityavikrama...’Shrimatispokeinallinnocence,likeahistoryteachertoherstudents.‘Shri,SiddharthaGautamaisanotherpersonIreallyadmire.Heunderstood
thenatureofsorrowandknewthetruevaluesoflife.Hegaveuphiskingdomandhisfamilyforthesakeofhumanity.Hismessageisfullofloveandcompassion.Heneitherwonanywarnordidheestablishagreatempire.However,hewontheempireofhearts.MaybeifIhaveonemoreson,IwillnamehimSiddharthaGautama...’ShrikantmovedclosertoShrimati,heldherhands,andwhisperedsoftlybut
clearlyinherear,‘Shrimati,whenIbecomeanengineer,don’tyouthinkthatitwouldbetoomuchtoaskforSiddharthaGautamaalso,onmymeagresalary?’‘What?’Shrimatiexclaimedflustered,butinaflurryofjoy.
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EIGHT
ItwasthebeginningofMarchandtheUniversitycampuswasnormallydeserted.Studentswereathome,preparingfortheirexaminations,andprofessorswerebusysettingquestionpapers.OnlythosescholarswhoweredoingtheirPh.DorsomeacademicresearchcametothelibraryintheUniversityduringthistime.ForapersonlikeShrimati,anexaminationwasacakewalk.So,eveninMarch,shecametotheUniversitytohelpherprofessorswithsomeprojectortheother.Sheenjoyeditanddidnotmindcomingallthewaytothecampusforthis.Vandanawasextremelybusypreparingfortheexaminationandday-dreamingabouthermarriage.OnedayShrimatiwasinthelibrarymakingnotesforherprofessorwhowas
goingtoJapantoattendaninternationalseminaron‘BuddhisminIndiaandJapan’.ShrimatihadreadsomuchaboutBuddhism,howthoughithadoriginatedin
India,ithadspreadtomanycountriesinSouth-eastAsia.China,JapanandSriLankawereallBuddhistcountries.AndIndonesia,onceaBuddhistcentre,boastedofoneofthegreatBuddhistmonuments,Borobudur.Shewouldhavelovedtotraveltoalltheseplaces,butfinancialconstraintshadmadethatimpossible.However,nowthatherprofessorwasgoingtoJapanandafterthattoIndonesia,hewoulddescribeitalltoherwhenhereturned.Eventhatwasenoughforher!Whileshewasthinkingthesethoughts,thedepartmentpeonSiddappacameandstoodinfrontofher.‘Madam,Professoriscallingyou,wantsyoutocomeimmediately.’‘WhySiddappa,whatisit?HeknowsIamdoingsomeimportantwork!’‘SomewhitemanwhomIhaveneverseenbefore,mustbeafriendofthe
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‘SomewhitemanwhomIhaveneverseenbefore,mustbeafriendoftheprofessor,hascomeandtheyweretalkingaboutyou...maybethat’swhytheyhavecalledyou.’Shrimatiwaswonderingwhoitcouldbewhensheenteredherprofessor’s
room.Therewasanotherpersonthere,anelderlygentlemanwithgreyhair,wellbuilt,aroundsixfeettall.Helookedatherandgaveherafriendlysmile.‘ComeinShrimati.MeetmyfriendProfessorMikeCollins,’ProfessorRao
introducedhisguest.Shrimaticouldnotbelieveherears.Anystudentofhistorywouldknowhis
name.IftherewereaNobelPrizeforhistory,itwouldcertainlyhavegonetoProfessorCollinsalongtimeback.ManyatimesShrimatiandtheotherstudentshadheardProfessorRaotalk
aboutProfessorCollins.HewasanAmericanandcamefromaveryaffluentfamily.Hisfatherwasawealthybusinessman.ButthesonhadbeenpassionateabouthistoryandhadgonetoOxfordtostudy.HegothisPh.Dfromthere.HiswifeJane,whomhehadmetatcollegeandlatermarried,wasalsoahistorian.Theyhaddonesomefascinatingresearchworktogether.Theyhadadaughter,Dorothy,andshetoo,likeherparents,hadchosen
historyashersubjectandwasworkingtowardsadoctorate.Unfortunately,JanehaddiedofcancerrecentlyandProfessorCollinswas
alone.HehadbeenonatourofSriLanka,andonthewaybackhadcometomeethisoldfriend.ProfessorRaohadbeenhisstudentatYaleUniversityandaspecialaffection
haddevelopedbetweenthetwoofthem.ShrimaticouldseethehappinessonProfessorRao’sfaceonseeinghis
teacher.‘Mike,Shrimatiisanexcellentstudentandoneofmyfavourites.Herinterest
inhistoryissimilartoDorothy’s.ShehaspreparedextensivenotesonBuddhism.Youcanseehowshewrites.’Shrimatiwentred,hearingherteacherpraiseherinfrontofsuchawell-
knownperson.‘Hello,Shrimati!Itisnicetomeetyou.Iwouldlovetoseeyournotes
sometime.IamnotanexpertonBuddhismlikeyourteacher,’hespoketoherinAmericanaccent,whichwasalittledifficultforShrimatitounderstand.Shrimatiwasembarrassedgivinghernotestosuchafamousperson.
However,sheplacedthemonthetablenexttohim.
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However,sheplacedthemonthetablenexttohim.ProfessorRaotoldher,‘Shrimati,MikehadcometovisittheCalcutta
museumandhehasfinishedmuchofhiswork.Itwasveryniceofhimtocometothissmalltowntomeetme.ThoughKarnatakahasfamoushistoricalmonuments,hedoesn’thaveenoughtimetoseeallofthem.ButhecannotgobacktotheUSwithoutseeingatleastacoupleofthem.SoIhavesuggestedthatheshouldvisitBadami,AiholeandPattadakal.Itcanbedoneinoneday.’‘Yes,Sir,theyarereallywonderfulplaces.Everyhistorianwillenjoythem.’‘ThatiswhyIsentforyou.Youmustaccompanyhimonthistour.’Shrimatiwassurprised,‘Whyme,Sir?Hewouldliketospendmoretimewith
you,Ithink.’‘IwishIcouldgowithhimbutsomeoneiscomingtomorrowwithamarriage
proposalformydaughter.Andyouknowthatitwouldn’tlookgoodifthegirl’sfatherisnotthere!SoIwantyoutotakehimaround.Besides,youareanexcellentguide.’‘Whoelsewillcomealong,Sir?’‘MysonShashiwillaccompanyyou.Mikedoesn’tstandonformalities.After
all,itisaone-daytrip.Mydriverwillalsobewithyoupeople.’WhiletheconversationwasstillgoingonbetweenShrimatiandProfessor
Rao,ProfessorCollinswasgoingthroughShrimati’snotes.ShehaddescribedbeautifullythedifferencesbetweenViharaandChaitya,the
originoftheJatakatalesandthedeclineofBuddhism.AfterShrimatihadbeengiveninstructionsforthetrip,sheleft.ProfessorCollinsturnedtoProfessorRaoandsaid,‘Herideasareveryclear
andlogical.SheisprobablybetterthanDorothy.Nowonderyousaidshewasanexcellentstudent.’ProfessorRaobeamedwithpride.Thenextday,Shashi,ShrimatiandProfessorCollinsleftatthebreakofdawn.
AsProfessorCollinswasscaredofdrinkingwaterinIndiaandhefounditdifficulttoeatthespicyfoodatthevariouseatingjoints,theycarriedbottledwater,fruitandsomebreadandjamforhim.ButregularlunchwaspackedforShashiandShrimati.ThestaplefoodofNorthKarnatakaisjowarroti.Anotherfavouriteis
avalakki,adishmadewithbeatenrice.ThereisasayingthatifyougotoNorth
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Karnatakaanddon’teatavalakkithenyou’vemissedsomethinginlife.Peoplethereareveryfondofsweetstoo.ItwasthebeginningofMarchandthesunwasnotharshyet.Theroadwas
fairlyfreeoftraffic,sothemorningjourneywaspleasant.‘Shrimati,myfriendsaidyouareanexcellentguide.Butyoudon’tseemto
speakatall!Whydon’tyoutellmethehistoryofthisplace?’saidProfessorCollins,withasmile.‘Sir,howcanIguidesomeonelikeyou?’‘Comeon,Shrimati!Don’tcallmeSir.CallmeMike.InAmericaweaddress
everyonebytheirfirstname.’‘ButSir,youareoldertomeinageandmoresoinknowledge.Inourculture,
addressingelderlypeoplebytheirfirstnameislookeduponasrudeness.Icanneverdothat.’‘Allright,then,callmewhateveryouplease.Moreover,what’sinaname?
Now,tellmeabouttheplaceswearevisitingtoday.’‘Sir,everypersongrowsupwiththehistoryoftheplacetowhichheorshe
belongs.WheneverIusedtocomehereasalittlegirl,mymotherwouldexplaintomeitsimportance.Sheusedtotellmethatmanywarswerefoughthereandmanykingshadruledtheplace.Thestonemonumentsaresilentwitnessestomanymomentousevents.Atthattime,Iusedtofeelhappythatmyancestorswereapartofthebattlesandapartofthekingdomtoo.IstillfeelthatIbelongtothisarea.Theeventsmighthavetakenplacetwelvecenturiesback,butwhenIclosedmyeyes,Icouldvisualizemanythings.Itmademeveryemotional.Later,whenIgrewup,Ibecamepassionateabouthistoryandstarteddetachingitfromtheemotionalpointofviewandbecamemoreawareofthefacts.’‘That’sright,Shrimati.It’strulyahistorian’sview.Howeverunpleasantit
maybe,oneshouldnevergiveupthecriticalattitude.Wheretheheartrules,therethemindgrowsdull.’‘Sir,sorry.Ididn’tansweryourbasicquestion.Thisareawasruledbythe
mightyChalukyadynastyandtheplacenowcalledBadamiwasknownasVatapi.TheChalukyasruledintheeighthcenturyandatthattime,thisareawasveryprosperous.Therearemanystoriesregardingtheoriginofthisdynasty.Thefounder’snamewasPulakeshiandtheysayhewasnurturedontiger’smilkontopofthehill.FromthatIconcludethathewasaverybraveman.Thegreatest
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ruleroftheChalukyadynastywasPulakeshiII.HedefeatedHarshavardhana,apowerfulkingofthenorth,onthebanksoftheriverNarmada...’Shashi,asciencestudent,hadbeenreluctanttocomeonthishistoricaltour.
HewouldhavepreferredtospendthedayinDharwad,watchingthelatestmovie.Hewasboredandkeptlookingathiswatch.TheyreachedBadami,asleepylittlehamlet.ItwasnolongerlikeVatapi,the
capitalofthegloriousChalukyaempireofthepast.Theyparkedthecaratthebottomofthehillsandwentuptoseethecaves.Therearethreehugegranitehillsinthemiddleofthetown.Thecavetemples
arecarvedoutofthesehills.Probably,thisisoneoftheplaceswheretheconceptofcavetemplesoriginated.ThereareJainandHinducavetemples.Thestepscarvedinthehillleadtoallthetemples.Whenseenfromtop,Badamilookslikeavillagethatwillnevereverwakeup,
shrivelledinitspoverty,havingforgotten,forever,itsgloriouspast.Shrimatiexplained.‘Sir,whenyoulookatthecaves,youcanseethepillarsandoneassumesthat
thepillarstaketheweightofthetemple.Butinreality,thatisnottrue.Thepillarsareallfalsepillars.Thisconceptwaslatercopiedinmanycavetemples.YoucanseeLordGanapati,thefamousdeitywithahumanbodyandelephanthead.HeisknownasVatapiGanapati.’ProfessorCollinswasobservingeverythingkeenly.Shrimaticontinued,‘Intheoldendays,theceilingsofthesecaveswere
coveredwithbeautifulpaintings.Butnowtheyhavedisappearedduetothelackofprotectionandignorance.’‘Shrimati,tellmemoreaboutthepaintings.’Shashirealizedthatiftheconversationwentonthisway,theywouldn’treach
Dharwadbeforemidnight.Hecouldnotunderstandwhytheyweretalkingsomuchaboutsomeinvisiblepaintings.Hedecidedtogositinacanteenandreadamagazine.Sayinghewouldbebackinaminute,heslippedaway.ShrimatiandProfessorCollinsdidnotnoticehisabsence.‘Sir,thetechniqueofthistypeofpaintingwasunique.Itmusthavebeen
difficulttopaintinthesecaveswithoutproperventilationandlight.Theartistreallyhadtostruggletoreachtheceilingandpaintonit.Theyusednaturalvegetablecolours,powderedcolouredstones,molasses,limeandothermaterial
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fromnature.Theywouldfirstpreparethesurfaceofthewallusingamixtureofearth,powderedstone,somehusklikematerial,molassesandcowdung.Theywouldthenapplyacoatoflimeonit.Afteritdriedtheywouldusethecoloursandfinallypolishitsmooth.ThepaintingsoftheAjantacavesusedthesametechnique.Amongthem,theCourtofParameshwaraPulakeshi,theDarkPrincessandmanyotherpaintingsremainasbeautifulafterallthesecenturies.’Shrimatipointedoutthesculpturesoftheeighteen-handeddancingShiva,the
CavesofMangalesha,andnumerousyaksha-yakshinis,theSleepingVishnu,andmanymoreartisticdepictions.Beforetheyknewit,lunchtimehadlonggoneby.Thesunwasalittlehotter
buttheenthusiasmofthesetwopeoplewasnotdampenedbythetemperatureorthetime.InspiteofhisageandthehecticmorningProfessorCollins’sspiritswereas
highasateenager’s.TheyhadalatelunchandheadedforAiholeandPattadakal.Badami,AiholeandPattadakalareknownasthegoldentriangleofNorth
Karnataka.Theyarealsoworldheritagesites.ThewordPattadakallumeansaplacewherekingswerecrowned.Theseareasareknownasthecradleoftemplesbecausedifferenttypesoftemplearchitectureweretriedhere.Evennow,youcanseetheNagara,DravidaandChalukyastyleoftemplesinoneplace.Papanatha,DurgaandLatsabtemplesareexamplesofit.Theycontinuedwiththeirsightseeinguntilitbecamedark.Bythetimetheyreturned,Shrimatihadovercomehershynessandwasableto
speaktoProfessorCollinswithoutanyhesitation.‘Sir,youmustseethetempleofKailasanathaatEllora.Itisasbeautifulasthe
TajMahal.Historiansbelievethattobuildsuchatemple,theRashtrakutaswouldhaveprobablyspentalot,moremoneythantofightawar.Thefactthatthislovelymonumentwascarvedoutofasinglerock,fromthetopdownwards,makesitevenmoreamazing.Sir,anotherthingonemustnotmissisthestatueoftheenigmaticallysmilingBahubaliatShravanabelagola.Thattooiscarvedoutofasingleboulder.AndthentherearethetemplesofBelurandHalebeedu,withwhichtheartofsculpturereacheditspinnacle.‘Youneedatleastsixmonthstoseemycountryproperly.Youshouldvisitus
again,tocomprehendtheexcellencemycountryhasachievedinthecreationofbeautyinartandarchitecture.’
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beautyinartandarchitecture.’WhentheyfinallyreachedHubliitwastenatnight.WhileShrimatiand
Collinsweretired,butextremelyhappy,theyhadupsetallofShashi’splans.ThenextdayProfessorCollinswastoleaveandShrimaticametoseehimoff
atProfessorRao’shouse.‘Sir,I’vebroughtasmallgiftforyou.Ihopeyouenjoyedyesterday’strip.To
appreciatehistory,oneneednotbeahistorian.TherewasafamousmathematicianinPunewhowroteabouthistory.Ihavealwaysadmiredhiswork.HisnameisDamodarDharmapalKosambi.Ihopeyouwilllikethebook.’ShrimatipresentedacopyofAnIntroductiontotheStudyofHistory.‘Shrimati,studentslikeyouwhoarepassionateabouthistorymustdo
research.Ifyouwish,Icangetyouascholarshipatouruniversity.YoucouldeitherstudyarchaeologyorAsianhistory.Youhavenoideaoftheamericansystemofeducation.Itisheavenforstudents.Youwillfindmanyfacilitiesandexcellentlibraries.Studentslikeyoucandoverywellinthatkindofatmosphere.’Shrimatiwaspleasantlysurprisedbythisofferandshylybowedherhead.‘Sir,thankyouverymuchforyourgenerousoffer.Itisverykindofyouto
makesuchanoffer.ButSir,thoughIwouldliketocome,Icannotacceptitnow.Iamgettingmarriedthisyear.’‘Congratulations.MayIaskyouapersonalquestion?Whoistheluckyman?’‘Heisaschoolmateofmine,ShrikantDeshpande.’‘Idon’twanttointrudeinyourpersonallife.Butdon’tyoufeelthatifyou
don’tpursueyourloveofhistory,youwillgetfrustratedandbored?’‘Sir,IdolovehistorybutIloveShrikantaswell.Icanalwayscontinuemy
studieslater.Ibelievethatitisnotnecessarytohaveadoctoratetogainknowledge.Forme,degreesdonotmatter.’‘Verywell,then,Shrimati.Allthebestforyourfuture.Iwillsendyou
photographsofourtrip.Goodbyeandgoodluck.’ProfessorMikeCollinsleftHubli,thinkingabouther...Researchwasnot
merelystudying.Itdemandedmanysacrificesandhardwork.Wouldthatbepossibleamidstthehundredresponsibilitiesofafamilylife?ThattooinIndia?HesuddenlythoughtofhiswifeJane.Howhadshebeenabletocontinuewithherresearchthoughshewasmarriedtohim?Perhapsbecausetheyneverhadanyfinancialconstraints.Moreover,theywereco-travellersonthesameroad,
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passionateaboutthesamesubject.Dorothywastheironlychild.Shetoofollowedinherparents’footsteps,butdisagreedwiththeirviewsonmarriageandfamily.ShewaslivingwithherboyfriendTony,whowashercolleague.Althoughhermotherhadwantedthemtogetmarried,Dorothyhadsaidafirmno.Herargumentwas,‘Dad,whydoweneedtogetmarried?Whosaysthatthe
ultimateaimofawomanshouldbemarriage?Ifmarriageisonlyfortogetherness,thenaren’twetogethernow?Assoonasyougetmarried,expectationsriseanditmayormaynotbepossibletomeetallthedemands.Itcouldresultinadivorce...Iamhappierthisway.’Ofcourse,itdidnotmeanthatshehadnorespectorloveforherparents.Only
hervaluesweredifferent.ProfessorCollinsfeltthatShrimatihadthepotentialtobeanexcellent
researchscholar,butshewassodifferentfromDorothy.Shewasreadytosacrificeeverythingformarriage.Cometothinkofit,ShrimatiwasabetterstudentthanDorothy,Professor
Collinsrealizedsuddenly.Fromaveryyoungage,Dorothyhadhadtheadvantageofabetterenvironmentandexcellenttraining.Shehadtouredtheworldwithherparentsandinteractedwiththebestscholarsinthesubject,whereasShrimati,whocertainlypossessedasharperintellect,hadneverhadsuchadvantages.Atthistime,shewasnotawareofwhatshewasgettinginto,butastheyearspassandtheattractionbetweenhusbandandwifewaneandthedemandsofmarriageincrease,shewouldrealizewhatshehadgivenupwasimmense.ProfessorCollinswasconvincedthatShrimatishouldnotgiveupherstudiesbutthen,hethought,itwasherdecisionandherlife.PerhapswhatshewasdoingwasnormalinIndia.
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NINE
KamalanoticedShrimatigrowingincreasinglywithdrawn.ShewonderedwhetheritwasbecauseVandanawasengaged.Itwasnaturalforanygirlofmarriageableagetothinkofherselfinthesamesituation.TherewasnodoubtthatShrikant’srecentvisithadmadehermorerestless.Kamalawasawareofherdaughter’sfriendshipwithShrikantandalsooftheir
meetingsandletter-writing.Butshehadneitherencouragednoropposedit.Sheknewverywellthatherdaughterwasasensibleandmaturegirl.Shewouldnotdoanythingfoolish.Likeallmothers,shealsothoughtaboutShrimati’smarriage.Andifby
chanceKamaladidnot,hermother-in-lawRindakkawastheretoremindheraboutiteverypassingday,withataunt.Kamalasighed,wonderingwhomshecoulddiscussthismatterwith.Herhusbandwasquiteirresponsible.Itwaspointlesstalkingtohimaboutit.Itwasafull-moonnight.Everythingwasquiet.Kamalawassittingaloneona
stonebench,deeplyimmersedinthoughtsofherdaughter.‘Avva,whatareyouthinking?Isitaboutme?’ShehadnotseenShrimati
comeup.‘Unh,yes,yes.Aboutyouandyourfuture.Youareabouttocompleteyour
MA.Whatnext?’‘Avva,thatiswhatIwantedtodiscusswithyou...’‘Isitaboutyourmarriage?’KamalainterruptedShrimati.Shrimatiwassurprised.‘Howdidyouguess?’‘IsitwithShrikant?Didhesayanythingduringhisrecentvisit?’‘Yes.’
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‘Yes.’Kamalafellsilent.Shrimatiwasperplexedsinceshehadbeensurehermother
wouldagreeatonce,andwithpleasure.‘WhyAvva,don’tyoulikehim?Isitnotcorrect?Heisagoodboy.Wehave
knownhimforseveralyears.Areyouworriedthatheisstilltooyoungformarriageorthatheisnotyetworking?Hewillspeaktoyouwhenhecomesnext.’Shrimati’sanxietypouredoutinherwords.‘Shrimati,IamnotworriedaboutShrikant.Iknowthatheisagoodboyand
youwilllivehappilywithhim.Iamonlyconcernedabouttheirfamilyandourrelationshipwiththem.Shrimati,morethanamother,Ihavebeenlikeafriendtoyou.Iwouldliketogiveyousomeadvice.‘Inoursociety,youmarrynotonlyanindividual,butalsohisfamily.IfIhave
understoodthemwell,theywillneveracceptyouasapartoftheirfamily.Theywillneverloveyou.’‘Avva,that’snottrue.Itwasprobablysoinyourtimes.Thosewerethevalues
ofabygoneage!Thingshavechangednow.Moreover,afterthemarriageIamnotgoingtolivewiththem!IwillbewithShrikantandawayfromthem.’‘Shrimati,somethingsinlifehaveremainedunalteredfromtimeimmemorial.
Therelationsbetweenamother-in-lawandadaughter-in-lawarealwaysstrained.Youhavegrownupasafreeindividual.Youdonotpossessourpatience.Iwanttotellyouthateverydaughter-in-lawalwayswantstobeappreciatedandlovedbyherin-laws.Inyourcase,youwillnevergetthat.YouwillbelovedonlybyShrikant.’‘Whydoyousaythat?’‘Becausetheirexpectationsfromadaughter-in-lawareverydifferentfrom
Shrikant’sexpectationsfromawife.’Shrimatiwasdisappointed.Overthenextfewdaysshecouldonlythinkabout
hermother’sadvice.Whywouldhermotherhavesaidthat?Shewasusuallyverysilentandneversaidanythingbadaboutanyone.ShrimatimadeuphermindtowinoverRamaandGangakka.
MyShrimati,
Thisisthefirsttimeinfiveyearsthatyouhavemissedourletter-schedule.Whatisthematter?Iwasexpectingadetailedletterfromyouaftermyreturn.Butyouhavenot
writtenatall.Youmayhavebeensurprisedbymyproposalofmarriage.AfterknowingthatVandanaisgettingmarried,Iwasworriedthatyourpeoplewouldalsostartsearchingforsomeoneforyou.Ifthathappened,thenmyShrimatiwouldslipawayfrommyhandsandbecomesomeone
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else’sShrimati.Inthisfear,Iproposedtoyou,thoughIamstillastudent.Youareveryprecioustome.WehavebeengoodfriendsandIwantthatthisfriendshipshouldendinmarriage.InnormalcircumstancesIwouldhavebroachedthistopicacoupleofyearsaftergettingajobandsettlingdown.Butbythen,accordingtoourHublistandards,youwouldhavecrossedtheageofmarriage.Thepressureathomewouldhavebecometoomuchforyoutobear.
Shrimati,Iamawarethatourmarriageisnotgoingtobeasimpletask.Theenmitybetweenourtwofamiliesiswellknown.Theoppositionwillcomefromboththefamilies.Iunderstandthatmymother’sandyourgrandmother’sspectrumdoesnotstretchbeyondDharwad.Butlifemustmoveforward.Today,thingsaredifferent.
So,Ihopewewillbeabletoconvincethemandsuccessfullycrossthishurdle.
Icouldn’ttalktoyoumuchaboutmyfutureplansastherewasverylittletime.IamsurebynowyouknowthatIamambitious.Idon’twanttobeanordinaryengineerwithagovernmentjobinHubli.Iwanttopursuemycareerinthefieldofcomputers.Itisnotnecessaryformetogoabroadforit.IcandoitinIndia,learningthelatesttechnologiesrighthere.
Wehadcampusinterviewsrecently.IhavebeenselectedbyABCTechnologyLtdasasoftwareengineer.Theyhaveofferedmeagoodsalary.Fortunately,myseniorVasudevShenoyownsahouseinBombay.Heisgoingabroadforthreeyearsandwantstogivehishouseonrent.Heiswillingtogiveittome.
IwanttobeinBombay.Iaminlovewiththecity.Foranoutsider,itisamechanicalcitywithnohumanrelationships.WehavetostruggletogetevenordinarythingsinBombay,includingbasicentertainment.ButstillIlikeBombay.Itisprofessional,itrespectshardwork.ThebeautifulandeasylifeofHubliwillnotbefoundhere.Willyoulivewithmewithallthesethings?
Ihavewrittentomymothergivingahintaboutmyjob,myhouseandmydesiretomarry.ButIhavenottoldheryourname.IamsupposedtojointhejobinAugust.WheneverIaminHublinext,Iwillspeaktomymotheraboutit.Ihaveasmallrequest.Ourmarriageshouldbeverysimple.
