Courtesy: realoict.pw

CHEERS AND TEARS    

- P.Krishnamoorthy     

The waning winter was drifting into oblivion at the approach of the spring around the corner.  Its trails were well evidenced in the huge accumulation of snow and ice all over  Boston in Massachusetts.  Lucy Michell  got up early and looked through the window to have a glimpse of the morning sun. She was fascinated with the pearl-like ice crystals, uniformly  formed at the edges of  the building rooftops and leafless trees. She developed a unique attachment for the ‘white stuff’ right  from her childhood. This later turned out to be an obsession and finally  to an aspiration in her life to become a national star in the figure skating sport. This obsession  even led her to a hostile parting as a drop out from her school. She spent all her time in “The Mischells’Sporting Goods” store, owned by her parents Michael Mischell and Elizabeth Mischell in Boston,where she was exploring avenues with various figure skating stars who visited the store.

            That was a Saturday morning. As she entered the store, she was astounded to see John Owens, the famous coach and the owner of the Skating Institute, talking to her dad. She interrupted their talk and introduced herself - “Mr. Owens, I am Lucy Mischell.  I have heard about you and your institute.  My life ambition is to be at the top of  the line in the figure skating sport. I would like to join your institute to achieve this”. John looked at her with an analytical eye from head to foot, followed by a few queries in an effort to assess her aptitude.  He was convinced that she had a lot potential for development and  felt she could definitely become somebody in THE sport. “Lucy! Is it okay for you to drop by our institute this weekend for an on-the-spot study of the various facilities”. “Mr. Owens! Thanks for the offer. I look forward to IT,” Lucy instantly responded.   She  was at the peak of excitement; for her long cherished desire was becoming a reality. She wanted to yell the happy news to her boy friend, David Huxley.  She called him on the telephone:

            “David! I have great news for you. I have been asked to take training for the figure skating sport in John Owen’s Institute this weekend. John assured me that he would make me  ‘somebody’ in that sport. I am sorry I had to cancel our date this weekend”. With one  breath she finished her conversation. She maintained a pause for David’s reaction. While he was not  concerned about  the cancellation of the date, he was alarmed  AT the undercurrent of the new scenario developing between them. He sensed that he would be playing only second fiddle in her life; the first one being  her ‘favourite’sport’. He knew that  Lucy would be concentrating more on  her sport than spending time with him. She resented his advice of possible risks and dangers in the sport as just a subtle note, for she was bent upon pursuing it. He was also haunted more on a possibility, if she would,  by any chance,  become a national star, then  he would only be a silent spectator among thousands in the arena, and lose his connection  with her. He was equally reluctant to discourage her, for that may jeopardize even the little hope he had on her changing to what he wanted. He answered her.“Lucy! Congratulations. I feel sad on the cancellation of our date.  Anyway my best wishes to you in your pursuit and enjoy the training sessions”.  He went off the line. Lucy did pick up the thread of his frustrated feelings.

            The imposing frontage of the Skating Institute looked very impressive to her. John took her inside  on a tour of the various facilities. Lucy’s first day in the Institute remarkably instilled self-confidence in the sport. John explained to her that this sport was a fascinating mixture of tantalizing qualities which include impending doom, and  living  on the edge concept  --  that there was every chance to witness a career and at the same time destroy it in the split of a second with a wrong move. Lucy was extremely quick in grasping the situation and eagerly involved herself in the  various programs. John found her to be a perfect student - intelligent, capable, eager and willing.  It was from the first day that Lucy noticed John’s personal involvement in coaching her.  In fact he was spending more time with her in all the sessions thus depriving of the other girls of his training.  Lucy did not like John’s constant attention, for it was more a  frequent intervention in her exercises.  His personal attention even extended to fixing her skates on her feet.  Whenever he touched her, a strange feeling swept through her spines. She disliked it and  reacted  emotionally.  At such moments, she remembered David. Whenever John took her hands, he instilled confidence in her. Whatever John’s intentions were or his comments that she had all the ingradients for the sport, they required her to be disciplined and concerted in execution,   Lucy considered them as an outburst of his obsession towards her.  However,  she reserved her reactions, as any hostility towards it, might become counter-productive.

            It was the end of six months since her inception into the institute.  Lucy could not believe that she had successfully completed the various tests for the regional meet. She was anxiously  waiting for the posting of test results on the candidates who were selected.  To her dismay, she found her name IN first place on the list.  She also noted that second place was awarded to Catherine, her rival in the rink.  She was overjoyed at  her recognition. The regional meet at Laurel, Maryland was well attended with competitors from neighboring areas. For such a big meet, she  was nervous in the rink, but  managed to overcome it by her  strong motivation and determination to win.  After various events, she mastered the most difficult program  of the triple loop. The jump involved a take off on an edge that she did without the help of a toe pick and made a perfect landing.  This made a huge impression on the judges who declared her the winner of the regional title.

            It was a remarkable moment for Lucy, and watched by thousands of people applauding her achievement.  Their chorus cheers exhilarated her so deeply, her eyes swelled with tears. What a great moment in life!  An athletic-bridge to virtual bliss! The whole arena was echoing with loud cheers.  All eyes were focused on her modest poise; she wore an  exquisite dress in shining silvery blue. Of course, her parents were there rejoicing with her. THEY thanked John for inspiring and supporting her to reach that level.  And what a strange coincidence it was that David had to be away in Europe on an official assignment. He did not want to be there.

            Catherine who was in second place on the victory stand, though outwardly jubilant, was still  disappointed of having lost the first position.  She believed that Lucy was able to reach the first place mainly because of John’s special attention toward her; and believed  that John  was wooing her for a different ‘sweetheart’ kind of relationship; for on  Lucy’s entry into the Institute, Catherine HAD lost her preferred status with John though she hailed from a rich family with strong political clout. 

            John briefed Lucy on the next plan and schedule of programs including the national meet. He wanted her to concentrate more on various triples including the triple-triple combination on this event as  the chances were better to impress the judges.

            David found a drastic change in Lucy on his return. She spent longer hours in the institute preparing for the national event. This had an impact on their relationship,  resulting  in cancelling her dates with David quite often. David became very sensitive over her indifference. A kind of animosity creeped in; he was even imagining ways and means to spoil her winning chances in the national meet.  During  her few dates with him, Lucy found an enormous change in his personality. Her regional victory had fuelled his inhibitions to feel that if she became a national star, he would be left alone. “Lucy! Don’t you think life has something more than becoming a national star in any sport. A happy marriage, home and children are much more valuable than the honour you would probably get as a national star.”  “David! In any sport, there is a time to retire and that is an individual’s choice. In my instance, it would not be more than a year or two; I am equally interested in settling down in life, too. As you know I was craving for this distinction right from my childhood; now it is working in my favor.  Why do you discourage me in this venture? I thought you would support and give me moral support. Would you not be happy if I became  a national star?” David had an answer for her.  “Well! If that is what you want, you should  have it, but not with my support.” No compromise,  she sensed his stern and stubborn attitude. Even though there were cancellations of their dates due to her busy sessions, David perceived them as intentional indifference.

