पुनर्मुषिकोभव

 

पुनर्मुषिकोभव

“की करी किछु फुरा नहि रहल अछि...! प्रेसबला सभ पाछू पड़ि गेल अछि। जतए जाउ ओतहि ई सभ पहुँचि जाएत। आखिर हमरो निजी जिनगी अछि।” मुख्यमंत्रीजी बाजि उठलाह। पुन: अपन प्रेस सचिवकेँ बजौलखिन-

“मिस्टर सिंह। अहाँ एकटा विज्ञप्ति अखबारमे प्रकाशित करबा दियौक जे प्रेसक आदमी मुख्यमंत्रीसँ सम्बन्धित ओही समाचारकेँ प्रकाशित कराबथि जे हुनकर सरकारी कारोबारसँ सम्बद्ध होइक आ जकरा छापब जनताक हेतु नितान्त आवश्यक होइक। संगहि ईहो समाचार प्रकाशित करबाओल जाएजे हमर व्यक्तिगत कृया कलाप छापए बला समाचार पत्र ओ सभ व्यक्तिक विरूद्ध कार्रवाई कएल जाएत।”

उत्तरमे प्रेस सचिव बाजि उठलाह-

“ठीक सर। ठीक। प्रेस बला सभकेँ कहि नहि की भए गेल छैक। एकरा सभकेँ सबक सीखेनाइ बेस जरूरी थिक। हम आइए ई विज्ञप्ति प्रकाशित करबा दैत छियैक।”

“हद भए गेल! कहि नहि, प्रेसबला सभकेँ की भए गेलैक अछि।”

अहीं कहू अपना सभमे बलिदान देबाक तँ पुरान प्रथा छैक आ ताहि बातकेँ लऽ कए प्रेसबला सभ छापि देलकै अछि आ सौंसे देशमे हरविर्ड़ो मचि गेल। जे मुख्यमंत्री डॉ. तिवारीजी अपन कुर्सी बचयबाक हेतु छागरक सोनितसँ स्नान कएलन्हि अछि। लगैत अछि जे प्रेसबला सभकेँ सबक सीखबहि पड़त। मुदा कोना? अच्छा काल्हि एहि विषयपर बिस्तारसँ विचार- विमर्श कएल जयतैक।

“मैडम। प्रेस विल तँ अहींक आज्ञासँ लगाओल गेल।”

मुदा जाहि तरहक विरोध एकर भए रहल अछि से तँ अप्रत्याशित अछि। लगैत अछि हमरा नव मुख्यमंत्रीक नियुक्ति करहि पड़त।”

“नहि, नहि। एना नहि करी। हम तँ अहाँक शरणमे सदिखन रहलहुँ अछि। कही तँ एहि विलकेँ आपस लएली?”

“हँ, से भए सकैत अछि, मुदा एकर बादो हम ई आश्वासन नहि दए सकैत छी। अच्छा, फेर गप्प कएल जेतैक।”

-क्यो महिला स्वर एतबा कहि कए टेलीफोन काटि देने छल। एकर बादे माननीय भूतपूर्व मुख्यमंत्रीजीक निन्न उपटि गेलनि। सभटा बीतल गप्प सीनेमाक रील जकाँ सपनामे देखार भए रहल छलनि। असलमे हुनकर कुर्सीसँ हटब एकटा तेहन मार्मिक प्रसंग छल जे हुनका निरंतर ओझरौने रहैत छल।

ओना जहिआसँ ओ मुख्यमंत्री भेलाह तहिएसँ हुनका भयावह स्वप्न सभ आबए लागल छलनि। विपक्षी दलक नाकेबन्दी मजबूत भए गेल छलनि आ सत्तादलमे सेहो कै गूट भए गेल छल मुदा साहसक बले ओ आगा बढ़ैत जाइत छलाह।अचानक गाड़ीक पहिया घसैत देखलनि तँ वो ओकरा उखारबाक कोनो कम प्रयास केलनि से बात नहि मुदा भावी प्रवल।

कर्णोक रथ तँ एहिना धसि गेल रहनि। बेस संक्रमण कालमे ओ जहाँ ने लड़ाइमे आगू बढ़लाह कि रथक पहिआ धसए लागल। ठीक एकदम वैह हाल माननीय भूतपूर्व मुख्यमंत्रीजीकेँ भेलनि।