Alwaysyours,Shri
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TEN
Gangakkatooreceivedaletterfromherson.Itwasaspecialletterinformingherthathehadgotagoodjobandhadalsofoundahousetolivein.ReadinghislettermadeGangakkaveryhappy.ShethankedtheirfamilydeityLordMylaralinga.Butattheendoftheletter,therewereafewlinesthatdisturbedher.Shrikant
hadwritten,‘Avva,Iamtiredofhostelandhotelfood.Now,IwouldliketogetmarriedandmakeahomeinBombay.’Gangakkadidn’tlikethat.Accordingtoher,therewasnohurryforhimtoget
married.Hewas,nodoubt,good-looking,hadjustfinishedhisB.Tech.,andalreadyfoundajob.Buthewasonlytwenty-threeyearsold.Twenty-threewasamarriageableageforagirl,butnotforaboy.Ifhewasfedupofhostelandhotelfood,hecouldalwaysmovebacktoHubli,Gangakkathought.ShedidnotunderstandwhyhehadtobeinBombay,anunknownplacefor
her.ShethoughtofherdistantcousinShyamwhowasaPWDengineer.HewasleadingacomfortablelifewithacarandservantsinDharwad.Shrikantcoulddefinitelytakeupthatkindofjob.Butitseemedthathe
wantedtobeinBombay.GangakkadidnothavetheslightestinklingaboutShrimati.Whenaboyshowsaninterestinmarriage,thenitisunfairforamotherto
keepquietaboutit!GangakkawasextremelyclosetoherdaughterRama.Theythoughtalikeand
spokealike.Theonlydifferencewasintheirage.SheimmediatelywrotetoherdaughteraboutShrikant’sdecisiontogetmarried.ForRama,itwasamost
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importantoccasion.ShejumpedwithjoyatthenewsandsooncametoHubliwithhertwochildren.Anyway,itwasthesummerholidays.Motheranddaughterstartedplanningastrategytofindthekindofgirlthey
wouldwantforShrikant.Firstofall,shehadtobeveryobedient,extremelygood-lookingandfromanaffluentfamily.Buttheycouldnottellpeoplethat,theywouldhavetoputitdifferently.Gangakkausuallymetotherwomenofherageatthediscoursesonthe
Puranasatthetemple.Atthesediscourses,givenbyapanditorthetemplepriest,elderlypeoplemet,exchangedideasandexperiencesandgottoknowabouteachother’sfamilymatters.Suchgatheringswerealsoabroadcastingcentreofnewsinthecommunity.Atonesuchmeeting,Gangakkaannouncedthatshewaslookingforabrideforherson.‘Wearelookingforagoodgraduategirl,butnotformoney.Ifaneligible,
adjustinggirlcomeswithjustacoconut,wewillstillbehappy,’washerstatement.Butthosewhoknewher,knewverywellwhatsheactuallymeant.Rama’sin-lawsweregreedypeople.InordertopleasethemGangakkaoften
sentthemexpensivegiftssothatherdaughterwouldhavemoreprestigethantheotherdaughters-in-law.Ramahadasister-in-law,Rajani.Now,Rama’smother-in-lawwasafterRamatogetherhoroscopematchedwithShrikant’s.Ramadidnotliketheideaatall.Tellingaliewaseasyforthemotherand
daughter.Puttingonanact,Gangakkapretendedasifshewasverysad,andtoldthem,‘IwishRajanicouldhavebeenmydaughter-in-law!Iwasprayingtogodforthat.Butunfortunatelythehoroscopesdidnotmatch.Howcanwegoahead?’Ahoroscopemismatchwasoneofthebestexcusestowithdrawfroman
unwantedproposal.AndGangakkausedthisexcuseasandwhenrequired.Sheenappa,Gangakka’selderbrother,waswaitingforthischance.Hewanted
hisdaughterRatnatomarryShrikant.Itwascustomaryforaboytomarryhismaternaluncle’sdaughterinNorthKarnataka.SheenappacamewithlotsofgiftsforhissisterandRama.Heknewthatif
Ramawashappy,shewouldpushhermother.NoonecouldbeatSheenappainsweettalk.Hestartedbutteringuphissister.
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‘LookGangakka,ifastrangercomesasadaughter-in-lawtoyourhouse,thenwillshetakecareofyouinyouroldage?Youhavealreadysufferedsomuchinyourlife.Shouldn’tyoubehappyandgetsomerestatleastnow?OurdaughterisveryfondofyouandsheresemblesRamainmostrespects.ShemightnotbeasfairasShrikantbuttheirhoroscopeshavematchedverywell.Pleasedonotlookdownuponus.Wewillperformthemarriageinthebestway.Youtellmewhatyouwant...gold,cash...ahouse?’ItbecamedifficultforGangakkatoresistSheenappa’soffer.ShelikedRatna
asaniecebutdidnotwanthertobeadaughter-in-law.Ratnawasarrogant,uneducatedandordinarylooking.HowwouldShrikantagreetomarryher?ItwasafactthatSheenappahad
helpedGangakkaindifficulttimes.Still,shedidnotwanttoconveyhergratitudebygettingintoamarriagerelationship.TeachingGangakkatotalksweetlyisasunnecessaryasteachingafishto
swim!‘Sheenappa,withoutyourhelpIwouldnothavesurvived.Weallareindebted
toyou,andwillremain,throughoutourlives.Ratnawasalwaysonmymind.ButShrikanthascategoricallytoldmethathedoesn’twanttomarrywithinthefamily.HefeelsRatnaislikehisownsister.Icannotgoagainsthim.Iamhelpless.’SheenapparealizedthatitwasnotShrikantbutGangakkawhodidnotwant
thealliance.ShrikanthadhardlyspokentoRatnatohavedevelopedbrotherlyfeelings.SheenappaknewGangakkawastryingforbiggerfishandShrikantwasjustanexcuse.ItwascleartoSheenappathattherewasnousetalkinganyfurther.Ashewas
leaving,hesarcasticallysaid,‘Okay.Marriagesaremadeinheaven.LetusseewhatkindofagirlShrikantwillmarry!’AtoneofthePuranareadings,Vandana’smotherhadcometoknowthat
Gangakkawassearchingforadaughter-in-law.Vandana’ssister,Kavitha,wasinhersecondyearofBA.SotheirmotherdecidedtoproposeamatchbetweenKavithaandShrikant.Sheknewthatexceptforthesharptongueandquarrelsomenatureofhismotherandsister,Shrikantwouldbetherightcatch.ShetoldVandana,‘Shrikantwasyourclassmate.Whatdoyouthinkof
suggestingKavithaforhim?’Vandanawastakenaback.‘NoAvva,pleasedon’tdothat,’sheblurtedout,
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Vandanawastakenaback.‘NoAvva,pleasedon’tdothat,’sheblurtedout,butdidnotsayanythingmoreasthatwouldhavegotShrimatiintotrouble.‘Why?Theboyisverygoodandanywaytheyaregoingtostayseparatelyin
Bombay.Youwillalsobethere.’‘NoAvva,whateveritis,pleasedon’tproceed.Shrikantwillsayno.’‘Howdoyousaythat?Wewillgivethemdowry.AndKavithaisalsogood-
looking.Letusgivethemthehoroscopeandsee.Itdoesnotmeanthatthemarriagewilltakeplaceimmediately.’Vandana’smothercouldnotunderstandwhyVandanawasresistingsomuch.AllparentswhohaddaughterssuddenlystartedpayingattentiontoGangakka.
Theyhadnotbotheredtosayevenahellotoheralltheseyears.Nowtheywouldgooutoftheirwayandtalktoherandinvitehertotheirhomes.OneofthemwasAnnaChari,thepriestwhogavethedailydiscourseatthetemple.Oneeveningafterthediscourse,heinsistedthatRamaandGangakkacometohishousefortea,thoughinthelasttwentyyears,hehadhardlyevennoticedthem.Gangakkawasthrilled.WhensheandRamawenttohishouse,theyreceivedroyaltreatment.AnnaChari’swifeChampakkabroachedthetopicinaleisurelymannerassheservedthevarietiesoffoodshehadprepared.‘Gangakka,youneverknowwhenandhowfortunesmilesonaperson.You
areawarethattheDesaifamilyofNavalgundisveryfamous.Theyareverywell-offpeoplewithplentyoflandandtrunksofgoldintheirhouse.Theyhaveonlytwodaughters.TheelderdaughterismarriedtoaveryrichpersonfromBijapur.TheirseconddaughterIndiraisofmarriageableageandsheisverygood-looking.ShewentuptoBAbutsomehowdidn’tcompleteit.’AnnaCharicontinued,‘Whatdoeseducationmattertosuchpeople?They
don’tneedtotakeupajob...TheyarethinkingaboutShrikant,ofcoursewithmyrecommendation...’Gangakkawasoverjoyed.HowonearthdidwealthypeoplelikeDesaithink
ofanalliancewithherfamily?Ifitcamethrough,Shrikantwouldbeveryfortunate.Butthensherememberedthattheybelongedtoadifferentsect.‘Aren’ttheyVaishnavas?’NormallyAnnaChariwouldmakeafussaboutsuchthingsbutthatday,he
wasveryliberal.‘HowdoesitmatterGangakka?Godhastwofaces.Oneisof
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LordShivaandtheotherofLordVishnu.Botharejustdifferentnamesforthesamegod.Intoday’sworld,youshouldnotmakesuchdifferences.’Buthedidnotrevealthathewouldn’tevendrinkadropofwaterina
Vaishnava’shouse.‘Whataboutthehoroscope?’Ramaraisedapoint.‘Oh,Gangakka!ImyselfhavematchedShrikant’sandIndira’shoroscopes.
Theyhavematchedexcellently.Indirawillbringhimgoodluck.YoushouldconsideryourselfveryluckythatyouhavegotsuchaproposalforShrikant.’Motheranddaughterwerethrilled!RamastartedimaginingShrikant’s
marriagewithIndira.Shehadheardfrommanypeopleaboutthepompandgrandeuroftheirfirstdaughter’swedding.Shewassurethatherstatuswouldalsogoupifthismarriagetookplace.AnnaChariwasashrewdman.Henoticedthetwowomensofteningtothe
idea.Hewasjustwaitingforthechance.‘IwilltellDesaitobringhisdaughtertoyourhousethisSundayandIwillalsoaccompanythem.Letusseehowsoonthebestcanhappen.’Themeetingendedingoodspirits.Ramaandhermotherstarteddoingupthehousetoimpresstheguestson
Sunday.Sundayfinallyarrived.TheDesaiscameinabigcar.Eachoneofthemlooked
likeroyalty.MrsDesaiandIndirahadwornasmanyornamentsaspossible,toshowofftheirstatus.RamaandGangakkatookgreatpainstoofferthebesthospitality.The
formalitiesofteaandsnackswereover.TherewasadisappointedlookonMrsDesai’sfaceafterseeingGangakka’s
house.Itwasveryordinaryandtherewasnosignofaffluence.ShefeltthatGangakkaandherdaughterweretooeagerforthisalliance,thattoo,justforthemoney.ThoughGangakkaobservedthatthegirlwasabitslowandveryordinary
looking,shewastemptedbyherfather’swealth.AnnaChariwastheonlyonewhowastalkingnonstop.‘Oh,Shrikantisavery
brightandsimpleboyandtherearenotwowaysaboutit.IfheappliesfortheIAS,heissuretobecomethecollectorofDharwad.HeisasobedienttohismotherasShriRamachandra.Definitelyhewillkeepyourdaughterveryhappy.’
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AnnaCharididnotevenknowthatfortheIASonehadtoappearforanexaminationandnotjustapply.MrsDesaiputthebrakesonAnnaChari’schatter.‘Moneyisnotatallan
importantfactorforus.Wehavebroughtupourchildreninluxuryandourdaughterisnotusedtohardwork.Wehavesufficientfacilitiesathome.Wewilldefinitelyhelptheboytothebestofourabilitybutheshouldkeepourdaughterhappy.’Gangakkadiplomaticallysaid,‘EverythingdependsonShrikant’sdecision.
Lethimcomeandwewillletyouknow.’
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ELEVEN
MyShri,IreceivedyourletterandIamsorryIbrokemyscheduleforthefirsttime.Thereasonsare
numerous.Iwishyouhadstayedalittlelongerandwecouldhavetalkedabouteverythingindetail.
Shri,Itoldmymotherandhesitantly,shehasagreed.Shehassomequeries,though.Mymother’sacceptanceofourmarriageisveryimportanttome.Whenyoucomeherenexttime,youcanofficiallytalktomyfatherandgrandmother.Letmenotcreateascenenow.
Areyouawareofwhatishappeningatyourhome?Itisreallyscaringme.Yourmotherhasstartedsearchingforabrideforyouwithgreatvigour,afterreadingaboutyourjobandallthat.Everydayshehasanappointmentatoneortheothergirl’shouse.Shehasnoclueaboutus.Thisistheresultofyournottellingher.Ramaisalsoheretohelpyourmother.Shri,Iaminnoconditiontobringalotofgoldandsilver,tomatchyourmother’sexpectations.
Regardingyourself,youknowShri,thefigureofyoursalaryisimmaterialtome.Thefoundationofmyhappinessisnotthedigitsthatyouearn,butthedigitsofyourlove,affectionandcompanionship.
IamawarethatlifeinBombayistough,stillonepercentofIndia’spopulationlivesthere!Wewillbeapartofthat.
Whenyouarewithme,
Howdoesitmatterwherewelive?
Letitbeadesertoraforest,
Letitbepouringrainorscorchingsun,
Thatisheaventome!
Shri,Ihaveasmallwish.OurmarriageshouldbeperformedintheSomeshwaratempleinDharwad.Ihopeyouwillunderstandmyfeelingsandagree.
Waitingtobeyourshrimati,Shrimati
ItwasthebeginningofJune.Thehumiditywashigh,makingpeoplesweatprofusely.BustlingBombaywaitedimpatientlyfortherainstostart.
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ItwasthelastdayatIITforShrikantandhisbatchmates.Examinationswereover,joboffersandscholarshipstogoabroadhadbeenreceivedandeveryonewasdreamingofthefuture.Thiswasprobablythelasttimethattheentiregroupwouldbetogether.Theyhadallenteredthiscampusasteenagersandtoday,theywereleavingas
youngandconfidentengineers,hopingtoachievefameandfortuneintheoutsideworld!Manyofthemgotquiteemotionalwhentheyweresayinggoodbyetotheir
hostelmates.Butitwasallpartoflife.ShrikantandRaviwereleavingforHublibytheMahalakshmiExpressfromVTStation.Someofthehostellershadcometoseethemoff.Asthetrainstartedmoving,manyhandswavedgoodbye,untilthetraincould
beseennomore.WhenthetraingottotheoutskirtsofBombay,acoolbreezestartedsettling
in.ShrikantandRavioccupiedtheirseats.Inthelasttendaysbothofthemhadbeenbusypackingupandsortingout
last-minutepaperwork.Sotheyhadnotspokenmuchtoeachother.Now,theyhadthechancetocatchup.‘Shrikant,youarewellsettledwithajobandahouse!Sowhatisyournext
goal?’askedRavi.‘Ravi,Iamclearaboutmypath.IdonotwanttogototheUS,getagreen
cardandsettlethere!WhenIlookatyoungenergeticdirectorsofcompanies,Ifeelthatwecanstayinourowncountry,workhardandachieveexcellence.Thereisnoshortcuttosuccess.Hardworkandbeliefinoneselfcantakeonetoanyposition.Whataboutyou?’‘Well,youknowIgotascholarshiptogototheUniversityofPennsylvania
forthewinterterm.SoIamplanningtogototheUSbyendDecemberorearlyJanuary.IhavetogototheUSandearnmoremoney.Ihavetwosisterstobemarriedoff...Thatremindsme,Shrikant,whenareyougettingmarried?’‘Howdidyouguessthat?’‘Ididn’tguess,Iknew!Agirlwhowritestoyousoregularlyoughttobemore
thanafriend.Ialsoknowwhosheis.ButShrikant,howwillyoutellyourpeople?Abigbattlemightstart.’Raviwasawareofthefamilyfeud.
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‘Ravi,Iknowyouarenotonlyanengineerbutalsoagoodpsychologystudent.Youhavefoundoutoursecret.IdonotknowwhenIchoseShrimatitobemywife,butunconsciously,IknewthatshewastheonlygirlIcouldmarry.Youtellmewhy.’‘Maybebecauseweusedtoteasebothofyouduringourschooldays!Whenis
theweddingandwhereisit?’‘Oh,it’sgoingtobeasimpleceremonyatatempleandyoumustattend.’‘CertainlyIwill.’Shrikantgotcompletelyimmersedinhisownworld.Hehadtoworkandlearn
likethelegendaryEkalavya,withsingle-mindeddevotionandperseverance.Ekalavyawasagreatstudent,heexcelledinarcherynotwiththehelpofateacher,butbyobservingandpractisingwiththedeterminationtosucceed.Shrikantfeltthathetoohadtoperfecthisart,notgivinguphisambitioninlifeorthedesiretoexcel.
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TWELVE
Itisoneoftheironiesoflifethatthepersonwhoisdearesttoyouoftenhurtsyouthemost!FortwodaysGangakkahadnottalkedtoherson.Thesilencewasdreadful.
Thesilencethatcomesfrompeaceissodifferentcomparedtothesilencethatcomesoutofsorrow.Shewasdevastated.HeronlysonShrikant,onwhomshehadpinnedsomuchhope,hadsuddenlybecomeherenemy.Theshockhehadgivenherwaslikeabombshell.HowcouldhehavedecidedtomarrythatgirlShrimati?Shrimatiwashardlytenmonthsyoungertoherson,ordinarylooking,without
moneyand,morethananything,herenemy’sdaughter!Howwouldshefacepeople?Whatwouldtheysay?Theywouldmakefunofher.AndtheDesais,SheenappaandRama’sin-lawswouldmockher.WorsethanthatwasthefactthatherownsonhadgonetoRindakka’shouseandbeggedfortheirdaughter.Normally,agirl’sparentsapproachedtheboy’speople.Hereitwasthe
reverse!Gangakkaknewtherewasnowayshecouldstopthismarriage.Herprevious
excuses,thatthehoroscopesdidnotmatchorthattheybelongedtodifferentsects,wouldnotaffectShrikant’sdecision.Gangakkawassoupsetthatshewasnotabletoeat.Shesobbedcontinuously.Shehadexperiencedthiskindofsorrowforthefirsttimeafterherhusband’sdeath.Shrikanttriedveryhardtoconsoleher.‘Avva,youhaveawrongimpression
aboutShrimati.Sheisaverynice,kindandbrightgirl.Shewilllookafteryouverywell.Pleasedonotdependupondowry.Howevermuchmoneyyouwant,I
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willgiveyouonceIstartearning.Ifyoucareformyhappiness,pleaseacceptShrimatiasyourdaughter-in-law.Iwillbeunhappymarryinganyoneelse.’‘Sheisourenemy’sdaughter!’‘Avva,Iamnotmarryinghergrandmother.HaveyoueverfoundShrimatior
hermotherfightingwithyou?Notevenonceprobably.Thenwhythisobjection?’‘TheybelongtotheVaishnavacommunity.’‘Avva,thinkoftheoutsideworld.YouhavenotthoughtbeyondHubli-
Dharwad.Peoplemarryfromdifferentcountries.Ourswouldonlybedifferentsectsofthesamecommunity,afterall.Ourlanguages,ourfoodhabitsareallthesame.’ButGangakkawasnotwillingtolistentoanything.Shrikantgotfrustratedandwentout.Gangakkawassleepingonamatonthefloor.Shelookedlikeshewason
strike.Ramacamein.Shewasequallyfuriouswithherbrother.Thoughshebelongedtotheyoungergeneration,shewasworsethanGangakkainherold-fashionedviews.Sheevenoutdidhermotherwhenitcametoplanningandscheming.AssoonasGangakkametherdaughter,bothofthembrokedownineach
other’sarms.Ramatriedtocomforthermother.‘Avva,don’tcryandwasteyourenergy.Yourtearswillnotchangehis
decision.Ifhehasdecidedtomarryher,thenletusthinkoftheotherthings.Firstofall,telleverybodythatthegirlisintelligentandsmart,andthatwehaveagreedtothismarriage.Don’tevertellthemtherealreason.Second,Iknowthatyouhavekeptmoneyandsomegoldforhismarriage.Youneednotgivethemtohiswife.Thirdhehastoldyouthathewilllookafteryou.Youneednotgoandstaywithhim.Justtellhimtosendmoneyeverymonth.’Atthesewords,Gangakkawasalittleconsoled.Ontheothersideofthecompound,inShrimati’shouse,herfatherand
grandmotherwerealsostronglyopposedtothealliance.TheyfelttherewasnothingspecialaboutShrikant.Hehadjustgotajob,wasnotyetproperlysettledandtheirShrimatiwasanydaymoreintelligentthanhim.Moreover,hewastheirenemy’sson.
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Despitethesemisgivings,Shrimati’smarriagetoShrikanttookplaceonarainydayinShravanattheSomeshwaratempleinAtthikolla.Atthikollawasfullofwildflowersandtherewasmuchgreeneryaround.Amongtheveryfewpeoplewhoattendedthemarriage,mostofthemweretheirclassmates.Normally,weddinggarlandsaremadeofjasmine,rajanigandhaorsevanthige.
Butforthiswedding,thegarlandsweremadeofbakulaflowers.Shrimatilookedherusualself,only,shewaswearinganewcottonsaree,
greenglassbanglesandlotsofbakulastringsinherplait.ShehadthesameenchantingsmilethathadcaptivatedShrikant,andpreventedhimfromseeinganyothergirl.Afterthesimpleweddingceremonywasover,RaviPatilshookhandswith
Shrikantandsaid,‘Shrimati,todayyouareofficiallyShrimatiShrikantDeshpande.Ourprophecyhascometrue.’Shrimatismiled,withablush.
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THIRTEEN
Asexpected,ShrimatiwasmadetofeelunwelcomeinGangakka’shouse.Still,shewantedtowinoverhermother-in-law.Soshetriedtohelpherinthekitchen.ButGangakkamadeitclearthatthekitchenwasherdomainandshedidn’twantShrimatitoenterit.Shewouldsay,‘Youhavejustmarried.Youdonotknowourcustoms.So
pleasedon’tbotheraboutcooking.’Withinaweek,Shrimatigotbored.Whenshewenttoherhouse,her
grandmotherwouldaskherinnumerablequestions,‘Shrimati,whatdidyourmother-in-lawgiveyouinmarriage?Isawherinasareeshoptheotherday.Didshegetyouasaree?’Shrimaticouldnotansweranyofherqueries.WhenShrikantwasthere,Gangakkawouldbecordialbutwhenhewentout
shewouldshowhertruecoloursbysayinghurtfulthingstoShrimati.‘Ireallydon’tunderstandyourcustoms.YoucallShrikantbyhisfirstname
andthattooinashortform.Webelievethatifyouaddressyourhusbandbyhisname,youshortenhislifespan.Yourmothershouldhavetaughtyouallthesemanners.Thereisasaying,Thequalityofthesareedependsonitsthreadandthenatureofadaughterdependsonhermother’s.’Inthepreviousgenerations,whenthehusbandwasusuallyolderthanthe
wife,hewouldnotbeaddressedbyname.ButShrikantwasonlytenmonthsolderthanShrimati.Besides,theyhadgrownuptogether.SoitwashardforShrimatitochange.Whenevershetried,Shrikantwouldnotallowit,saying,‘Shrimati,getoutofthatoldcustom!WhenIcancallyoubyyourfirstname,
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youshouldalsobeabletodothesame.First,weweregoodfriendsandnow,Ihavebecomeyourhusband.That’sall.’Shrikantwouldalsoteasehersayingthatheknewshewouldsomeday
becomehiswifeandthatiswhyhewantedhertocallhimShri.ShrimatiwouldbecomeverydejectedwheneverGangakkahurtherlikethis.
Hermotherwassuchagentle,docileperson,shewouldneverhavetaughtherdaughterwrongthingsorgivenherbadadvice.ShrimatifeltveryhelplesswhenhermotherwascriticizedbyGangakka,butshesaidnothing.Tendaysafterthemarriage,ShrikantandhisShrimaticametoBombay.It
wasthemonthofAugust.ThemonsoonhadsetinanditwaspouringinBombay.BombayrainsaresodifferentfromtherainsinDharwad.Thecontinuousrainwoulddisruptlocallife,butthedisciplinedcitizensofBombaynevercomplained.Shrimatiwasshockedtoseehersmallsingle-bedroomapartmentatBandra.ItwasprobablysmallerthanaroomintheirHublihouse.Therewasno
questionofagardenorabakulatreeinaplacelikeBombay.‘Shri,whyshouldwepayathousandrupeesrentforsuchasmallhouse?’Shrikantlaughedatherinnocence.‘Shrimati,itisverydifficulttogetanapartmentinBandrawithoutpayingan
advance.Behappyaboutthishouse.ItisonlythankstoVasudevthatwegotit.’‘Shri,what’ssogreataboutBandra?’‘Shrimati,Bandraisaveryexpensivearea.Itisverywellconnected.
Gradually,youwillunderstandallthat.’Shrikantreportedforwork,asasoftwareengineer,ontheappointedday.He
wasonprobationforsixmonths.Amongthemanypeoplewhojoinedthecompanythatday,hewastheonlypersonwhowasmarried.Thoughitseemedalittleodd,Shrikantwasneverembarrassedaboutit.Shrimatiwasleftaloneathome.Shewouldkeeprememberinghermother,
herHublihouse,andthequietatmosphereoftheirhometown.Allthesememorieswouldmakeherhomesick.Hereyeswouldwellupwithtears.Kamalahadnotshedasingletearatherdaughter’smarriage.Shehadhelditinwithsheerwillpower.NowShrimatistartedseeinghermotherinanewlight.Atleastforher,life
wasfunwithalovinghusband,anewcity,newexperiences...Butforher
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mother?HeronlyfriendwasShrimati!Howisshemanagingwithoutme,Shrimatiwondered.Thiswasthefirsttimeintwenty-twoyearsthatShrimatiwasawayfromhermother.ShealsorememberedGangakka’sfrequenttaunts.‘Shrimati,thecolourofthesareeyourmotherhasgivenmeisnotgood.’‘Avva,forthatprice,itwouldhavebeenthebestone,’Ramawouldadd.‘Howmuchmoneydidyourparentsspendforthemarriage?’Shrimatididnotknowwhattoanswer,butRamawouldsupporthermother
saying,‘ItwouldhavedefinitelybeenlessthanwhattheDesaiswouldspendononedayofDiwali.’Shrimatiwassosoft-spokenandwell-behavedthatitwasdifficultforherto
answerback.Besides,shehadjustgotmarried.Shedidnotwanttocreateanyproblemsforanyone.AfterhermarriageVandanatooshiftedtoBombay.Butshelivedfaraway,
neartheArlandChurchatMalad,anothersuburbofBombay.UnlikeHubli,inspiteofbeinginthesamecity,itwasnoteasytomeether
often.ShrimatifounditdifficulttoconfideinVandanaaboutherproblemsbecause
Vandana’sin-lawswereveryaffectionatepeople.WhenShrimatiwenttotheirhouse,shesawVandana’smother-in-lawgiving
herasareefortheGowrifestival.Thoughitwasnotanexpensiveone,itwasatokenofaffection!Wheneversomethingwastobegiventoherdaughter-in-law,Gangakkaonthe
otherhandwouldsay,‘Ohthatisnotourcustom’or‘Youaretoomodern,soIhavenotgivenyouanything.’Irrespectiveofallthis,lifewasveryhappyforShrimatibecauseofShrikant.