            With more time spent at the Institute, Lucy felt that she had to tackle John’s embarrassing moves to beguile her. Though John’s involvement with her was more to motivate and prepare her for the national meet, she felt it was too overly personal. She thought he deserved some reaction from her to make him understand that she was not prepared to accept  any other relationship except that of  trainer-trainee. She also felt that her impulsive reaction might be  counter-productive to John’s coaching efforts. But  finally, she decided to tolerate such scenarios with safeguards until the  national meet ended.

            Atlanta  appeared proud and festive to host the national event. John and his entourage landed there  just a day before the event and checked in at the Hilton Hotel.  On arriving at the reception desk Lucy was told that a package awaited her. It turned out that David had sent it. This was a total surprise, for she never expected  anything from David. The package  contained a pair of skates with a greeting card wishing her the best.  David’s wishes had impacted so strong in her mind that she felt she had already won the national title. She called  and left a message thanking him for the thoughtful gift. The evening meet in the rink was on. Each participant was allowed to practice for a prescribed time in various rinks. Lucy tried her new skates during practice and she felt extremely comfortable, in particular when performing the triple axle.  John was quite surprised at her perfect landing in the triple axle. When he congratulated her, she did tell him that she was able to do it only with the new skates she had received from David.

            John was even critical of Catherine’s performance and said: “Lucy. I am sure with your steadfast excellent performance so far, you have all the chances to win compared to the records of the other competitors. It would be a great honor to the Institute if you get the national title”. That night she was upbeat  with a feeling of happiness pervading. David’s gift, and John’s compliments for her triple axle performance over Catherine, delivered positive feelings toward winning the title.  Also, she was elated and proud at the responsibility of bringing glory to the institute.

            Next morning there was the ceremonial inauguration of the national meet. Lucy was the sixth of the fifteen skaters, with Catherine in the eighth position. As she entered the rink, her eyes quickly made a cursory glance at the audience and panel of judges. She found the judges’ panel to be well-balanced in age and gender. She stood in the center of the rink in a gorgeous outfit – combination of  black and red with her golden hair pulled back tightly with a black ribbon. She bowed down as a mark of respect to the audience and the judge’s panel.  After her initial smooth circling of the rink with twists and turns to the rhythmic music and a captivating blend of grace and strength, she looked at the audience whose initial response was quite favorable. Next came the triples that she performed well. It was magnificent to see her in the air with such accuracy and grace. The relentless drive in her was also fueled by desire for personal perfection in performing  that particular rendition.  There was a thunderous applause from the arena.   When she landed after four clean triples and spinned out of a fifth to land, she hit the icy surface so fast and sudden she fell flat and  became unconscious. There  was  commotion in the arena. She was rushed to the hospital

            The inside of the Northside Hospital was as usual quiet and calm.  In one of the rooms, Lucy was sleeping with her right leg in heavy cast kept upward through a sling. The Mischells appeared dazed and were pondering as to how  to inform Lucy about her condition. When she opened her eyes slightly, she looked around. She was able to see the brightness of the radiant sunlight through the blinds. She saw her right leg heavily bandaged in cast. She then saw her parents looking intensely at her. Even in her blurred vision, she could see her parents’ devastated faces. Lucy tried to enquire about the details of the accident. Before they could respond, a team of doctors entered the room and the chief orthopedic surgeon said: “Good morning Lucy.  How do you feel now?”. With an effort, Lucy complained of crucial pain in the right leg. “Lucy, THE pain would be there for a couple of days as we operated on your right ankle. It was broken very badly. You would have to be in bed for at least six weeks. After a week from now,  you would be discharged to return home.” “When could I get back to the rink, doc?”  She was keen to have a favorable reply from the doctors. “Unfortunately, not in the immediate future. Probably not for ever! We are trying our best at least to make you walk with a support. The damage to the ankle was quite serious.” That was the most unkind news that Lucy had expected to hear  from anybody. Her long treasured desire to win the national title now appeared like an oasis in a desert, and  far from reality. Only she knew how much she craved for recognition, and the built-in hopes in her life were now shattered into bits.

            Tears rolled down her eyes as she looked at her right leg again. She was anxious to know the details of the accident as she had rehearsed every nuance of the triples event so many times until it became second nature. There was no reason for her to have met with such a terrible accident. The Mitchells understood her eagerness and said: “Lucy! Your accident is under serious investigation by all authorities.  They suspect  that it was due to defective and  refurbished  blades in the skates that could have tripped you toward falling.  As  you landed from the triple on the ice with speed and weight, the blades in the skates came out from the boot causing an imbalance and making you fall. The experts are studying the whole accident; possibly in a week’s time we would know the details.”

“Dad! Did  David know anything about this and did he call us here?” “Yes. David called when you were in surgery.  He was shocked to know this. Since he was tied up with his assignments, he regretted he could not be here now. He said he would visit you soon. Lucy’s thoughts were making wild guesses.  She suspected David, as he was the one who had sent her the skates.   She strongly believed that David would  have liked her to become immobile for this event, as no other person than he could have done this.  She was sarcastic on David as the author of a well worked out plot as he was often critical of her athletic aspirations. She was certain   that David’s inability to visit her was not due to an official assignment; it was his guilty conscience that was forbidding him to call on her.  When Lucy knew that the first place in the national meet was won by Catherine, she almost broke down in tears. It was annoying; and more so when she knew that John was least concerned about her crippled condition, as he just wished her speedy recovery on the telephone. He was overwhelmed by Catherine’s performance and consequent distinction for the institute.

            What would be her future now ? Just before the accident, she had three choices to tackle - John’s obsession, David’s possessiveness and her aspiration to become a national star.  It was an irony of fate that the  post-accident scenario left her with nothing - John would no more be interested in her as a partner or a student due to her immobility; David would not perceive his future with an invalid and the unkindest of all, her aspiration to become a national star could remain only  a dream and not a reality.  She had to be alone for the rest of her life which she should accept as a reality and come to terms with it.

            The doorbell rang to announce a visitor. Lucy responded . The Mischells were away on a short evening walk. The door was opened slowly and she was shocked to see David coming into her room.  She could not believe it.  He was holding a big bouquet of bright, fresh flowers. He enquired  on her condition, placing the bouquet on the side table near the bed. After a formal thanks for the flowers,  Lucy turned her face and looked on the other side. Obviously she  was not inclined to look at him; her wild guess of him being the culprit still lingered in her mind. She was quite embarrassed to raise the subject with him.