भए सकैय जे हमर गप्प अहाँकेँ तीत लगैता हो आ जँ मैथिलवृन्द छी तँ हमर गप्प अनुचितो लागत जे एकटा मैथिल मुख्यमंत्रीक प्रति सेहो जखन ओ सत्ताच्युत भए गेलाह एहि तरहक आरोप, प्रत्यारोप मिथिलाक संस्कृतिक अनुकूल नहि थिक। मुदा मैथिलवृन्द, अपने लोकनि भावुक नहि होइ। माननीय भू.पू. मुख्यमंत्रीजी कुर्सी बचयबाक हेतु कोन कुकर्म छोड़लाह। अपन नामक नियोजन कराए एकटा आधुनिक परिवार सन छोट कए देल जा ऊर्दू भाषाकेँ कपारपर चढ़ा गामे-गामे ऊर्दू भाषाक पढ़ौनीक हेतु किछु कसरि नहि उठा कए राखल आ ताहूसँ नहि मोन मानलकनि तँ आकाशवाणी दरभंगासँ मैथिली-कार्यक्रममे हिन्दीकेँ सन्न्हिआ देल। एहिसँ बेसी मैथिल प्रेमी सचमुच के भए सकैत अछि?

कहबी छैक जे ने दौड़ चली ने ठेसि खसी। मुदा मुख्यमंत्रीजीकेँ ई गप्प के बुझेतनि। ओहि दिन अखबार पढ़ैत छलियैक तँ एकटा बेस नमगर अपील पढ़लहुँ। धूर्तताक चरमसीमा छल । मैथिलीमे समाचार पत्र निकालताह।

यौ महामहोपाध्यायजी। अपनेकेँ ई बुद्धि किछु दिन पूर्व किएक नहि भेल? की अहाँ मैथिल जनताकेँ ओतेक मुर्ख बुझि रहल छियैक जे अहाँ ओकरा भुतिएने फिरिऐक। एकदम नहि। आब जमाना बदललै। मुदा अहाँक निराशाक प्रति सहानुभूति तँ अछिए। खैर, देर अयलहुँ दुरुस्त अयलहुँ। मुदा ई तँ कहू जे ओहि समाचार पत्रमे की की खबरि छपतैक? मुख्यमंत्री पदक पुन: प्राप्तिक हेतु जँ अहाँ कोनो यज्ञ करबैक तँ ओकरा प्रमुखतासँ छपबैक वा नहि? उमेद अछि जे एहिबेर ओ समाचार मैथिलीमे प्रकाशित समाचार पत्रक मुख्य पृष्ठपर अपने छापब।

ओहि दिन गाममे बैसार रहैक। नवतुरिआ सभ मैथिलीक प्रचार-प्रसारक हेतु बेस आन्दोलन केने छलाह। माननीय भू.पू. मुख्यमंत्रीजी प्रमुख वक्ता छलाह। वो बाजक लेल ठाढ़े छलाह कि क्यो दौड़ल आएल। कहलक-

“दिल्लीसँ फोन आएल अछि।”

ओ मंचपरसँ धड़फड़ाइत उतरए लगलाह ओ एही क्रममे लूढ़कियो गेलाह। फेर वैह नारी स्वर। फेर वैह हतप्रभ भू.पू. मुख्यमंत्री...।

एमहर बैसारीमे हल्ला छलैकजे भू.पू. मुख्यमंत्रीजी मिथिला राज्यक घोषणा करताह। मुदा कहि नहि किएक, सम्भवत: ओहि अप्रत्याशित फोनक कारणसँ मिटिंगक कर्यवाहीपर गम्भीर प्रभाव पड़ल आ मिटिंग साधारण भाषणक बाद स्थगित भए गेल।

ओहि दिनुका मिटिंगक बाद भू.पू. मुख्यमंत्रीजी बहुत दिन धरि चुप रहलाह। पछिला महिना साँझक एक दिन समाचार पत्र पढ़ैत छलहुँ। मुख्य पृष्ठपर समाचार छपल छल। ओकर किछु महत्वपूर्ण अंश प्रस्तुत अछि-

दिनांक २ मई सन् १९७६  

आई मुकुल गाँधी पटना अयलाह। परम सन्तोष अछि जे हम हुनका प्रशन्न कए सकलहुँ। वो प्रधानमंत्रीक दहिना हाथ छथि। ओना हमर प्रतिद्वन्दी लोकनि हमरापर लागल छथि मुदा जाधरि मुकुल गॉंधी हमरापर नहि विगरताह ताधरि क्यो किछु नहि कए सकैत छथि। तेँ हुनका प्रशन्न करबाक हेतु जान लगा दो।