Theywereyoung,theywerestartinganewhomeandGangakkawasnotpresentphysically!Soon,ShrimatistartedgettingusedtoBombay.Shetookupcookingforthe
firsttimeinherlife.Shrikantwasahardworkingpersonandadutifulhusband.Rightatthebeginningofthemonthhewouldhandoverhisentiresalarytoher.Hehadtoldher,‘Shrimati,mymotherhassufferedalot.Shehassacrificedsomuchformyeducation.So,everymonth,youmustsendherthousandrupees.Thenwiththerest,youmanagethehouse.Iwon’taskyouanything.’Shedidnothaveanyexpensivehabits,soShrikant’ssalarywasmorethan
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Shedidnothaveanyexpensivehabits,soShrikant’ssalarywasmorethanenoughforher.Withoutfail,shewouldsendthousandrupeestohermother-in-law.Shrikanttoohadsimpletastes.Hisonlyluxurywastechnicalbookswhichhe
wouldbuybecausetheywereessentialforhiswork.Shrimatiknewaboutitandwouldkeepsomemoneyaside.Onhismodestsalarytheyhadenoughfortheirneeds,butnotforluxuries.Someweekends,ShrimatiandShrikantwouldvisitnearbytouristsitesliketheElephantaCaves,Bhaja,Karlaandotherplacesofinterest.ShrikantwasnotreallyinterestedinthesehistoricalplacesbutforShrimati’ssakehewouldgo.SixmonthsaftertheirweddingShrimatigotaletterfromProfessorCollinsin
replytotheweddinginvitationshehadsenthim.HewrotethathehadbeenavisitingprofessorinSouthAmericaforsix
months.AsaweddinggifthesentherasetofRomanandGreekhistorybooks.ThiswasthebestgiftShrimatihadreceived.Shrikantwasconfirmedasapermanentemployeewithinthreemonthsofhis
traininginsteadoftheusualsixmonths,sincehisperformancehadbeenverygood.Asaresulthebecamebusierbytheday.Hiscompany,whichwasofamoderatesize,wasgrowingrapidlyandShrikantstartedgrowingwiththecompany.Withinayear’stime,everyonehadheardabouthim.Hisgeneralmanager,MrVishwasKelkar,hadtakenagreatlikingtoShrikantbecauseofhishardworkingnature.HewouldworkevenonSundays.Heneverutteredthewords,‘Sorry,Icannotdoit.’Sometimes,Shrikantwouldworktheentirenight.Atsuchtimeshewouldask
Shrimatitocarrydinnertotheofficeforhim.Bombaybeingasafeplace,Shrimatiwouldtakealocaltrain,givehimhisdinnerandcomeback.Initially,shewouldwonderhowpeopletravelledinsuchcrowdedtrains.Butnow,shewasoneofthem.Itwasthecustomforanewly-wedcoupletogototheparents’placeforthe
firstDiwaliaftermarriage.ShrikantandShrimatiweresupposedtogotoHubli,butbecauseofsomeurgentassignment,ShrikantcouldnotgoandShrimatihadtogoalone.ShehadmadeitapointtotakegiftsforGangakkaandRama.Evenafterallthesemonths,thetreatmentshereceivedfromthemwasnodifferent.ThefirstyearofShrikantandShrimati’smarriageflewbyandShrimatihad
becomeaBombayite.ThecharmofdiscoveringBombayhadwornoffandshe
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hadstartedfeelingalittlelonely.SheseriouslybegantothinkofcontinuingherstudiesandShrikantwelcomedtheideawhole-heartedly.Attimes,ShrikantwouldfeelbadthathisintelligentwifewaswhilingawayhertimeinBombay.So,heencouragedhertostudyfurther.ButaletterfromGangakkajeopardizedeverything.
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FOURTEEN
Gangakkahadwritten,‘Foryourstudies,Ihadtakenaloanofonelakhrupees.OnepartofthatmoneyItookfromyouruncleSheenappaandtheotherfrommycousinShyam.NowSheenappa’sdaughterRatnaisgettingmarriedandShyamisbuildinganotherhouse.Bothofthemhaveaskedforthemoneyback,attheearliest.Maybeyoucansendteninstalmentsoftenthousandrupees.Theyarenicepeopleandhavenotaskedforanyinterest.MaybeSheenappaisaskingforthemoneybecauseheisupsetthatyoudidnotmarryhisdaughter,Idonotknow.However,Ifeelthatitisyourdutytoreturnthemoneynow...’TherealreasonforGangakka’sletterwassomethingentirelydifferent.
Gangakkawasextremelymiserablethatherdaughter-in-lawwashappy.ShecouldseethehappinesswhenShrimatihadcometoHubliforDiwali.ShewasenviousofShrimati.Allthesedays,Shrikantwassolelyherproperty.
ShecouldnotbearthefactthatnowhealsobelongedtoShrimati.Gangakka’shappinesswasinverselyproportionaltoShrimati’s.AsShrimatiwasphysicallyfarawayfromher,Gangakkahadtofindother
waystotroubleher.ThoughShrimatiinvitedGangakkatoBombaymanytimes,sherefusedtogo.Shesaidshewouldgetboredthere.Besides,itwasShrimati’shouse,afterall.BombaywastoofarforRamatovisitthemoften,butshedidspendalotof
timewithhermother.ItwasRama’sideatoaskShrikantforthemoney.‘LetusaskShrikantfora
hugesum.ThatwillmakeShrimatistruggle.’‘ButonwhatpretextcanIask?’‘Tellhimthatyouhadtakenaloanforhiseducation.’
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‘Tellhimthatyouhadtakenaloanforhiseducation.’TheyknewthatShrikantwouldbehurtintheprocess,buttheyfeltthathe
deserveditbecausehehadmarriedShrimati.Shrimatiwasscaredwhenshereadthatletter.Howonearthwouldtheygeta
lakhofrupees?Neitherdidtheyhavesomuchmoneynorcouldherparentsaffordtolendit.Shrikantwasworriedtoo.Hecouldnotaskforaloanfromhiscompanyinthesecondyearitself.Afterhehadbeenmadepermanent,hissalaryhadincreased,buthealsohadtosetupanewhouse,andbuyeverythingfromscratch.Shrimatisuddenlyfoundasolution.‘Shri,canIgetajob?’‘Yes,youmaygetone,butnotinanyhistorydepartment,whereyouwillbe
paidverylittle.’‘Don’tworry,Shri,Iwilltakeupanyjobanywhereforayearandsave
money.’‘Butyouwantedtostudy,Shrimati!’‘Thedaywesendthelastinstalment,Iwillstopworkingandpursuemy
studies.Itdoesn’tmatterifIamlatebyayear.Canyoupleasefindajobforme?’‘Shrimati,youcangetanadministrativejob,butitisnotreallymeantfor
peoplelikeyou.Youareadifferentkindofperson,yourtalentsareinatotallydifferentarea.Morethanthat,whyshouldyourepaymyloan?’Shrimatismiledandanswered,‘Whenyouaremine,yourloanisalsomine.It
comesasapackage.IcannotsayIwantonlymyhusband.Hisjoysanddifficultiesarealsoacceptabletome.’Shrikantwastoomovedtospeak.Heactuallybelievedthathismotherhadtakenthathugeloan.Henever
suspectedanyfoulplayonherpart.Hetrustedhismotherandstronglybelievedthatshewouldneverdohimanywrong.HewasalsohurtthatShrimatihadtoworkformorethanayearforhissake
andpostponeherPh.D.Hewasawarethatitwasunfairtoher.WiththehelpofMrKelkar,Shrimatigotajobwithasmallimport-export
companyintheFortareaofdowntownBombay.Thesalarywasgoodbutthejobwasmechanical.Shrimatihadtoleavehomeatseveninthemorningandreturnedatseveninthenight.Withsomehesitation,Shrimatijoinedthe
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company.HerParsiboss,MrFarooqModi,wasadecentman.HewasagoodfriendofMrKelkar.BothofthemweremembersofthesameclubonCharniRoad.TherewasapredominanceofwomenintheofficeasMrModifirmlybelievedthatwomenworkedharderthanmen.Shrimatisoonbecameverypopularintheofficebecauseofhernon-
interferingnatureandherhabitofworkinghard.Shedidnotenjoythejobmuchsinceitwasmonotonous,butshedidenjoythecompanyofallhercolleagues.TheycamefromdifferentpartsofBombay.Shrimatibecamefriendlywiththreeofthem—NaliniBapat,MarukhandShantaIyer.Sheoftenwentshoppingwiththembutshewouldn’tspendarupeeonanything.Hermaingoalwastosaveasmuchasshecould.AllthemoneyNaliniearned,shespentongoldornaments.Marukhwould
spendher’sonclothes.Shantahadabigresponsibility,asshelookedafterahugefamily.Everymonth,ShrimatiwouldsendGangakkaherentiresalaryalongwith
somesavingsfromShrikant’ssalary.WhenGangakkareceivedthefirstinstalment,herjoyknewnobounds.She
hadnotexpectedherobedientsonandsinceredaughter-in-lawtotakeherdemandsoseriously.Theysaidtheywouldsendherthemoneyinteninstalments.Sheregrettednottellingthemthattheamountwastwolakhsinsteadofone!Nowthatshehadexcessmoneyinherhands,Gangakkadecidedtousethis
bonusamounttobuyornamentsforRama.Ramawasthrilled.NeithershenorhermotherrealizedthatthismoneywasatthecostofthebrightyoungShrimati’sfuture.Afterfifteenmonths,Shrimatidecidedtoresign.Allherfriendsfeltthatshe
wasbeingimpractical.Nalini,inparticular,toldher,‘Shrimati,youmustalwaysearnyourownmoney,irrespectiveofyourhusband’sincome.Hismoneycanneverbeyours.AdaycouldcomewhenhemaysaythatthisismymoneyandIwillspenditthewayIwantandsupposeyouwanttospendsomething,youwillbeathismercy.’Shantaadvisedher,‘Shrimati,bepractical.Youdon’thaveworkathome.
Extraearningisalwaysagreatincentive.Youneverknowhowthedaysareahead.Thisisagoodcompany,trytocontinueaslongaspossible.’
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Shrimatiknewthatitwastheiraffectionforherthatmadethemadviseher.InanimpersonalplacelikeBombay,nooneadvisedanyoneonpersonalmatters.Shrimatisaidtothem,‘Thankyouforyoursincereadvice.Forme,thereisnodifferencebetweenShrikant’smoneyandmymoney.Iamnotinthehabitofspendingmoneyonmyself.Besides,ifIdidwantto,hewouldneverobject.Actually,IwanttoregisterformyPh.Dinhistory.’MrModi,herboss,triedtopersuadeher,‘Shrimati,whydoyouwantto
resign?Ifyouwant,Iwillraiseyoursalary.Youareagoodworker.Idon’twanttoloseyou.’Shrimatipolitelydeclinedhisoffer.Whenshecamehomethatday,shewas
sorelievedandhappy.Withthelastinstalment,Shrikantwroteanotetohismother,thankingherforprovidinghimwithagoodeducation,inspiteofallthedifficulties.HedidnotforgettomentionthatitwasonlybecauseofShrimati’shardworkthathehadbeenabletosendthemoney.Gangakkawasfuriouswhenshereadhisletter.‘Whatissogreatabout
Shrimati?Shedidnotbringanydowry,soshehasrepaidhisloan,that’sall.’
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F IFTEEN
Oneevening,ShrikanttoldShrimati,‘Don’tcookathometoday.Wewillgoouttoeat.’‘NoShri,itwillbeexpensive,’Shrimatireplied.‘It’sallright.Onedaywecanaffordtoeatoutside.’‘Areyougettingapayrise?’‘Ofcourse.Iamgoingtobeamanagernow.’‘Oh!Withintwoandahalfyears?’sheaskedwithsurpriseandhappiness.‘Don’tgobythenumberofyears.Ihaveprobablyworkedasmuchasa
normalpersonwouldinfiveyears.Mysalaryhasincreasedbutthecostoflivingalsohasgoneup.Soweshouldsendmoremoneytomymother.AtleastnowshecangetsomethingforRamawithoutaskingme.Letherbeeconomicallyindependent.’Shrimatibecamesilentforamoment,beforeagreeingtowhatShrikantsaid.ShedidnotwanttocurbShri’shappinessbyspeakingwhatwasonhermind.
ShrimatirememberedtheingratitudeofGangakkawhohadn’tsaidasinglewordtoherabouttheloan,knowingverywellabouthercontribution.Thiswasthefirsttimethetwoofthemwerehavingdinneroutsidehome.
BothofthemwalkeduptoDhanarajRestaurantinBandra.WhileShrimatiwaslookingatthemenucard,Shrikantwarnedherplayfully,
‘Atleasttodaydon’tlookattheprice,Shrimati!’Shrimatiputthemenucardasideandasked,‘Shri,whatareyour
responsibilitiesinthenewjob?’
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‘Imayhavetotravelmore.Agroupwillreporttome.MybossMrKelkarhasgreatconfidenceinmeandheexpectsthatIshouldworkwithtotalconcentration.Thesalaryhikecomeswithmoreresponsibility,ofcourse.’‘Hey,Shri,whenyoutalkaboutconcentrationIamremindedofoneofthe
stories...’‘Hopeitisnottheusuallonghistoricalone!’Shrikantinterrupted.‘Yes,itis,butyoumustlisten.’‘Idon’thavemuchchoicewhenIammarriedtoahistorian,’Shrikantjoked
andgotreadytolistentoher.‘Longago,therewasayoungsagewhowantedtowriteacommentaryonthe
Dharmashastra.Hewassofocusedinhisworkthathehadforgottenabouttheoutsideworld.Hispoormotherusedtolookafterhimandwhensherealizedthatshewasgettingolder,shewenttothenextvillageandchoseabrideforhim.Asanobedientsonshould,hewentthereandgotmarried.Evenafterhismarriage,thissageremainedbusyinstudyingandwriting,notbotheringabouthisyoungwife.’‘Thatsoundsabitunusual,notbotheringaboutawife!’Shrikantmadefunof
thestory.‘No,Shri,itcanhappenwhenoneistotallyfocused.Whenthesage’smother
died,theyoungbridedidnotwaitforherhusbandbutcameonherowntohishouse.Sheunderstoodthesituation.Sheusedtoworkoutsideandgetmoney,cookforherhusbandandlookafterhimlikeamother.Thismancontinuedhiswork.Timepassedbyandonenight,afterhehadcompletedthelastlineofthebook,henoticedanoldwomansleepingonthefloor.Herecognizedherfacebutcouldnotrememberwhoshewas.Hewokeherupandasked,“Lady,whoareyou?Whendidyoucomehere?”Sherepliedpolitelythatshewashiswifeandexplainedthatshehadbeenwithhimforthelastfortyyears,eversincehismotherhaddied.‘Thesagewaswonderstruck.Hecouldnotbelievethatthiswomanhaddone
somuchforhim.Heaskedherwithgreatrespect,“Whatisyourname?”‘“MynameisBhamati.”‘Thenhewroteonthefirstpageofthetext,“Bhamati”.Tilldate,thebook
BhamatiisreferredtobymanySanskritscholars.Bhamatisignifiesallthose
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womenwhosacrificetheiryouthforthebettermentoftheirhusbands.Nobodyremembersthatsage’snamebutBhamatistandsout.’Shrikantwaslisteningverycarefully.‘Shri,whosesacrificedoyoufindmorepraiseworthy?’Shrikantthoughtforaminuteandsaid,‘Ofcourse,bothofthem,butIfeelthe
single-mindedperseveranceofthesage,withoutgettingdistractedbytheworldlypleasures,ispraiseworthy.’‘Idon’tagreewithyou,Shri.IthinkthesacrificemadebyBhamatiis
unparalleled.Shespentherentireyouthwithoutaskinganythingorcomplaining.Hisworkwouldnothavebeencompletedbutforher.Morethanthat,Ilikesomethingelse.’‘Whatisthat?’‘Thefactthatthehusbandrecognizedhiswife’ssacrificeandnamedthebook
afterher.Thatiswhatappealstomemore.’‘OhShrimati,intoday’ssocietyitisverydifficulttofindwomenlike
Bhamati.Theyhavechangedsomuch.’Itwasthreeyearssincetheyweremarriedandnow,Shrimatiwaskeento
enrollforherPh.D.Butaroundthattime,ShrikantwaspostedtoDelhi.Shrimatiwassad.ShedidnotwanttopartwithShrikantorthePh.D.Shrikant
reasoned,‘EitherIrejectmyoffertogotoDelhioryoustayaloneinBombaytodoyourPh.D.IfIgotoDelhi,Icancomehereonlyonceamonth.’‘NoShri,neitheroptionisacceptable.Idon’twantyoutoforgoyour
promotionbyrejectingthisoffer,nordoIwanttostayalone.WewillstayinDelhiforoneyearandIwilltakeupmystudiesnextyear.AnywaynorthIndiahasalotofhistoricalplacesthatIcanvisit.’Shrimatihadstartedcompromising.‘Shrimati,thereisonemoreway.Wecanaskmymothertocomeandstay
withyou.’Thoughshedidnotsayit,ShrimatiknewverywellthatGangakkawouldn’t
agree.Inthemeantime,Gangakka’slifehadalsochanged.Therewasaphoneat
homenow.WhenShrikantcalledheruptoaskheraboutcomingtoBombaytostaywithShrimati,Gangakkasaid,‘IwishIcouldcomeandhelpyourwife.Sheisjustlikeadaughtertome.ButIamplanningtogoonapilgrimagefortwo
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months.Sheenappa’swifeisunwell.HehashelpedmewhenIwasaloneandyouwerestillachild.SoIhavetohelpthemnow.Rama’schildrenmayalsocomeheretostudy.YoutellmewhatIshoulddo.Iwilllistentoyou.’So,Gangakka’scomingtoBombaywasruledout.ShrimatileftforDelhiwithShrikant.Forapersonlikeher,neithervery
ambitiousnorverycourageous,suchsituationsmeantthatherownprioritieswerealwayspushedtothelowestrung.SpendingayearinthehistoriccityofDelhididnotprovetobeverydifficult
forShrimati.Itwasanewplaceandshemadenewfriends,soshedidnotgetbored.‘Shrikant,afterwegobackfromDelhi,theleaseperiodofourpresenthouse
willbeover.Wherecanwetakeupanewhouse?Canweaffordtobuyone?’‘Shrimati,don’tworry.NowIcanaskforahousingloanfrommycompany.’‘Inthatcase,let’sbuyahouseinVersova,onethatfacesthesea.’‘Whythere,Shrimati?Itissofar.’‘Somehow,Iamfascinatedbythesea.Icansitinfrontofthewaterforany
numberofhours.Icanviewmydreamsintheriseandfallofthewaves.’‘OhShrimati,pleasedon’tgetsopoeticanddreamy.Icannotunderstandyou.
Butonethingiscertain,IcannotstayinVersova.’‘Shri,withoutdreamslifeisnothing.Don’tyoudreamofbecomingthe
directorofacompany?’‘Comeon.Thatisapracticaldream.’‘Okay.Whereshallwebuythehouse?’‘Letussee,somewhereinSantaCruzorBandra,maybe.’Manyunexpectedthingshappeninlife,andShrikant’slifewasnotan
exception.Hiscareerhadgoneverywell,hisbosswasextremelyhappywithhisperformanceinDelhiandnowhewasbeingpromotedasaprojectmanagerandsenttoLosAngeles,USA.ShrikanthadbeentotheUSafewtimesbeforebutthistime,hewasgoingto
staythereforthreeyears.MrKelkarhadassuredhimthatthecompanywouldtakecareofhiswife’s
travelaswellastheirlivingexpensesforthreeyears.Shrimatiwasthrilled.ShetookloadsofpresentsfromDelhiforherparents,
RamaandherchildrenandGangakka,beforeleavingfortheUS.
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Withthesuddenaffluence,Gangakkacouldaffordtomakesomechangesaroundher.Shegotthehouserepairedanddiditupwithmoderninteriors.Sheacquiredseveralnewhouseholdappliances.Shehadmoretimetogossipnow.ButherfeelingstowardsShrimatihadnotchanged,evenafterfiveyearsofhermarriagetoShrikant.ShehadnevershownanyaffectiontowardsShrimati.Thoughtherewasaphoneathome,shenevercalledher.Shrimatitriedherlevelbestbutfailedmiserablytowinhermother-in-law’sconfidence.Gangakkanolongertauntedheraboutdowry.Nowitwasaboutnothavingchildren.‘Shrimati,wasn’tSharadayourclassmate?Itseemsshedeliveredherthird
childlastweek.IhadgonetoVandana’sson’sbirthdayandshetoldme.Hersonisverygood-looking.’Ramapouredfuelontheconversation,‘RememberIndira,Desai’sdaughter
whomAnnaCharihadproposedforShrikant?Shegavebirthtotwinboys.Herin-lawsareindeedverylucky.’Shrimatifeltsuffocatedinthisatmospherebutdidnothaveanyanswerto
theircomments.Manyatimesshewouldfeelliketellingthemtoadvisetheirsoninstead.Buthershynesswouldn’tallowher.ShrimatihadoncesaidtoShrikant,‘Shri,wehavebeenmarriedforfiveyears
now.Allourfriendsarealreadyparents.Ifeellikehavingachildnow.’ButShrikantwasveryadamantregardingthemhavingchildren.‘Sowhat,Shrimati?Wegotmarriedatanearlyagebecauseourcircumstances
weredifferent.Iamhardlytwenty-eightyearsold.Letusfirstsettledown.Manyofourclassmatesarestillnotmarried.LookatRavi,Anthony...Let’snotbeinahurrytohaveababy.’HowcouldshetellGangakkaallthis?Kamalawasveryhappyandthankedgodthatherson-in-lawwasdoingvery
wellandherdaughterwashappy,unlikeherself.Shrimati’sfatherShrikantrao,ontheotherhand,boastedsayingthatthoughShrikantwasn’tthepropermatch,stilltheygottheirdaughtermarriedtohim.HeclaimedthatShrikant’sprosperitywasbecauseofhisdaughter’shoroscope.AttimesKamaladidfeelbadthatShrimatididnothaveanychildrenyet,but
shewasnotlikeGangakka,totalkdirectlyaboutit.ShewasawarethatShrimatiwasverysensitive.Sosheindirectlytoldherdaughterthatitwastherighttime
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tohavechildren.Shrimatireplied,‘Avva,Iamawareofitbutforthis,Shrikantshouldagree.’Gangakkawasveryhappythathersonwasdoingwellbutatthesametime,
shewasextremelyunhappythatShrimatitoowasgoingabroad.SowhenShrimatiwouldvisitHubli,Gangakkawouldfindsomereasontogooutofstationandwouldn’treturnuntilShrimatihadleft.Shejustcouldn’tstandShrimati’spresence.IfatallGangakkawaspresent,ShrimatiwasnotallowedtoworkinthekitchenbecauseGangakkaneverlikedVaishnavafood.ThesituationinShrimati’smother’splacewasnodifferent.HergrandmotherfoundfaultwithherandsaidShrimatihadtakenhermother-in-law’ssideandbecomeaSmartha.ButtherealreasonforShrimati’sunhappinesswasthelackofloveand
affectionfromGangakkaandRama.Nomatterwhatshedid,itwaswrongintheireyes.Shrimatiwasupsetbecausesomewherewithinherselfshefeltshehadfailed.SheacutelyfeltthatshewasanunwantedmemberinShrikant’sfamily.Andyet,shehopedthattheywouldloveherandaccepthersomeday.Sheknewloveandaffectioncannotbetaughtorpurchasedwithmoney.The
sincerefeelingoffondnessshouldcomefromwithintheheart.Itdoesn’tmatterifthepersonhaswealth,intelligenceorbeauty.Inhercase,thoughitwasafutileexercise,stillshewashopefulthatsomedaythingswouldchange.Sometimes,whenshewasaloneinhermother’splace,manythingswouldcometohermind.ProfessorRaoandhiswifeknewShrimativerywellandtheyhadbeenvery
keenthatShrimatishouldmarrytheireldersonwhowasadoctorintheUS.ButShrimatihaddeclinedthatproposalpolitelybecauseofhercommitmenttoShrikant.Perhapsifshehadmarriedsomeonewhoseparentslikedher,thingswouldhavebeendifferent.Ofcourse,sheneverregrettedmarryingShrikant.Hisloveandaffectionwascompleteandhewasloyaltoher.Buttoliveinsociety,onerequiredalotofsupportfromthefamilytoo!EvenaftersomanyyearssheneverfeltathomeinGangakka’shouse.Shewasstillanoutsider.ButhowcouldsheexplainallthistohermotherortoShri?Vandana’smotherwasnicetoherbutbecauseShrikantwasdoingsowelland
Shrimatiwasverywell-offnow,shewouldtauntherinadifferentway.‘OhShrimati,wespentsomuchforVandana’swedding,butyouarevery
lucky.Evenwithoutspendingapaisafromyourfather’spocket,youhavecaughtholdofaniceguy.IhopeKavithawilllearnalittlebitfromyou.’ItwastruethatVandana’shusbandwasnotassmartasShrikantandhadnot
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ItwastruethatVandana’shusbandwasnotassmartasShrikantandhadnotgoneaheadinhiscareer.ButShrikantwasnotonlyintelligent,hewasalsohard-working.That’swhyhewassosuccessful.ShrimatiwenttomeetSharadaatherin-laws’place.Theirswasajointfamily.
Therewashardlyanyprivacy.Sharadawasbusywithallthehouseholdchores,butshewasveryhappytoreceiveheroldfriend.Unfortunatelytheyhardlygotanytimetotalk.‘Shrimati,doyourememberhowyouusedtoinsistthatIshouldcompletemy
BA.AttimesIfeelwhatisitsusenow?IhavenottouchedabookeversinceIfinishedtheBAexams.Buttellme,Shrimati,youmustbehavinglotsoffriendsinBombay?’‘No,Shari,Idon’t.Actually,Ihaveveryfewfriendsnow.Weallgrewup
togetherwithoutexpectinganythingfromeachother.Todaythingsaredifferent.’Thenchangingthetopic,Shrimatiaskedherfriend,‘Shari,whydidyouhaveathirdchildinthisdayandage?’ThisremindedShrimatioftheconversationshehadhadwithShrikant,howhe
hadproposedtoherandsaidthattheycouldnotaffordathirdchildwhomshehaddeclaredshewouldcallSiddharthaGautama.‘Itwasmymother-in-law,shewantedamalechild.Itisverynecessaryfor
ourbusiness-orientedfamily.Andasyouknow,myfirsttwoweredaughters.’‘ThenyoumusthaveprayedalottoBhandiwadMarutiandofferedpedas!’
