India`s daughter, my views on the documentary.

India`s daughter, my views on the documentary.    

The heinous crime that happened on 16^th December, 2012 in the capital city of India is fresh in our reactive negative feeling somewhere in the highest emotional compartment. It touched everybody`s imagination about the very existence of him or her as a human, as a member of civil society. It is still disturbing every Indian. Whenever a flash comes it is nauseating, I never felt comfortable to discuss it even with my wife. I am a believer and it strained my belief on the existence of Almighty. Visiting Lord Jagannath at Puri was my earlier usual habit when I am inspired or depressed which never happened after the incident. I am still a believer having no clue how the Lord who saved Droupadi in the Kurusava remained still during such a crime. So there is no question of criticizing the documentary on the ground that it exaggerated anything or it is unjust to discuss this when the parents are ready to share their grief.

 However certain genuine question to my lay mind has struck upon.

I am not knowledgeable as regards to legal procedures and making of a documentary and my views are based on what natural reaction came to my mind about the document.

1-  Is it normal that a crime of rape happened in one country will be permitted to be telecasted by the official channel of another country that is not rape free?

2-  Did BBC get permission from government of India? Is it BBC`s right to telecast say a document (As it is not a fiction) say on other odd happenings like Gujarat riot, 1984 Delhi, assassination of Rajiv Gandhi or alike beyond a news item. Can an Indian film maker does a British crime documentary of a sensitive issue and DD telecasts it?

3-  Is it an awareness movie? Who is not aware that to rape is a demon`s act. Who is the hale does not know it. Yet it happens due to over all degradation of morality, rampant use of alcohol and drugs, thinking concomitant consensual sex as a normal happening. Flooding of explicit material. When members inside an assembly house see such materials and caught red handed people think it as a minor offence. A porn star becomes a celebrity and participates in Big Boss and our channels project it as an achievement. Yes as per law it may not be a crime but it leads to unlawful crime as a female here is getting stardom for a reason that is not acceptable in India. Certainly India`s daughter is placed at a little higher place. India`s daughter is described as one who defeats the principle in control of death like Savitri and a long list.

4-  The movie could have been done without taking the name of India other things remaining same. It seems intentional to put India in poor light. It is said BBC has edited the rape statistics of British which originally was there.

5-  Why such a loud voice is raised if Govt of India banned it. An honourable court has directed so. Can any govt in true sense stop its circulation in this modern IT era? They did it as a rightful protest and without doing it the same persons who are opposing the ban must be dragging them for just opposite reason. This writer is at the opposite pole of the right wing that is in power at present for various other reasons but feels the GOI did the right thing. Our home minister expressing his statement,"BBC should not have aired it", is the most natural and civilized statement.

6-  I would like to discuss the defense lawyers first. The man who at length voices gender inequality statements is doubtfully talking truth. He is doing his profession within the rules of Indian judiciary system and being the defense counsel would try to find out all windows of escape. But outside the court for a international documentary why should he state such politically incorrect statements? May be he is working for a fabricated documentary that had given the script to him for rehearsal. This is very doubtful. A lawyer has all rights to fight for the deadliest crime to find out was his client really not innocent, as we are commonly told 100 culprits may be acquitted but one innocent should not be punished. But why for a film even if he is a male chauvinist should tell such obvious incorrect things that a seventh pass person can edit.
 The other counsel who just after the verdict of the court has already told something unpalatable being angry and emotional about capital punishment. He is now unable to change his version because of his ego. I think the statement he gave that if his sister or daughter ………… he would make her stand in the farm and shoot she in presence of all his family members should be taken cognition as a crime and there must be some law against it, which should be enforced. Again this statement is not the voice of male India, 99.9% males would have felt hurt by his nonsense statement.

7-  As regards to the juvenile criminal, the documentary repeatedly shows the mob slogan nabalak ko vi fasi do (hang the juvenile too). The jail psychiatrist, the NGO activist and jury almost all give hint that an aberrant case should not change juvenile justice altogether where as victim`s parents the Singh couple think it in the other way. There is every possibility the defense must have used the juvenile as the shield. They must have made him and other criminals believe that if most of the brutalities are loaded on his head nothing is going to happen beyond three years of jail and it may make others` crime look less violent. Yes they must have tried all means. The defining age of a juvenile cannot change it needs to remain same what it was five thousand years ago. It is the responsibility of the society to be rectifying itself so that a juvenile remains a juvenile does not enter to crime. At one end a seat in the upper house would be gifted to a head of a liquor industry and at the other hand you expect crime free society. No never possible. Like atrocity against women is a social failure like propelling a juvenile to crime is a social failure. I am equally hurt to feel a juvenile is so brutal and why so? Even the same victim had shown sympathy to a juvenile criminal of minor crime. A juvenile being so brutal makes me feel that his innocence is raped by the society. If the state fails to rectify the young in juvenile custody it is against the very philosophy of special and light punishment to them.

8-  The driver is shown repeatedly so also his parents. The driver is tutored with a script, it seems like that. May be he is told by telling this and that the Supreme Court may convert your death penalty to life imprisonment. I suspect so as he tells he was doing nothing other than driving. Of course to make it look neutral he also tells many irritating statements. It may be told the seriousness of the situation, the death penalty has brought spontaneity in his expression but yes chances are remote. In a documentary that takes the name of one country and aired by the state channel of another country editing should not have taken place and the driver`s statements are unedited/without prior practice is nothing but lie.

9-  The spontaneous demonstrations in Delhi and outside Delhi have shown how male or female all felt hurt all came to the street with one real goal justice. That is what India is from time immemorial. A Ramayana was built against atrocity towards a woman so also a Mohavarat. Basically Indians are justice loving. Naya and Anyaya are discussed in every issue in every village.