दिनांक १२ सिदम्बर १९८१

किछु मैथिल आएल छलाह। मैथिलीक अधिकार हेतु छलाह। आखिर मैथिलीक की महत्व अछि? हमरा ई सभ तँ एकदम नीक नहि लगैत अछि, मुदा कएल की जाय। व्यक्तिगत हमरा मैथिल, मैथिलीसँ कोनो लगाव नहि अछि। हँ, जँ क्यो अपन सम्बन्धी होथि वा दोस्त-महिम होथि तँ तिनका नीक-सँ-नीक पद दियावी आ मदतिओ करी। मैथिली, मैथिली चिचिएलासँ की होयत?

१४ अक्टुबर १९८२

बिहार बेस विवादास्पद राज्य अछि। मोन तँ होइए जे एहि पदकेँ छोड़ि जा कए आराम करी, वा पुन: अपन पहिलुका पेशामे लागि जाइ। मुदा एतेक आमदनी छैक एहि काजमे जे शिक्षकक काजमे सातो जन्ममे नहि भए सकैत अछि। प्रेसबला सभ पाछू पड़ि गेल अछि। की करी बुझा नहि रहल अछि?

१ जनवरी १९८४

देखा चाही नवीन वर्ष की की रंग लबैत अछि। मुख्यमंत्री पदसँ हटलाक बाद तीव्र वैराग्य भए रहल अछि। खने मोन करैत अछि जे राजनीतिसँ सन्यास लऽ ली। खने मन करैत अछि जे ‘युद्वाय कृत निश्चय’क पुनरावृत्ति कए दी। मिथलाराज्यक विचार मोनमे घुरिआ रहल अछि। मुदा मैथिलो सभ तँ हमरासँ उचटले छथि। एकटा उपाय सुझि रहल अछि। मैथिलीक प्रचारमे पदयात्रा किछु सज्जन चला रहल छथि। हुनके संग धरी। गामे-गाम मैथिलीक नामे हमरो प्रचार भइए जाएत। सुनबामे आएल अछि जे महिषीमे एकटा बड़ सिद्ध तांत्रिक छथि। हुनकोसँ किछु परामर्श करब। आगा जगदम्बाक ईच्छा। देखा चाही छुटल राज पलटैत अछि कि नहि...।  

कै दिनसँ थाकल-झमारल भू.पू. मुख्यमंत्रीजी ओहि दिन दुपहरियामे कनेके आँखि मुनने छलाह कि सपनाए लगलाह। साक्षात् महिषासुर मर्दिनी कत्ता लए घुमि रहल छलीह। शत्रुक संहार करैत छलीह। नवका मुख्यमंत्रीक नाशक हेतु षडयंत्र जोर-सोरसँ चलि रहल छल। मिथिलाराज्य दलक जनतामे भारी प्रचार भए गेल छल। जतहि देखू ततहि भू.पू. मुख्यमंत्रीजीक स्वागतमे स्वागतद्वार सभ बनल छल जाहिपर बड़का-बड़का बैनरमे लिखल छल-

“मिथिला नरेशक स्वागत हो!”

मैथिलीक प्रचार खूब भेलैक। भू.पू. मुख्यमंत्रीजीक नामक नागारा चारूकात बाजि रहल अछि। चुनाव घोषणा भए गेलैक। बड़का-बड़का उद्योगपति सभ अपन भविष्यक उमेदपर पर्याप्त चन्दा दए रहल छथि। एहि सबहक परिणामो बहरेलैक आ हम पुनश्च मुख्यमंत्री भए गेलहुँ। सपथ प्रहण समारोहमे किछु मैथिल सभ उपद्रव करय चाहैत छलाह कि पुलिस लाठीचार्ज कए देलक...।

एतवहिमे भू्.पू. मुख्यमंत्रीजी सपनेमे गरजए लगलाह कि हुनक नीन्न खुजि गेल। उठलाह तँ वैह रामा वैह खटोला। पुनर्मुषिकोभव।

O

१६ अगस्त १९८४

पढ़ू पूत चण्डी.......