Shrimatisaidwithalaugh.
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S IXTEEN
ShrimatiwasthrilledthatshewasgoingtotheUS.ShehadbeenintouchwithProfessorCollinsthroughlettersbuthadnotmethim.ThiswasagoodopportunityforhertogotoChicagoandmeethimandhisdaughterDorothy.Shrikant,nowoneoftheseniormostinhiscompany,washappythathecould
understandtheglobalmarketandexploreglobalbusiness.Heknewthatifheworkedharderandprovedhimself,hewouldbemadea
vice-presidentinacoupleofyears.Rightnow,hewaspostedasheadoftheAmericanoperations.Shrikanthadplentyofresponsibilities.HisbossMrKelkarwaspinningallhis
hopesonShrikant,soShrikantmadeitverycleartoShrimatithatlifeinAmericawouldbehecticandshewasnottoexpectanythingfromhim.Hewouldlikehertobeonherown,hesaid.WhentheDeshpandesarrivedinLosAngeles,theyweregivenawell-
furnishedtwo-bedroomapartmentbythecompany.Afterayear,theycouldconsidermovingtoanotherplace.ForShrimati,everythingwasnewandfascinating...themarket,theroads,thepeople,everything.Andshewaskeentolearnaboutallthosenewthings.SincethepublictransportsysteminLosAngeles,orLAasitispopularlycalled,wasnotgood,ShrimatiandShrikanthadtolearndriving.Theypurchasedtwosecond-handcars,anabsolutenecessity,ratherthanaluxury.AftertheyhadsettleddownandShrimatifeltmoreconfidentabouttravelling;
onherown,shewenttoChicagotomeetProfessorCollins.ThereshealsometDorothy.DorothyhadfinishedherPh.DandwasworkingintheUniversity.
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ProfessorCollins’shomewasfullofbooks,journals,researchpapersanddocumentsonhistory.Theatmosphereintheirhome,theconversation,thefascinatingworktheydid,wastrulyatreatforShrimati.AsDorothywastravellingtoEurope,shesuggestedthatShrimatishouldjoin
her.Theentiretourwouldtakethreemonths.Shrikantwasmostencouraging.Hewantedhiswifetobeboldand
independent.SoShrimatiwentonthetourandthoroughlyenjoyedherself.Oneyearwentbyveryquickly.Shrimatiwasbeginningtofeelquiteathome
inLA.Butasuddenphonecallupseteverything.TheygotthesadnewsthatVishwasKelkarhaddiedofaheartattackand
ShrikantwasrequiredtoreporttotheIndiaofficeimmediately.ShrikantleftShrimatitowindupeverythingandreturnedtoIndiaalone.It
wouldtakeheracoupleofmonthstocompletealltheformalities.Heknewshewascapableofhandlingthemonherown.OnhiswaybacktoIndia,ShrikantkeptthinkingaboutMrKelkarandhis
suddendemise.Hehadbeenamanofcleanhabits,alwaysonhistoes,workingrelentlesslyallthetime.Hehadsufferedfromagastriculcer,caused,asheusedtosay,bytension.Hewoulddismissithumorouslyasan‘executivedisease’.Whatwasthecauseofthestress?TherehadbeenrumoursthatVishwaswas
nothappyathomeandhadsomemaritalproblems.Didthataffecthishealthandcausetheheartattack?Shrikantcouldnothelpwonderingwhyhehadbeencalledbackwhenthere
weresomanypeoplemoreseniortohimintheBombayoffice.Wastheresomethingspecialawaitinghim?Yes.Therewas.Theboardofdirectorsfeltthathewouldbetherightperson
tosucceedMrKelkar.Thoughhehadspentonlysixyearswiththecompany,theygavehimthe
generalmanager’spost,onprobationforsixmonths.Dependingonhisperformance,hewouldbeconfirmed.Shrikantwasextremelyhappy.Thenextdayhewenttothegeneralmanager’sofficeandsawtheempty
chair.Foraminutehewasscared,thinkingofthetensionthepersonwhooccupiedthatchairhadtoundergo.Theprice,foranambitiousperson,isheavy.HerememberedVishwas’swordsandrepeatedthemtohimselfagain.‘Thegoddessofsuccessdoesnotknockonyourdoortwice.Everyopportunityshould
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becompletelyutilized.Asmartpersonisonewhoconvertseveryfailureintosuccess.Successdoesnotalwaysmeanknowledge.Therearemanyfactorsthatmakeapersonsuccessful.Hardwork,couragetotakerisks,andalsotheabilitytomakepeoplerealizethatyouworkhard.Thepersonwhoworksfromninetofivewillneverbecomesuccessful.Onlyhewhothinksaboutthecompanyallthetimeandfocusesonhiswork,canbesuccessful.’Now,allthatShrikanthadtodowasconcentrateandfocusonhiswork.He
hadgothisopportunityandhehadtosucceed.Hewouldshowhisseniorsthathewasindispensable.Thatwasnotdifficultforhim.
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SEVENTEEN
ShrimatiarrivedinIndiathreemonthsafterShrikant’sreturn.Shrikantwenttotheairporttoreceiveher.Hewasoverjoyedtoseeheraftersuchalongtime.Whentheycameout,
Shrimatisawanewcarandadriverwaitingforthem.Shrimatiwassurprised,‘Hey,Shri,what’sthis?’‘Shrimati,thecompanyhasgivenmeVishwas’sposition,’Shrikanttoldher
beamingwithhappiness.‘Theyhaveconfirmedmeasgeneralmanagerafterjustthreemonthsinsteadofsix.’‘Congratulations!Butwhydidn’tyouinformmebefore?’‘Iwantedtogiveyouasurprise.Areyouhappy?’‘Shri,Ihavealwaysbeenapartofyourlife.Yourachievementshavealways
beenmine.’Shrimatinoticedthecarwastakingadifferentroute.‘Shri,wherearewegoing?’‘Ihavepurchasedanewthree-bedroomflatnearBandstandinBandra,facing
thesea.Youwillloveit.’Shrimatilookedworried.‘Shri,howmuchmoneyhaveyouborrowedforthat?Wewillhavetowork
throughoutourlifetorepaythatloan,isit?’‘Shrimati,areyoumad.Iamgeneralmanagernow.Ihaveadifferentstatus.
Thecompanyhasgivenmeaninterest-freeloan.’‘Whatisthenameofourapartment?’‘SeaWaves.’‘Shri,howdidyoumanagethesethingsallbyyourself?’
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‘Shri,howdidyoumanagethesethingsallbyyourself?’‘WhenImanagedtogetthefirst-rankerShrimati,thisisnothing.’‘Oh,comeon,Shri,tellmeseriously.’‘Successisneveraccidental.Onehastoplanforit.’Whentheyreachedtheapartment,Shrimatiwasamazed.Theplacewasway
beyondherimagination.Itwasaveryposhandwell-furnishedhouse,befittingShrikant’snewposition.Therewerethreebalconiesandfromeverybalconyshehadaviewofthesea.Withthenewdesignation,lifehadchangedenormouslyforShrikant,butnot
forShrimati.Hehadbecomeextremelybusyandwastouringalot.Hetravelledtwentytotwenty-fivedaysamonth.Hislifeonlyrevolvedaroundhiscompany,nothingelse.OnemonsooneveningShrimatiwassittinginthebalcony,staringattheroad.
Therainwassplashingontothebalconyandshewasgettingwet.Butshecontinuedsittingthere,withnoinclinationtogetup.Thatmorningshehadnoticedafewgreyhairsonherhead.Suddenlyshebegantofeelagewascatchingupwithher.Everythinghadworkedoutwellforthem,financiallyatleast.Buttheystill
didn’thaveanychildren.Thepreviousevening,VandanahadcometovisitShrimatiwithhertwo
children.VandanastillstayedinMaladbutinatwo-bedroomapartment.Onceinawhiletheywouldmeet.Theyearsoffriendshipbetweenthetwowomenallowedthemtodiscussevenintimate,personalmatterswitheachother.‘Shrimati,Ihopeyoudon’tmindmeaskingthisquestion,butdon’tyouget
boredwithoutchildren?’‘OfcourseIgetbored.Ihavegonetoagynaecologistandshesayseverything
isnormal.’‘No,youshouldgotoaspecialist.Youdon’thaveanyshortageofmoney.
YoubettergotoHindujaHospitalatMahim.Thereisaverywell-knowndoctortherecalledDrPhadke.Don’tgoalone.TakeShrikantwithyou.Butdon’tdelayitanyfurther.’Vandana’sadvicewaswhatShrimatihadbeenthinkingaboutasshesatonthe
balconythatnight.Asusual,Shrikantcamehomeatnineo’clockinthenight.Afterhisdinner,he
quicklysettleddowntoreadtheFinancialExpress.Shrimaticameandsatnext
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tohimonthesofaandbroachedthetopic.‘Shri,Iamgettingboredathome.’Withoutevenlookingather,Shrikantsaid,‘Ihavetoldyouseveraltimesto
registerforaPh.Dbutyoudon’tseemtobebotheredatall.’‘No,Shri,Iwantsomethingmoreimportantthanthat.’‘Thentakecomputerclasses.Thatwillhelpyoualotandonceyoustart
surfing,youwouldn’tevenknowhowtimeflies.’Shrimatigotreallyupset.Howisitthathedidn’teventhinkofchildren?‘Shri,thecomputerisnoteverythinginlife.Ifyouwantmetolearnabout
computers,thenyoustudyalittlebitaboutmysubject.Moreover,Iamnotinterestedingettingadegreeforanyfinancialgain.Iobeywhatmyhearttellsme.’Shrikantfoundherwordsstrange.‘Shrimati,inreallifeyoushouldalways
decidewithyourhead,notwithyourheart.Ifyoudon’tdothat,it’sdisastrous.’‘Thatisyourwayofthinking,Shri.Ineednotlearncomputersbecausethere
isanexpertathome.Idon’thaveanyinclinationforit.Justbecauseyouhavearopeathomedoyougoandbuyabuffaloforthat?Educationandmarriagearethetwothingswhereyouhavetoobeyyourheart.IntheWest,youcanchangeyourmarriagepartnerandyoursubjectofeducationwheneveryouwant,butnotinourrigidsociety...’Shrikantstoppedherspeechbytakingholdofherhands.‘Now,whatdoyouwant?Tellmestraight,’hesaid.‘Shri,letusgotosomespecialist...’‘Why,what’swrongwithyou?Areyouunwell?’Shrikantwasperturbed.‘No,Shri,Iamperfectlyallright,butdon’tyouthinkweshouldhavechildren
now?Wearewellsettledfinancially.Bothofusareoverthirty,andthirtyislateforawoman.’Shrikantwassilentforaminute.Thenhesaid,‘Okay.Makeanappointment
andwewillgo.’ThefollowingweektheymetDrPhadke.DrPhadkewasaseniordoctorwith
morethanfiftyyearsofexperience.Hehadseenmanychildlesscouplesandcouldunderstandtheiranxiety.Shrikantdidthetalking.Heaskedquestionsaboutwhytheywereunableto
havechildren.Wasthereanythingwrong?WasthedefectinhimorinShrimati?
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Coulditbecorrected?DrPhadkesmiled.‘Well,MrDeshpande,whereareyouworking?’Shrikantrepliedconfidently,‘Iamthegeneralmanagerofasoftware
company.’‘Thehumanbodyisnotacomputer.Manyatimeswedonotknowwhy
thingshappeninaparticularway.Wecangivetheprobablereasonbutnottheexactone.Wecanalsoprescribeamedicinethatmaypossiblyrectifytheproblem,buteachhumanbodyreactsdifferentlytothesamemedicine.So,itisnoteasytogivedefiniteanswers.However,Iwouldlikeyoubothtoundergocertaintestsandgetbacktomewiththeresults.’Thewholeofthefollowingweek,ShrikantandShrimatispenttakingallthe
teststhatwereadvisedbythedoctor.ShrikantshowednoemotionoranxietyduringthetestswhereasShrimatiunderwentaturbulenceofemotions.Sheprayedforgoodresults.WhentheymetDrPhadkethenexttime,theycouldnotmakeoutwhatwason
thedoctor’smindbylookingathisface.Aftergoingthroughallthereports,DrPhadkesmiledandsaid,‘MrandMrs
Deshpande,bothofyouareeducatedandintelligent.So,itshouldbeeasyforyoutounderstandthis.Neitherofyouhasanyproblem.Butinordertohavechildren,eitherthefieldortheseedmustbeverypotent.Ifbotharepotentthenitisveryeasy.Butinyourcase,bothhaveordinarypotency.Inmedicaltermswecallthis“sub-fertile”.Thatdoesnotmeanthatyoucannothavechildrenatall.Itmightperhapstakelongerforyoutoconceive.’Shrimati’seyesfilledwithtearsofdisappointment.Butshetookholdof
herselfandasked,‘Doctor,youmusthaveseenmanycasessuchasours.Howlongcouldittakeforpeoplelikeustohavechildren?’‘Shrimati,otherpeople’sexperienceisirrelevantforyou.Itdependsuponthe
individualbody.Forsomepeopleitmaytaketenyearsandforothersmaybeonlyfive.Youshouldnotloseheart.’Shrimatiwasholdingbackhertearsuntilshereachedhome.Assoonasthey
reachedhome,sheburstintotears.Wouldn’tAshoka,Vikramaditya,SiddharthaGautama,aboutwhomtheyhad
talkedsomuchbeforemarriage,bebornintheirfamily?WouldtherenotbeanyheirtoShrikant’sandherintelligence?Wouldtheirfamilyendthere?Shrimati
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heirtoShrikant’sandherintelligence?Wouldtheirfamilyendthere?Shrimatifeltutterlyhopelessandhelpless.Thegatesofherdamofsorrowsbrokeopenandtearsgushedoutasfloods.Allthechildrenshehaddreamtofwouldremainonlydreams.She
rememberedGangakkareferringtoherasabarrenwoman.Howcouldsheconvincetheuneducated,unsympatheticGangakkathatshewasnottobeblamed,butneitherwasShrikant.Shecontinuedsobbing.Shrikantcameandputhisarmsaroundher.Histouchonlyincreasedher
sorrow.Itwasgettingdark.Shrimatihadnotyetputthelightson.Shefeltthatherlifewasfullofdarknessnow.Shrikantconsoledher.‘Comeon,Shrimati,takeiteasy.Thisisnottheendof
ourlives.Idon’tbelieveinsuchthings.Ifwedonothavechildrenthenwewillhaveonlyoneworry.Onthecontraryifwehavechildrenandiftheydon’tcomeupwell,thatwillbecomeaconstantworry.Wedonothaveanyempirethatweneedsomeonetoinherit.Andifyouthinkthatyouneedtohavechildrentolookafterusinouroldage,forgetit.WhatthehellhaveIhavebeendoingformymotherotherthansendingmoney?Ifyouareworriedaboutwhowillperformourshraddha,thenitisafoolishthought.Ididnotperformmyfather’sshraddha.Letusworkhard,andstartacharitabletrustthatcanhelpmanyneedychildren.Besides,thedoctorhasn’tsaidthatitisimpossible.Weshallwaitandsee.’‘Shri,Idon’twanttowaitanymore.Canweadoptachild?’Shrikantsuddenlybecameveryserious.‘Shrimati,thinkagain.Otherpeople’s
childrenwillneverbeours.Wenaturallytendtopardonourownchildren’smistakes,butitwillnotbepossibletodothatwithsomeoneelse’s.Iamnotcomfortablewiththatidea,somehow.Shrimati,youareanintelligentperson.Useyourenergyformoreconstructivework.’ShrimatiwasstunnedbyShri’swords.Theverythoughtthatshewouldn’texperiencemotherhoodwashurtingher
deeply.
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EIGHTEEN
Afteraverylongtime,ShrikantreceivedaletterfromRaviPatil.ShrikantwasnowoneoftheprominentpersonsinhisfieldinIndiaandabroad.Hehadasecretary,MsPriya,intheoffice.Overaperiodoftime,herequiredsomeoneathometoo,whowassmart,reliableandabletotakeresponsibilityandmostimportantly,intelligentandobedient.ShrimatisoonbecametheextremelyefficientpersonalsecretarythatShrikantDeshpandehadwantedathome.Shrikantdidnothavetocreateanofficialpositionforher.Itwastheobedient,understandingandhelpfulnatureofShrimatithathadmadeShrikanthandoversuchgraveresponsibilitiestoher.ShebelievedthatShrikantwasdoingagreatjobanditwasherdutytohelphim.Inadditiontolookingafterhispersonalcorrespondence,shehadtobeagood
hostesstoShrikant’spersonalandofficialgueststoo.ShrikantwouldmerelysignallthelettersthatShrimatiwouldprepare.Shrimatihadlearntbasiccomputerskillsandwasabletousetheinternetande-mailtoo.Aftermuchcoaxing,GangakkahadbeenpersuadedtovisittheminBombay.
Thereafter,shemademanytrips.Herfavouritepartofthehousewasthebalcony.Shewouldnottravelbybusortrainanymore.Shewouldonlyfly.ThesuccessandprosperityofhersonhadmadeGangakkamorearrogant.
However,shedidnotchangehermindaboutShrimati.ShestillthoughtitwasbadluckthathersonhadmarriedShrimati.AssheheldRavi’sletterinherhands,Shrimati’smindwentbacktothegood
oldHublidays.
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Onceuponatime,allofthemweresoclosetoeachotherbutnow,everyonewasintheirownworld.Malleshwasmarriedandhadtwodaughters.Hewasrunninghisfather’soilshopsuccessfullyandhadamassedalotofblackmoney.HehadgoneonaworldtourwithhiswifeandonthewaybackhadstayedwiththeminBombay.Theyhadtalkedabouttheirschooldaysandtheboys’vsgirls’teamjokes.Jokingly,Malleshhadsaid,‘IhavetwodaughterssoIaminthegirls’team
now.’ShrimatinoticedthatthoughMalleshhadoncebeenaveryclosefriendofhis,
ShrikanthardlyspoketoMallyainafreeandfrankmanner.ItwasShrimatiwhospokeallthetime.RavihadbeenintheUSforalongtimenow.Hisfatherwouldstillconvert
thedollarsalaryintorupeesandtelleveryonehowmuchhissonwasearning.Shrimatistartedreadingtheletter.
DearShrikant,
Idon’trememberwhenIhadwrittentoyoulast.Thegaphasnotbeenintentionalbutonlyduetothechangesinouraddress.Myfatherinformsmeonceinawhileaboutyourprogress.ButtheotherdaywhenIsawyouat
theconferenceonsoftwaretechnologyatSFOonCNN,Iwasdelighted.Youhavenotchangedmuchphysically.Butyouhaveachievedgreatthingsinlife.YourtalkonthecomputerindustryintheThirdWorldwasgreat.Myheartycongratulationstoyou.Yourspeechhadsuchauthorityandwasveryeffective.Irememberedourconversationonthetrain,thedayweleftIIT.
Shrikant,thereareveryfewachieversinlife.Thosewhoachievewhattheysetoutto,areevenmorerare.Whatyouhavedreamt,youhaverealized.Myheartjumpswithjoy.Ialsoremember‘theotherhandofyours’whoisbehindyoursuccess.Shehasbeenunassuming,undemanding,andtotallysubmissivetoyourneedsandtoyourachievements.Shrikant,withouther,youwouldnothavebeenwhatyouaretoday.
Letmewritesomethingaboutmyself.Perhapsitisnotanachievementatallintheworldlyway.Asyouknow,IusedtoreadaboutpsychologyalotinmyIITdays.Aftercomingtothiscountry,Istartedstudyingmorepsychologythanengineering.Inourcountry,thefutureofchildrenisdecidedbytheparents!Thereasoncouldbeoureconomicandsocialconditions.Parentsfeelthatifthechilddoesnottakeupengineeringormedicine,thenheorshecannotsurvive.Theydon’tcarewhatthechildreallywants.Aftercominghere,IrealizedthatIpreferpsychologytoengineeringandsoIchangedmysubject.Mydecisionmademyfatherveryangry.HethoughtIhadgonemad.Mysisterswereequallyupsetandsentmetearfulletters.However,Iaminacountrywheresuchpressuresarenotimportant,soIdidwhatIliked.
IhavecompletedmyPh.Dandamworkingasapsychologyprofessorinacollege.Inthisrichcountrywherepersonalfreedomismoreimportant,thereareweaksocialbonds.So,therearealotmorepsychologicalissues.ThoughIwouldliketocomebacktoIndia,myprofessionmightnotfetchmetherightjob,soIamcontinuinghere.
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IhopeyoureceivethisletterbecauseIhavepickedupyouraddressfromComputerWorldmagazine.Kindlyreply.
WhenIthinkofShrimati,Icontinuetobeamazedbyherclearthinkingandherwisedecisions,likewhenshechosetojoinartscollegeinspiteofgettingthefirstrankinhertenthboardexams.Doyourememberthatwehadlaughedather?NowwhenIlookback,Ifeelshewasthebrightest.Sheknewwhatshelikedandshedidexactlythat.Shrikant,youareveryluckytogetsuchacompanion.
Whatisthenewsoftherestofourfriends?Anthonyisinthemerchantnavy.Imethimtwoyearsback.VasudevShenoyleftengineeringandjoinedtheIAS.HeisinDelhi.IheardthatyouvisittheUSoften.Thenexttimeyouarehere,pleasecallmeonthisnumber,215-386-6660.IwouldliketomeetyouandShrimatiwheneverIaminIndia.PleaseremembermetoShrimati.
Yoursaffectionately,Ravi
ShrimatiwasdisturbedafterreadingRavi’sletter.Oflateherself-esteemhadgonedownsomuchthatshewonderedwhethershereallydeservedallofRavi’scompliments.Ifshewassoclearinherthinking,thenwhywasshesodisturbed?Shedidn’tknow.ShrimatiwantedShrikanttoreadRavi’sletterandtalkaboutit.Soshekeptit
nexttohisplateonthediningtable.InherheartofheartsshehopedShriwouldreadthecomplimentsthatRavihadpaidherandsayafewwordsofpraisetoher.Shrikantdidreadtheletterandwithoutanyemotion,hesaid,‘Pleaseenterthe
contactdetailsinmypersonaldiaryandoursystem.’Shrimatiwasdisappointed.
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NINETEEN
Shrikantgotbusypreparingthestatisticaldataofhiscompanyashewastoleaveforabusinesstourroundtheworld.Afterthistripthecompanywasplanningtolistitssharesonthestockexchangesofothercountries.So,thistourwascrucial.Recently,thecompanyhadadoptedtheESOPplan.TheESOPconcepthad
beenrecentlyintroducedinIndia.Whenacompanywentpublic,allemployeesgotastockoption,asaresultofwhichtheyallbecameshareholdersofthecompany.TheemployeesofShrikant’scompanywereveryhappybecauseitwasseenasagreatincentivetocontinuetoworkinthatcompany.Shrikantbeingoneoftheoldestemployeeshadbeenofferedaverylargechunkofthestock.BecauseofthatShrikanthadbecomeamillionaire.Itwasveryrareforalower-middle-classpersontobecomesorichinsuchashorttime.Itwasironicalthatthoughhewasnotobsessedwithmoney,ithadcometohim.Shrimatiwasunwell.Shewassufferingfromtheflu,andithadlefther
extremelyweak.InspiteofthatshehadtodoShrikant’spacking.Hewasgoingtobeawayforamonthsoshehadtomakesurehehadeverythinghewouldneed.ShrikantandShrimatihadnowmovedupintotheneo-richcircle.Shehadtwo
drivers,acookandamaidtohelpwiththehousework.ShrikantnowownedabrandnewMercedesBenz.Shrimatitoohadherowncaranddriver.ShrikanthadwantedtoshifttoSouthBombay—theprestigiousCuffeParade
orMalabarHill—ashisstatushadchanged.ButitwouldtakealongtimetofindaproperhousewithallthedocumentsinorderandShrikantdidnothavesomuchtime.HeaskedShrimatitotalktoagoodrealestateagentandcheckout
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whatwasavailablewhilehewasaway.However,Shrimatididnotshowmuchinterest.ShrikantnoticedthatShrimatiwasveryunwellandwasquiteupset.‘Shrimati,
youdon’tlistentomeatall.Allthetimeyousitinthebalconyandwatchthesea.Theseabreezehasaffectedyou.Ifyoufallillnow,howcanIgo?Myschedulewillbeupsetandourcompanywillsuffer.Doyourealizehowimportantthisis?’‘Shri,thereisnoconnectionbetweenmewatchingtheseaandyougoing
abroad.Regardlessofmyhealth,youmustgo,’Shrimatitoldhimpatiently.TowhichShrikantrepliedinagentletone,‘Shrimati,thatwasnotthereason.
IfyouareunwellandifIamoutoftown,itworriesme.However,ifyouneedanything,pleasecontactHarish.’HarishwasShrikant’sjuniorcolleagueinthecompany.Buttheywerecloseto
eachotherastheyhadbeenclassmatesatIIT.Suchthingshappenedinthecorporateworld.Yourclassmatescouldbecomeyoursubordinates.Capabilityismeasuredintermsofthesuccessinone’scareer!Shrimatiherselfwastheprefectexample.OnceuponatimeshewasconsideredmuchbrighterthanShrikant,butnowshecouldnotbecomparedwithhiminanyrespect.AfterShrikantleft,Shrimatiwenttobedagain.Silentlysheprayed,let
Shrikantcancelhistourandcomeback.LettherebesomeproblemwiththeaircraftsothatShrikantisunabletogo,shethought.Thatdayshewantedsomeonetositnexttoherandcomforther,someonewhowouldcomeandstaywithher.Shemissedhermother.Thenextday,hertemperatureincreasedandShrimatifounditdifficultto
breathe.ShewassupposedtovisitVandanathatweek,butknewshewouldnotbeabletogo.Shewassleepingallaloneinthehuge,beautifullydone-upbedroom.Thecookwasonleaveandthemaidwentawayintheeveningaftershe
finishedherwork.Shrimaticouldnotsleep.Shekeptthinking,ifIdie,noonewouldevenknow.