            “Lucy! Do you still believe that I was responsible for your accident because of the skates I sent you. Presumably this meant  that I tampered with the blades in the skates to make you fall so that you would not ever pursue this sport in future. I agree that I was hostile to your aspirations in the sport. But I am not that inhuman to meddle with blades to cause an accident. With your successive recognitions in various meets, I realised my mistake and changed my selfish attitude and that was responsible for my gift to you. Still you could suspect me because of how the blades were replaced. Really I do not have an answer to this as I am as ignorant as you are. ”David  became visibly emotional. Lucy saw him sobbing. She was also moved with his emotional rhetoric to prove his innocence, and this relieved  her from wild thoughts about him. Even when Lucy suspected him, somewhere in her inner self, David still stayed strong as her man. They were interrupted BY the entry of doctors.  David anxiously asked the doctors on Lucy’s condition.

            “David! She would be all right to walk after six weeks of bed rest and therapy. But her chances of continuing the figure skating sport would be nearly impossible. Even to walk, she may have to do so with support.”  Lucy was anxiously studying  the reaction on David’s face following the doctor’s version about her future. As they were talking, the Mischells entered the room and joined the discussions.  The TV in the room was relaying a musical programme. Suddenly everybody’s attention was drawn to the TV for an  announcement of a breaking news, which was: 

“ John Owens, the owner of the Figure Skating Institute along with Catherine Hudson, the national champion was arrested in the afternoon at Atlanta airport. It was reported that John was the only suspect who masterminded  the previous day’s fall of Lucy Mischell through replacing the new blades with defective ones in her new skates. As per prosecution,  before the event, when Lucy was talking on a long distance call from David few yards from her locker room which was open at that time, John was able to get the skates from there  with the help of Catherine. He then replaced the new blades with repaired ones and kept the skates back in her locker.  As John had disappeared immediately after Lucy’s fall in the arena, he became a suspect for the investigating authorities. While tampering of the skate blades was very evident, the new blades taken from the skates were not first traceable in spite of all searches in John’s and Catherine’s rooms. On suspicion that John might be keeping them in his jacket,  a  team of inspectors followed him  to the airport. When clearing through security,  they found two metal pieces on him that turned out to be the new blades removed from the skates.  The authorities also announced stripping of the national champion title from Catherine forthwith, as she was an accessory to John’s action. THE final piece of the puzzle had fallen into place with the corroborating evidence of the telephone call made by Catherine to her father in Los Angeles immediately after the national event, when she reminded him of his monetary commitment to John.  It was alleged that John was badly in need of funds to expand his institute and Catherine’s father had  agreed to provide funds if he could do something for Catherine to win the  national  championship.” 

            Lucy could not believe that John would do this for money. All along, John was so much critical of  Catherine and never left even an iota of evidence of his plot for Lucy’s downfall. She was happy at  the withdrawal of the title from Catherine, and  David’s innocence proven beyond any doubt. David looked intensely at Lucy and reaffirmed his binding love with her. As Lucy recollected the memories of multiple cheers when  she won the regional title a few months prior,  tears rolled down from her eyes at the sudden turn of events to make her believe that life is full of cheers and tears.

     


   DUSSERA   or                           NAVARATHRI

"The Festival of Joy"

         - P.Krishnamoorthy

Dussera or 'Navarathri' (nine nights) festival is one of the greatest festivals of India. Thia festival is celebrated  starting from the new moon day to the ninth day  of Ashwin, according to Hindu calendar (corresponding to October) during which the God is worshipped in the form of Mother. This is a period of introspection and purification. Navrathyri is traditionally an auspicious time for starting new ventures, as during this period, Durga, Saraswathi and Lakshmi  are worshipped as three different manifestations of Shakthi or Cosmic Energy. The festival is celebrated throughout the length and breadth of India by Hindus in all regions in different forms and festivities. The underlying doctrine of this festival is the victory of good over the evil.

In South India Navrathri is celebrated with Godesses - Durga, Lakshmi and Sarawathias each of these Gods give us something different - health, wealth and knowledge respectively.  They divide the nine nights and concentrate on each God for three days each. It is recognised in a certain order because of tradition. During these days all offer 'pooja' (prayers) for the God each night. They also offer 'prasad' (cooked food) in front of the idols on a silver plate and sing prayer songs.

The dolls or figures of various Gods are arranged in steps like a staircase, depicting various legends of Hindu mythology like Rama's cornation, Krishna's various avatars, Vishnu's Dasavaratharam (ten avatars culminating in Kalki avatar. The whole place is decorated with festoons and colorful lights.  Some decorate this purely with fresh flowers.

]Each day the ritual starts with reciting prayers songs on Godesses such as 'Lalitha Sahasranamam'. 'Devi Bhagawatham', and other Sanskrit stanzas. In the evenings, they light the 'Kuthuvilakku'  (brass lamps)  and offer flowers and fruits to the Gods. It is the time each family invite their neighbors and friends and offer 'thamboolam' (a small gift, coconut, a little 'kumkum' and turmeric. to womenfolk. In the end they do the 'Mangala Aarthi'(in a plate they mix some turmeric powder and kumkum with water)to the Gods with a song.

On the penultimate day - 'Sarawathi Pooja' day prayers are offered specifically to Goddess Sarawathi - 'Sarawathi Pooja' day. On this day they place few books before the idol or picture of Goddess Saraswathi the deity of knowledge and learning. Children begin  their school education or career planning on this day and seek their  elders' blessings. 

On the last day of 'Navathri" - 'Vijayadasmi' day, they offer prayers to the tools they used, instruments, the vehicles, machinery et. for continued prosperity. On the last two days all establishments, academic institutions and offices and factories to remain closed to observe these prayers.

In the northern states of India, this destival is called as 'Dusserra'  and celebrated as the homecoming of Lord Rama, the hero of the epic 'Ramayana', after his victory over Ravana, the king of Sri Lanka. In the vast  open spaces, Ramleela,  the folk play of excerpts from  Ramayana,  with music and dialogues, retelling the story of Rama and enacted till the wee hours. Songs are recited in praise of Rama. Thousands witness this spectacle of  traditional theater with its exaggarated costumes, jewellary, makeup and drama. Larger than life figures of Ravana and other demons are burnt on cold dark nights with fireworks display in the sky.

Dusserra  is alsop reminiscent of the end of the exile and banishment of Pandava prines in the Mahabhratha and their  return  with their weapons  to reclaim their kingdom. In memory of this epic story people in western state Maharashtrs, worship the implements of their professions.

In the eastern part, this festival is celebrated as the greatest "Durga Pooja" . As the legend goes, Goddess Durga visits the earth for only four days. The mode of journey to earth, as detailed in sciptures, is on an elephant, a horse, a palenquin, a boat, all signify luck, which influence the life on earth. In the year 2002 the Godes arrived on boat and departed on an elephant. Godess Durga's arrival on boat signifies good harvest, growth and prosperity, while her departure on the elephant indicates greenary and properity throughout  the year.