 

पढ़ू पूत चण्डी

समय एक गतिसँ आगा बढ़ल जा रहल अछि। मुदा हम-अहाँ ओकर प्रवाहमे कहि नहि कतय पहुँचि जाइत छी। जेना कोनो तेज धारमे छोट-मोट कतेको वस्तु स्वत: दहाइत कहाँ-सँ-कहाँ पहुँचि जाइत अछि, वएह हाल एहि जिनगीक अछि। ओहि दिन हम बहुत समयक अन्तरालपर एक बेर फेर स्कूलक काते-काते जाइत रही। बहुत रास बच्चा सभ ओहिना विद्यालयक प्रांगणमे खेलाइत छल। मास्टर साहेब हाथमे एकटा डन्टा लऽ कऽ ठाढ़ छलाह कि एतबामे घण्टी घनघनायल आ विद्यार्थी सभहक हूँज स्कूलसँ बहराय लागल।

बीस-बाइस वर्ष पूर्व हमहूँ एहिना घण्टी बजैत देरी स्कूलसँ भगैत छलहुँ। एकटा मुक्तिबोध होइत छोट-छोट बच्चाकेँ देखि बहुत रास गप्प मोनमे आबि रहल छल। प्राय: एकरो सभहक भाय-बाप ओहिना आशा लगा कऽ स्कूल पठवैत हेतैक। भऽ सकैत अछि एहिमेसँ कए गोटा पढ़बो करैक। भऽ सकैत अछि कए गोटा आगा जाकऽ कोनो हाकिम भइयो जाइक। मुदा ताहिसँ ककरा की हैत? की ओकरो सभसँ फेर ओहिना लोककेँ निराश नहि होबय पड़तैक? की ओहो सभ ओहिना अपेक्षा ओ वास्तविकताक    क शमकशमे बिलाइत नहि रहत? तखन ई सभ किएक एतेक चक्कर काटि रहल अछि? वर्षो वर्ष धरि एहेन प्रयास वो संघर्ष किएक?  

मनुष्यक जिनगी होइते कतेकटा अछि? ओहूमे बीस-बाइस वर्ष बड़ीटा भाग भऽ जाइत अछि। वोहि बीचमे एकटा नव पीढ़ी समर्थ भऽ कऽ पूछय लगैत अछि-

“अहाँ की केलहुँ? घूरतर बैसल प्राय: नित्य साँझमे गामक   कैटा बूढ़सभ आपसमे चर्चा करैत छलाह।”

क्यो किछु, क्यो किछु कहैत। गप्प-सप्प बिबादक रुप धरैत आ अन्ततोगत्वा कहियो काल झंझटोक संभावना भए जाइत। सभसँ ढीठ ओ दबंग ठीठरकका पहलमान वो अपढ़ छलाह आ ओहि घूरक महफिलमे डंकाक चोटपर कहितथि-

“पढ़ू पूत चण्डी जासे चले हण्डी।”

सद्य: लाभमे पूर्ण आस्था छलन्हि। भोरमे बच्चा महिष चरौलक आ साँझमे एक डाबा गरम-गरम दूध। एहिसँ नीक शास्त्र की भऽ सकैत छल? सभ पढ़ाइ-लिखाइ व्यर्थ। कहिया पढ़त आ कहिया कमाएत...? मुदा, ओहीठाम हीरा कक्काक स्वर एकदम दोसर रंग छल। धिया-पुता पढ़त तँ विचारवान हैत आ सुखी रहत।

गाममे ओहि घूरक चर्चा चर्चित छल। दुनू गोटासँ साँझमे जँ बैसितथि तँ अपन-अपन दर्शनक अनुसार जरूर बजितथि आ परिणाममे विवाद होइत।

ठीठरकका दबंग ओ लठैत छलाह। जबरदस्त खेती-पथारी रहनि। धिया-पुता सभ बेस मोट-सोंट आ लंठ। सभ डटिकऽ खेतीमे लागल रहैत छल। परिवार सुखी छल। हुनका तुलनामे हीरा कक्काक हालत पातर छल। धिया-पुता सभ स्कूल-कॉलेजमे पढ़ि रहल छल। खेती-पथारी कोनो खास नहि। तेँ कखनोकाल ठीठर कक्काक कथन ठीक बुझाइत छलनि। मुदा दुनू गोटे अपन-अपन विचारपर दृढ़ छलाह।