Whatkindofalifeisthis.Itwassoempty,solonelyinspiteofallthewealththatShrikanthadearned!Thenextmorning,hermaidChampacameasusualandrangthedoorbell.But
nobodyansweredthedoor.Champagotscaredandwenttotheneighbour,Mr
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JamshedMehta,ashehadanextrasetofkeysforthehouse.MrsMehtacamewiththekeyandopenedthedoor.ShewasshockedtoseethatShrimatihadaveryhighfeverandwasinastupor.ShecalledupNanavatiHospitalandShrikant’scompany.Arrangementsweremadetoadmitherimmediately.Harish,hiswifePrabhaandVandanarushedtothehospital.DrPatel,oneoftheseniormostdoctorstoldthem,‘Nothingtoworry.She
needspropermedicationandrest.Cananyonestaywiththepatient?’VandanagotworriedandtoldHarish,‘PleasecallupShrikant.Ifsomething
goeswrong,then...’ButHarishknewShrikant’snatureverywell.Hewouldn’tcomeunlessthere
wasanemergency.Sohetoldthedoctor,‘MrDeshpandeisoutofthecountryanditwillbesometimebeforehecancomeback.Pleasearrangeforaprivatenurse,andnevermindtheexpenses.’Vandanawasshocked.Inhermiddle-classcircleshecouldnotimagineany
husbandleavinghiswifewhenshewassosick.Sherememberedherowncase.Whenshehadgoneintolabourandthepainwasunbearable,herhusbandPramodhadstoodbyhersidecomfortingherandencouragingher.Afterthedeliveryhehadtakenamonthofftostaywithher.ThedoctorsinthehospitalteasedhersayingthatPramodhadsufferedmorethanVandana!Vandanalookedatherdearfriendlyingthere,almostunconscious.Forthe
firsttime,shepitiedShrimati.Ahandsomeyounghusbandwhowasextremelyambitious,travelling
throughouttheyear,andin-lawswhoonlyspokeillofher.Notevenachildforcompany!Vandana’smotheroftenenviedShrimati’slifebutVandanahadneverfeltthatway.TodaymorethaneversheappreciatedherluckandwasgratefulthatherlifewasamilliontimesbetterthanShrimati’s.Therewassomuchlove,affectionandkindnessinherlifeunlikeShrimati’s.ShewonderedhowShrimatihadlivedwithsuchodds!Afteracoupleofdays,Shrimatirecoveredherstrengthandwasoverjoyedto
seeherfriendVandananexttoher.VandanainsistedthatShrimatishouldcometoherhouseandrestforafewdays,butShrimatirefused,knowingitwouldmeanextraworkforherfriend.Also,Vandana’schildrenweresmall.Afteraweekinhospital,Shrimatireturnedhome.Thefirstthingshehadtold
HarishwhenshefeltalittlebetterinthehospitalwasnottoinformShrikant
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aboutherillness.Sheknewitwouldaffecthisstateofmindandhewouldnotbeabletoconcentrateonhiswork.Harishwassurprised.IfhiswifePrabhawereinthesamesituation,shewould
havecalledupatleasttentimes,scaredhimandcreatedascene.Andhetoowouldnothavestayedawayfromheronofficeworkinsuchacase.ButherealizedthatShrimatiwasanexceptionalwoman.Shecaredsomuch
forherhusbandandrespectedhisworkthatshenevercreatedanyproblemthatwouldaffecthiscareer.Hethoughtshewasliketheladywhocarriesatorchandremovesalltheobstaclesontheroadtosuccessforherhusband.Shrikanthadtakenherforgranted.Hehadararediamondinhishandbuthe
wassearchingforaworthlessglassofachievement.
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TWENTY
DearShrimati,Sorryfornothavingrepliedtoyourearlierletter.AsusualIwasinsomepartoftheglobedoing
somework.IreceivedyourNewYearcard,andthoughlate,DorothyandIthankyouverymuch.OurwarmregardstoyouandShrikant.
Shrimati,alongtimeagoyouhadtalkedaboutthehistoricalandarchitecturalmonumentsofyourcountry.YoumaynotrememberitbutIdo.Youhadtoldmethatonerequiresatleastsixmonthstotakeatourofyourcountry.Rightnow,Ihavethreemonths’timeandIhavedecidedtovisitIndia.Myheartyearnstoseetheplacesthatyouhaddescribed.
Itwouldbeagreatpleasureifyoucouldaccompanymeonmytravels,butifyouhaveanywork,thencanyoupleasearrangemyitineraryandaccommodation?IamcomingtoBombaydirectly.
Iwillwaitforyourreply.
Yoursaffectionately,MikeCollins
Shrimatiwasdelightedtoreceivethisletter.Probablyhewastheonlyforeignguestwhosecompanysheenjoyed.MostoftheguestsshehadtoentertainwereShrikant’sbusinessassociateswholookedatIndiafromaverydifferentangle.Forthem,Indiameantcheapsoftware.TheiritinerarywastosunbatheinGoa,
seetheTajMahal,buytonnesofsilverjewellery,stayatTheOberoi—that’sall.Theydidn’treallyunderstandwhatIndiameantnorweretheyinterestedinknowing.Shrimatidislikedpeoplelikethat,butitdidn’tbotherShrikantverymuch.
Whentheywereinvitedfordinner,thehandsomeShrikantwouldsmilecharminglyandsay,‘Ohitwasagreatpleasuremeetingyoutoday’or‘Youhavemademyday’.Shrimatiwouldfeellikewalkingoutofthedinnerpartybut
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shewasawarethatasMrsShrikantDeshpande,thewifeofthecompany’sdirector,herpresencewasimportant.SinceShrikantwasgoingtobeoutofthecountry,Shrimatiwashappythat
shecouldjoinProfessorCollinsonhistrip.Suddenlyshefeltshehadgrownwings.Herspiritssoaredandshefeltlikesingingwiththekoelinspringtime.EnthusiasticallyshemadeallthetravelplansandwaitedforProfessorCollins’sarrival.ShewenttotheairporttoreceiveProfessorCollinspersonally.Shewas
meetinghimafterfiveyears.Helookedalittleolderbutwasasenergeticasever.Thepursuitofknowledgehadkepthimyoung.ShrimatihadplannedfortheirjourneytostartatDelhiandendinBombay.
TheirfirstdestinationwasFatehpurSikri,Akbar’scapitalcity.Whentheyvisitedthefortthere,ShrimatidescribedtoProfessorCollinsseveralsignificanthistoricaleventsthathadtakenplaceatthatfort.‘Sir,don’tyoufeelthatthereisadifferencebetweentheAgraFortandthis
smallfort?ItseemstheMughalsshiftedtheircapitalfromheretoAgraduetoshortageofwater.WhenAkbartheGreatdidnothaveamalechild,heprayedtotheSufisaintSalimChishtiforason.Hedidgetasonandoutofgratitude,namedhimSalim.Eventoday,peoplecomeandprayatthetombfortheirwishestobefulfilled.Theymakeaknotwithapieceofthreadandtieitonthewindowgrilleandwhenthewishisfulfilled,theycomebackanduntietheknot.Thissaint’stombishere,inthefort.’FromAgratheywenttoUjjaininMadhyaPradesh.Sheexplainedthe
importanceofthiscitytotheprofessor.‘Sir,Ujjainisaplacewithaveryrichhistory.Ifoneknowsandloves
Sanskrit,onecannotmissreadingaboutUjjain.ItappearsinallofKalidasa’splays.KalidasawasagreatSanskritscholarwhobelongedtoUjjain.OnceuponatimethisplacewascalledAvantika.GoddessAvantiwasthepresidingdeityofthisarea.ThisisalsoaplacewheretheromancebetweenPrincessVasavadattaandUdayanabloomed.Inhisyoungerdays,EmperorAshokawasthegovernorofthisland.ItseemshisbeautifulwifeVidishawasfromtheneighbouringtown.HisfamouschildrenSanghamitraandMahendrawerebornhere.ThisplaceisextremelyimportantforHindus.TheMahakaleshwarJyotirlinga’sshrinein
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UjjainisoneofthefamousjyotirlingasofIndia.Themythssaythattherewasamysteriousauraoflightaroundthelinga...’ProfessorCollinsinterruptedher,‘Shrimati,isUjjainnotastrangename?’‘Yes,Sir.SomehistoriansbelieveUtkarshaJaya,thatis,“thegreatvictory”
wastherootnameforUjjain.OthersbelieveitwasUdattaJain.’FromtheretheywenttoMandu.ThereShrimatirelatedtoProfessorCollins
thefamouslegendofRajaBajBahadurandRaniRoopmati.TheirstoryisoneofthegreatestromancesofIndianliterature.MandualsohasbeautifulpalacesnamedafterHindustaniragas,shetoldhim.AstheywentalongShrimatiexplainedeverythingfromtwoperspectives,one
fromthelocalfolktalesandtheotherfromimportanthistoricalevents.BythetimetheyfinishedthenorthIndiatour,almosttwomonthshadpassed.
Meanwhile,ShrikanthadreturnedtoIndiaandwantedShrimatitocomebackhome.HehadsomeimportantguestsandShrimatiwasrequiredtoreceivethem,andbethehostesssincetheywereimportantclients.Shrimatiwasdisappointed.Shearrangedforaproperguideandmadesureall
thearrangementsfortheremainingonemonthwereinplacesothatProfessorCollinswouldhavenodifficultiesbeforehereturnedtoBombay.WhenhecamebacktoBombayafteranexhaustingandexhaustivetour,
ProfessorCollinswasalittletiredphysically,butmentallyfeltfullycharged.Hedeclaredthatthoughhewasseventyyearsoldhewasstillyoungatheart.ProfessorCollinshadmadeextensivenotesduringhistravels.Hehadsome
ideasaboutwhathewoulddowiththem.Shrimatihadgonethroughallhisnotesandsomeofthemshehadappreciated
andsomeothersshehadcriticized.Shewasveryhappyabouthisvisitbutnowshewassadthathewasleaving.Shewouldgobacktobeinglonelyonceagain.ProfessorCollinswastoleaveforKarachithenextdaybutsinceShrikantwas
inBangkok,theywereunabletomeet.Aftersupper,ProfessorCollinsandShrimatisatinthebalcony,watchingthe
sea.Today,theseadidnotsootheShrimati.ProfessorCollinsbrokethesilence.‘Shrimati,whatareyouthinkingof?’‘Myloneliness.Sometimesitisverydepressing.’‘Shrimati,mayIgiveyousomeadvice?Hopeyouwillnotmind.Oneshould
havethebasichappinesswithinoneself.Thathappinesscomesfromconfidence,
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andconfidencecomesfromthekindofworkonedoeswhole-heartedly.‘Ihavenoticedthatyouhavenotlostyourloveforhistory.Ihavebeen
observingyoueversinceIhaveknownyou.IrememberhowyoudescribedBadamiandSravanabelagolaandAjantaandElloramanyyearsago.Howyouapproachedthemonumentsandplacesofhistoricalsignificanceonthistripwasalsocommendable.Youhavebecomemoremature.Youarenolongerasemotionalabouthistory,youhavedevelopedacriticalandanalyticalapproach.‘Ihadthoughtthatmarriage,thiskindofwealth,familyresponsibilitieswould
havemadeyoudull,lazyandarrogant.Butyouarestillverysensible,yourattitudetolifehasnotchanged.Ifanything,yourthoughtsseemtogodeeperandhavebecomeclearer.‘Shrimati,ifyouwanttodoaPh.Devennow,youcandoit.Ageisnotabar.
Iwillgetyouascholarship.Apersonlikeyoucanalwayspickupthethreads.‘Butthedecisionhastobeyours,yourpersonalchoice.Ionlywantedtotell
youtothinkitover.’ProfessorCollinspausedandlookedatherface.Therewassadnessandthere
wasimmeasurablehelplessness.Hecontinued,‘Inlife,everyoneisnotblessedwithintelligence.Peoplewho
haveintelligencedonotuseitproperly.Iamsurprisedtoseethatyouareleadingsuchafruitlesslife.Ifyouholdwaterinyourhandittricklesaway.Yourintelligencetooistricklingawaywithtime.IfDorothywerehere,Iwouldhavesaidthesamethingtoher.MaybemycultureisdifferentsoIvieweverythinginthatway.Livinglikethismaybeverycommoninyourculture.’ShrimatididnotreplyandProfessorCollinsdidnotcontinue.ShrimatiwenttotheairporttoseeoffProfessorCollins.Whenthesecurity
checkannouncementwasmade,shelookedathim.Hewasoldandtiredbuthislifewaspureandclean,likeahermit’slife.Thethirstforknowledgewasthebreathofhislifeandtherewasnoguile,deceitormanipulationoranyotherdesireinhim.Thatiswhyhecouldlookateveryonewithacompassionateheart.Thoughhewasn’trelatedtoher,norbelongedtohercountry,thekindof
concernProfessorCollinsshowedherremindedShrimatiofhermotherKamala.Unknowingly,tearsfilledhereyes.SheopenedthebagthatshewascarryingandpresentedProfessorCollinswithabeautifullyembroideredKashmirishawl.‘Sir,whenyouareworkingonyourresearch,orwheneveryoufeelcold,you
canusethis.LetitremindyouofmethoughIstaythousandsofmilesaway.’
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canusethis.LetitremindyouofmethoughIstaythousandsofmilesaway.’‘Shrimati,Idon’trequireashawltorememberyouby.WheneverIseeany
studentwhoisbrightandsharp,Ithinkofyou.’Therewasafinalcallforpassengerstogotosecurity.SuddenlyShrimatibent
downandtouchedhisfeet.Itwasaspontaneousgesture,showingalltherespectandregardshefeltforhim.ProfessorCollinswastakenaback.Hepattedhershouldersandsaid,‘May
godblessyou,mychild,’andwalkedaway.
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TWENTY -ONE
JacobandDollyLyneswerecomingtoIndia.JacobwasthepresidentofanAmericancompanywithabusinessinterestinShrikant’scompany.MostoftherevenuethatthecompanyearnedcamefromAmerica.SoShrikantwasverycarefulinthewayhetreatedhisAmericanclients.HewasawarethatasoftwareprojectthatwasdesignedinIndiawouldfetchmuchmoreprofitthanitwouldifitwasdoneinAmerica.Shrikant’scompanyhadtosetagoodtrackrecordifitwantedtobelistedontheNewYorkStockExchange.ShrikanthaddecidedtohostadinnerinhonourofJacobandDollyLynesin
oneoftherestaurantsattheOberoiTowersatNarimanPoint.Tosuchparties,Shrikantwouldinviteleadingbusinessmen,industrialists,governmentofficials—allthewho’swho.Thepurposeofthesedinnerswasnottoeat,buttodevelopcontacts.Normally,theinviteswereprintedinthenamesofShrimatiandShrikant.
Shrimatihadtoplaythedutifulhostess,welcomeeveryonewithasmileandseethatalltheguestswerecomfortable.Shehadtotalktoeverybodyandmakethemfeelimportant.AweekhadpassedsinceProfessorCollinshadleftIndia.Shrimatistarted
thinkingmoreandmoreabouthistory.Sherealizedthatshemissedstudyingthesubject.Athome,searchingforsomeimportantpapersshecameacrossRavi’sletteronceagain.Thatdisturbedherevenmore.RavihadwrittenthatShrimatiwasclearinherthinking.Wasshereallyclear?Ifthatwasso,whywasshegettingsoupsetoflate?Shefeltavacuumwithinherself,thattheworkshewasdoingwasagainstherwishes,thatshewasn’tenjoyingit.Sheaskedherselfthe
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reasonforfeelingthisway.Thenshesuddenlyrealizedthatshehadneverenjoyedattendingparties.Butshecouldnotstayawayfromthemeither.Likethatevening’sdinner.Thethoughtmadeherevenmoreunhappy.Itwasadifficultsituation.Ifsherefusedtoattend,Shrikantwouldgetupset,andifshewentshewouldbeupset.Thatday,forthefirsttime,shedecidednottogoforthedinner.Shecalledup
Shrikant’soffice.Priyaansweredthephone.Priya,Shrikant’ssecretary,wasextremelyefficient.Shelovedherjoband
workedashardastwopeople.‘Priya,willyouputShrikantonthelineplease,Iwanttospeaktohim.’Shrimatiwasawarethatpersonalmessagesshouldnotbepassedthroughthe
secretaryasitcouldleadtogossip.‘Sorry,madam,sirisonavideoconference.’‘Allright,Priya,butinformhimthatIhadcalled.’Shrimatiwasangry.Washiswife’scallnotimportantenoughforhim?He
couldhaveexcusedhimselfandcomeoutforaminute.Therewereotherstherewhowerealsopartoftheconference.ForaminuteshewasupsetwithPriya,butshesoonrealizedthatshehadjustbeendoingherduty.Shrimatiwassousedtodoingwhatevershewastoldthatbeingobedienthad
becomeahabit.Itoftenupsethergreatly,yetshecouldnotdisobeyinstructions.Shrimatiwasexhausted—mentallyandphysically.Shefeltshehadtogetout
ofthehouse.Shetookhercaroutandwasabouttodriveoffwhenherdriver,smokinga
beediwiththeotherdriversinthebasement,camerunningtowardsher.Shewavedhimoff,sayingshewantedtodriveherself.Shedidnotknowwhereshewasgoing.Withoutthinkingshefoundherselfon
theroadtoJuhubeach.Oncethere,sheparkedthecaranddecidedtotakeawalkalongtheshore.Itwasafternoonandtherewerehardlyanypeopleonthebeach.Haditbeen
eveningtherewouldn’thavebeenanyplacetostand!Shesawafewteenagecoupleswhohadobviouslybunkedcollege.Probablyitwasthebesttimeoftheirlives.Shrimatitoorememberedhercollegedaysandshebecameevenmoreupset.Shrikantwouldmakeupexcusestotellhismotherandcometomeetheratthebotanicalgardens.TheywouldwalkuptotheTaiwacwatchcompany
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compound.Shrimatiwouldhaveherclassesonlythree-timesaweek,butwhenShrikantwasintown,shewouldcometocollegeallthesixdays.WhenShrikantwasintownhewouldnotmissgoingtotheUniversityevenonasingleday.Theywouldtalkendlessly.Thoughtheydidnothavemoneyatthattime,theyhadsomuchtotalkabout.Shrikantdidallthetalkingandshelistenedtohim.Shrikantwouldtellherabouthiscollege,hisfriendsandprofessors,hisstudies,theextracurricularactivitiesandallabouthislifeatIIT.ThoughShrimatihadn’tmetanyofthepeoplehetalkedabout,shefeltsheknewthembecauseshehadheardsomuchabouteachperson.Thosehadindeedbeenbeautifuldays.WhathadhappenedtoShrikantnow?Thelove,affectionandsharingofideas
anddreamshaddisappeared.Hehardlytalkedtoheraboutthecompanyorotherbusinessmatters.Theonlytimehespoketoherwastoassignalistofchoresforhertodo.Forhimshehadundergonesomuchopposition,criticismandnastinessfromherin-laws.Shehadevengivenuphercareer,onlybecauseshereallylovedhim.ButShrikantwasnotthesamepersonsheknewbeforetheirmarriage.ThisShrikantDeshpandewasonlyinterestedinname,fame,positionandstatus.Inbuildinguphisbusiness,hehadforgottenhisdearwife.ThisShrikantappearedastrangertoher.Wherecouldshefindherold‘Shri’?Shrimatisatonawoodenbenchandgaveventtohergrief.Shesobbed
uncontrollably,unmindfulofthepeoplearoundher.ButthiswasBombay.Nobodywouldcomeandaskherwhatthematterwas,ortrytoconsoleher.Shrimatirealizedthathermemoriesweremakingherunhappy,insteadofsoothingher.Shefeltshecouldnotsitonthebeachanylonger.Shewantedtogosomewhereelse.Shewipedhertearsandwenttothecar.Itwaslikeaheatedoven.ShefeltlikegoingtomeetVandana.Butshedidnotwanttogounannounced.SherealizedthatPramodmighthavetakencasualleavefromworktobewithhisfamily.Shedidnotwanttodisturbthem.Shrikantneverusedhiscasualleave.Heworkedallthedaysoftheweek.Evenhisearnedleavewashardlyevertaken.Heavingadeepsigh,Shrimatidecidedtogobackhome.Whenshewalkedin,hermaidChampatoldher,‘Madam,therewasaphone
callfromsaab.’ShewasinnomoodtotalktoShrikant.Butherduty-conscious
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minddidnotallowhertoignorethemessage.Maybehehadsomeimportantworkforher.Otherwisehewouldnotcallherfromtheoffice.Whenshecalled,ShrikantwasnottherebuthehadleftamessagewithPriya.
‘Sirwantsyoutobringhiswallet,whichhehasforgottenathome.’HearingthatmadeShrimatimoreupset.Whenshedidnotsayanything,Priyaasked,‘Madam,areyouthere?Iseverythingallright?’Quickly,Shrimatireplied,‘Yes,Priya,thankyou,’anddisconnectedthephone.
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TWENTY -TWO
BythetimeShrimatireachedOberoiTowers,someoftheguestshadalreadyarrived.ShrikantlookedveryannoyedbecauseShrimatiwaslate.Itwasherdutytocomeearlyandreceivetheguests.Shrimatinoticedhisexpressionbutignoredit.Shelookedpaleandtired.Andunenthusiastic.ThatmadeShrikantevenmoreangry,thoughhedidnotshowit.Heintroducedhertosomenewguests.Insteadofshakinghandsasusual,thatdayShrimatifoldedherhands,said‘Namaskar,’andsmiled.Shrikantadded,‘Wearepleasedtomeetyou.’Shrimatiwasverytemptedtosay,‘Iamextremelyunhappyatmeetingpeoplelikeyouandwastingmytime.’Butshecouldnotsaythat.Shewas,afterall,thewifeofthedirectorofthecompany.Shesmiledartificiallyandsaid,‘Iamgladtomeetyou.’Waiterswithdrinksweredoingtheroundsamidstthegroupsofconversing
menandwomen.Diningwasamereformality.Afterherfirstsuchparty,Shrimatiwastakenabackatseeingthebill.‘Isn’tittoomuch,Shri?’sheasked.‘Thefoodwasn’tverygoodeither.’Laughingatherignorance,Shrikanthadreplied,‘Don’tapplyyourHubli
normstosuchaparty.Theamountofmoneywespendatthesepartiesisapittancecomparedtothebusinessweget.’Everydinner,everyconversation,everyrelationshipwasbasedonprofitand
loss.Whatawaytolive,shehadthought!Shrimatiwasremindedofthatconversationonceagain.Shewaslostindeep
thoughtwhenHarish’swifePrabhacameandtappedhershoulder.‘Shrimati,whereareyoulost?’Prabha,anMAinsociology,wasfromAgra.Shehadasix-year-oldson,Amol,whowasinaboardingschoolinKodaikanalinTamilNadu.‘Ohhello,Prabha,Ididn’tseeyou,’Shrimatisaid.‘HowisAmol?Doyou
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‘Ohhello,Prabha,Ididn’tseeyou,’Shrimatisaid.‘HowisAmol?Doyoumisshim?’sheasked.ShehadmanagedtoevadePrabha’squestion.ThetalkativePrabhareplied,
‘Tobeveryfrankwithyou,Shrimati,Iamhappythatheisinboardingschool.Itisaverydisciplinedlife,andhehaslotsofcompany.Asanonlychildhegetsboredandwasbeginningtogetalittlestubborn.Besides,weonlytalkinHindiathome.TherehewilllearntospeakexcellentEnglish.’Prabhawasafriendly,open,person.ThoughShrimatiandsheweredifferent
innaturetheywereverygoodfriends.Prabhadidnottakelifeseriously.Shedidnotthinktoodeeplyaboutanythingeither.WheneverHarishwentontour,shewouldgotoAgra.Shehadabigfriends’circleeveninBombay.Allofthemwouldoftengooutforlunchorshopping.‘Prabha,whydon’tyouhaveanotherchild?Amolwillalsohavecompany.’‘Areyoumad,Shrimati!IhadalotofproblemsduringpregnancyandIdonot
wanttogothroughitagain.‘TheconversationwasinterruptedbyMeherEngineer.‘Hi,Shrimati!Youarelookingsobeautiful.Howdoyoumanagetostayso
slim?DoyougotoFiguretteatBandra?Itseemsallfilmstarsgothere.IwishIwereinBandra,’MrsEngineersaidwistfully,lookingdownatherobesebody.MrEngineerwasawell-knownbuilder.TheywerejoinedbyPremaMalhotra,wifeofanadvertisingexecutive.
‘Shrimati!Hownicetoseeyouagain.Whatareyourplansfortheweekend?ItseemsthereisadiamondjewelleryexhibitiononatTribhuvandasZaveri.Allofushavedecidedtogo.Whydon’tyoucomewithus?’shesaid.‘Sorry,Imaynotbeabletocome.Shrimightbeathome.’‘Ohc’monShrimati!Youbehavelikeaperfecthousewife.Whenourmen
don’tbotheraboutusandtravelallthetimefortheirwork,wealsoshouldspendourtimethewaywewant.’Thatwastheadvicegivenbytheelderly,infactseniormostlady,IndumathiSukhtankar.Shrimatiwasfeelingsick.Sarees,jewelleryalwaysbroughtherbad
memories.TheywouldremindherofGangakka’staunts.Gangakkawantedherdaughter-in-lawtobesimplebutherdaughtercouldwearthebestofsareesandloadsofgoldornaments.IfShrimatiboughtanexpensivesaree,GangakkawouldshoutatherforwastingShrikant’smoney.Ramahadanindirectwayofmockingher,‘Shrimati,foryourcomplexion,
pearljewellerymightbebetterthangold!’suggestingthatShrimatiwasdarker
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pearljewellerymightbebetterthangold!’suggestingthatShrimatiwasdarkerthanShrikant.Butthereisnousethinkingofallthatnow,thoughtShrimati,andwentbacktotheguests.Shrikanthadnoticedthathiswifewasnothernormalselfthatdayandonthe
pretextoftakinghiswalletfromher,hewentuptoShrimatiandsoftlybutfirmlytoldherinKannada,‘Shrimati,what’swrongwithyou?YouhavenotspokentoJacob!Goandtalktohimandhiswifeimmediately.’Thechiefguestsfortheevening,JacobandDollyLynes,hadarrivedafew
minutesearlier.Dollyhadanartificialsmileonherlips.Shewasapartyperson.Sheattendedandhostedahundredsuchpartiesthroughouttheyear.Shrimatiwentuptothemandwithasmile,greetedthem.Aftersomesmall
talk,DollysaidtoShrimati,‘Itseemsyouareveryknowledgeableinhistory?YoumusthavegotyourdoctorateinAmerica.‘Shrimatirepliedcurtly,‘No,IamjustanMAfrommyhometown.’‘Oh,isthatso?Thenhowdidyoumanagetoacquiresomuchknowledgeand
sophistication?’Shrimatididnotbothertoanswerthatquestion.ForDolly,theanswerwasnotimportant.Shewasjustmakingconversation.‘Well,Shrimati,thenyoumuststudytheancientandsplendidhistoryof
America.’‘Excuseme,Dolly.Yourhistoryisneitherancientnorsplendid.Thesuccess
ofAmericaistheresultoftechnicalprogressandimplementationoftheinnovativeideasthatwereborninsomeothercountry.Yourcountry’shistoryistheyoungestintheworld.’‘Idon’tunderstand...’‘TaketheexampleofSAPsoftware.ItwasinnovatedinGermanybut
implementedintheUSandtodaythewholeworldthinksitisanAmericaninvention...’Shrikant’ssharpearscaughtShrimati’scoldandharshremarks.WhatwasShrimatitalkingabout?Thiswasnotthekindofthingtosayata
party.DollywasthepowerbehindJacob.Whyarguewithsuchaperson?Herehewastryingtopleaseeveryone,andtherewasShrimatibeingsoblunt.