Durga Pooja is celebrated with worship to Mother Godes in 'Pandals' for nine days and in the last day, the idol is carried in procession for immersion in a river.It is autumn and Nature adorns herself to welcome the 'Mother Durga'. Rabindra Sangeet, traditional dances and various cultural programs form a part of the celebrations.  

ART BY P.KRISHNAMOORTHY

LORD KRISHNA
(Courtesy: www.scoopwhoop.com)

p

-  P.Krishnamoorthy

நான் என் சிநேகிதியின் வீட்டு கல்யாணத்திற்கு போனபோது முகூர்த்திற்கு இன்னமும் அரை மணி நேரம் இருந்தது. மோகன ராகத்தில் நாதஸ்வரம் அமர்களமாக சஞ்சாரம் செய்து கொண்டிருந்தது. பெண் வீட்டுகார்கள் அங்கும் இங்குமாக ஓடிக் கொண்டிருந்தனர். தாம்பூலத்தட்டில்  திருமாங்கல்யத்துடன் ஒவ்வொருவரிடமும் ஆசீர்வாதம் வாங்க வந்த நபரை கண்டவுடன் என் உடம்பெல்லாம் வியர்த்தது. வந்தவரும் என்னிடம் தட்டை நீட்டியபடி என்னையே பார்த்துக் கொண்டிருந்தார். நாங்கள் இருவரும் சிறிது நேரம் மெளன மொழியில் பேசிக்கொண்டிருந்தோம். பக்கத்தில் நான்கு வயது பெண் “அப்பா! அம்மா உன்னை கூப்பிடுறா” என்றாள். இதிலிருந்து அவர் கல்யாண்ம் ஆனவர் என்று தெரிந்து கொண்டேன். “சார்! தட்டை இங்கே கொண்டாங்க” என்று பக்கத்து இருக்கையில் இருப்பவர்  கேட்ட பிறகு தான் அவர் என்னிடமிருந்து நகர்ந்தார்.  ஆம் பல வருடங்களுக்கு பிறகு சத்தீஷை பார்த்தேன்.

      

       கிட்டத்தட்ட எட்டு வருடத்திற்கு முன்னால் நடந்த காட்சிகளெல்லாம் என் மனத்திரையில் ஓடின. என் கல்லூரி வாழ்கையில் நான் ஒரு உல்லாச பறவையாக இருந்தேன். வசதியான வீட்டில் ஒரே பெண்ணாக பிறந்து பொருப்பேதும் இல்லாம் வளர்ந்த எனக்கு, வாழ்க்கை ஒரு விளையாட்டாகவே இருந்தது. எந்த பொருப்பும் இல்லாத சூழ்நிலையில், பருவ உணர்ச்சியால் உந்தப்பட்டு ஆண்வர்கத்தின் ஈர்ப்புக்கு நானும் பலியானேன். சத்தீஷ் என்னுடன் படித்த சகமாணவன். நல்ல உயர்த்துடனும் வசீகர நிறத்துடனும் யாரையும் மயக்கும் அழகானவன். சராசரி அழகான எனக்கு, அவன் பார்வை என் மேல் விழ நான் ஒரு அதிர்ஷ்ட்டசாலியாகவே  கருதினேன். இதனால் என் சிநேகிதிகளின் பொறாமை கண்களும் என் மேல் விழாமல் இருக்கவில்லை. நானும் சத்தீஷும் அடிக்கடி சந்திக்க ஆரம்பித்தோம்.  அடுத்தடுத்து நடந்த சந்திப்புகள் சுவையாக அமைந்துவிட, சந்திக்கமுடியாத சில நிமிடங்கள் கூட பல யுகங்களாக தோற்றமளித்தன. இந்த அனுபவத்தின் தனித் தன்மையை எந்த அனுபவங்களும் ஈடு கட்ட முடியாது. கல்லூரி வாழ்க்கையின் கடைசி வருடம். நானும் சத்தீஷும் எங்கள் எதிர்கால வாழ்க்கையில் கணவன் மனைவியாக எப்படி வாழ்ப்போகிறோம் என்பதை கற்பனை கோட்டையில் அலசினோம். ஆனால் அப்படி காலமும் காட்சியும் முற்றிலும் மாறுபடும் என்று நாங்கள் நினைக்கவேயில்லை.

      

       இந்த மானிட மனதுக்குத்தான் எத்தனை சுயநலம். தனக்கு ஒன்று பிடித்துவிட்டால், அதை எப்படியாவது அடைந்தே தீரவேண்டும் என்று அதற்கு ஒரு வெறி. வாழ்க்கை நிஜங்கள் இதற்கு முரண்பாடாக அமைந்தாலும் அதை சிறிதும் பொருட்படுத்தாது தன் சுயநல தேவையை அடைய  பிடிவாதம் செய்வது, மனதின் திருவிளையாடலில் ஒன்று. ஆனால் விதியின் சதிக்கு யாரும் விலக்கல்ல.

      

       சத்தீஷ் தன் பெற்றோர்களை பார்த்து எங்களது திருமணத்திற்கு சம்மதம் வாங்கிவர அமெரிக்கா சென்றான். அதன் பிறகு நாட்கள் ஒடி மாதங்கள் ஆயின. ஒரு தகவலும் சத்தீஷிடமிருந்து வராத நிலையில்,என் தாயும் இருதய நோயால் அவதிப்பட்டு உயிருக்கு போராடி இருந்த நிலையில் எனக்கு கல்யாணம் செய்து பார்க்கவேண்டும் என்ற நிர்பந்ததில், ரமேஷுக்கு கழுத்தை நீட்ட வேண்டிய கட்டாயம் ஏற்பட்டது. ஆரம்பத்தில் சிறிது காலம் என் மனது சஞ்சலபட்டாலும், புது வாழ்க்கையை அமைதியாக ஏற்றுக்கொண்டேன். ‘விரும்பிய வாழ்க்கை அமையாவிடில் அமைந்த வாழ்கையை விரும்பி விடு’ என்று எங்கேயோ படித்த ஞாபகம்.