10- Criticism regarding the nocturnal movement of women, their dress code etc are non issues always raised by inferior people. Probably Indians are the most receptive people to international costumes. How many British women wear non British dresses? Our official dress code for a female ie a Saree with a Blouse obviously makes the woman most beautifully presented, she puts on it, and she also for her work suitability wears all different international costumes which she is very comfortable with, so also the males. Indians are versatile in the sense of fashion. Can a British woman wear in a gorgeous party the beautiful costumes of India? One feels happy with our adaptability. As regards not allowing going outside in night I can say our staff nurses and lady doctors are very much nocturnal so also the IT professionals, I just put it here to say the allegation against India on this point is out of proportion and the people who uttered favoring it are intentionally made prominent in the film.

11- Regarding the repeated showing of the fight between the mob and the police is nothing to do with this crime. In any type of mob activity being unruly happens from the demonstrator’s side and being excess happens from police side. It should not be. This is not relevant to daughter of India.

12- We are doing post mortem that because of public pressure the case was brought to justice. Yes sure a commission was formed, rules changed, policing was perfect and justice was early. All authorities including the public have already made the desired effect.

13- The police said nobody from the public came forward to help to shift the patient early. This is true our police public gap needs to be bridged.

14-Madam Sheila Dixit said how son is preferentially fed in India. A mother does it. It needs to be addressed. But should madam address it from Delhi or from BBC?

15- The Indian woman,the wife of a convict with her baby in lap feels her husband cannot rape another woman. She actually feels it or not is different issue but she projects herself helpless without her husband. She states, husband`s duty is to protect the wife and take care of her, without him how and why should she or her child live. She is another daughter of India. It can be taken as an image of male dominance but also can be viewed as the standard of intimacy that India`s daughter imagines with a man.

16- All parents shown in the film are helplessly portrayed and actually they are so.

17- People of India appreciate the work of Justice Verma commission, quick, just and effective.

18- The issue of vanishing daughters is raised. Who does it? The educated wealthy parents with the help of most educated professionals in white courts. So poverty is not the root cause of all evils in India. Out of every million men nearly two lakhs are deprived of a partner and the result is detrimental. The current PC PNDT rule is never going to help, It should be changed to routine state sponsored sex determination and notification and tracking of the missing sex. At one end big people celebrate marriages as a royal event forcing most of the expenditure to be done by the girls parents, who also give too much of gifts and at the other end they secretly wish they must not have this responsibility. This and the many more causes of preference for a son needs to be addressed.

19- Coming to the victim`s parents, they feel their grief should be shared worldwide. They are parents and they should be respected as the loss and the pain is beyond imagination. I sincerely listened to all their sorrows. Identified to the situation. Also feeling guilty to criticize the film as it has used the name of India for negative reason and as the writer here feels BBC should not air it as its intention is partial against our motherland.

20- The film is not complete as the male companion is not interviewed. It is his human right to speak or not to speak but his silence makes the film grossly incomplete and inferior.

21- I have my regards to the director and producer Leslee Udwain who did a lot of effort to make this film. My objections are as per the above discussion and may be biased as I identified me with India. I shall be happy if her efforts are unintentional and unbiased by anti India feeling. 

The controversy in a democracy regarding banning it or allowing it is bound to happen. I am for banning it because of the use of my nation`s name for negative reason that seems to be unauthorized, the broadcaster is the official channel of another nation not private. Most importantly it will not solve any purpose of making people aware as this is strongly in people`s memory and would remain forever as she is my daughter and your daughter and that of the most unfortunate Singh couple.

 One last advice to BBC please do a documentary on Jaliwanawallbagh and unlawful possession of many Indian wealth including Koh-e-noor with the title India`s pride to show your credibility.. 

Jajabara sabha..ଯାଯାବର ସଭା, The second story of Jeenu and Moguli , Children`s story

ଯାଯାବର ସଭା

(ପୂର୍ବ ଘଟଣା – ବାଉଁଶରାଣୀ ଖେଳ ଦେଖାଉଥିବା ଦଳର ମାଷ୍ଟର କହିଲେ, ‘ମୋଗୁଲି’ କେମିତିଏକ ଧନୀ ଘରର ଛୁଆଏବଂ ଘଟଣାକ୍ରମରେ ଯାଯାବର ଦୁନିଆରେ ପହଂଚି ଦୋଉଡି ଉପରେ ଚାଲି ଖେଳ ଦେଖାଉଛି ଯଦିଓ ତା’ପାଇଁ ଯଥେଷ୍ଟ ଅର୍ଥ ଶହେ ସତର ସ୍ୱର୍ଣମୂଦ୍ରା ରୂପେ ରହିଛି, ସେକଥା କହି ଜୀନୁର ବିଧବା ମାଂକ ମନରେ ସ୍ନେହ ଜନ୍ମାଏ । ସେ ରାଜି ହୁଅନ୍ତି। ସେମାନେ ନିଷ୍ପତ୍ତି ନିଅନ୍ତି ଗ୍ରାମବାସୀଂକୁ ଜଣାଇବେ ଯେ ମୋଗୁଲି ମାଷ୍ଟରର ଝୀଅ କିନ୍ତୁ ପାଠ ପଢେଇବା ପାଇଁ ସେ ଜୀନୁଘରେ ଛାଡିବାକୁ ଚାହେଁ, ଏକଥା ପିଲା ଦୁଇଂକୁ ବୁଝାଇ ଦିଅନ୍ତି ସେମାନେ, ମାଷ୍ଟର ଚାଲିଯାଏ ମୋଗୁଲି ଜୀନୁ ଘରେ ଖେଳୁ ଖେଳୁ ରହିଯାଏ। ମାଷ୍ଟର ଆସି ମୋହରତକ ଦେଇଯାଏ, ଜୀନୁମା ରଖିବେ କି ନରଖିବେ ଭାବନ୍ତି କିଂତୁ ତାହାର ଅସଲି ମାଲିକ ପାଖରେ ତାହା ରହିବା ଚାହି |ଏହାକୁ ଗ୍ରହଣ କରନ୍ତି।)