Shrikantwasworriedthatshemightspoilthingsforhimandruinhisbusiness
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dealings.Amanofgreatcommonsense,heknewthatifsomeone’sclotheswerestuckonathornbush,itwasbettertogentlyfreethegarmentthanpullitoff.Shrikantjoinedtheconversation.‘Hello,Dolly!Youlookwonderful!HowwasyourtriptoJaipur?’ThiswasanindicationforShrimatitostopbeingblunt.Butshedeliberately
ignoredit.‘Oh,Shrikant,itwaslovely.IcanseesomuchWesterninfluenceinIndia.
Lookatthenameofthisroomforinstance.ItissuchabeautifulFrenchname.’NeitherDollynorShrikantknewwhatLaGiacondameant.Shrimaticouldnotresist.‘ItisnotamereFrenchname.Itisthenameofthe
world-famouspaintingofLeonardodaVinci,theMonaLisa,theladywiththeenigmaticsmile.Itishertheroomisnamedafter.IfonegoestoParisandonehasthetimeandtheinclinationtovisittheLouvre,onecanseetheMonaLisathere.’Shrikantwastakenaback.HefeltthatthiswasaninsulttoDolly.Shrimati
wasnotbehavinglikeacharminghostess.Onthecontrary,shewasbeingrudetohisguest!HowdiditmatterifitwasLaGiacondaorMonaLisa.Gettingbusinesswas
Shrikant’sultimateintention.Thepartywentonasusual.ShrikantdidnotdisturbShrimatiagain.
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TWENTY -THREE
Whilereturningfromtheparty,Shrikantwasnothisplacidself.Hewasfuming.HewantedtotalktoShrimati.HecouldnotwaittilltheyreachedhomesohestartedtheconversationinKannada.EveninthatsituationhetookcarethatMaruthi,hisdriver,shouldnotunderstandthecontentsoftheconversation.‘Shrimati,whatisthematterwithyou?WhydidyouinsultDolly?Who
wantedyourknowledgeofhistory?’‘Shri,Ididnotgotheretoexhibitmyknowledge.Forthatmatter,Ididnot
evenwanttogo.EvenifIhadwantedtoshowoff,therewasnoonetherewhowouldhaveunderstoodit.LookatDolly!Lookatherarrogance!ThewayshelooksdownuponIndia—shebelievesthatwehavetolearneverythingfromtheircountry.LookatProfessorCollinsorDorothy.Theyaresoknowledgeableandyethumble.Educationshouldbringsimplicityandmodesty.’‘Enoughofyourlecture,Shrimati.Don’ttalkaboutyourworthlesssubject.
Theworldofbusinessissodifferentfromyours.Historycannotfeedyou.Don’tbehavelikeahistorianatsuchparties.Youshouldrememberthatyourepresentourcompanyandmustbeloyaltoit.Afterall,whatisthereinIndia’shistorytoboastsomuchabout?’Shrikantpaused.Shrimatiwastremendouslyhurt.Shedidnotanswer.Whateverlanguagethey
hadspokenin,Maruthiwouldknowthathusbandandwifewerequarrelling.Whentheyreachedhome,Shrikantchangedintohisnight-dressandpickeduptheEconomicTimes.Heusuallyglancedattheheadlinesinthemorningastherewasn’tenoughtimetoreadindetail.Butatnighthereaditcarefully.Thatday,
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hewassoupsetbytheincidentthatthoughhewasholdingthepaper,hewasunabletoread.Shrimatiwasmoreupsetthanhim.Hermindwasseething.Forthefirsttime
intenyearsofmarriage,Shrikanthadattackedherindividualfreedom.Whathadhesaid?Shrimatirecalledhiswords.Don’ttalkaboutyourworthlesshistory.Theworldofbusinessissodifferentfromyours.Historycannotfeedyou.Don’tbehavelikeahistorianatsuchparties.Youshouldrememberthatyourepresentourcompany...Afterall,whatisthereinIndia’shistorytoboastsomuchabout?Shetoocouldhavesaidmanythingstohim,‘Shri,donotforgetthatyouare
notonlythedirectorofacompany.YouarealsothehusbandofShrimatiwhoissensitiveandsentimentalaboutIndianhistory.Donotmeasureeverythingintermsofprofitandloss.’Butshehadnotsaidthat.Shehadnevertalkedillofanybody,ordeliberatelyhurtShrikant.Buttodayhissharpwordshadchoppedthetendertreeoftheirrelationship.ShrimatisnatchedthepaperthatShrikantwastryingtoread.‘Shri,tellmewhatwasyourintentioninsayingallthatinthecar?Ihavenot
doneanythingtobringdownyourprestige.’ThenormallyquietShrimatiwasburstinglikeacrackertorchedbyaflame.Shewassoupsetandemotionalthatherhandsweretrembling.Shrikanttookherhandsandmadehersitnexttohim.Hewascoolandcalculativeinhiswords.‘Shrimati,weIndiansliveonourpastglory.Onceuponatime,itissaid,Indiawasthemostprosperouscountry,thelandofhoneyandnectar.DiamondsandpearlsweresoldonthestreetsofHampi.ThedoormenofNalandaUniversitywouldconducttheentranceexaminationsforstudents.Whetherthereisanytruthinthatornot,Idonotknow.Butthesearethingsofthepast.Forgetthepast.Whatwearetodayiswhatisrelevantandimportant.Wehaveaveryrigidcastesystem,superstitionsaboundandtotopitall,ahighlycorruptsociety.LookattheWest.Theyarescientific,systematicandprogressive.Youtalksomuchabouthistory,letmeaskyouasimplequestion.Whichismoreimportant,theKalingawarwhichyourEmperorAshokafoughtorpresent-dayterrorismwhichwehavetostop?WemustthinkofthewaysbywhichwecanmakeIndiaamodern,scientificanddevelopedcountry.‘Shrimati,youtalksomuchaboutAshokaandidolizehim.Whathashedone?
HeembracedBuddhism.Hence,hisarmybecameweak.Subsequently,henever
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HeembracedBuddhism.Hence,hisarmybecameweak.Subsequently,heneverfoughtawartoprotecthiscountry.Eventually,hisempirewasdestroyedbyhisenemies.Becauseofhisattitudewelostourcountrytoinvaders.’ShrikantwascriticizingShrimati’sfavouritesubjectandbelittlingherhero,
Ashoka.ThoughShrikantdidnotknowmuchaboutAshoka,hesaidallthatbecausehewantedtohurtShrimati.Businesshadtaughthimthat.Toinsultaperson,youdon’tneedtoattackhimorherdirectly,onecandothatinsteadbyattackingwhatthatpersonadmiresorrespects.ThoughShrikanthadspokencalmlyandcoolly,hewasstillfuminginside.Hewenttotherefrigeratoranddrankaglassofwatertohidehisanger.Shrimati’sfuryknewnobounds.‘Shri,whatareyoutryingtosuggest?Do
youmeanhistoryisasubjectofthedead,thelostandthedefeated?Doesthepastnothaveanyrelevancetothepresent,accordingtoyou?Youarewrong.Itdoes.Acompany’spastcansaywhatacompany’sfuturecanbe,onlyinyourlanguageitiscalled“trackrecord”!YougavemetheexampleofAshoka,butwhatdoyouknowabouthim?Oneshouldn’ttalkaboutanythingwithoutknowingenoughaboutthesubject.Forapersonlikeyouwhoalwayscalculateseverything,understandingsuchagreathumanbeingiswaybeyondyourability.Ashokanevertriedtoimmortalizehimself.Hisdeedsmadehimgreat.Whenanempirefalls,therearevariousreasonsforit.Thesuccessorsoftheemperormightnotbegood.Theinvadermightbemighty.Justastrongarmycannotwinawar.WhathappenedtoAllauddinKhiljiwhoextendedhiskingdomfromDelhitoRameswarambysheerpowerofthesword?Hisempirevanishedwithinfouryearsofhisdeath.AbenevolentkinglikeShivajimadeagreatimpactwithhissmallarmyagainstthemightyMughals.Forafailure,therearemanycomplexreasons.Andforyourinformation,warisnottheonlysolution.‘Shri,youhavevisitedBoston.YouhavevisitedDelhi.Bostonisnotolder
thanDelhi.ButthehistoricalsenseofAmericansmakesthempreserveallthehistoricalmonumentsofBoston.HaveyounotseentheFreedomTrialinBoston?Howmanyofuswouldliketokeepourmonumentslikethem?EverysmallcountryinEuropeisextremelyproudofitshistoryandwillmakeeveryefforttopreserveandshowcaseit.’Shrimatipausedandswalloweddeeply.Herfacewasflushedwithemotion.
Shethencontinued,‘Overaperiodoftime,thesuperstitionsofaculturegrowontobecomeahabit.Theolderthecivilization,thegreaterthesuperstitiousbeliefs
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andhenceslowertheprogress.Itislikeawave.Oldercivilizations,likeEgypt,ChinaandIndia,arerigidunlikeAmerica.Justasthereareupsanddownsinthelifeofanindividual,thesameistrueforacountry.’ShrimatipausedandlookedatShrikant.Shehadneverspokensomuchwith
suchfeeling.Shrikantwassurprised.Helookedatherasifhewasseeingherforthefirsttime.Shrimatihadnotfinished.Sherememberedthewayhehadwhippedherwithhiswordsandshecontinued.‘Don’tthinkWesterncountriesdonothavesuperstitionsandthattheyare
alwaysrational.Whyisnumberthirteenconsideredabadnumber?Whydotheysaywalkingunderaladderbringsbadluck?Andwhydoyounggirlsrushtocatchthebride’sbouquet?Oneshouldthinklogicallyaboutwhywehaveremainedeconomicallybackward.Abrightpersonlikeyouwhoisinbusinesscanunderstanditverywell.Youdon’trequireahistorian’shelp.WhentheIndustrialRevolutiontookplace,wewereslavesoftheBritish.Theydestroyedourhomeindustriessothatwewouldhavetobuytheirproducts.Astepmotherwillneverloveherstepchildren.SotheBritishneverbotheredabouttheindustrializationofourcountry.Pleasedonotthinkthatindustrializationissuchagreatthing.Itloosenssocialbonding,bringsinadisparitybetweenthehavesandhavenotsandmostimportantly,leadstopsychologicaldisorders.’Shrimatistoppedtalking.Shrikantwasstilllisteningtoher.Thistime,
Shrimatidrankwater.Shecontinued,hervoicesoftening.‘Shri,pleaselookatyourdress,andthe
Englishlanguagethatyouspeakmostofthetime.IsitnotawitnesstothevictoryofBritishcolonization,evenaftermanyyearsofindependence?’ThiswastoomuchforShrikant.Hewasdumbstruck.Hehadneverexpected
Shrimatitolashoutathimwithsuchharshwords.Shewouldusuallycryandkeepquietbutneverarguewithhimsofiercely.Asanindividual,hewasawarethatShrimati’sargumentswereclear,preciseandlogical,butasahusband,hewasunabletodigestit.ItwasprobablythefirsttimeinthetenyearsoftheirmarriagethatShrimatihadshownherunhappinessanddisagreementwithShrikant’swayofthinking.InthatinstantShrikantfeltthattheyweretwostrangerslivingunderthesameroof.
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TWENTY -FOUR
ShrikantreceivedaletterfromGangakka.Shewrote,oncewhenShrikantwasillasachild,shehadprayedforhisrecoverytoLordMylaralinga.Now,theLordhadappearedinherdreamsandhadremindedherofherdues.SoshehaddecidedtogiveagoldencrowntotheLord.Sheorderedhersontotakeafewdays’leaveandmakethepilgrimagewiththecrown.TherewasnomentionofShrimatiintheentireletter.ThetempleofMylaralinga,anothernameofShivaorEshwara,issituatedon
thehillsofDevaragudda,aroundahundredkilometresfromHubli.GangakkahadgreatfaithinthefamilydeityandbelievedthatunlessLordMylaralingablessedhim,Shrikantwouldnotprosper.Shrikantknewthathismotherwasverysuperstitiousandgodsappearingin
herdreamswasacommonoccurrence.Hewasveryhappythathismoneycouldbeusedtofulfilhismother’swishes.Moneywasnotanissueatall.ButShrikantbeinganatheist,neverwentwithheronpilgrimages.HethoughtthatthenexttimehewenttoBangalore,hewouldvisithissisterandmotheratHubli.ButtravellingtoHubliwouldtakeupanextraday.WhilehavingdinnerthatnighthetoldShrimati,‘Onmynextvisitto
Bangalore,marktwodaysoffforpersonalwork.’Shrimatiimmediatelyrealizedthereason.Itirritatedher.Thoughshetriedto
hideit,herunhappinessshowedonherface.‘So,youaregoingtoHubli.Isthereanyspecialreason?’‘Notreally,butIwantedtoseeAvva.’‘ButShrikant,Iwantyoutotakeacoupleofdaysoffandsitwithmetotalk
overmanythings.’
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overmanythings.’‘Whatistheretotalkfortwodays,Shrimati?’‘Whenyoucanspendtwodaysforyourmother’ssake,can’tyouspendtwo
dayswithme?Iamallalonehere.’‘Thatisnotanewthingforyou.Ifyouwant,youcancometoHublitoo.’‘Whenyourmotherhasnotcalledme,whyshouldIcome?WhyshouldIstay
alonehere?Hasyoursisterstayedaloneanytimeinherlife?Yourmothergoestokeephercompanyevenifsheisaloneforaday.’‘Shrimati,don’tcompareyourselfwithRama.Youaremoreeducatedthan
her.’‘Shrikant,youhaveonesetofrulesformeandanotherforher.Everytimeshe
getstheupperhandonlybecausesheisuneducated.IsitwrongthatIameducated?WhyshouldIhavetosufferlikethis?’Actuallytheissuewasnotaboutstayingalone.ItwasGangakka.‘Shri,youhavetimeandmoneyforyourmother.Idon’twantyourmoney.
ButIwantyourtime.’Shrimati’sangerwasragingandherpatiencewasbreaking.ShecouldnottakeanymoreinsultsfromGangakka.‘Avvaknowsthatyouarenothappythereandyouwon’tcome.Soshehasnot
invitedyou.’Shrimatistartedsobbing.Allsaidanddone,ShrikantwasGangakka’sson.
Evenaftertenyearsofmarriage,hehadneverbeenShrimati’shusband.Itisthedutyofeverymothertoeducateherchild,regardlessoftheodds.Shrikant,however,believedthathismotherhadmadeanextraordinarysacrificeforhim.Ontheotherhand,allthatShrimatihaddonewasmerelythedutyofawife,andtherewasnothingspecialaboutit.Shrikantpickeduphisfilesandwenttohisstudy.Shrimatiwashopingthathe
wouldtalktoher,consoleher.Buthedidn’t.Shrimatifeltsuffocated.ShecouldnotstayinthesamehousewithShrikant.Shetookthehousekeysandwalkedout.Itwasnightandshewasallalone.Hearingthesound,Shrikantknewthat
Shrimatihadopenedthefrontdoor.Heshouted,‘Shrimati,don’tgooutalone!’Sherepliedcoolly,‘Icanmanage.’Shrikantwasrelievedthatthequarrelhadended,andimmersedhimselfinhis
files.Shrimatigotoutofthebuildingandstartedwalkingdowntheroad.
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Thisprestigiousapartmentblockhousedexecutivesofmanycompanies.Shewonderedwhethereveryfamilyhadfightsliketheirs.Wasthererealpeaceinanyfamily?Werealltheseambitiousmenasunconcernedabouttheirwives’feelings?Whoknows!Nobodytellsthetruthabouttheirfamilylife.Mosthusbandsandwivesputon
theappearanceofbeingperfectlymatched!Shrimatiwalkeduptotheseasideandsatontheconcreteembankment.Atthis
hour,veryfewpeoplewerearound.Undernormalcircumstances,Shrimatimighthaverealizedthedangerincomingoutaloneatnightandfeltscared.Butthatdaysuchthingswereofnoimportance.Shejustwantedtobealone.Hereyesfilledwithtearsandrolleddownhercheeks,wettinghersaree.Sherememberedallthefightsathome.Thecoolseabreezeruffledherlonghairandtouchedherface.Itbroughtbackmemoriesofthehappydaysofthepast.Shewasdreamingoncemore...SomanyflowersofsplendidcolourswereinbloominthemonthofShravan.
Shecouldsmellthefragranceofthechampaka,jasmine,rajanigandhaandaboveall,thedelicatebakula...Hermindwasfullofsensation.Herheartwasfullofhopeandlonging.She
wouldgatherallthebakulaflowersandmakeastringthatwouldadornherplait.Shrikantwouldcome.Hewouldtakethestringofbakulafromherhairandinhaleitsfragrance.Hewouldn’tletherwearanyotherflowerinherhair...Hewouldalwayssaythattheflowersinherhairsmeltdoublysweet...Thewaveswerecrashingagainsttherockwithoutrest,andsowereher
dreams.Shesatthereforalongtime,andthenwithoutwarningitbegantorain.Itwas
anunseasonableshower.Shrimatiwasdrenched.Therewassomuchwaterintheseaandtherewassomuchwaterinthecloudsbutshefeltthirsty.AllsheneededwasafewkindwordsfromGangakkaorafewwordsofappreciationfromherhusband,toquenchherthirst.Thenightpolicemanwhowaspatrollingthearea,calledouttoher,‘Madam,
pleasegohomenow.Itisdangeroustosithereallalone.’Shrimatiwasinnomoodtoargue.Soshegotupandstartedwalkingback.Whenshereturnedhome,Shrikantwasstillbusywithhisfiles.Bythistimeshehadcalmeddownandwantedtotalktohim.‘Shri,canyoudomeafavour?’
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‘Shri,canyoudomeafavour?’Shrikantwashappythathiswifewashernormalselfagainsothathecould
workmoreefficiently,withpeaceofmind.‘Whatisit,Shrimati?Isitsomethingimpossible?’‘Ifyoumakeupyourminditisnotdifficult.’‘Whatisit?’‘Shrikant,youhaveachievedalotinlife.Wehaveenoughmoneyfortherest
ofourlives.Giveupthisjob.Let’sgobacktoHubli.Thereyouhadsomuchtimeforus.Wecandowhateverwewant.’Shrikantlaughed.Hepushedthefilesacrossthetableandcameroundto
whereshewas.Puttinghisarmsaroundher,hesaid,‘Shrimati,areyouawareofwhatyoujustsaid?Thinkrationally,andbepractical.Youwantmetoretireattheageofthirty-three!Amanisinhisprimeatthisage.Itisthetimeforhimtogrowprofessionally.Besides,IstillfeelthatIhavenotachievedmuchinlife.IcannotliveinHubli.WhatwouldIdothere?Hubliismypast.IwillbelikeafishoutofwaterinHubli,thoughIwasbornandbroughtupthere.MypresentandfutureisinBombay.Idonotwasteevenamomenthere.’Shrimatididnotknowwhattosaytothat.‘Shrimati,thepastisalwaysbeautifulbecausewecannotgetitback.
Childhoodlooksbeautifulwhenyouareyoung.Youthlooksromanticwhenyouareold.Whateverweloseisalwaysprecious.Thinkofadjustingandlookingforwardtoanever-changingworld.Don’tgetintothepast.’ShrimatiwasspeechlessatShrikant’swords.Shrikantlookedatherandsaid,‘Whyareyounotsayinganything?’Sherepliedsadly,‘Shri,ifyoucan’tunderstandmysilence,thenyouwillnot
understandmywords!’Shrimaticouldnotsleepthatwholenight.ButShrikantsleptsoundly.Things
likethisdidnotaffecthim.Hewouldfallasleepassoonashehitthebedsinceheworkedhardallday.Unabletosleep,ShrimatigotoutofbedandwenttotheGodrejalmirahinthe
room.ShetookoutthebundleoflettersthatShrikanthadwrittentoherduringhisIITdays.Shehadwrappedthemneatlyinasilkclothandhadkepttheminasandalwoodbox,asiftheywereagreattreasure.Shethoughtifshereadthemshewouldfeelbetter.Also,itwouldhelpherfindoutifitwasthesameShrikantwhowasnowherhusband.Sheopenedoneofthelettersandstartedtoreadit.It
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wastheonewrittentoherwhenhehadseentheTajMahal,duringthefirstindustrialtourfromthecollege.
MydearShrimati,IsawtheTajMahaltoday.ThecityofAgraisverydirty.Idonotknowwhatyoufeelwhenyouseeitfromyourhistorian’sviewpoint.Buttheimmediatethoughtthatcametomymindwashowmanymarbleslabsthebuildermusthaveused!HemusthaveemptiedmanymarblequarriesinIndia.NoonecanbuildanotherTajMahal,becauseobviously,therewon’tbeenoughmarble!Iwonderhowmanymenworkedrelentlessyforthisprojectanddidtheemperorreallypaythemall!IamsurethatyouandIwillvisitthismonumentsometimeinourlifeandwhenwedo,Iknowyouwillbeamazedtoseeit.TheTajMahalissurroundedbyahugegarden.Whenwecomehere,Iwanttoliedownunderashadytree,myheadrestingonyourlap,readingacomputerbook...
Shrimatismiled,forgettingwhereshewasrightnow.Shefeltthateachwordinthatletterwasfilledwithaffection.Affectiondoesnotrequirebeautyorintelligence.Itonlyrequiresmutualloveandintensefaith.Thatiswhatultimatelybuildstrustinanyrelationship.Shrimatiputthelettersaway,switchedoffthelightandtriedtosleep.
Shrikantwassnoring.Shrimatiwantedtoask,Shriwherehaveyougone?WherehaveIlostyou?Shefeltshewassearchingforapathofloveinthedarkness,withoutatorch.
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TWENTY -F IVE
Shrikantwokeupatfiveinthemorning.Hisdisciplinedmindcouldwakehimupatanytime.Heneverrequiredanalarm.Butthatday,eventhoughhewasawake,hedidnotgetoutofbed.Wasitmorethanjustlaziness?Wasitbecauseofwhathadhappenedthepreviousnight?Aftertossingandturningforfifteenminutes,Shrikantfeltthathecouldnotaffordtowasteanymoretime.Hegotupandwenttothekitchentomakehimselfacupoftea.HedidnotfeellikedisturbingShrimati.Whilehavinghisteainthebalcony,helookedatthesea.Afreshcoolmorningbreezewasblowing.Thoughitwaspleasant,hefeltthechill.HepulledhisgowntightaroundhimandwentinsideandbroughtShrimati’sshawltowraparoundhimself.Onceagainhefeltlikewatchingthesea,standinginthebalcony.Normally,hewouldneverwastetimelikethisearlyinthemorning.Hewouldrathermakeoverseascallsatthathour.Butthatday,hedidnotfeellikedoingso.Probablythiswasoneofthefewoccasionswherehelistenedtohisheartratherthanhismind.Inthedawn,Bandralookeddifferent.Thefisherwomencarryingtheirbaskets
offish,walkedbrisklytowardsthemarket.Theywereslim,welldressedandhardworking.TheyweretheKolicommunitywhohadonceuponatime,occupiedallofBombay.However,itwasnotjustacityanymorebutamegacityandtheeconomiccapitalofIndia.ShrikantcontemplatedhowinfifteenyearsBombayhadchangedandsohad
hislife.Inspiteofalltheproblems,Bombaywasmostdeartohim.Heappreciateditscosmopolitannature,itsprofessionalapproachandworkethic.Hethoughtifhehadn’tleftHubli,hewouldnothavebeeninthisposition!