      

       ஆனால் இன்று சத்தீஷ் பார்த்தபிறகு மலரும் நினைவுகள்  காட்சிகாளாக உணர்வுகளின் மேல் தளத்தில் அலைகளாக மோதின. இந்த நிலை மனசாட்சிக்கு முரண்பாடாக இருந்தாலும், பல வருடங்களுக்கு பிறகு சத்தீஷை பார்த்தது, உணர்ச்சிகளுக்கு ஊக்கமளித்து, என் மனசாட்சிக்கு திரைபோட்டது. ஒரு வேளை சத்தீஷை திருமணம் செய்து கொண்டிருந்தால்,எங்களது வாழ்கை மகிழ்ச்சியாக கல்லூரி வாழ்கை  போல அமைந்திருக்குமென நினைத்தேன். உள்ளத்தில் எழும் எண்ணங்கள் எப்பொழுதும் என்றென்றும் ஒன்றாகவே இருந்ததில்லை. இப்படி என் சத்தீஷின் நினைவுகள் என்னை மகிழ்வித்ததால், அக்னி சாட்சியாக ரமேஷின் கரம் பிடித்த பவித்திரமான தாம்பத்திய உறவிற்கு துரோகமல்லவா நான் செய்கிறேன். எங்களது எட்டு வருட உறவில் எங்களுக்கு குழந்தை இல்லை என்ற ஏக்கத்தை தவிர ,வேறு எந்த குறையும் எனக்கு ரமேஷ் வைக்கவில்லை.  ஒரு வேளை நான் சத்தீஷை மணந்திருந்தால் இதற்குள் தாய் ஆகி......இந்த எண்ணமே என்னை குழப்பியது. நான்கு வருட பொருப்பில்லாத கல்லூரி வாழ்க்கை, எட்டு வருட தாம்பத்திய வாழ்க்கைக்கு நியாய திராசில் எப்படி ஈடாகும்? இந்த எட்டு வருடத்தில் எவ்வளவு பொருப்புகள்,எத்தனை வித்தியாசமான வாய்ப்புகள், பல வகை மனிதர்கள் இவெயெல்லாம் நான் மறந்துவிட்டேனா என்ன? என்னை புடம் போட்டு பொருப்புள்ள பெண்ணாக மாற்றிய இந்த வாழ்க்கையை எப்படி மறக்கமுடியும்? இப்படி என் மனதில் ஒரு ஆத்ம விசாரணையின் ஆரம்பம். முடிவு! குற்ற உணர்ச்சிகளின் குமுறல். ரமேஷிடம் என் கடந்த கால  வாழ்கையை என்றாவது சொல்லி இருப்பேனா? இதற்கு தான் நம்பிக்கை துரோகம்  என்பார்களோ? ரமேஷ் அலுவலக வேலையாக நான்கு நாட்கள்  பம்பாய் சென்றிருக்கிறார். வந்தவுடன் முதல் வேலையாக, இன்று சத்தீஷை பற்றி பேசவேண்டும் என்று முடிவெடுத்தேன்.

      

       அந்த நான்கு நாட்களும் ஓடிவிட்டன. ரமேஷ் ஏர்போர்ட்டிலிருந்து தான் வந்து விட்டதாக டெலிபோனில் பேசினார்.  என் மனதில் ஒரே குழப்பம். வந்தவுடன் எப்படி ஆரம்பிப்பது என்று. ஒரே மணி நேரத்தில் வீட்டை அடைந்த ரமேஷின் முகம், வாடி களைப்பாக இருந்தது. சாப்பாட்டை முடித்துவிட்டு ஹாலில் இருந்த சோபாவில் உட்கார்ந்தார். “ஏன் வந்ததிலிருந்து மிகவும் ‘டல்லாக’ இருக்கிறீர்கள்? என கேட்டேன். “ஏதோ சொல்ல வேண்டும் போல் இருக்கிறது. ஆனால் முடியவிலை. என்று இழுத்தார. மறுபடியும் சில நிமிட மெளனம்.

      

       “இதுவரை நான் ஒரு விஷயத்தை உன்னிடம் மறைத்து விட்டேன். நம் கல்யாணத்திற்கு முன் நான் ஷீலா என்ற பெண்ணை கல்லூரி நாட்களிலிருந்தே காதலித்தேன். எங்கள் திருமணம் நிச்சயமாகி பிறகு கல்யாண மண்டபத்தில் நின்று போயிற்று.  காரணம், யாரோ சொந்தகாரர் ஒருவர் ஜோஸ்யம் பார்ததில் எங்கள் திருமணத்தால் புத்திர பாக்கியம் எங்களுக்கு இல்லாமலே போய்விடுமாம். நான் இப்பொழுது பம்பாய் சென்றிருந்த போது, என் அலுவலக நண்பரின் வீட்டிற்கு சாப்பிட போயிருந்தேன். அங்கே எதிர்பாராமல் ஷீலா அந்த நண்பரின் மனைவியாக இருந்தாள். என் கடந்த கால காதலி இப்பொழுயது மற்றொவன் மனைவியாக எனக்கு அறிமுகமான போது என் மனதில் ஒரு எரிமலயே வெடித்தது. அப்படி ஒரு எண்ணம் என் மனதை பாதித்திருந்தால்  நான் மாத்திரம் இன்னொருத்திக்கு கணவன் ஆனது எந்த விதத்தில் நியாயம்? அவளும் நானும் சிறிது நேரம் ஒருவரை ஒருவர் மெளனமாக பார்த்து கொண்டாலும் அந்த பார்வையில் எவ்வளவோ அர்த்தங்கள் இருந்தன. எந்த சொந்தகாரர்  குழதை பேறு எங்களுக்கு இல்லை என்று எங்கள் கல்யாணத்தை நிறுத்தினாரோ அவருடைய மகனைத்தான் ஷீலாவிற்கு திருமணம் செய்து இருக்கிறார்கள். உள்ளேயிருந்து ஒடி வந்த நான்கு வயது  பெண்ணை அவர்களின் தத்து எடுத்து வாரிசாக என் நண்பர் அறிமுகம் செய்து வைக்கும்போது, ஷீலா குற்ற உணர்ச்சியுடன் என்னை பார்த்தது என் நெஞ்சை நெகிழ வைத்தது. கல்லூரி நாட்களில் ஷீலாவின் அழகை பற்றி பேசாதவர்களே இல்லை. அவள் துடுக்கான பேச்சும் துள்ளித் திரியும்இளம் சிட்டாக சுற்றி வந்த ஷீலாவா இப்படி அமைதியாக இருக்கிறாள் என்று ஆச்சரியப்பட்டு போனேன். கல்லூரி நாட்களின் முதல் காதல் என்றும் மறக்க முடியாதது. என் கடந்த கால காதல் கதையை நான் உன்னிடம் இத்தனை நாட்கள் சொல்வதா வேண்டாமா என்று என் மனம் ஆத்ம விசார்ணையில் குற்றவாளியாக நிற்க,சொல்லியே ஆகவேண்டும் என்ற தீர்ப்பில் சொல்லிவிட்டேன்” என்றார். இதைச்  சொன்னவுடன் ரமேஷின் முகத்திலிருந்த குழப்பம் நீங்கி ஒரு தெளிவு தெரிந்தது.