ଜାଣିଛୁ ମୋଗୁଲି ଆଜି ଆମ ଗାଆଁରେ ସଭା ହେବ । ଲୋକମାନେ କଥା ହେଉଥିଲେ, ତୁ ଆମଘରେ ରହିବୁକି ନାହିଁ ସେହି ବାବଦରେ କଥା ହେବେ। ତୋ ମାଷ୍ଟରବି ସଭାରେ ରହିବେ। ମୋ ମା କହୁଥିଲେ ସେ’ବି ସେଠାକୁ ଯିବେ। ଆଛା କହିଲୁ ମୋଗୁଲି ସେମାନେ ଯଦି ମା’କୁ ମନା କରିଦେଲେ ତାହେଲେ ତୁ କେମିତି ପାଠ ପଢିବୁ ।

ସଭା! ସଭା ହେବାର ଥିଲେ ମାଷ୍ଟର ପ୍ରଥମେ ମୋତେ କହିଥାଆନ୍ତା। ମୋ ବିନା ସଭା ହେବ କେମିତି। ବାଜା ବାଜିବ, ଲୋକ ଜମାହେବେ, ମାଷ୍ଟର ଦୋଉଡି ଟାଣି ଦେବ, ମା ମଂଗଳାଂକୁ ସୁମରଣା କରି ଘିତ ବୋଲିବ, ମୋଗୁଲି ଚିକିମିକିଆ ଫ୍ରକ ପିଂଧିବ, ପାଦୁରେ ସରୁ ଘୁଂଗୁର ପିଂଧିବ, ବାଲାଂସ ବାଡି ଦୁଇ ହାତରେ ଧରି ଏକ ଧ୍ୟାନରେ ବାଜାର ତାଳେ ତାଳେ ଝୁମ ଝୁମ କରି ଚାଲିବ। ଲୋକମନେ ପଇସା ପକାଇ ଚାଲିବେ। ସଭା ସରିଗଲା ପରେ ମାଷ୍ଟର ପଇସା ଗଣି ଭୋ ଭୋ କଂଦିବ । 
 ମାଷ୍ଟର ମତେ ଭାରି ଭଲ ପାଏ। ତା’ର ଦୁଃଖ ସେ କଣ କରିବ ତା’ପାଖରେ ଆଉ କେହି କଳାକାର ନାହାଂତି ତେଣୁ ମୋଗୁଲି ଚାଲୁଛି, ମୋଗୁଲି ଚାଲିଲେ ଡେରାରେ ଚୁଲି ଜଳେ। ମୋ ଆଗରୁ ଝୁମା ଚାଲୁଥିଲା, ସେ କୁଆଡେ ଚାଲିଗଲା କାହରିକୁ କିଛି ନ ଜଣାଇ। ଆଉତ କେହିନାହିଁ,ସଭା ହେବ କେମିତି। ତୁ ମିଛ କହୁଛୁ।

ମୁଁ କାହିଁକି ମିଛ କହିବି, ଚାଲୁନୁ ମା’କୁ ପଚାରିବା, ତୁ ସଭାମନେ କ’ଣ ଜାଣିନୁ, ସଭା କହିଲେ ଲୋକମାନେ ଆମ ଗାଆଁ ମଂଗଳାଂକ ପାଖରେ ସପ୍ତା ଘର ଆଗରେ ଯେଉଁ ମଣ୍ଡପ ଅଛି ସେଇଠି ଏକାଠି ହୋଇ ଆଲୋଚନା କରିବେ। କିଛି ବାଦ ବିବାଦର ସହି ସମାଧାନ କରିବେ। ଆଉ ତୁ କହୁଛୁ କଣ’ନା ଦୋଉଡି ଉପରେ ଚାଲିବା ମାନେ ସଭା ।

ଦୁହେଁ ମାଆଂକ ପାଖକୁ ଦୌଡିଲେ ।

ମାଆ କହିଲେ, ତୁମେ ଦୁଇଜଣ ଠିକ କଥା କହୁଛ । ଲୋକମାନେ ବସି ଆଲୋଚନା କରିବାକୁ ସଭା କୁହାଯାଏ ଏବଂ କୌଣସି ମନୋରଂଜନ ଅନୁଷ୍ଠାନକୁ’ବି ସଭା କୁହାଯାଏ ।

ହଠାତ କେହିଜଣେ ଡାକି ଆସିବାରୁ ମାଆଂକୁ ସଭାସ୍ଥଳକୁ ଯିବାକୁ ପଡିଲା । ମାଆ ଗଲାପରେ ଦୁହେଁଯାକ ଘରେ କୋଲପ ଦେଇ ଚୁପକି’ନା ସଭା ଆଡକୁ ଗଲେ । ବହୁତ ବଡ ପୋଖରୀ କସ୍ତୁରା, ତା’ର ଏକ କୋଣରେ ଗ୍ରାମ ଦେବତୀ ମା ମଂଗଳାଂକ ମଂଦିର । ମଂଦିର’ର ଯେଉଁ ଦିଗରେ ସଭାପାଇଁ ସଜବାଜ ହେଉଥାଏ ତା ପଛ ପାଖରେ ଏମାନେ ଛପି ଠିଆହେଲେ । ମଂଦିରକୁ ଲାଗିରହିଛି ପଥରବାଡ ଘେରା ଶିବଲିଂଗ, ନାମ ବାଲୁଂକେଶ୍ୱର । ବଉଳ ଗଛ ଦୁଇଟି ଶୈଶବରୁ ଉତ୍ତୀର୍ଣ, ବେଶ ଶକ୍ତ ହେଲେଣି।

ଗଛଦୁଇଟି ମୋଗୁଲି ମନରେ ଏକ ଅଦ୍ଭୁତ ଉତ୍ସାହ ସୃଷ୍ଟି କଲେ ।

ଜୀନୁ!