हीराककाकेँ अपन धिया-पुताक बड़ आशा छलन्हि। आ तेँ अपन सम्पूर्ण शक्तिसँ धिया-पुताकेँ शिक्षा व्यवस्थामे लागल रहैत छलाह।

समय बितैत गेल आ हुनकर सभ नेना सभ पढ़ि-लिखि यथायोग्य नीक-नीक स्थानपर पहुँचलाह। ओम्हर ठीठरक गृहस्ती दिन-प्रति-दिन गड़बड़ाइत गेल। वृद्धावस्थाक जोर पकड़ितहि पुत्र सभ आपसमे भिरैत रहैत छलाह। बात बिगड़ैत देखि वो सभकेँ फराक-फराक कऽ देलखिन। जमीन-जथा बँटि गेल। परिणामत: घरक प्रतिष्ठा सेहो छल।

बीस वर्षक बाद आइ ने हीरा बाबू छथि आ ने ठीठरकका। मुदा सुनबामे बहुत किछु आयल। ठीठरकका बड़ कष्टमे मरि गेलाह। बेटा सभ खेत-पथार बेचि लेलक आ पेट पोसबाक हेतु गामसँ पड़ा गेल। हीरा बाबू सेहो सुखी नहि भऽ सकलाह। धिया-पुता सभ बढ़लक-लिखलक जरूर मुदा सभ अपनामे व्यस्त। ककरो बूढ़ाक व्यथापर सोचबाक समय, इच्छा ओ सामर्थ्य नहि भेलैक। क्यो कलकत्ता तँ क्यो बम्बइ। पाँचो बेटा पाँचटा शहर धेने छलाह। सुनबामे ईहो आयल जे मझिला बेटा लखनउमे मकान बना लेलक अछि। हीरा बाबू ओहिना एसगर टकटक तकैत विदा भऽ गेलाह।

ओहि स्कूलमे मौलाना-जोलहाक बेटा सेहो हमरा सभहक संगे पढ़ैत छल। पढ़यमे सामान्य छल मुदा अत्यन्त सज्जन वो संवेदनशील। कै दिन गामसँ स्कूल जाइत काल वो भेटि जाइत। मुदा वो स्कूल नियमित नहि जाइत छल। कै दिन बाधमे ओकरा हम सभ हर जोतैत देखियैक। हँसियो लागय आ दुखो भऽ जाय। कहियो काल ओकर बाप सेहो भेटि जाइत, एकटा आग्रहक संग-

“बौआ, माहटर साहेब बाबूसँ कहि देबै जे हमर बचबा आज नै जायत।”

पुछिऐक-

“किए?”

मुदा तकर जवाब ओ किछु नहि दितय। पनपिआइ गमछामे बन्हने हर जेातइत अपन बेटा दिसि इशारा करैत।

कै दिन हमरा संगे वो स्कूल जाइत। रास्तामे भेँट भऽ जाइत छल। गमछामे पाँच-छहटा किताब ओ किछु कॉपी बन्हने हमरा देखैत घरेसँ आबाज दैत-

“हमहँ चलब। ठाढ़े रहब।”

आबाज सुनि कए हम-सभ पाकरी गाछक तरमे सुस्ताय लगैत छलहुँ। स्कूल पहुँचि सभसँ पछिलका सीटपर वो बैसि जाइत छल। आ कै दिन तँ औसतन सभ घण्टीमे मारि खाइत रहैत छल। बिना कोनो आक्रोश आ प्रतिकृयाक कै दिन कहितिऐक-

“एना मारि किएक खाइत रहैत छह! नीकसँ पढ़ाइ करह।”