      

       என்னுடய ஆத்ம விசாரணையின் தீர்ப்பு போல ரமேஷின் தீர்ப்பும் அமைந்தது எனக்கு வியப்பாக இருந்தாலும், அது எனக்கு சாதகமாகவே இருந்தது. இதுவரை சொல்லாத என் காதல் கதையை சுலபமாக இனிமேல் சொல்ல முடியும். இருவரும் குற்ற உணர்ச்சி கொண்டவர்கள் ஆயிற்றே1

      

       மகிழ்ச்சியான மண வாழ்க்கையை ஒரு தம்பதியினர் அனுபவிக்கும் போது அவர்களின் தனித்தனியான கடந்தகால காதலர்களை மலரும் நினைவுகளாக விதிவசத்தால் சந்தர்ப சூழ்நிலையில் சந்தித்ததில், ஆழமாக மனதில் புதைக்கப்பட்டு இருந்த குற்ற உணர்ச்சிகள் விஸ்வரூபம் எடுத்து பிராயசித்ததை தேடி கொள்கின்றன.

      

       ரமேஷிடம் ஆரம்பத்திலிருந்து சத்தீஷை கல்யாண வீட்டில் பார்த்த வரை விவரித்தேன். சத்தீஷின் பெண் குழந்தையை பற்றி சொன்ன பொழுது “நீ சத்தீஷை மணந்திருந்தால் இதற்குள் புத்திர பாக்கியம் உனக்கும் கிடைத்திருக்குமென” அவர் சொன்னது எதையோ சுட்டிக் காட்டுவது போல் இருந்தது. எப்படியோ எங்களிருவரிடையே இருந்த ரகசியங்கள் வெளியாகி பெரு மூச்சு விட்டோம். ‘”விரும்பிய வாழ்க்கை அமையாவிடில் அமைந்த வாழ்கையை விரும்பிவிடு” என்ற வரிகள் ஞாபகத்திற்கு வர  இருவரும் ஒருவருக்கு ஒருவர் ஆறுதல் கூறிக் கொண்டோம்.

      

       ‘காலிங் பெல்’ சத்தம் கேட்டு வாசல் கதவை திறந்தேன். என் சிநேகிதி டாக்டர்  கல்யாணி, வீட்டிற்கு போகும் வழியில் வந்திருந்தாள். அவள் எங்களுடைய ‘டெஸ்ட் ரிப்போர்ட்டின்படி’ ரமேஷுக்கு எந்த குறையும் இல்லை என்றும், நான் மட்டும் சில மருந்துகள் சாப்பிட்டால் சீக்கிரமே எங்களுக்கு குழந்தை பிறக்கும்’ என்று சொன்ன வார்த்தைகள் மாத்திரம் எங்கள் செவிகளில் மதுர கீதமாக கேட்டது.                        

எரிந்த கோபுரங்கள்
     9/11  
- பி. கிருஷ்ணமூர்த்தி 



இரட்டை பிறவிகள் அல்ல நாங்கள்

  இருவராக படைக்கப்பட்டோம் நியுயார்க் நகரில்

உலகமே வியக்கும்படி

உயரமாக வாழ்ந்திருந்தோம்  
     
 இரட்டை கோபுரங்கள்  என்றாலும்

    இறைவன் கோவில் கோபுரங்கள் அல்ல 
இரவும் பகலும் எங்களுக்கு உறவு
இணை பிரியாது வாழ்ந்து வந்தோம

எங்களுக்குள் நூற்றி பத்து மாடிகள் உண்டு

ஏராளமாக அங்கு பணியாளர்களும் உண்டு

எங்களை தரசித்த பக்தர்கள் எண்ணில் அடங்கா

எங்களை காணாதவரோ விரல்களில் அடங்குவர் 

அமெரிக்காவின் தலைவாசலில் காவலிருந்தோம

அடுத்திருந்த கட்டிடங்கள் எங்களுக்கு இளையவர்கள்

ஆறெழுத்தில் அடங்கும் அட்லான்டிக் சமுத்திரம்

அடிவாரத்தின் அருகாமையில் சலசலத்திருக்கும்

செப்டம்பர் பதினொன்று செவ்வாய்கிழமை

செங்கதிர் சூரியன் என் றும் போல் உதிக்க

நிர்மாலய நீலவானம் எங்கும் பரந்திருக்க

நீல பறவைகளும் எங்களை சுற்றி பறந்ததம்மா

காலையிருந்தே அன்றும் கூட்டம்

காண வந்தோரும் பணியாளரும் பல ஆயிரங்கள்..

என்றும்போல் அன்றும்  எங்களிடம் வந்திருக்க

ஏனோ எங்களுக்குள் சஞ்சலித்தின் எதிரொலி

ஒன்பதை தொட திணரும் கடிகார முள்

ஓடிகளைத்த நிலை போலும்

படைத்தவன் பார்வை கூட மறைக்கபட்டதோ

பாவிகள் எங்களை அழித்த வேளையில்

உலகே காணாத கொடூர முறையில்

வெள்ளி நிறத்திலே வாயு வேகத்திலே

விமானங்களில் எங்களை தாக்கி எரித்ததில்

வெந்துபோய் மடிந்தவர் ஏராளம் ஏராளம்

அடைக்கலம் தரும் அமெரிக்காவிற்கா இந்த சோதனை

அதிர்ச்சியில் அழுது உறைந்தது உலகம்  

ஒரு கணத்தில் பாவிகள் முடித்த நாச வேலைக்கு

ஒரு வார்த்தை தலைப்பு தீவிரவாதம்

The Centinarian


 -   P.Krishnamoorthy

 The sky was clear on that day except for patches of dark clouds and the sun was playing ‘hide and seek’ between them. The  Senior Citizens’ Centre was busy with the morning  routine.  It had nearly four hundred  senior citizens  of both the genders of varying  ages from sixty  onwards. It had also a medical facility with ‘on call’ basis besides  a doctor everyday  visiting to check  on their welfares. To escape from mundane and monotonous daily schedules,  they  often visited  religious,  historical places and  picnic locations. In short they enjoyed their lives in the Centre, except  they were missing their loved ones.

Among them Ravinder, the only person who was ninety nine years old, was affectionately called ”Ravinderji” by others.  He was a miracle and a mystery  to them as he  never had any health issues, minor or major, so far in his life. Except for reading glasses and wheel chair that he used due to  security reasons, he was absolutely hale and healthy even at that age. A strict disciplinarian in diets and after nearly 2-hour daily walking inside the complex,  physical exercises formed part of his morning schedule. After his bath he would recite the various  Sanskrit scriptures for prayer. After a long meditation and yoga  he would close the morning schedules. He was a learned scholar  and a voracious reader of  classics. He was well versed in all the hindu epics like Ramayana, Mahabharatha and others.  He was a competent conversationist in any subject of art, science and various cultures. Academically he held a Doctorate in aerodynamics and served as a senior faculty member in a leading University. He was earlier honored by foreign Universities for his various thesis and contributions.