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Whilewatchingthesea,Shrikantrememberedhischildhood.Hubliwasaninlandtownsotheseawasunheardof.Herememberedthefirsttimethathehadseenthesea,whenhewasabouttwelveyearsold.HehadgonetoGokarnawithhismotherononeofherpilgrimages.ItwasthefirsttimehehadgoneanywhereoutsideHubli.Hehadveryfewrelativestovisit.TheonlyplacehecouldgotointheholidayswashisuncleSheenappa’shouse.Alongwithmemoriesofhischildhood,camethethoughtofhismother’s
hardshipsduringthattime.Belowhim,theroaringwavesweredashingagainsttheblackrocksandthenreceding.Whenonewaveflowedback,itmergedintoanotherone.Thiswenton,continuously.SodidShrikant’sthoughts.Onceagainherememberedhismother.HeronlydesirewasthatShrikantshouldbecomeanengineerandjointhePWD.ItwasbecauseGangakka’srolemodelwasShyam.Shyamusedtolookdownuponthem.Thingshadturnedaround,Gangakkawasthesuperioronenow,thankstoherson’sachievements.ThesunhadalreadyrisenandBombaywasbustlingwithactivity,destroying
themorningpeace.ButShrikant’smindwasstillinturmoil.Bombay!hethought.Withmoney,onecouldbuyanythingandeverythinghere,exceptamother’slove.Shrikantknewthathismotherwasnoteducatedandsoshewouldmakesomerudecomments.Shrimatiwouldn’tunderstandthat.HefeltthatbothGangakkaandShrimatiwerenotrational.He,ontheotherhand,wasalwayspractical.ActuallyBombaymadeeveryonepractical.PeoplefromNorthKarnatakaareveryemotional,Shrikantthought.Where
peoplearesentimental,emotionhastheupperhand.Whenpeopleareemotional,practicalityslackens.Whenapersonisnotpractical,heorsheisnotabletodoanybusiness.Whenthereisnobusiness,thereisnoeconomicgrowth.HismindwentbacktothefamilyfeudbetweenhisfamilyandShrimati’s.No
onereallyrememberedthereasonforit,butitstillcontinued.Shrimati’smotherKamalawasdifferent,though.Thebakulaflowercametohismind.Hethoughthowhehadnotseenanyfor
alongtime.Wouldhebeabletobuysomehere?HewantedtotellShrimatitogetafewforhim.Anefficient,resourcefulpersonlikeherwoulddefinitelyfindthem.Onceshetookresponsibilityforajob,shemadesureitwascompleted.AsusualShrikantleftforofficeateightinthemorning.Duetotheheavy
traffic,ifhedelayedleavinghomebyevenfiveminutes,hewouldgetlateby
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halfanhourinreachinghisoffice.ForShrikant,whoweighedeveryminute,timewasprecious.HisdriverMaruthilikedtotalkbutShrikantdidnotencouragehim.Hebelievedthatadistanceshouldbemaintainedbetweenhimandthedriver.However,Shrimatididnotbelieveinbarrierslikethisandwouldchatwithdriversandmaids.Normally,Shrikantwouldlookatfilesormakecallsfromhismobilephoneas
hedrovetooffice.Butthatdayhefailedtodoanyofthesethings.Hetriedtofigureout
Shrimati’sbehaviouroflate.Shewasnolongerhercalmanddocileself.Shewouldargueoversillythings.Shehadeverythinginlife,allthecomfortsandconveniences.Hermother-in-lawwasnotstayingwithher,shecoulddowhatsheliked,buywhatevershewanted.Tothisday,Shrikant’schequebookwaswithher.Hewouldaskherformoneywheneverheneededsome.Hehadnobadhabits—hedidnotdrinknordidhewomanize.AndyetShrimatiwasunhappy.Shedidn’twanttogotoanybusinessdinnersanymore.ThelasttimeshehadgonetoGermanythreemonthsago,shehadspentthreedaysthereandenjoyedseeingtheBerlinMuseum.Shehadskippedeverysinglebusinessdinner.Shrikantcouldn’tunderstandwhattherewasinthemuseumthatsofascinatedher.Shehadseenthebestmuseumsintheworldandyetsheinsistedongoingthereeveryday.ShrikanthadgonetoParisforthreemonthsbutnotoncehadhethoughtofvisitingtheLouvre.Suddenlythecarjolted.Thedriverhadappliedtheairbrake.TherewasahugetrafficjamonthebusyPeddarRoad.ShrimatihadsooccupiedShrikant’smindthathehadnotnoticedit.Herbehaviourwasbotheringhim.Wasitherextremelysensitiveattitudethatwasmakingherunhappy?Recentincidentskeptsurfacinginhismind.LikewhenRamahadcometo
Bombayalongwithherchildren.ShrikanthadtakenallofthemfordinnertotheTaj.Lookingatthebill,Ramahadcommented,‘Shrikant,thecostofyouronenight’sdinnerisequaltoamonthofours.’ShrikanthadlaughedbutShrimatihadinterpreteditasRamaindirectly
hintingattheirlavishspendingonluxuries,whiletheyweresufferinginasmalltown!Shrikanthadtoldher,‘Shrimati,Ramahasneverseenafive-starhotel.So
don’ttakehercommentsseriously.’
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Whenhewasyoungherememberedhismotherspendingenormoustimeandlabourcookingwithfirewoodandusingthegrindingstone.Shrimatihadneverhadtodothat—shehadacook.AndtheamountShrimatihadtravelled!Probablyonlyabirdwouldhave
travelledasmuch!ItwaspossibleonlybecauseShrikantearnedthatkindofmoney.Todoso,he
hadtoworkthewayhehadbeenworkingalltheseyears.Evennow,unlessthecompanydidwell,theycouldnotaffordtopaysuchsalaries.Ifthecompanyhadtobewell-off,thenbusinesshadtobebetter,andtodogoodbusiness,entertainingwasamust.ButShrimatirefusedtoattendsuchparties.Wasitnotwrong?WhileShrikantponderedthesethoughts,thecarreachedNarimanPoint.
ShrikantsawhisofficeandGangakka,RamaandShrimati,allvanishedfromhismind.Computers,competitionandproductsoccupiedthatspace.
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TWENTY -S IX
AssoonasHarishsawShrikant,hefeltrelieved.Hehurriedlycameandsaid,‘Shrikant,IamextremelysorrybutIforgottoinformyouthatthestateITministerissupposedtovisitourofficetoday.’Shrikantwasupsetforasecond.‘Howcouldyouforgettotellmesuchan
importantthing?Itisunpardonable.’Shrikantrushedtohischamber.Hisroomwasspaciousbutspartan.Hehadan
excellentaestheticsensibility.Anyonewhowalkedintohisoffice,couldmistakeitforanAmericanoffice.Normally,Shrikantdidnotmeetallthevisitors.Onlyifthepersonwasvery
importantdidShrikantgivehimanappointment.Whenhecametoknowthattheministerwassupposedtovisit,hestartedchalkingouttheprogramme.OvertheyearsShrikanthadacquiredextraordinaryknowledgeindiversefields.Hehadalsodevelopedgreatconfidence,probablytheresultofhisphenomenalsuccess.Successmakesapersonconfident.ButShrikantputitinadifferentway:Repeatedsuccessmakesapersonarrogantandoccasionalfailuremakesapersonconfident,hewouldsay.HarishcouldnothelpnoticinghowmuchShrikanthadchangedoverthelast
fifteenyears.WhentheyhadjoinedIIT,HarishwasaBombayboyandShrikantwasasmall-townboy.Buttoday,Shrikantwassmarterthananyoneelse.Hewasgoingfromstrengthtostrengtheveryyear.Hehadalsobecomeaworkaholic.Initiallymenworkformoneybutsoon,moneybecomesunimportant.Itis
power.Thereisnothinglikepower.Powerislikeliquor.Oncetheintoxicationofpowercatchesholdofanambitiousperson,thereisnoescapefromit.Itisa
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viciouscircle.Likeinawhirlpool,itisdifficulttocomeoutofit.Morework,moreinvolvementandmorepower.Theindividuallosestheabilitytoseeandenjoyanythingoutsidehiswork.Heisimmersedinworkthroughouttheday.Workishisbreath.Whathappenswhensuchpeoplegrowold?Allthepagesintheirbookoflifewillbeempty,exceptthepageofachievement.Shrikant’sbookwillcontaindifferentcomputerlanguages,differentspecificationsandproducts,butnothingabouthiswife,familyorfriends.Toachievethatkindofsuccess,onerequiredasupportive,intelligentbut
docileandunambitiouswife.Intelligentwomenarenormallyambitious.SomeonelikeShrimati,whonevereverdemandedanythingfromherhusband,wasrare.Harishthoughtforamoment.WhatwouldhavehappenedifShrikanthadmarriedapersonlikePrabha,whowasnotverysupportiveorRekha,whowasanexecutiveinthecompany?Theanswerwassimple.Shrikantwouldhavedesertedherorshewouldhavedesertedhim.Theminister’svisitwasover.HarishnoticedShrikant’sexpressionofpurejoywhentheministerleft.‘Hey,
Shrikant,howdidyoumanagesowell?’Harishasked.‘Harish,experienceismyteacherandanexpensiveonetoo.Tenyearsago,I
joinedthiscompanyasatraineesoftwareengineer.TodayIhavebecomeadirector.Ididnothaveanygodfathersoranypoliticalsupporters.ThecompanydoesnotevenknowtowhichcommunityIbelong.Ihaveworkedhardandsincerelyforthebenefitofthecompany.NotforadayhaveIputmypersonalneedsorhappinessbeforethecompany’s.Thecompany’ssuccesshasalwaysbeenmoreimportanttomethananything.Thereisnoshortcuttosuccess.’Shrikantwentbacktohischamber.Priyawascheckinghisdiary.Harish
followedhim.‘Shrikant,wewantedtoarrangeaseminarforallourprojectmanagersatKodaikanal.Canyouinaugurateit?’‘Whysuchanoddplace?’‘Shrikant,everyoneisnotlikeyou.Theywanttotakeabreakfromtheroutine
andspendtimewiththeirfamilies.Butwecannotaffordtogivethemleave,sothiswillserveboththepurposes.’‘That’sokay.Iamnotthebossofmydiary.CheckwithPriya.’Priyasaid,‘Sorry,Sir.Kodaiisnotconnectedbyplaneandhenceitisnot
possible.Forthenexttwomonthsyouarebusy.’‘Then,IamsorryHarish.Bytheway,howisAmol?’
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‘Then,IamsorryHarish.Bytheway,howisAmol?’‘Oh,heisfine.Wevisitedhimrecently.Hedoesnotevenwanttocomehome
foravacation.Hefindsitboringhere.Hecomplainsthatneitherofusisathome,sohepreferstobeinthehostel.’EvenbeforeHarishhadfinishedhisreply,Shrikant’smindwentbacktohis
work.‘Harish,weshouldhavearoadshowintheUSsometime.Iwantitontop
priority.Weshoulddoitbeforeourcompetitorsgetintothemarket.Kindlygetbacktomeattheearliestonceyouhavemadethepreliminaryplans.’Shrikantimmersedhimselfinhisworkonceagain.Heseldomspokewhile
working.NormallyShrikantwasnotdistractedbyanything.Hecouldfocusfullyas
soonasheopenedafile.Butthatdayhefounditdifficulttoconcentrate.HefeltlikespeakingtoShrimati.Theirfrequentquarrelswereincreasingthedistancebetweenthem.Itisnaturalforanytwohumanbeingstodiffer.Ahusbandandwifeareno
exception.Infact,iftheydidn’tdiffer,thenthereprobablywassomethingwrongwiththemarriage.Thepreviousnight,Shrimatihadquestionedhisbasicpurposeinlife.She
showedthatshedidnotbelieveinwhatheconsideredessentialinlife.WheneverhewantedtotalktoShrimati,ShrikantdidnotaskPriyatoconnect
him,buthewouldcallhimself.Justashepickedupthephonetodialthehomenumber,Priyabuzzedhimandsaidthatthechairmanwantedtomeethimurgently.Shrikantputthephonedownandwalkedtothechairman’schamber...
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TWENTY -SEVEN
Onthewayhome,Shrikanthadtoomanymattersweighingonhismind.Hewasmullingoverthelatestfiguresofthecompany’ssalesandbudget.Theywantedtohavearoadshowbutduetothecrashinthecomputermarket,ithadtobepostponed.InthissituationitwasessentialforhimtogototheUS,spendatleasttwotothreeweekstheretalkingtothemanagersandbankerstogaugethesituation.Heneededtobesuretheywerestillinterestedinhiscompany.HiswasnotthefirstIndiancompanytobelisted.Severalothercompanieshad
beenlistedandwerealsodoingwell.Shrikanttookeverychallengeasanopportunity.Hefeltthestrongerthe
hurricane,thegreaterthechallenge.Shrikantbelievedchallengesmeantopportunitiesforgrowing.Itwaspointlessworrying,actionhadtobetaken.HecalledupPriyaandtoldhertocancelallhisappointments,however
important,andinformedhertobookaticketforDelhithatnightandtotheUSafteracoupleofdays.Whenhereachedhome,hisheadwasheavy.HetoldhisdriverMaruthithat
hewouldbereadyinanhour’stimeandaskedhimtostaybacktodrophimattheairport.HeknewthatShrimati’sdriverwouldhaveleftbythen.Withoutevenlooking
forShrimati,hewenttohisstudyandpickingupsomepapers,calledouttoher,‘Shrimati,ImaybeofftotheUSfortwotothreeweeks.Kindlypackmybag.IthinkourfriendVasudevShenoyandhiswifearecomingfromDelhionapersonalvisit.Theyareourguests.Letthemstayhere,notinthecompany’s
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guesthouse.Pleaselookafterthemandorganizealltheirtripsatourexpense.Heisanextremelyusefulpersontous.‘Pleasepackanextrapairofspecsandbootsforme.‘IwassupposedtogotoHubliforadaynextmonth.Butnow,Iwillnotbe
abletodoso.Informmymotheraboutthischangeofplan.Bytheway,shehasaskedforsomegolditem.Ifpossible,arrangeforitorsendthemoneyforit.’Shrikantgavealltheseinstructionswithoutoncelookingupfromhispapers.Maruthi,whohadfollowedhimintothestudywithhisbriefcase,was
surprisedtohearhimtalklikethistomemsaab.HethoughtShrikant’sbehaviourresembledhisdrunkardfatherTukaram’s.Theywereintheirownnasha,withoutbeingbotheredaboutothers.Underintoxication,theybehavelikethat.Lookatoursaab,Maruthithought.Hedoesn’tdrink.Buthebehaveslikehedoes.MaruthithoughtofhisyoungwifeTulasi.Hehadpromisedherthathewouldtakeherforamoviethatnight.Butbythetimehedroppedhisbossattheairportandreturned,allthetheatreswouldbeclosed.Tulasiwouldbeupset,butalsohappywithhisovertimeallowance.Maruthiwentdownstairs.Shrimatididnotmoveaninch.Shrikantlookedatherandsaid,‘Shrimati,
hurryup.Servemydinnerquickly.Icannoteatontheplane,youknow.Iforgottotellyou!Packtwoofmysuitsaswell.’‘Shri,whereareyougoing?’‘Didn’tyouhearme?IamgoingtotheUS,Isaid.’‘ButShri...’‘Pleasedon’twastetime.Iamgettinglate.’‘Icannotdoyourwork.Iwillgetboredbeingaloneforthreeweeks.Youhad
promisedthatyouwouldtakeleaveforthreedaysnextmonth.Andthosethreedaysyouwouldnottakeupanyofficialwork.BecauseofthatIbookedourticketstoLadakh.’‘Cancelthem.Idon’tevenhavetimetotalkaboutitnow.Ihavetremendous
pressurefromoffice.’‘Please,Shri,can’tyoupostponeyourtouratleastthistime,formysake?’SheknewShrikantwouldnotdoit.Ithadneverhappenedbefore.Butstillshe
wantedtoputherdemandforward,tolethimknowthatshedidnotwanttobethelowestpriorityanymore.ShrikantrealizedthatShrimatiwasnotgoingtodoanythingforhim.Hehimselfwenttothewardrobeandstartedtakingouthisclothes.
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clothes.‘Shrimati,don’tbeirrational.TellPriyatosendyoumyitinerarytomorrow.
Packinsomeaspirinandsulphurtablets.Ihavetoleaveinthenexthalfhour.’Shrimatiwasstandingasstillasarock.Butinsidehermind,shewas
explodinglikeavolcano.ShehadbeensohappythatShrikanthadatlastagreedtospendthreedayswithher.Shewaslookingforwardtothetripwithmucheagerness.Now,shefeltlikeatiredtravellerinadesert,lookingforanoasis.Herheartdidn’twanttoacceptthatShrikantdidnotcareforher.Butbyhisbehaviourtodaysheknewshewasright.Shrikantwasonlylivingforhimselfandhisambitions.Hewasusingherasapersonalsecretaryathome.Atleastforhisofficialsecretarythereweretimings,butforheritwasanall-timejob.Herangerwasincreasingbyleapsandbounds,supercedingreason.‘Shri,youcannotgoanywheretoday.Youalwaysthinkofyourself.Youare
soselfishthatyouthinkonlyofyourposition,yourcompanyandyourmother.Youneverthinkofmeasahumanbeingorwhathurtsmeandwhatmakesmehappy!Youtreatmelikeamachine.‘Yougiveappointmentstoeverybodybutyoudon’thaveanytimeforme.
Don’tIdeserveone?Don’tyouhaveanydutytowardsme?Youspendalldayoccupiedbyyourcompany,physicallyandmentally.Whatisleftforme?YougivemefalseassuranceseverytimeandIbelieveyou.Iamneitherabanknorapostofficetosendmoneytoyourmother.Sheisrelatedtomethroughyou.Whenyoudonotcareaboutme,whyshouldIcareabouther?Shri,tellmenow.Whoisimportant,yourwifeoryourprofession?Askyourheartandtellme.‘Iamawarethatthevalueofapersonisknownonlyduringacriticaltime.
Thetimehascomenowandyouhavetodecidetoday,nowandatthisverymoment.’Shrimatiwasovercomewithemotion.Shecaughtholdofhisshirtand
snatchedthesuitcase.Thesuitcasefellopenandallthethingsscatteredtotheground.Shrikantwasstrugglingtocontrolhisrisingtemper.‘Shrimati,Icannotanswersuchanonsensicalquestion.Idon’twanttotravel
atmyownwillbuttheworkdemandsit.Itisyourdutytosupportahusbandlikeme.Now,youareemotionalandbeingsilly.Notonlyareyouwastingyourtimebutyouarewastingmyprecioustimetoo.Ihavemanythingstodo.Iamalreadylate.Pleaseletmego.’
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Helplessanddisappointed,Shrimatistartedsobbing.Shedidn’twanthimtobehappywhenshewassounhappyinthismarriage.Shewantedtheheatofherunhappinesstotouchhimtoo.‘Shri,ifyouconsiderthatyourtimeismorevaluablethanmine,ifyourwork
ismoreimportantthanmyinnerhappiness,Iwillallowyoutogo.Youdoyourdutiestoyourcompanybecauseyouarepaidandgivenastatus.Whataboutmywork?Andwhatismyroleinthismarriage?Justthinkitover,whetheryouhavedischargedanyresponsibilitiesasahusband.Hasyourmotherperformedherdutiesastheheadofthefamily?Youdecideonewayortheother.Youhaveanobligationtoyourwife.Ifyoudonotfulfilit,Iwillnotstayinthishouse.’Shrimatiwasholdinghishandfirmly.ThiswasthefirsttimethatShrimatihadtalkedsoopenlyaboutGangakkaand
inrelationwithShrikant’swork.Therewasnologic.Bothwereentirelydifferentissues.Hewassurprisedbyherbehaviour.Hiswatchshowedthathewasgettinglateandhewouldmisshisflight.Hecouldnotaffordtospendonedayquarrellingwithhiswife.Heforcefullyfreedhimselfandsaid,‘Shrimati,thinkwhateveryouwant.Ihavetoldyoumyopinion.Iamnotgoingformyownpleasureorforextramoney.NeitheramIcheatingonyou.Shrimati,thewholeworldsaysthatyouaremoreintelligentthanme.Youthinkoveritandwhateveryoufeelisright,goaheadanddoit.Iamleavingnow.’ListeningtoShrikant,Shrimatifeltasifshehadtouchedalivewireandstood
dumbstruck.Shrikantdidnoteathisdinner.Hetookhisbagandleft.NowShrimatididnotcarewhatotherswouldsay.Sherantothebalconyand
shouted,‘Iwon’tbeintownforamonth.Iwon’tlookafteryourguests.’ThoughShrikantheardithedidn’trespondandjusttoldMaruthitodriveto
thedomesticairport.Heknewverywellthatshewouldbeathome,doallthework,becausedutyhadbecomeherhabit.Shewoulddowhateverheaskedherto.
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TWENTY -EIGHT
Shrimatilookedattheseawithsorrowandbewilderment.Thegriefthatwasinherheartwasasdeepastheocean.Despiteherargumentsandhertearshehadnotlistenedtoher.Shesatonachairandfeltasifallherenergyhaddrainedout.Whathadsheachievedinherlife,sheaskedherself.ShehaddoneeverythingforShrikantbuthehadnotnoticedhersincerity;hedidnotvaluehersacrificesforhim.Hehadtoldherthathistimewasveryvaluable.Yes,hewoulddefinitelygrowinstatureandrisetoamoreprominentposition
overaperiodoftime.Butwhatabouther?Shehadtolivelikehisshadowallthetime.Shewouldn’thaveanyidentityofherown.Herlifewouldbethatofaplanetwhichshineswithreflectedlight,ratherthanthatofastarwhichradiatesitsownlight.Shealsorememberedthewayhehadsneeredather,Thewholeworldsays
thatyouaremoreintelligentthanme.Youthinkoveritandwhateveryoufeelisright,goaheadanddoit.Indeed,whathadshereallyachievedinlife?Nothing.Abigzero.Iftheyhad
children,thingsmighthavebeenabitbetter.EvenifShrikantspentallhistimeinoffice,shecouldspendhertimewiththechildren.ButShrikanthadrejectedtheideaofadoptiontoo.Maybeeveniftheyhadchildren,ShrikantwouldhavesentthemtoaboardingschoollikeHarishhaddone.OnecouldneverknowhowShrikant’smindwouldwork.Shethoughtaboutherlifetenyearshence,andshivered.Shehadalwaysdislikedbeingdependentonanyone.Livinglikethiswasworsethandeathtoher.
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Shrimatitriedtoanalyseherfeelings.Whatcouldmakeherhappy?Herhusband’slove,andhistory.Sinceherhusbandhadmadehisfeelingsclear,onlyhistoryremained.Shethoughtofhercollegedays.Notforasingledaywassheunhappy.Inspiteofgettingallthosegoldmedals,beingofferedascholarshipbyProfessorCollinsandtheopportunitytogoandstudyabroad,shehadrejectedthemallbecauseshewasmadlyinlovewithShrikant.Shehadvoluntarilyclosedallhercareerpaths.Shenowfeltthathergreatestshortcomingwasthatshewasnotambitious.Hadshebeenso,perhapstodayshewouldhavebecomealeadinghistorianofthecountry...HermotherKamala’swordssprangupinhermind.Whenthetopicof
marriagewasraised,hermotherhadsaidtoherthatherin-lawswouldneverloveherandShrikantwouldnevertreatherbetterthanhispeople.Isitnottruethatbloodisthickerthanwater?Shrikant’slovehadevaporatedlikewaterfromacup.Nowthecupwasempty,andsowasherheart.Howtruehadbeenhermother’sprediction!ShrimatirememberedtellingShrikantafewtimesthathismotheralways
boughtthecheapestofgiftsforher,butforRamashewouldbuythingsworththousands!AndShrikanthadlaughedandsaid,‘Youhavemorethanenough,Shrimati,whyshouldmypoormothergiveyouanygift!’Shrikantwouldneverunderstandthatagiftisnotmeasuredbyitsprice,rather
bythefeelingsbehindit.WhenGangakkawouldgiveheranything,shewouldpurposelykeepthepricetagonandinfrontofoutsidersshewouldsay,‘Anyway,sheischildlessandmysonisapotofgoldtoher.Helistenstoeverythingshesaysandasksfor...’OnlyShrimatiknewhowshrewdShrikantwasandhowhemadepeoplethink
thathewasajorukaghulaam,aslaveofhiswife.Itwasalwayshisdecisionthatprevailedoverhers.Whyblameothersiftheybelievedit?Whenherhusbanddidnotcareforher,whywouldanybodyelse?Shrikant’swordskeptgoingroundandroundinShrimati’shead.Youthink
overitandwhateveryoufeelisright,goaheadanddoit.Shrikanthadneverusedsuchwordsbefore.Shehadalwaysthoughtthat
Shrikantwasproudofherintelligence.Sowhyhadhetalkedlikethat?Wasittohurther?Ifthatwasso,thenwhyshouldsheremainhere?Ahouseismadeupofjustfourwallsbutahomeiswherethereislove,affectionandameaningful
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relationship.Whenthatwasnotthereitwasonlyahouse,andthebestthingwastogetoutofit.Butwherecouldshego?ShecouldnotgobacktoHubliandmakehermotherunhappy.Theonlywayforherwastogosomewhereshewouldfeelcomfortable.Shrimatihadalwaysenjoyedtheacademicatmosphereandthecompanyof
teachersintheUniversity.Theonlyoptionleftwastobecomeastudentonceagain.Eventoday,Indianhistorywasatherfingertips.Allthefacts,dates,events
werefreshinhermind.WhenshereadanybookonhistoryherconcentrationwasasgoodasShrikant’swasincomputers.SherememberedProfessorCollinsandhislastvisit.Probablyhehadmadehisoffertoherbecausehehadsensedherfutileexistence.Shrimatigotup,tookapenandstartedwritingtoProfessorCollins.Shedidnotmentionawordaboutherpersonalproblems.Shestatedhowstudyinghistoryhadalwaysmadeherhappy...Theletterexceededtwopages.Attheendshewrote,‘Sir,yourloveforhistoryisnotaffectedbyyourage.Apersonlikeyouisalwaysarolemodel.Itwouldbeanhonourformetoworkunderyou.Thetimehascomenow.Iwanttodomydoctorate.ButSir,withoutascholarship,Icannotcome.Ibelieveeconomicindependenceisoneofthemostimportantcomponentsoffreedom.Kindlyletmeknowyouropinion.PleaseconveymyregardstoDorothy.’Bythetimeshefinished,itwaslongpastmidnight.Shrimatifeltcalmandat
peace.Sheslept.Thenextmorningshewentandpostedtheletterherself.
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TWENTY -NINE
Shrimati’smindhadbeeninturmoilforthelastthreeweeks.Attimes,shewouldfeelthatProfessorCollinswouldarrangeascholarship.Butthenuncertaintywouldcreepinandshewoulddoubtherownability.Ithadbeentenyearssinceshehaddiscontinuedherstudies.Couldshecatchupandcompetewiththestudentswhoweremuchyoungerthanher?Woulditbepossibletoconcentrateonherstudies?Hadshetakenthedecisionmerelyinanger?Wasitaproperdecision?Therewerethousandsofquestionsinhermindandshewasnotabletoansweranyofthem.Shrikanthadcalledhermanytimesinthosethreeweeks,butherreplieshad
beentothepoint.WhenVasudevShenoyandhiswifevisitedBombay,ShrimatidulytookcareofthemasperShrikant’sinstructions.Andthenonedayallherdoubtsweresettled.ShegotareplyfromProfessor
Collins.Sheopenedtheletterimpatiently.
Itisquitenaturalforascholarlikeyoutowishtobecomeastudentagain.Gettingascholarshipforyouisnotdifficultatall.Astherearemanythingsweneedtodiscuss,Ifeelthatyoumustcomeatleastoneweekbeforethetermbegins.Pleasedonotdiscardyourwritingsthinkingtheyareoutdated.Dobringthem.IhaveaskedDorothytolookforasmallapartmentforyouneartheuniversity.Beingavegetarian,itwouldbebetterforyoutobeonyourown,thaninadormitory.Untilyoufindsomething,youcanstayinourhouse.Iconsidermyselfluckytohaveastudentlikeyouatmyage.Itisratherdifficulttohave
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goodresearchstudents.Dorothyisexcitedatyourarrival.Shrimati,thereisnoagelimitforlearning.Onewhohasathirstforknowledgeisatruestudent.Ifyouhaveanydoubtsinyourmindaboutyourcompetence,pleaseforgetthem.Americaisnotanunknowncountrytoyou.Iamsendingyouthevisapapers
sothatyoucancomeattheearliest.