କଣ ହେଲା ।

ଜୀନୁ କାନରେ ମୋଗୁଲି କଣ କିଛି କଥା କହିଲା ।

ଦେଖଗଲା କିଛି ସମୟ ପରେ ଉଭୟ ମାଷ୍ଟରର ଡେରାରେ ଗୋଟିଏ ବ୍ୟାଗରେ କଣସବୁ ଭର୍ତ୍ତିକରି ଘରକୁ ଫେରିଲେ । ଘରୁ ବଡ ଟର୍ଚ ଲାଇଟରୁ ବ୍ୟାଟେରୀଗୁଡା ବାହାରକରି ଆଣିଲେ ।

କିଛି ସମୟ ପରେ ଦୁହେଁ ସମସ୍ତଂକ ଅଲକ୍ଷରେ ମଂଦିର ପଛ ବଉଳ ଗଛରେ କଣ ବନ୍ଧାବନ୍ଧି କରୁଥିଲେ।

ସେପଟେ ସଭା ଜୋରସୋରରେ ଚାଲିଥାଏ ।

ମୋଗୁଲିକୁ ରଖିବାକୁ କେହି ବିରୋଧ ନକଲେ ମଧ୍ୟ କେହି କେହି ନାପସଂଦ କରୁଥାଂତି ।

ଜଣେ କହୁଥାଂତି, ଗୋଟିଏ ଛୁଆକୁ ମଣିଷ କରିବା ଜଣେ ବିଧବାଂକ ପକ୍ଷେ କେତେ କଷ୍ଟ, ପୁଣି ଆଉ ଜଣକୁ କଣ ଜୀନୁମା ପାରିବେ ।

ଆଉ ଜଣଂକର ମତ ଆମେ’ତ ମନଇଛା କହା ପିଲାକୁ ରଖିପାରିବା ନାହିଁ । ଦେଶର ନିୟମ କାନୁନ ଅଛି ।

ଓକିଲ ବାବୁ କହିଲେ, ଦେଖଂତୁ ଝିଅର ଗାର୍ଜନ ଯେତେବେଳେ ଚାହୁଁଛଂତି ବାଉଁଶରାଣୀ ନାଟୁଆର ଛୁଆ ପାଠପଢୁ ଆମେ କିଆଁ ତାକୁ ମନା କରିବା । ସେ କଣ ଯାଗାଯାଗା ବୁଲି ପାଠ ପଢି ପାରିବ।

ଥଂତଲପେଟିଆ ଅଶିତିପର ବୃଦ୍ଧଜଣେ ମଂତବ୍ୟ ଦେଲେ, ଶାସ୍ତ୍ର କହିଛି, ଅଗ୍ୟାଂତ କୂଳଶୀଳସ୍ୟ ବାସଃ ନଃ ଦେୟ ।

ଯୁବବର୍ଗ ସାମାନ୍ୟ ହାସ୍ୟରୋଳ ସହ ମଂତବ୍ୟ ଦେଲେ, ଜେଜେ! ଆଶ୍ରୟ ଖୋଜୁଥିବା ବଣୁଆ ଜଂତୁକୁବି ସ୍ଥାନ ଦେବାକୁ  ଶାସ୍ତ୍ର କହିଛି । ଗାଆଁର ମୂରବୀ କେତେ କେତେ ମଣିଷଂକୁ ସାହାଯ୍ୟ ଆଶ୍ରୟ ଦେଇଛ୍ଂତି, ଆଜି ଶଯ୍ୟାସାୟୀ ହୋଇଗଲେ ବୋଲି ଆମେ ଏତେ ତଳକୁ ଖସିଯିବା ।

ମାଷ୍ଟର ହାତଯୋଡି କାକୁସ୍ଥ ହୋଇ ବସିଥାଏ ଏବଂ ଆଖିରୁ ତା’ର ଆନଂଦ କି ଦୁଃଖର ଅଶୃ ଝରୁଥାଏ ତାହା କହିବା ସମ୍ଭବ ନୁହେଁ ।

ଜୀନୁ ମା କହିଲେ, ପିଲାଟି ପ୍ରତି ତାଂକର ଅହେତୁକ ଶ୍ରଦ୍ଧା ଯାତ ହୋଇଛି ଏବଂ ସେ ତା’କୁ ନିଶ୍ଚିତ ମଣିଷ କରିପାରିବେ ଏ ଭରସା ତାଂକର ରହିଛି । ପିଲାଟିକୁ ନରଖିବାର କଥା କେହି ନକହି ସେ କେମିତି ରହିପାରିବ ସେକଥା କୁହଂତୁ ଏବଂ ତା’ର ବ୍ୟବସ୍ଥା କରଂତୁ ।

ହଠାତ ମଂଦିର ଉହାଡରୁ କୌଣସି ଏକ ବାଦ୍ୟଗୀତର ଧ୍ୱନି ସହ ପାଉଁଜିର ଝମ ଝମ ଶୁଭିଲା । ସମସ୍ତେ ତାଜୁବ, କେବଳ ମାଷ୍ଟରକୁ ଛାଡି । ମାଷ୍ଟର ସେହି ଯୋଡହସ୍ତରେ ଅତ୍ୟଂତ ଭୟଭୀତ ଅବସ୍ଥାରେ ସମସ୍ତଂକୁ ଚୁପ୍ ରହି ତା’ପଛରେ ଯିବାପାଇଁ କହିଲା, ସତେ ଅବା ତା ଛାତି ଫାଟିଯିବ ।