The reverence  and  esteem of others towards ‘Ravinderji’ were remarkable.  He  was a ‘Guru’ for them for any advice or suggestion even  for their personal problems. His solutions to their problems alleviated them from many crises. His discourses in the Centre were thought provoking and convincing. He would explicate the characters of 'Rama' and 'Krishna' in the epics as they were all "fundamental to the cultural conscience of India and presented the teachings of ancient Hindu sages in narrative allegory interspercing phlosophical and ethical elements". These discourses had engrossed the audiance so immensely they wanted such sessions very frequently. 


His unique exposition of ‘ truth and fulfillment in life’  would give courage  and strength  in any personal predicaments.  According to him, there would be  numerous things in life that seem to be impossible at the start; but, would become possible when one’s heart and thoughts were  pure and chaste. Every person  born on this earth had some purpose in life.  Every task done with a clear and honest intention would  certainly bring positive results.  He made simple  to understand the realm of applied philosophy. 

The doctor on his usual visit, called on him  and enquired about his welfares  When Ravinderji’s  answers  for his  queries  were  positive and encouraging, he was amazed at his cheerful and energetic appearance that were strange to his age. His cardiological reports, orthopedic findings, ECGs and other periodical medical and blood reports, bear testimony for his perfcect health as everything  was unquestionably  normal. According to the doctor, Ravinderji’s sustained perfect health and super level of energy in that age, was unprecedented in doctor’s twenty years medical experience. After his personal examination, the doctor felt very happy and confident to assure him that with the findings of various reports and his personal examination,  there was no possibility for him to get  any cardiac arrest or other age-related  ailments in the near future.  He was even prepared to challenge his diagnosis with any expert in the medical field. He wished him all fun and happiness with his daughter and grandson  on his birthday. 

After he left Ravinderji went thru the messages received on that day. One important message he was expecting from his only daughter Aarthi in the States. She had confirmed her landing in India and that they would be in the Centre for his birthday. Ravinder was excited on seeing this as he would personally meet his grandson for the first time.  The memories  of  his son-in-law  Michael Richard’s. death in car accident,  his only son Sunil’s death  in a plane crash  and his wife’s demise after protracted  illness, still haunted him and  suffered often from mental anguish and emotional distress.

The inmates were keen in celebrating his birthday lavishly. Posters and banners displaying the wordings “Ravinderji - Age cannot wither you nor steal your different capabilities - HAPPY BIRTHDAY”  were seen all over the Centre. What sort of a gift they could give him was the bone of contention among the inmates. They made arrangement with  the Centre’s  Management  for a special lunch  and dinner along with cultural programs.  According to them that day was very important as their beloved Guru completes not only  ninetynine years of age but significantly entering  a century as well.

While the whole Centre was in rejoicing mood, there was a ray of regret reflected on his face as the tragic  memories overshadowed his happiness. He had not still recovered from the grief till that day. After all his commendable  success  in his life, his remorse was, his  prolonged life was destined only to personally go thru the agony of the tragedies. They indelibly got into his mind, compelling him to offer prayers for his speedy end; but that also appeared a mirage to him. He felt the belated end was a way of punishment for any of his unintentional sins, and the destiny decided that he had to bear the cross for some more time. One could say  it was more of agony than the ecstasy of living long..

The late evening and the night were cold and the mild breeze accelerated the chill clime.  After the dinner session everyone dispersed to their respective rooms. The complex was very quiet with  all the inmates in their rooms. Ravinder returned to his room and eagerly checked his phone for any further message from Aarti.  The doctor’s assurance  that there would be no cardiac arrest or any age related ailment to him in the near future, was still echoing in  Ravinder’s ears. He was brooding over it. Contrary to doctor’s diagnosis, he was thinking as to whether he could in any way hasten his own end. With a confused mind he went to sleep.

The next morning all the inmates assembled before his room to greet him with  birthday wishes. He used to be an early riser everyday; but that day, the room was locked inside. Apparently Ravinderji had not got up and they were surprised. They knocked the door for any response. As there was no reaction for a long time, they decided to open the door with the master key from the office.  As the door was opened, they found him lying on the ground with no sign of life in him. Immediately the doctor was summoned and he confirmed that his end came sometime after midnight. Nobody heard any noise for help from his room and the cause of death was a mystery to all. Doctor was sure that he did not die due to any heart attack or brain hemorrhage or any other serious ailment. His recent medical reports undoubtedly cleared him from happening of such ailments. He was even recollected his challenge on his diagnosis. It was a big unsolved  puzzle for him. As the doctor was confused on his death and pondering over as to how the death had occurred, he saw two live electrical wires with their ends non-insulated and connected to power source near his bed. Obviously Ravinderji would have come in contact with these open wires and got electrocuted. On investigation it was found an electrician was working in his room  the previous evening and left with the wires open.

The celebration arrangement was cancelled and among the mourners Aarti and her son were there to see him lifeless. As per Ravinder’s wish, he himself hastened his death by unknowingly touched the live wires, but he got  relieved from the memories of his family  tragedies. However his last wish to see his daughter and grandson remained unfulfilled.  He was a CENTENARIAN for all, as he had entered into his 100^th year before he died. 

Courtesy: PURE FIX....

-     

P.Krishnamoorthy

It was the late afternoon of a Friday when the summer drizzle  played games with the beads of the sunlight. The government co-ed high school in a village in South India was busy with all classes in session for  the last period. Being a weekend, students were happy that they would have two days holidays when they would have their own free time without a strict schedule.  All students  in the eighth grade were busy in copying the homework  from the blackboard.  Keshav was the only guy breaking his head  as how to get money to play card game in the weekend. Swiftly his eyes focused on the gold chain that was in  Sunitha’s neck, the girl  sitting exactly before him in the front row. Also favorably for him the chain  had loosened from its holding hook. A flash of an idea struck him to quietly snatch the chain from her as she was concentrating on copying. He executed his plan very successfully and kept the chain in between the pages of his book to avoid any detection in body search later.   Being the last period, on hearing the bell, the  students were rushing to leave. Along with her friends Sunitha also was to leave the class when she found her gold chain missing. She shouted for help and started crying.  John Peter, the class teacher immediately stopped everybody from exiting the room, as according to Sunitha, she was sure she had the chain when she came to the class. A body search was conducted on all students. Since the chain was concealed in a book, Keshav escaped in the body search. When leaving he was caught red-handed as the book fell down from his grip and got  opened  with  the chain. 