Shrimatireadtheletteroverandoveragain.Yes.Shecouldbecomeastudentagain.Shefeltlifehadopenedanewdoorforher.Thistime,shewasmakingadecisionwithherhead,notwithherheart.Sittinginthebalcony,shedaydreamedaboutbeinginauniversitycampus,readinginthelibrary,studyingintheclassrooms,discussingintheseminarhall.Insuchplaces,onlyknowledgeisrespected.Thereisnobusinesstalkorpretensions.Thereisnoprofit,noloss.Howbeautifulherlifewouldbe!Howhadshenotconsidereditbefore,shewondered.Inlife,beauty,power,money,health,youtharenotconstant.Realwealthis
knowledge.Themoreyougive,thewealthieryoubecome.Thatisthereasonwhyteachersaregreat.Becausetheyspreadtheirknowledgeeveryyeartomanymanystudents,withoutexpectinganyrewardsorreceivinganyfavours.Butaftertheexcitementhaddieddown,Shrimatibecamealittleworried.
Onceshewasgone,whowouldlookafterShrikant?Oflate,duetocontinuoustension,hishealthwasnotsogood.Ifshewasn’tthere,itwouldcauseaproblemforhim.ShefeltsorryforShrikantashehadnoideaaboutmoneyorhouseholdmatters.Hewouldjustsignwhereverneeded.Hehadsomuchfaithinherthathewouldnotevencarryawallet.Ifshewentaway,whatwouldhermothersay?Whatwouldpeoplesay?Wouldtheygossipabouttheirmarriage?Theseconflictingthoughtspulledherindifferentdirections.Herfingersbegantopainfromgrippingthearmsofthechairsotightly.Finally,shemadeuphermind.Shecouldnotstayhere.ShehadtogosomeplacewhereshecouldgetthesamejoythatShrikantgotfromhiswork.Thatpleasurewasmorevaluablethanmoney.Shewasgoingawaynottoearnmoney,buttofindherownindividuality.ThestoryofBhamatithatshehadtoldShrikantlongago,camebacktomind.
EverywomancouldnotbecomeBhamati.EachwomanhadherownlimitsandShrimatitoohadcometotheendofherpatience.Wasitthedifferenceintheir
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personalitiesthathadmadeShrimatitakethisdecision,shewondered.Orwasitherunbearableloneliness?Sheknewthatmanywomengointodepression,becomealcoholics,andinsomecasesbecomekleptomaniacs.Psychiatristsbelievethatwomendothisinordertodrawtheattentionoftheirbusy,ambitioushusbands.Shrimatithoughtofhermotherandgrandmother.Hergrandmotherusedto
saythathergrandfatherwasaterroranddidnotbelievethatwomenwerecapableoftakingdecisions.Henevergavewomenanyfreedom.AndyetRindakkahadneverspokenillofhim.Herownmotherwasmarriedtoaworthlessman,butshestillshowedhimrespectandneverspokeharshwordstohim.Hersituationwassodifferentincomparison.Shrikantwasunlikeeitherofthesetwomen,butshedidn’twanttostayonwithhim.Hergrandmotherhadneverhadeconomicindependencesoshemighthave
stayedbackbecauseofthat.Hermotherwasthesolebreadwinnerofthefamily.Butshestillcontinuedtostaywithherhusband.Thatwasbecausetheywereconditionedtobelievethatawomanshouldstaywithherhusband,irrespectiveofwhathewas.Shrimatididnotagreewiththatbelief.Shefeltthattherewasalimittowhich
onecouldbeobedientandsubservient,butoncethatlimitwascrossed,theindividual’shappinessbecamemoreimportant.Shrikantwasduetocomebackthefollowingweek.NowthatShrimatihad
madeuphermind,hermainconcernwashowtobreakthenewstohim.
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THIRTY
Shrikantreturnedfromthehecticfour-weekbusinesstrip.Hewasextremelytiredandsleptforawhilebeforegoingtooffice.ItwasimpossibleforapersonlikeShrikanttostayathomebecauseofjetlag.HedidnotnoticeanythingwrongwithShrimati.Hesawthatshewascleaning
upsomething,butthatwasnotunusual.Shrimatiwasextraordinarilyneat.Heoftenjoked,‘IfIdon’tholdontotheshirtthatIamwearing,Shrimatimaygiveitawaytosomebodywhilecleaningthecupboard.’Beforeleavingforoffice,hehadtoldShrimatithathewantedtohaveanearly
dinnerthatday.Shrimatisaid,‘Shri,doyouhavetimenow?Iwanttotellyousomethingvery
urgent.’‘No,Shrimati,Iamlatealready.Wewillspeakoverdinner.’‘But,incaseyougetdelayedincomingbackfromyouroffice,itmightbetoo
late.’‘Oh,that’snotaproblem.Iwillcomeearlyforyoutoday.’Heleft,noteven
botheringtoaskwhattheimportantmatterwas.Hethoughtitwouldbeoneofherimpracticalideas.Therewasavastdifferencebetweenpromisingsomethingandexecutingit.
Butaspromised,Shrikantcamehomeearlythatday.Heseemedveryexcited,jubilanteven.Shrimatiwassittingonthesofa,staringattheceiling.Shrikantdidnotnotice
that.Hecame,threwhiscoatonthediningtableandsatnexttoheronthesofa.Holdingherinhisarmshesaid,‘Hey,Shrimati,todayyoumustcongratulate
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me.Ihavebecomethemanagingdirectorofthecompany.Ihavebeenchosenasoneofthetopexecutivesofthecountry.Shrimati,whenIwasinIIT,myclassmateswentabroad.ButIhadsaidthatIwouldstayinIndiaandachievemoreherethantheydidthere.TodayIhaverealizedmydream.Nowyouarethewifeofamanagingdirector.Letusmoveoutofthishouse.WewilltakeupaplaceinMalabarHillmaybe,overlookingthesea,asperyourwish.Shrimati,IdonotliketofightwithyouandIfeelextremelyunhappywhenwequarrel.Youshouldunderstandthatmyprofessiondemandsallthesethings.Youcannothavethericeandeatittoo.Now,Iwilltakesometimeoff.Whereveryouwant,Iwillaccompanyyou.IwillnotgotoHubli.Thistime,youaremypriority.’Liketheolddaysheputhisheadonherlapandcontinuedtochatter.Shrimatiremainedsilent.Whateverhewassayingwasfutile,likepouringwateronastone.Normally,
Shrimatiwouldhaverejoicedathispromotion,asifitwasherown.Forthefirsttimeshedidnotfeelshewasapartofhissuccess.Shrikantfoundhersilencestrangeandthoughtshewasstillangry.Hegotupandturnedherfacetowardshim.Henoticedthattherewerenotearsorangerinhereyes.Onthecontrary,therewasadeterminationandsadness.Shrimatistoodupwithoutsayinganything.‘Shri,thisisthekeytothehouse,andthisonetoyourGodrejalmirah.Thisis
thefinancefile,asoftoday.Pleasekeepthemallcarefully.’Shrikantwaspuzzled.Hedidnotunderstandwhatshewastalkingabout.‘Shrimati,whydoIneedallthesethings?Areyougoingsomewhere?Even
thenIwillnotneedthesethings.’Shrimaticlosedhereyes,usedallherwillpowerandansweredslowly.‘Shri,IamleavingandIdon’thaveanyplanstoreturn.Iamhandingoverall
theresponsibilitiesofthehousetoyou.’Shrikantwasbewildered.‘Whereareyougoing?’‘IamgoingtotheUStodomydoctorate.Iwasjustwaitingforyourreturn.I
havecarriedoutalltheinstructionsthatyouhadgivenme,completedalltheassignmentsthatyouhadsetforme.’Shrikant’sexcitementwasflattenedatonce.Hejustcouldnotcomprehendthe
newsituation.HefeltasifsomeonewaspushinghimfromMountKailash.
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‘Shrimati,ifyouaregoingtodoyourPh.DintheUS,thenwhenwillyoureturn?Howcanyoutakesuchamajordecisionwithoutevenconsultingme?HowwillyoumaintainyourselfintheUS?’SuddenlyShrikantfeltutterlytiredandhelpless.‘Shri,Iamgettingascholarship.Ihavethoughtoverthismatterforthelast
fourweeksbeforetakingthisdecision.IdidnotbringanythingwithmewhenIgotmarriedtoyou.Nowalso,Iamnottakinganythingfromthishouse.Myflightisscheduledfortonight.Iwaswonderingincaseyoudon’tturnuptoday,howIwouldperformmylastduty.Anyway,youhavecomeandnowIcanleavepeacefully.’Shrikant’smindhadgonenumb.Nothingshesaidwasregistering.Ina
disbelievingvoicehesaid,‘Shrimati,areyoujoking?’Butthenhiseyesfellonherpackedsuitcaseandherealizeditwasnojoke.Aftertakingadeepbreath,Shrimaticontinued,‘Shri,youhavereachedthis
positiontodaybecauseyouarehighlyfocusedandyouworkveryveryhard.Youhavededicatedthemostimportantpartofyourlifeandallyourtimetoachievingthisgoal.Itisnoteasy,Iagree.Lookatyourfriendswhowereasbrightasyou.Theyhavenotachievedwhatyouhave.Youhavesurpassedeverybodyinyourbatch.Youstartedasasoftwareengineerandreachedthepinnacleofyourcareerwithintenyears.Intheoldendayspeopleusedtocallthistapasya,penance,andforthattheywouldhavetogototheforest.Youhaveachieveditwithoutgoingtotheforest...’Shrikantstoppedher,‘Butthathasnothingtodowithyourleaving.’‘No,Shri.Listentomepatiently.Veryfewpeoplecanworklikeyouto
achievewhatyouhave,notbotheringaboutmaterialbenefitsorhappinessinlife.Butnothingisfreeinlife,Shri.Inachievingyourposition,youhavelostyourShrimati.‘Icannotliveinthiskindofanatmospherewiththeseartificialvalues.I
requiretobreathefreshair.Idonotwanttoliveasyourshadow.Iwanttofindmyownhappiness.Shri,ifIhadnotbeensensitiveandbright,Iwouldn’thavehadtosuffersuchloneliness.Icouldhaveenjoyedyourwealth.WhenIwasthinkingaboutmylifesofar,whatmygoalhasbeen,IhaverealizedwhatIwant.’Shrimatistopped.ShewaswaitingforShrikanttosaysomething.Buthewas
silent,stillinshock.
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silent,stillinshock.Shrimaticontinued.‘Shri,IlovedhistoryandIlovedyou.Infact,onceuponatimeIlovedyou
morethanhistory.Butwhenyoulostyourfinersentiments,chasingyoursuccessintheworldofbusiness,Iwasleftwithnothingotherthanhistory.Forme,theglamourofmoney,house,carisimmaterial.Shri,askyourself.Ifyouwereinmyshoes,whatwouldyouhavedone?ThesamethingthatIamdoing.DoyourememberwhyyoudidnottakeupajobinHubli?Becauseyouknewyourgoal.Now,IamalsoclearaboutmygoalandIwanttoachieveit.Shri,youaremyguru.Ilearntthisfromyou.Wheneversomethingnewhappens,peoplecallitarevolutionintheperspectiveofhistoryandonlylaterappreciateitssignificance.Arunningmancannotchangehisdirectionallofasudden.Inphysics,youcallthatinertia.IknowthatifIleavenow,itisverynaturalforsocietytotalkaboutme.Butletmenotworryaboutthat.Apersoncanliveonlybyhisownfaith.Heneedstotravelonhisownpath,whetherithasstonesorthorns.Hecannottakesomeotherpath,eventhoughitissmoothandrosy,andthatisexactlywhatIamdoingtoday.’Shrimatitalkedasifshehadnevergotachancetospeakbefore.Itwaslike
liftingthevalveoffapressurecooker.ShrikantjustkeptlookingatShrimati,hismindcompletelyblank.Shecontinuedtospeak.‘Shri,whathaveIdonealltheseyears?Iusedtowelcomeyourguests,keep
youraccounts,lookafterthehouseandfulfilthedutiesjustthewayyourpersonalsecretarydoes.Iwasyourvaluable,glitteringornamentinthesocialcircuit.Inolongerwanttobethat.IwanttolivethewayIwant.Shri,Idon’twantadivorcefromyoubecauseinmyviewdivorceismerelyadocumentthatpermitsyoutoremarry.Ithasnoothersignificance.Idonothaveanysuchintentions.Youcannotchangeyourlifestyle.Youareboundbythat.Yourjobrequiresthatkindofcommitmentandyoucannotlivewithoutit.ButIcannotadjusttothat.Inthebestinterestsofbothofus,thisistheonlysolution.Shri,youtoldmetheotherdaythatIammoreintelligentthanyouandIcandecidewhatIwant.ThisiswhatIhavedecided.’Shrikantmovedforthefirsttime,fromhislongsilence.‘Shrimati,don’tmakeanemotionaldecision.Isaidsointheheatofanger.
Areyouawareoftheconsequencesofyourdecision?’
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‘Shri,Ihavethoughtabouteverythingcalmlyforthelastfourweeks.Youcandefinitelylivewithoutme.Youwillfindanexcellentsecretarywhocandoallthisworkforyou.Youmaymissmeforsometimebutyouwillgetusedto.Shri,ifyoureallyneedmyhelp,pleasecallme.WhereverIam,Iwillcomeandvisityou.Itisverydifficultformetoleaveyou,butIhavenootheroption.ImarriedyoubecauseIlovedyou.Iamnotleavingyoubecauseofourquarrel.Iamnotgoingawaybecauseyouareangrywithme.Iamnotdesertingyoueitherformonetarygainorsomeothertemptation.IamgoingawayonlybecauseIwanttobelikeyou.Youarenotlikeanormalhusbandwhowouldcontrolhiswife...’Shrimati’seyeswelledupwithtears.Shebecameemotionalandtherewasa
catchinherthroat.Thoughshehadthoughtoveritandhadtakenaconsciousdecision,itwasverydifficultforhertotalkanymore.Shewasscaredthatifshestayedalittlelongershemightchangehermindandgetintothesametrapagain.ShecamenearShrikantandsaid,‘Shri,Iamleavingnow.Myhouseisalwaysopentoyou.WhenyoucometotheUS,donotgoawaywithoutmeetingme.Pleasekeepintouch.Takecareofyourhealth.Don’tforgettodrinkskimmedmilk.Iwillnotaskyoutocomeandsaygoodbye.Itwillbetraumaticforbothofus.Iwanttogoodbyehereitself.Shri,Icannotgetabetterfriendthanyou.’Shekissedhisforeheadgently,huggedhimwarmly,thentookhersmallbagandwalkedout.Sheleftwithouteventurningback.Stunned,Shrikantcontinuedtogazeatherback.Hefeltthatshewastaking
hisspiritawaywithher.
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THIRTY -ONE
TheclickofthedoortoldShrikantthatShrimatihadgone.Buthejustcouldnotbelievethatsuchathinghadhappened.TheShrimatihesawthatdaywassodifferentfromtheShrimatihethoughtheknew.Whatshewasandwhathehadthoughtaboutherwasentirelycontradictory.Hehadthoughtthatshedidnothavethestrengthtowithstandsocialstigmaandlackedgreatwillpower.Shrikantwascaughtinawhirlpoolofthoughts.WhydidShrimatidothis?As
farasherememberedherfromtheirchildhooddays,shewasshybutdifferentfrommostwomen.Shewasbrightand,mostimportant,shewasobedient.Andthatcouldbethereasonthathehadignoredher,becauseshewasnotaggressiveanddemanding.WhileothermenintheofficewouldsaythattheyhadtogohomeearlyandtheycouldnotworkonSundays,heusedtomakefunofthem,‘Oh,youdonotknowhowtotellyourwife.Lookatme.Mywifewillneverquestionme.’HerememberedthatonceHarishtoldhim,‘Shrikant,neitheryounoryourwifearenormal.Youarealuckyman.Youdonothaveanyfamilyproblem.’Butnow,hecouldunderstandwhatithadmeant.Whenhischairmancalledhimpersonallytocongratulatehimafterhis
promotion,hewasveryproudofhissuccess.Hethoughtallhissuccesswasduetohisownefforts.NowhethoughtofShrimati.Whatwashershareinhisachievement?Shealwayswishedhimprogress,silentlyandconstantlysufferedherloneliness.Actuallyshehaddeservedalion’sshareinhisachievements.Butheneveracknowledgedit.Today,shehadbrokenhispridebyrejectinghisposition,hisachievementsandleavinghim.
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ShrikantwasamazedtoseethepapersthatShrimatihadleftforhim.WhydidShrimatileavehim?Shehadsaidshewantedcleanair.Wasthisatmospheresuffocatingher?Inanybusinessparty,lookingatprofitandlossisacorporateculture.Itisnotphilanthropyorhistory.WhydidShrimatitakeitpersonally?WasShrimatiscaringhim?Hadshegoneforafewdays?Thoughhisheartwantedittobethatway,hismindsaidthatitwasnottrue.Hethoughtonceagain.Nooneinthismale-dominatedsocietywould
appreciateherstepbutShrimatihadlefthimwithoutevenbotheringaboutwhatpeoplewouldthink.Shehadactedonwhatshefeltwasright.Manymorethoughtswereconstantlybreakinglikewavesinhismind.WasithismotherwhousedtodeliberatelyinsultherandhissisterwhowouldtauntherthathadmadeShrimatibitter?Itmighthavebeenoneofthereasonsforherdecision.Hefeltguiltyaboutitforthefirsttime.HecomparedShrimati’sdifficultieswithRama’s,forgettingtheirlevelofsensitivity.Ramawassoinsensitivethatshecouldquarrelwithanybodyandstillgotothatperson’shousefordinner.Howhadheneverthoughtaboutit?HismemorywentbacktothestoryofBhamati,thewomanwhohaddedicated
herentirelifetoherhusbandandhefeltShrimatiwasashadebetterthanBhamati,whohadneverseentheoutsideworldanddidnotknowhercapacity.Shrimatihadservedherhusbandwithsingle-mindeddevotionknowinghercapabilitiesandbeingawareoftheoutsideworld.Herhusbandrecognizedhiswife’ssacrificeandnamedthebookafterher.
Thatiswhatappealstomemore.ShrikantrecollectedwhatShrimatihadsaidlongback.But,inherreallife,herhusbanddidnotevenrecognizehersacrifice!How
cruelitwasforShrimati...Shrikantfeltpained.‘Oh,Shrimati,Icannotlivewithoutyou.Youaremy
sourceofenergyandinspiration.Icanseetheinfluenceofyourpersonalityinallmywork.Withoutyou,Iamincomplete.’Butheknewthatitwastoolate.Thereweremanypicturesthatcametohismind.Whentheyhadhadlessmoney,shewouldalwayssaveenoughforhimtobuy
books.Eventhoughtheywerenewlymarried,shewouldn’tdisturbhimwhilehewasreadingathome;rather,intheirsmallhouse,shewouldsitinthekitchenandreadsomebooks.Herememberednowhowmuchsheusedtogooutofher
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waytopleasehismother.Inreturn,whatdidsheget?Sheerrejectionfromhisfamilyandhisnegligence.Ourmythssaythatduringthechurningoftheoceans,thedangerouspoison
haalahalacameout,buttherewasnotakerforthat.Then,LordShivadrankitforthebenefitofmankind...PoorShrimatiswallowedeverypoisonousinsult,justtokeepShrikanthappy.Probably,childrenwouldhavebeenthelinkthatwouldhaveheldtheir
marriagetogether.Buthemighthavekepttheminaboardingschool,likehiscolleagueshaddone,andpushedShrimatitofurthersorrow.Hewasamanwhocouldnottake‘anegativeanswer’foranything.Beitanymatter,itwashisdecisionthatwasfinal.Hewantedtowinineverysituation.Hewasaheadstrongpersonanditwasawonderhowshehadcopedwithhim.Thecoolbreezefromthebalconyblewintothehallandthekeysonthetable
felldown.Thepapersflewindifferentdirections.Shrikantdidnothavetheenergytogetupandcollectthem.HewasworriedabouthowshewouldliveintheUSwithoutmuchmoney.Shedidnothaveanyexpensivehabitsthough.Ifshehad,shewouldnothavelefthim.Hewasamazedathermeticulousentriesofalltheaccounts.Whenhelookedatthedifferentkeys,hedidnotknowwhichwaswhat.Everythingwashurtinghimnow.Hehadtreatedherjustlikeanassistantandshehadtoldhimthathecouldgetabetterone.Wasiteverpossible?Nobodywoulddothiskindofworkformoney.ShrimatihaddoneitoutofsheerloveforShrikant.Shrikantcouldhearthesoundoftherain.ItwasShravan,therainyseason,
anditwaspouringcatsanddogsinBombay.Hereturnedtotherealworld.Hewasamanofaction.Whateverhadhappenedhadhappened.Hefelthehadtosetthingsright.HehadtotellhismothertoloveShrimati.Thenherealizedwhatafutileexercisethatwouldbe.Peoplecannotbetaughtortoldtolove;itshouldariseonitsown.WherewasShrimatinow?Hadshereachedtheinternationalairport?Hefelt
likegoingandbringingherback.Buthisenthusiasmdisappearedlikeabubblewhenhethoughtaboutitrationally.IfhebroughtShrimatihome,couldhebethesameShrikanthewastenyearsago?Thatwasimpossible.ShrikantwasincapableoflivingthekindoflifeShrimatiwanted.Hehadlosttheabilitytoloveanyoneselflesslyortoopenuptoanybodybecausetheworldofbusiness
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hadchangedhimdeeply.Hehadreachedsuchaheightthathecouldnotcomedown.EvenifShrimatihadstayedinBombayanddoneherdoctorateshewouldn’tbehappyashewouldnotbeabletochangehisways.Shewaseducated,knowledgeableandgood-natured.Hehadusedherforhis
advantage.ThatwasthereasonShrimatihadgoneaway.AllthesethoughtsrevealedthemselvestoShrikant,layerbylayer.Hebecameextremelyangrywithhimself.Hefelthelpless.Hewasavictimof
power,ambition,statusandsuccess.Theseawasroaringasifithadwitnessedtheterribletragedy.Suddenly,
ShrikantrememberedRavi’sletter.WhenIthinkofShrimati,Icontinuetobeamazedbyherclearthinkingandherwisedecisions,likewhenshechosetojoinartscollegeinspiteofgettingthefirstrankinhertenthboardexams.Doyourememberthatwehadlaughedather?NowwhenIlookback,Ifeelshewasthebrightest.Sheknewwhatshelikedandshedidexactlythat.Shrikant,youareveryluckytogetsuchacompanion.Heregrettedhisactionsnow,afterlosingthefortunehehadforgottenhe
possessed.Heexperiencedthesameshock,thesamedisappointmentandthesameagonythathehadfeltwhenhehadlosthisfirstrank,seventeenyearsago.AfteralltheseyearsShrikantfeltthathehadthenlostameaninglessrank,buttoday,hehadlosthismostpreciousShrimati.WhatwouldShrimatibedoingnow,hewondered,lookingathiswatch.
Maybethemandatorycustomcheckingisover.Hiseyeswerefulloftears,realizingthattherewouldbenobodytoevensaygoodbyetoher.Shewasallalone.Whatwouldtheirmothersthink?Butitdidnotmatterwhatpeoplethought.WhatwasimportantwasthatShrimatihadmadeherdecision.Healwaysthoughtthathisownlifewasmuchmoresignificantthanhersand
hisownwillstronger.ButnowhestooddisheartenedwithoutShrimati.Thetelephonerang,wakingShrikantupfromhisthoughts.Thesoundofthe
roaringseaandthepouringrainwasringinginhisears.ItwasHarish.‘Shrikant,congratulations.Itseemsourroadshowhasbeen
cleared.Ifallofusparticipateinthat,thenprobablywemaybelistedintheNewYorkStockExchange.Itisallbecauseofyourhardwork...’Sensingthesilencethatwasunusual,Harishcontinued,‘Shrikant,canyouhearme?’‘Yes,Ican.But...’‘Thereisnobutforyou,Shrikant.Youaretheleaderofleaders.Withoutyou,
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‘Thereisnobutforyou,Shrikant.Youaretheleaderofleaders.Withoutyou,theroadshowwillnottakeplace.’Shrikantfelttheoldexcitementfloodthroughhim.‘Hey,Harish.Iwillcome
toofficerightnow.’‘Atthisoddhour?’‘Forsuccessthereisnooddandevenhours.Everyminuteisprecious.Iwill
gotoofficeandworkonthat.Iwantthelistoftheplacesthatwearegoingtovisit,thebudgetandotherdetails.Ihavebeenthinkingaboutthepremiumontheshareissue...’Shrikantwenton.Ashetalked,heheardaplaneflyingoverBandra,andheforgotwhathewas
saying.Thereceiverwasinhishandbuthewaslookingatthesky.Hesawtheredtaillampofaplaneinthedarksky.Shrimati,whohadwalkedwithhimsidebysideinthesameShravanrainfor
tenyearshadnowlefthimallalone.
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THEBEGINNING
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PENGUINBOOKSPublishedbythePenguinGroupPenguinBooksIndiaPvt.Ltd,11CommunityCentre,PanchsheelPark,NewDelhi110017,IndiaPenguinGroup(USA)Inc.,375HudsonStreet,NewYork,NewYork10014,USAPenguinGroup(Canada),90EglintonAvenueEast,Suite700,Toronto,Ontario,M4P2Y3,Canada(adivisionofPearsonPenguinCanadaInc.)PenguinBooksLtd,80Strand,LondonWC2R0RL,EnglandPenguinIreland,25StStephen’sGreen,Dublin2,Ireland(adivisionofPenguinBooksLtd)PenguinGroup(Australia),707CollinsStreet,Melbourne,Victoria3008,Australia(adivisionofPearsonAustraliaGroupPtyLtd)PenguinGroup(NZ),67ApolloDrive,Rosedale,Auckland0632,NewZealand(adivisionofPearsonNewZealandLtd)PenguinGroup(SouthAfrica)(Pty)Ltd,BlockD,RosebankOfficePark,181JanSmutsAvenue,ParktownNorth,Johannesburg2193,SouthAfrica
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Copyright©SudhaMurty2008
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Allrightsreserved
Thisisaworkoffiction.Names,characters,placesandincidentsareeithertheproductoftheauthor’simaginationorareusedfictitiously,andanyresemblancetoanyactualperson,livingordead,eventsorlocalesisentirelycoincidental.
ISBN:978-0-143-10377-6
Thisdigitaleditionpublishedin2013.e-ISBN:978-9-351-18339-6
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