ସେ ଯାଣିଥିଲା ମୋଗୁଲି ଯେଉଁ କ୍ୟାସେଟଟି ଲଗାଇଛି ତାହା ବହୁତ ପୁରୁଣା ଦିନର, ଟେପ ରେକର୍ଡରର ଅବସ୍ଥା ନାହିଁ । ସାଧାରଣତଃ ସେମାନେ ତତ୍-କ୍ଷଣ ବାଦ୍ୟ ସଂଗୀତ ସହ ଖେଳ ଦେଖାଇଥାଂତି । କେବେକେବେ ଅଭ୍ୟାସ ପାଇଁ ଟେପ ରେକର୍ଡର ବ୍ୟବହାର କରଂତି । ତା ବାଦ ଟେପ୍’ରେ କେବେଠୁ ବ୍ୟାଟେରୀ ପଡିଥିଲା ତାହାର ଠିକ ଠିକଣା ନାହିଁ । ସେ ଛୁଆଟିକୁ ଖେଳ ଶିଖାଇଛି ସତ, ରୋଜଗାର କରାଇଛି ସତ କିଂତୁ ପ୍ରାଣାଧିକ ଭଲ ପାଏ ତାହା ବି ସତ୍ୟ । ସେ ଯେତେବେଳେ ଦୋଉଡିରେ ଚାଲୁଥାଏ ମାଷ୍ଟର ବଗପକ୍ଷୀର ଧ୍ୟାନ ସହ ଯଗିଥାଏ । ଆଜି ଯଦି ପଡିଯାଏ । ସଂଗୀତ ବଂଦ ହେଲେ ମୋଗୁଲି ପଡିଯିବା ସୁନିଶ୍ଚିତ, ମାଷ୍ଟରର ଦେହରୁସତେ ଅବା ପ୍ରାଣଟି ବାହାରିଯିବା ପାଇଁ ରାମ୍ପି ବିଦାରି ହେଉଛି। ଲୋକମାନେ ପାଟି ତୁଣ୍ଡକଲେ ସେ ପଡିଯିବ । ପିଲାଲୋକ ଦୋଉଡିକୁ ଛାଣ୍ଟକରି ବାଂଧି’ବି ପାରିନଥିବ । ଏବେତ ବଂଦ କରିବାର ଉପାୟ ନାହିଁ ।

ଅନ୍ୟମାନେ ନବୁଝିପାରିଲେ ମଧ୍ୟ ଏତିକି ଯାଣୁଥିଲେ ସେମାନେ ନୀରବତା ରକ୍ଷା କରିବା ନିହାତି ଜରୁରୀ ।

ମାଷ୍ଟର କିଂକର୍ତ୍ତବ୍ୟବିମୁଢ ଅବସ୍ଥାରେ ଦୋଉଡି ପାଖରେ ଠିଆହେବା ବ୍ୟତୀତ ତା;ପାଖରେ ଆଉ କୌଣସି ଉପାୟ ନଥିଲା । ଜୀନୁର ତାଳି ବଂଦ ହୋଇ ଯାଇଥିଲା ସେ ତା ମାଆଂକ ପରି ଧାର ଧାର ଲୁହ ଗଡାଇ ଚାଲିଥିଲା, ସତେ ଯେମିତି ମୋଗୁଲିର ସାଥୀ ଦେଇ ସେ ବହୁତ ବଡ ଭୁଲ କରିଛି।

ସେ ବାଲୁଂକେଶ୍ୱରଂକୁ ମନେ ମନେ ସ୍ମରଣ କରି କହିଲା, “ ହେ ପ୍ରଭୁ ଥରେତ ମୋହରି ଭୁଲ ପାଇଁ ବାପା ଭାଇଂକୁ ହରାଇଛି (ପୂର୍ବ ଗଳ୍ପ), ଆଜି ମୋଗୁଲିର ଯେପରି କିଛି ନହୁଏ”।

ମୋଗୁଲି ବାଡିଧରି ବାଲାଂସ କରି ଧୀର ମଂଥର ବେଗରେ ଆଗକୁ ମାଡି ଚାଲିଛି, ତୁଳତୀ ଗ୍ରାମବ|ସୀ ସତେ ଅବା ତାହାର ପରୀକ୍ଷା ନେଉଛଂତି ।

ସମସ୍ତେ ଭଗବାନଂକୁ ଡାକୁଛଂତି, ଟେପ୍ ଅବିରତ ଚାଲିଛି, ଆଗକୁ ଆହୁରି ଆଗକୁ ମାଡିଚାଲିଛି, ଦଂଗାକାରୀ ଅସୁରଂକ କବଳରୁ ଯିଏ ବଂଚିଛି ତା ଜୀବନର କୌଣସି ବିଶେଷ ମହତ୍ତ୍ୱ ରହିଥିବା ନିଶ୍ଚିତ ।

ମୋଗୁଲି ପଥ ଅତିକମ କରିଛି । ତଳେ ଓ ଆଶ ପାଶରେ କଣ ଘଟୁଛି ଜାଣିବାର ସମ୍ଭାବନାକୁ ତା’ର ତନ୍ମୟତା ପ୍ରତିରୋଧ କରିଛି।

ଉତ୍ତୀର୍ଣ ।

ସ୍ୱଭାବିକ ରୀତିରେ ସେ ଖେଳପରେ ସଭାକୁ ଅଭିବାଦନ ଜଣାଇଛି ।

ତା ଖେଳପାଇଁ କେହି ଆଜି ପଇସା ପକାଇ ନାହଂତି ସମସ୍ତଂକ ଚକ୍ଷୁ ଲୋତୋକ ପ୍ଳାବିତ ।

ସଭା ଅନୁଭବକରିଛି କୌଣସି ଏକ ପରୀ କନ୍ୟା ଏ ଐତିହମୟ ଗ୍ରାମଟିକୁ ପ୍ରେରିତ ହୋଇଛି ଦୈବୀଶକ୍ତୀର କେଉଁଏକ ବିଚିତ୍ର ବାର୍ତ୍ତାନେଇ ।