    

Keshav looked very dazed as he was  held by others. He was wondering what punishment he had to undergo for this crime.  Earlier he had done similar minor offences in the school but he would do them so cleverly that its onus would finally land on someone who would be punished. His outside activities include cheating in card games with a gang for money and  other illegal activities. One of the students reported the chain incident to the Principal, as he was very much offended by the body search.  In minutes the Principal was in the scene. After  extensive enquiries along with the evidence and insistence by other students,  the Principal had to decide to handover Keshav to the local police. The only support he had was from John Peter who was a missionary besides a school teacher. He felt very bad at  the unfortunate incident. Keshav could not be exonerated as a juvenile for this crime as it was done wantonly by him.

Orphaned by Keshav’s mother’s death in child birth and his father’s  mysterious absence, he was deprived of paternal love in his early years. He was under the care of his uncle who was ill-treating  him all the time. Due to severe berating and harassment, he used to slip away often from home and got exposed to violent culture. Academically he was below average and was detained in every class.

John Peter was confused  as the students and the Principal demanding on Keshav’s punishment through police. By that the future of Keshav would be ruined forever even if he gets the minimum punishment and gets into a criminal record. For this consideration he suggested to the Principal, his temporary suspension from the school instead of reporting to the police. According to John, Keshav was not to be blamed alone for this scenario, as by fate, he was deprived of a lovable upbringing by parents and subsequent torture he was undergoing at home by his uncle. The total neglect and uncaring he experienced from his childhood had manifested to his present state of behavior. The people at home were also equally responsible for such a situation. Arguments followed on both sides and on personal pleading by John  with his drastic step of resigning his school job if he had to be handed over to the police, it was decided that Keshav to leave the school permanently.

John took Keshav to his church as Keshav was scared  to face his uncle after this incident. After a prayer to the Lord, John gave advice on various virtues in  life and how he should adapt to various  circumstances and challenges as they come. Above all, not to forget the people who would help him in trying circumstances? He was imparting ‘sermons’ on  values in life. It was very late when they returned to John’s place.

Keshav was totally confused after his thoughts of various decisions about his future. John’s advice on life had strongly imbedded in his mind. Tossed by various thoughts whether to stay in the same village or otherwise to seek better future elsewhere, he was tormented emotionally in deciding a conclusion. The tip of the scale finally favored him to leave the place for good. The next dilemma was whether to inform this decision to John or not. His inner conscience indicated that John may not agree with it. He was  not inclined to be a burden on him in future.

It was past midnight and as everybody in John’s place was sleeping,  Keshav walked out of the house. Next morning when John came to his room, he found Keshav missing. Instead he had left a note to him indicating he was seeking his future elsewhere and profusely thanked for saving him at the critical moment. He assured him that he would become a new leaf with his good advices and blessings for a better future. John prayed to the Lord to bless Keshav all success in his future life.

As Keshav walked some distance he saw the rail station and a train ready for departure. He rushed and boarded the train. He later found that he was in upper class unlocked compartment. A middle aged couple was the occupants in it. On seeing the intruder, they were about to shout for help.  Keshav, in tears convinced them that he was an orphan seeking asylum for future living. The couple was returning to Mumbai from a temple in the south where they finished the first year ceremony for their only son Suresh who died in a car accident in Mumbai. The couple got moved by his pleading.  Also on seeing Keshav, they were surprised to find him with the same resemblance of their deceased son. They offered to take him to Mumbai and  help him for his future. Keshav was very happy and again he thanked John  for his timely help.

The transformation for Keshav was more of providential that made him to believe the divine faith. His thoughts were more positive that directed him to concentrate in his studies. Not a day passed without thinking John and his foster parents who later legally adopted him. From the  portraits at home, Keshav was astounded at the similarity between him and Suresh. Both in the school and college Keshav was an outstanding student and came out in flying colors. His faster parents were also very happy at the progress he made from an orphan child. Finally Keshav  had to leave them to take up a senior position in World Bank, Washington. Though they were not  happy to send him, they reluctantly agreed for his decision considering his future.

Though Keshav’s job was challenging and he had to devote more time in office. Often he was  feeling home sick and longing to see the foster parents,  but his profession kept him very busy. Time rolled by with the years passed and emotionally he became depressed with lonliness as the foster parents died due to health issues. He came to Mumbai to do the final ceremonies for them. An inner urge prompted him to make a visit to his old village and meet John Peter after a long spell if he was alive.

After completion of all ceremonies he made a down south visit to his village. It was evening when he entered the village. The setting sun was hiding behind the clouds in the crimson sky making a spectacular scene. The green fields in contrast  were a feast making everyone a silent spectator. Keshav enjoyed the natural beauty and compared  to the mundane metropolitan life. He was recollecting the old memories where he used to hang out in these fields with his friends. The rail station was as important to him as it opened a new page in his life book by  transforming a  reckless individual into a civilized soul.  Above all, the various virtues and values of life imparted to him by his mentor John Peters that were strongly carved in him, were recollected by him every time. As he was enjoying the nature’s unbounded  splendor, he had a sudden shock of his car suddenly stopped when it hit someone crossing the road. He got down and found a young girl was knocked down by his car. She was unconscious but stable. Keshav immediately arranged an ambulance to take her to a nearby hospital.

Though he had seen her for a brief moment, he got enticed with her beauty. Impelled by his inner impulse to see her again he made a visit to  the hospital. He felt relieved when the doctor said she was fine and normal and able to recognize others.  He introduced Keshav to the girl Diana as the man who arranged immediate ambulance  to the hospital in time. She had only external injuries and a hairline fracture on the right leg. He was eager to know about Diana’s parents and whether they had been informed about the accident. Diana was able to guess Keshav from an affluent family. But for no rhyme or reason  a sense of attachment with him was going thru her. Only the name ‘Keshav’ sounded familiar to her from the school days.  

Keshav heard some human voice crying “Diana” again and again. Followed the voice there entered a bearded gray haired old man. When the doctor informed him that his daughter was doing well and normal, he was relieved. Keshav introduced himself and enquired about the old man. Keshav’s ecstasy  was well manifested in his face when he knew that was his mentor, philosopher and guide John Peters and Diana was his daughter.  Reciprocally John Peter was also happy to see Keshav in a good shape after a long time since that night. Both happily hugged together. He also recollected Diana during school days as a minor girl. Decades have elapsed since then and now he saw her as a blooming beautiful adolescent. 

Keshav accompanied John to his home where they discussed everything happened during the years passed. John said his only unfulfilled commitment in life  was  his daughter’s marriage and he was on the lookout for a suitable alliance for her. Instantly Keshav seized that moment as he was pondering all along as to how to initiate his offer to John. He continued the conversation and conveyed his desire to marry Diana. This was a pleasant surprise for John as he was not expecting this from Keshav. He instantly expressed his whole hearted consent for his offer as  John knew that Diana had nobody in view of her own.  By this wedding Keshav was also blissful on his fulfillment of one of  John Peter’s ‘sermon’ that one should develop the ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE in life.