मुदा वो हमर-सभहक बात सुनि किछु-किछु अकाट्य तकैत दऽ दैत छल।

बहुत दिनक बाद ओकरा एक दिन चौकपर रिक्सा लगौने   देखलियैक। हमरा देखि ओकरा उत्साह भेलैक। प्राय: ओकरा भेलैक जे ई पसिंजरपर ओकरा बिशेष अधिकार छैक। एकबेर हमरा मोन भेल जे ओही रिक्सासँ चली मुदा आत्मा सिहरि गेल। हमर वो सहपाठी रिक्सा चलाओत आ हम ओहिपर बैसल रहब। आ हम कात भऽ गेल रही। किछुए कालक बाद ओकर बूढ़ बाप एक गठ्ठर कपड़ा लेने आयल। प्राय: हमरा नहि चिन्हि सकल। ओहि रिक्सापर गठ्ठर राखि बाप-बेटा मिलि कए बीड़ी पीबय लागल। समयक एतेक अन्तरालक बादो बाप-बेटाक स्नेह बनल छल। हमरे सभहक संगे किछु वरिष्ठ विद्यार्थी सभ सेहो स्कूल जाइत छलाह। जाहिमे सँ कै गोटा मैट्रिकमे चारि-पाँच बेर फेल कऽ कऽ क्रान्तिकारी भऽ गेल छलाह। गाममे छोटका लोक सभकेँ संगठित कएक ओ सभ महा उपद्रव ठाढ़ कऽ देने छल। कैटा पैघ गृहस्थक हर-जन बन्द भऽ गेल छल। पनिभरनी सभ आँगनमे काज नहि करत आ भरिआ भार लऽ कऽ नहि जायत। जकर घर जाहि जमीनपर छैक से तकर हेतैक। ई हेतै वो हेतै आ भऽ कऽ रहतै। दिन राति गाममे घोल-फचक्का होइत रहैत...।

सभसँ बड़का आफद बड़का मालिककेँ भेल रहनि। वो एकदम अपसेट भऽ गेल रहथि। दिन-राति हुनका ओहिठाम भण्डारा चलैत रहैत छल। इलाकाक पहलमान ओ लंठक जमघट रहैत छल।

समय बीतलाक संग-संग वो क्रान्तिकारी सभ शान्त भऽ गेलाह। अधिकांश कतहुँ-कतहुँ चाकरी कऽ रहल छलाह आ एकाधटा अकाल मृत्युक सेहो शिकार भए गेलाह।

बड़ीकाल बैसल यैह सभ सोचैत रही कि दिनेश भाई भेट भए गेलाह।ओ हीरा बाबूक जेठ भातिज छलाह आ अंतकालमे वैह बेचारेक सेवा केने रहथि। हीरा बाबूक छोट पुत्र टुना हमर सहपाठी छलाह। हुनके प्रति गप्प होमय लागल। कहलाह जे वो तँ बहुत दिनसँ लंदनमे रहैत अछि। बड़का हाकिम भऽ गेल अछि आ बहुत रास पैसा कमाइत अछि। मुदा कै वर्षसँ गाम नहि आयल अछि।

पुछलियनि-

“हीराबाबूक काजमे आयल रहथि की नहि?”

“नहि आयल रहथि।”

छगुन्तामे पड़ि गेलहुँ। पुछलऐक-

“किएक?”

“कहि नहि! मुदा मृत्युसँ दू-तीन वर्ष पूर्व आयल छलाह। गाम डोलि गेल रहय। जाइतकाल बहुत रास टाका बापकेँ दैत रहथिन्ह मुदावो नहि लेलखिन्ह।”

बिच्चेमे चौंकैत पुछल-

“कारण?”

“कहाँ दनि कहलखिन जे ई पैसा अहीं राखू। काज आओत। जाहि पैसाक कारण अहाँ एतेक दूर चल गेलहुँ, गाम-घर, माय-बाप ओ सभ किछु त्याग कऽ देलहुँ ताहि पैसाकेँ व्यर्थ हमरापर किएक नष्ट कऽ रहल छी। टुना तहिआसँ घुरि कऽ गाम नहि अयलाह।”

“मुदा ठीठर ककाकेँ की भेल?”

“की कहूँ! सभ बेटा घर छोड़ि पड़ा गेल। करबो की करितैक। गामपर किछु नहि बाँचल रहैक। असगर ठीठर कका काहि कटैत रहैत छलाह। जेठकी पुतोहु थोड़-बहुत सेवा कऽ दैत छलखिन।”

एकबेर फेर ठीठर कका भीमकाय ओ हुनक आप्त वाक्य मोन पड़ि गेल-

“पढ़ू पूत चण्डी, जासै चलय हण्डी।”

शरीरमे बड़ थाकान बुझि पड़ैत छल, कहि नहि कखन नीन्न आबि गेल।

O

Tragedy in a hut

Tragedy in a hut

I am Rillo Devi. I am the sixth child of a labourer called Deva. My mother used to work at the house of the village headman. She would work there till late in the night and would return home with left over foods given by the landlords. She had to wait till late in night to get even that.