ସଭା ଏକ ସାମୂହିକ ନିଷ୍ପତ୍ତି ନେଇଛି, ସେ ରହିବ,ଗ୍ରାମବାସୀ ମାନେ ସମସ୍ତଂକ ଦସ୍ତଖସ୍ତରେ ଜିଲ୍ଲାପାଳଂକୁ ସମସ୍ତ ଦିଗରେ ଅବଗତ କରାଇବେ ଏବଂ ଯାହା ନିଷ୍ପତ୍ତି ଆସିବ ତାହାକୁ ସମସ୍ତେ ଗ୍ରହଣ କରିବେ।

ମାଷ୍ଟର କହିଲା, ସଭାଗଣ ଦେଖନ୍ତୁ, ମୋ ଝିଅକୁ ମୁଁ ପାଠ ପଢାଇବା ପାଇଁ ଚାହେଁ ଏବଂ ସୁରକ୍ଷିତ ରଖିବାକୁ ଚାହେଁ, ସେ ନିଷ୍ପତି ମୁଁ କହି ପାରିବି ଜିଲ୍ଲାପାଳ ନୁହେଁ ।.........

ଏବେ ଉଭୟ ସପ୍ତମ ଶ୍ରେଣୀର ମେଧାବିନୀ ଛାତ୍ରୀ।

ମାଷ୍ଟର ଆସି ଦେଖି ଯଏ, ଭାରି ଖୁସି ହୁଏ, ତା’କୁ ଲାଗେ ଭଗବାନ ଏହି ନିର୍ଦ୍ଦିଷ୍ଟ ଉଦ୍ଦେଶ୍ୟରେ ତାକୁ ଏମିତି ଯାଯାବର କରିଥିଲେ ଏବଂ ତା ଜୀବନ ଧନ୍ୟ ହୋଇଛି।

ଜୀନୁମା ଏପର୍ଯ୍ୟନ୍ତ ସେ ସୂନା ମୋହର ଗୋଟିଏ ମଧ୍ୟ ଖର୍ଚ୍ଚ କରିନାହାନ୍ତି, ସବୁବେଳେ କୁହଂତି ମୋଗୁଲିକୁ ଡାକ୍ତର କରିବେ ଏବଂ ସେହି ଧନରେ ହସ୍ପିଟାଲଟିଏ କରିବେ। ଆଉ ଜୀନୁ ସେ ଚାହେଁ ଅଧ୍ୟାପିକା ହେବାପାଇଁ।

Home. Written for family but true for any family.

         Home.

. A welcome address to the goddess of wealth sana bahurani of Shantilata Devi and Late Er Bidyadhar Behera.

Which do you think is your home asked my wife? She did not ask it for the first time. The question arose in war, in peace,in romantic mood, in despair to my absence. She discussed in real sense too to know an actual answer.

It is my pleasure to say she owns a flat at Cuttack where we stay with our children and our parents. ‘She owns the flat’ It is my pleasure to celebrate the company of an empowered woman.

 She explains her question. Do you feel your work place Sukinda where you stay five and half day a week (for 12 years) is your home and Cuttack as your children’s home or what else?  Very tough.

I feel the absence of late Sri Bidyadhr Behera my father in law instantly as he was the person to believe, "I feel my village Tulati where I spent only the first 12 years of my life is the one as my home where practically my cousin stays with his children".

 Father in law of me, Sri Bidya Bhushan Patra@tikibabu, Namita@seema and our new member Mohamaya@milli and father of our respective spouces Sarita, Sujata, Vijay, Satya is no more with us. He as a small kid lost his father and grew up in a remote village Ugalpur with his mother Ashamani Devi. The villag had no roads, no electricity no school beyond a chatashali, in a geography influenced by the river Mantei that swells and recedes every twelve hours in routine with the tidal pressure from Bay of Bengal not too far where the river (Mantei or Mohamaya) meets its desired truth(Satya). He travelled through the time not holding the father`s finger searching his destiny bare foot of course must be with poverty even if there is good amount of landed property. While he crossed the paddy fields he did not stop to catch the tiny and beautifully coloured crabs. He surged ahead through the cultivated lands full of sunflowers as the hope of the widow Ashamani, the hope of the village Ugalpur.

He did it and became a graduate Engineer. Difficult to realize what it meant to be an engineer in those days, may be less than ten such people in the entire Bhadrakh Sub division.

Time passed on and he had to work as a state government engineer with its job requirement, transfer posting, political pressure, torture of many kinds.

A reputed high school teacher Late Sri Yogendra Rout could spot him and stopped him to honour him with the most precious ornament available with him, his eldest daughter Shantilata Devi our mother (or in law).

They settled at Bhadrakh in a prime location, built up their nest the present house with all its grace.

The man`s primary attachment rather obsession remained his village that needed to be connected with a road, with electricity, with a place of worship as per the wish of a mother. Unless one is acquainted with Ugalpur one cannot know why a road or electricity connectivity was a big thing. I believe there must not be a single day he was not thinking the betterment of his village.

Shantilata Devi our mother in law whom I describe as the moving example of undiluted truth must have the same dilemma about his home. They made a balance in a just way. But sure the concept of home for him, for her and for their children was to be different.

Its answer is vast.

One grew up in a village and the natural tendency to identify one with his nativity developed. In one`s subconscious one took a promise that one would be a good human and work for the family and for the society. This society for him was his surrounding village his larger home where there is not a single house where a meal was not taken.

 Concept of home is different for a girl or woman.  She knows it to be a temporary shelter. She dreams her home; she dreams what she can do for her family even if she goes away to a dreamland. She is not attached to the village or locality. She never must be thinking to do a farm house here a pond there, a road there, a school in the village a this or a that. Her attachment to nativity is philosophical, virtual or less bonded that exactly I cannot perceive but definitely different from the male.

