IN MEMORIUM

The sun was inclining towards the western horizon . In a few minutes the blue sky would be turned to blazing red conveying goodbye to the weary day.

How strange that the same magnificence of the sky is splashed at dawn too! The same chirping of the birds and the same colour of the sky the same blazing red. A sun born! A sun laid to rest.

The subtle behaviour of nature is understood by many creatures great and small . The wonderful winged creatures fly in flocks at end of hard day towards their nests their abode.

All of a sudden I too experienced the urge to be in ‘Her’ arms- in my Beloved Mothers arms.
“Oh Heaven! Why thou taketh away-
My Mother my Beloved Mother,
I have missed her all these days.
Her absence makes me wither!”
Tears trickled down my cheeks. As they did so the image that had been blurred got cleared and a pair of twinkling eyes smiled at me. The time stood still transforming the rays of fleeting moments into a beautiful image vivid and clear. Her fingers wiped my eyes. I felt all my powers merge into it. She became a part of me The embrance was warm and still. The heart beat fast . There was an onrush of the body . Her face was young as ever,no frickles or blemish dared descend on her. She must never get old. Oh! Beauty my heart told. Her loving hands caressed my hair. A whisper so loud and clear . Thoughts exchanged …feelings dissipated..

A new world had dawned ! Sorrows were forgotten joy had pervaded.. The ultimate bliss . A sudden light shone in the far west . a flock of birds flew past the red orb. In no time the sun had set leaving behind its magnificent glow .

It echoed ..my question. Mother where you?

(The above article was writen by me (prajakta)it was published in The Hitwada










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                                           THE ENCOUNTER

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A six year old boy was playing in the backyard of his house. There stood an iron pole inserted vertically.  The children used to climb up and then slide down.  The elder ones performed all sorts of exercises. 

But that day he was all alone.  He found a leather belt.  He held it tightly in his little hand and started whipping the pole relentlessly..  His mother stood at the doorstep watching him.  He whipped the pole again and again murmuring “why did you kill my father.”  He was red with rage.  Not knowing the child’s sudden behavior she rushed at him.  He screamed “why did you kill my father.”  The words deafened her ears and she consoled her young one took him in her arms.  She knew she could not bring back his father.  Her husband would never return! He was killed by the dacoit. 

Her husband was an Inspector in the Police force.  He was posted at Badnaver, in Madhya Pradesh.  Everybody addressed him as Raosaheb. 

Raosaheb was very handsome strongly built and a brave person.  He caught hold of dangerous thieves and vagabonds and put them behind the bars. 

Life went on.. he found a beautiful lady fell in love and eventually married her.  They were blessed with five children.  As soon as he returned home from his tour, the children would cluster round him. He played with them. He would pick the young ones and swing them on his arms.  Their reverberating laughter and chuckles freshened him up.  

Night was pleasant to be in parents arms. This bliss lasted for a very short period.  The darkness enveloped the twinkling stars which foretold a grievous future for the family.

That very night the Inspector spoke to his wife about his plans to catch the dacoit.    A pall of gloom spread over her.  She was dumbfounded as all her plans to desist him from venturing his arduous task. 

Parting with his dear ones he strode away in the eerie jungles with is small coup—a handful of men and meager ammunition.  The dense forest near Badnawar in Madyapradesh was the dacoit’s hideout.  They drove in the deep forests in bullocarts – it was the only means to travel in those days.  The narrow lanes of the village, after village was traversed until one village was spotted for supplying huge amount of chicken meat and wines.  At ones the Inspector acumen directed his men towards that place. soon they confronted a  fierce looking person clad in military uniform with broad mustache.  No doubt that he was the famous dacoit Nathakanjar the most wanted by the police force.  He was surrounded by his men.. They were well equipped with ammunition.  He roared aloud to bring the Inspector before him.  After much interrogation the dacoit had insisted the Inspector to give up his Police uniform his belt and guns and surrender before them.  The brave Inspector preferred to fight with him unto his death.  It would be an insult to his profession to go back and cowardly submit to the dacoit’s demands. A fierce battle raged between the two troops. A sepoy who fled for his life had climbed a tree and saw the drama with his naked eye.  He was a sole survivor and later narrated the whole incident to the family members and the villagers all that had transpired between the two parties.  The fearless Inspector was none other than the little boy’s father. 

The body of Raosaheb was brought home and laid for last darshan.

The small boy caught hold of his weeping mothers hand, consoled her and promised to take care of her henceforth.  

The heavens rumbled as the guns were fired..a mark of salutations for the Martyr. The last rights were performed..

Years later,

the promise he had made to his mother had been fulfilled when his mother breathed last.  A huge void left him but this time he was not alone, his better half held him to share his grief and joy both..
My above article got published in the Hitavada.