Deva used to work in the agricultural fields of the landlords of the village but they were reluctant to pay the wages. He had to struggle a lot to get his daily wages. Most of the time his children would sleep without food. Deva worked for the whole day but would return home empty hand. The landlords were cruel and would not listen to his humble requests to give him his wages which he earned so laboriously.

Whenever Deva raised the issue of payment of wages with his landlords, he was abused and forced to accept whatever they would give. Most of the wages earned by him used to be adjusted against the interest on loan which his grandfather had taken from the ancestors of the present landlord. Although the generations of Deva had worked free to    repay the loan but they could not be debt free as the   repayments were always adjusted only against the interests.

Deva was not in a position to negotiate with the landlord and had to accede to every demand of the landlord. Once his wife was seriously ill. He wanted money for her medical treatment but the landlord would not budge. He wanted him to put thumb impressions on the blank stamp paper which he ultimately did and received only Rs 20 out of Rs150 loan which was recorded in the document. Rest of the amount was adjusted against the previous loan and interest thereupon. Deva left the place with Rs 20 in his hand with burden to pay loan of Rs 150 and interest ever multiplying

His in-laws, too, were earning livelihood only by working in the agriculture field of the landlord of the village. His brothers and sisters numbering six, all used to leave home early and work similarly. That is how they were alive.

Thus, the entire village used to work as bonded labour. They were working year after year just to repay the loan taken by their forefathers. They were not free to select master by choice. They could not also say ‘No’ to work even when they were ill. They were just like tools in the hands of the rich.      

My parents married their children here and there so that they get rid of them. All of them started living separately with their husbands. Hardly anybody had any asset. Everybody was busy in earning livelihood by working with the village landlords. The only option was to die of starvation.     

When I came to live with my husband Ramu , there was hardly anything to eat .My husband looked at me with hope that he would be able to get both time meal from tomorrow onwards because the newly married were given full support. My husband knew the price for that.                 

Thus, life became easy for my husband after I arrived in his house. But the story was not to last long. One day while both of us were returning home, my husband was bite by a cobra. Before anybody could know anything, he became unconscious. Many persons gathered around. He collapsed before anybody could have understood anything.

At the time my husband died, I had one-year son. There was hardly any support. My landlords offered me both time meal for which I had to stay and work in his house hold for the whole day and late in the night.

I was very much upset with the attitude of the landlord. He was a great exploiter. He was often harsh with me. I did not like these things but had no choice.

Gradually I started living there itself. I was allotted room on the top floor where nobody else had the access except the landlord. It went all well till I was young. I grew older with time. The landlord lost interest in me and would not bother even for my food and essential requirements.

Thereafter we shifted to our old hut. But there was no work there. I had to live without food on many occasions. In that situation my only son, Ramu, came to my rescue. He started earning from his ancestral profession of barber.

Ramu was unmarried. I fixed his marriage in a local family. The bride was hardworking and beautiful. However, the marriage had to be postponed as he suffered from a paralytic attack about two years ago. He was unable to move out of his hut. No body helped him to get proper medical treatment. He was just 40 years and could have recovered if timely treatment was made available but nobody bothered. So many poor persons fall ill and die without proper medical treatment. Thus, the case if Ramu was nothing new.

I was BPL (below poverty line) card holder and was, therefore, entitled for 76 kilograms of grains every month. This month, too, I got the grain but had to   sell it for purchasing medicines for his ailing son. This left me without food to eat. I had none to help. Hardly anybody from the village would enquire from them about their condition.

They were without food several days. Ramu had grown weak. He  was unable to walk or talk. He got medicines for a few days at the cost of food which had to be sold.

I went to the landlord several times and requested him for help but he did not help and abused me instead. I had grown very weak and was not in a position to work. So, I requested him repeatedly but he had no mercy.

One day a VIP had come to inaugurate a village road. I also heard about it from a neighbour. I stayed along the roadside for the whole day so that I could meet the VIP. After waiting for about three hours I saw many policemen forming barricade along both sides of the village road. That followed arrival of a large number of cars. The VIP was sitting in the middle. I tried to approach him but was thrown out by a constable. Thus, my effort to contact the VIP could not succeed.

The VIP made a long speech over poverty eradication. He distributed free gifts to the poor villagers and had also assured full financial help to the needy for taking medical treatment. I could not guess why my name was not included in the list of the needy. With my adult son bedridden for months together, I had absolutely no financial support but that could not draw attention of the agents of the VIP who made selective approach in selecting the poor and needy persons.