The script says when King Dakshya did not invite his son in law Shiva to the Yajnya and hence Shiva denied His wife Sati`s visit a rule got written. Sati told, "You may not go but a daughter has the right to visit her home uninvited at any time she wishes", and she actually went there. So I don`t give less value to the home concept of a girl, especially when she has the responsibility to take care of her parents physically and emotionally.

One has to move on in search of his identity, becomes a guest in his own village. Away from the village he craves for his village everyday? There comes a feeling of guilt that what he promised as a child he is unable to keep it up. This feeling made Bidyadhara so active during post retirement days, when only all his promises came true. (The road, electricity and the Temple of Nilakantheswara).

 To our mind a small sense of irrationality by him is felt with a sense of pride and fulfillment. When recently a Panda at Akhandalamani without knowing my identity identified the village Ugalpur as the village of a nobleman Bidyadhara Behera how much I felt that I can never measure in the terms of profit or loss as it is priceless.

The same nobleness must be in the gene of Sarita, Sujata, Vijay and Satya that we spouses should be happy with. Now the question comes what he got in search of empty nobleness. But without nobleness what should he have got, the same cruel cancer, the more property that becomes a liability to the next generation, the unsurpassable old age the ultimate death sans of nobleness.

I feel subconsciously we all acknowledge what he did was absolutely good but superficially we feel the other side too as we are demanding children of him. Bapa where ever you are you come down to grace the occasion of your youngest sons marriage ceremony. He must be somewhere, how can he avoid his home demand that he never avoided in his entire life.

The story is same for our mother/ mother in law. She feels homely at Bhadrkh with thick attachment. Ugalpur is a duty for her that she does with perfection. She cannot leave the place. As I have turned about fifty I understand the situation in a way that differs from how Jhupa or Boblu do, equally it differs from mother, very difficult to make her move away from her home. That is not her lone story, she represent a generation. The beautiful house, the property of very good value that she raised with her own hand is her priority. She goes on caring it. Year after year she invests in it with no special hope or plan but she thinks that is good. A time properly spent as she takes it. If I say it should be inhabited by Satya or Vijay that is a funny statement as they have developed their priority that comes naturally to every person in the world. So the nobleman`s home is not the home of our mother which is not the home of her children. I am speaking home sweet home not places or houses. 

The concept of home also differs for a village and an urban area. The way I thought for my village Tikibabu cannot feel for Balasore as it is too big. My sons can never dream as children that they should do this and that for the city of Cuttack.They are not less patriot or more selfish than me but Cuttack is too vast than Tulati. In such a scenario one tries to get out of it to go beyond. The frog inside the well is the king there. They are bound to long for freedom beyond Cuttack. May be within or outside India forcing the parents to think their future in a different way than our parents thought about us.

My father once told, ‘the river flows in one direction one needs not be worried for that as long as it is flowing’.

I do not know what the Mumbai boy Bithal feels for his metro may be he wants to be the mayor there. Certainly his attachment to nativity is different than the attachment of his Aja to Ugalpur.

It also has another side, the emotional attachment of Sri Bidyabhushan Patra to Jhupa defines the home concept of parents to daughter but yes she and her parents know she will move on. The moving on has decreased the gap between a son and a daughter. They equally move to distant places. Thousands of years were taken for human being to stop being wandering nomadic to do permanent dwelling based on agriculture. Only a century back all were cultivators and son was taking over the mantle at the age of 18. The circle has turned; once again we are wandering people. Not too much time has gone to settle new rules, so we are at the transition with existence of fixed people like Ashamani approaching a century, semi fixed people like our mother at seventy, moved people like us and flying people like our children. New rules automatically will evolve and right now we must not be judgmental and alleging someone`s activity is just or unjust.

 Our parent generation was taking care of two establishments we are taking care of three. Tikibabu at one end has to take care of his priority and property at village and Balasore, his own place and that of Jhupa or Bithal, so also Papa/Bablu he thinks about Tulati, Cuttack and his own future. So the pressure to manage the home for Vijay or Satya is much more even what it was to our father.

 Seema and Milli are born and brought up in the two most urbanised areas of the state and how much their dream home matches to Bhadrkh that we cannot say. These two important ladies have their obvious important role both physically and emotionally in there parental places. They are best judges of their priorities.

Many a times I commented, my brothers in law are people of millions but unnecessarily worried. I have one thing in mind that we are people full of assets, full of love, full of culture, talented, artful, colorful and upwardly mobile.

If any ting we are falling short beg it from Sujata (Kunny) the most graceful and resourceful element in the family. She once told, ‘an emotional person is more powerful than one stubborn person’. I always felt me as a weak and emotionally carried away person. I felt negatively for it but after her statement I cannot count at how many places and points I have quoted it both in literature and outside it. She should be understood in another level.

Sarita and Seema should not be jealous that she is with the best profession of perfect home management for which both of them are running and spinning with a lot of torture to their body and mind. Gone are those days when the male only earns and the other cares home. But beyond home is now felt to be an inferior carrier than making the home inside. Again who am I to perceive for ladies` mindset. It is up to Milli to take some time to do a case study between Sarita, Sima versus Sujata which may help her more clarity. I believe learning from one`s own space not from well researched manuscripts.   

We are in a festive occasion of Satya`s marriage, the new guest has already arrived, I had taken her name several time without welcoming her, Oh yes let us welcome her let us receive her as Goddess of prosperity.

 Satya has gained very nice people as his in law let us welcome them with our Namaskars to our extended family..

 I convey my heartfelt congratulations to the Satya and Mohamaya. The spring is at its full bloom, the soft wind of Malay is blowing, the fragrance in the environment, even Lords are coming out in Bimanas, the whole family of Lady Ashamani are gathering to bless them. Mama Shantilata as usual the perfect host balances every angle and corners. Let all of us thank our mother that she hosted such a beautiful party. Orchestra playing the sweetest songs I hope Satya`s blissful melody for ever has just started.    

                                                     Rabivai……..

Reading a suicide note.

Reading a suicide note

A doctor friend handed over a girl`s suicide note for my insight. She did not opine anything except informing that her life was saved by their team. So the note lost validity. The page was recovered by the staff nurse on duty while changing her clothing. The staff nurse passed it to the treating physicians as it may be a legal document. As the girl recovered fast its validity got lost. So it is no more a suicide note, it is a bridge to travel inside the fragile mind of a youth.

It is written in Odia, I intentionally translate it with change of names.

Papa!
 I may beg you not to be angry with me. I beg uncle, aunt, Muna, Lilly dei, Silli dei, bhaina , Ilidei and all may not be angry with me. I have not done anything wrong that you take me wrongly. On my death anyone needs not be sorry, rather be happy that I was a load on you all, creating a lot of tension for all.

The outsiders say that I am a very bad girl. I did a search to find out the badness in me, failed, found nothing wrong in me. How without doing anything wrong I am alleged to be a bad girl? They allege that my body is torn and re stitched, where? You my family know this is false. I feel very hurt to learn this.

(So far…. The girl did not address her mother probably she is dead. It is a definite joint family of father, his brother`s family. All addressed siblings are girls except Muna. All are older to her except Muna. Only one Bhaina.  So the joint family has four daughters and only one son who is the youngest. Only one daughter is married so only one vaina is available. That couple again must be important in the family for which she did not ignore them in the note. The girl has two more unmarried elder daughters and she herself is grown up, means she is in a family with three unmarried grown up daughters. So she definitely is a teen aged girl being the youngest. Outsiders doing wrong and sever allegation on her, she feels even the family is not supporting her and feels rejected. She thinks she is a load and disturbance to the family. Her specific remark that she was torn and re stitched proves her innocence. Means she does not know the thing she is suggesting. She does not know it (may be MTP) needs no opening on abdomen and hence question of stitching does not arise. Probably the girl felt very hurt for this unjust allegation that she aborted. My point here is the girl is truthful even does not know how the MTP is done. Yes the sex education in our society is so less that it is possible a grown up girl does not know it.)

Please do not think my suicide is a confession of any bad act I really did. I am unable to see the tension in our family. Please no one accuse Pinky

 (a new name, may be an important friend)

You Lilly dei! You will remain in peace. Please do not be sorry for me. Never weep in your life for me. I was your younger sister, you would forget me. I always loved my family first, next is Pinky and next to it anyone else.

 (Difficult to decipher the last phrase may be she told my family first, Pinky second and others are the last or maybe she told there is a person in her life who has not reached priority level. Here it became clear that Lilly is the eldest sister the one who is married and there is some misunderstanding in relation to this youngest sister of her. There is reason if she died it creates a special reaction in Lilly`s mind. She would be relived and she may feel very sorry as if for her only this sister committed this act. Is it that Vaina developed any extra affection to the youngest sister in law? How Pinky is involved in a very obvious intense family bond. Is it a friendship or more?)

I know I do not do any domestic work and so nobody in the family love me. Even the relations know it and they also hate me.

But yes someone loves me that I know. I also know I can never get him.

 (Here she is not intense about her love affair, may be someone has proposed her but she feels it is not feasible. Had it been the real reason she must have focused on it and should not have referred to Lilly dei)      

I beg all my family members be happy, never quarrel over any matter. You know I never tolerate any quarrel in the family. I do request you all that if I have done anything wrong then please excuse me.

If anyone asks about me just tell she eloped with someone.

(This means the girl is now away from her village and feels her death news can be hided from others. This suggests the girl is simple)

If there are any papers and any other symbols of me please destroy these because all may feel pain with my remembrance.

(How sure the girl is that her family loves her. So she feels in her presence people do not love her and on her death they would mourn forever. She is subconsciously craving for it. She loves her family intensely and feels the reciprocation is unjust. She wants to make it adequate without making her presence possible)

I can never forget a friend like Pinky.

(How can she remember a friend if she died, maybe she believes death is not the ultimate absence. She for many of the above statements it seems is not very serious about her parting away permanently)

I never fulfilled any of my goals. I do not know what more can I say. I am going……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..LOVELY

                                   I am feeling intense pain……………………..

                                   I am very happy………………………………………..

The writer in me first of all thanks the Almighty that the innocent girl Lovely is alive to fulfill her dream. The doctors have counseled the girl in the most proper way. The family is well counseled, all done by professional psychiatrist and psychologist. Our Indian family bond is revealed even in a suicide note, our problem is over dependent on love and care of other members, finding a justified valuable place in the family. That is our way of life; we are unable to change it with whatever modernization the society might have achieved.

But it is extremely painful to feel how fragile and casual is the approach of a youth towards her/his life.

As I am approaching fifty I feel I am in a position to advise the youth take time to take any decision may be on life or death or commitment or opting for a job or leaving a job. Life is not a 20/20 cricket. Life is lovely.

In my young days at Bhadrakh College, my junior roommate Birendra, a studious boy committed suicide jumping in front of a moving train. Reason was poor performance in terminal examination. He concluded before the evaluation was done by the examiner. In the very paper he scored 75% which was too high in those days. What a pathetic event for the parents.

In those days my irresponsible statement was all such people are weak and if survived should be killed as they are useless. Now I feel sorry for Birendra as I feel very happy for Lovely. We do not need any BBC documentary on the subject. Our understanding is different and very much different. Bless you all young people who feel tense in the changing gear of the society.

 Thanks to all my readers.