The VIP meeting was attended among others by several local leaders. The meeting was followed by sumptuous lunch. There were many items of the menu which the participants could not even touch. The left-over foods were wasted as the locals who wanted to have it were not allowed to enter the place in the name of the security. These food wastes were thrown on the road side after the meeting was over and the VIPs left the village. This was height of cruelty because the hungry and poor villagers were denied access to this food waste.

Next day all the newspapers and television channels reported about generosity of the VIP and his love for the poor. He was projected as the best leader of the state who could be the great saviour of the poor and downtrodden.

That day his ailing son had a sleepless night. He had not been able to eat anything for several days. I wanted to sell my blanket but nobody was ready to buy even for a nominal price.

The only source of income for me was some money I would get on the occasion of marriage of the villager who used to donate me some money on such occasions but marriage was not a routine thing to happen. Only once in a while I would get such chance. So, this income was hardly enough to sustain life.

I got up early morning as usual to find that Ramu was motionless. He was unable to respond. I touched his body just to find that he was dead. I started weeping. Many villagers gathered around. Everybody was talking about us. Even local leaders who were so much busy that day had time to come to my house and express sympathy. The matter was soon reported by the press.

There was a rush of media persons near my hut. Everybody was keen to know the details so that they could send message to their media houses/newspapers. Next day the newspaper was filled with the news item: Mother ,82, watches son dies of hunger “It was a very pathetic story”. Everybody was worried about the tragedy.

तुषारपात

 

तुषारपात

सभागाछीसँ बरक सिद्धान्त लिखा कए आबि गेल छलैक। सौंसे गाम हँगामा भए गेलैक। हीराबाबूक बेटीक बिआह आइ.ए.एस. आफिसरसँ हेतैक। बाप हो तँ एहन। लाख रूपैआ तिलक लगलैक।

हीराक बाप शीतल बाबू नामी ठीकेदार छलाह। एक मात्र सन्तान एक बेटी छलखिन। कतेको बरखसँ बरक खोजमे भिरल छलाह मुदा कतहुँ किछु दोष तँ कतहुँ कोनो दोष। ओहि दिन पुरबारि गाम दिस विदा भेल छलाह कि रस्तामे अचानक किछु गोटेसँ परिचय भए गेलनि। वैह सभ ओ लड़काक परिचय देलकनि। लड़का जहिना देखैत सुन्नर तहिना सौम्य स्वभाव । शीतल बाबू तय कए लेलाह जे जान रहए कि जाय मुदा ई काज करक अछि।

अन्तोगत्वा एक लाख टकापर गप्प गेल। पन्द्रह जुलाईक दिन सेहो निश्चित भेल। बड़ उत्साहसँ विवाहक विधि सभ पूर्ण भेल ओ शीतल बाबूक ओहिठामसँ चौगामा लोककेँ हकार देल गेल।

हीरा बाबू नीलिमाक विवाहक चर्च इलाका भरिमे पसरि गेल।  जकरे देखू सैह ओहि विआहक चर्च करैत छल। विआहक चारि-पाँच दिकनक बाद हीरा बाबू आइ.ए.एस.क ट्रेनिंग करए चल गेलाह। बेस मौज कटलैक ओहि ट्रेनिंगमे। हीरा बाबू गोरनार ओ अतीव सुन्दर ओ स्मार्ट छलाह। हुनक व्यक्तित्वमे अपूर्ण आकर्षण छलनि। बेस मौजी लोक छलाह एवम् विचारसँ अत्याधुनिक।

आइ.ए.एस.क ट्रेनिंग करैत-करैत वो एशो-आराम कए दुनियाँसँ पूर्ण परिचित भए गेल छलाह। ट्रेनिंग समाप्त भेलापर हुनकर पोस्टींग लखनउ शहरमे भेलनि। आधुनिकताक पयाप्त मिलान छल ओहि शहरमे।

हीराबाबूक दिन दुगुन्ना ओ राति चौगुन्ना बढ़िते जा रहल छल। नीलिमाक पालन-पोषण संयत वातावरणमे भेल छल। ठीकेदार साहेब यद्यपि सुखी सम्पन्न लोक छलाह, मुदा स्वभावसँ अतिशय संयत छलाह। धिया-पुतापर हुनके संस्कारक छाप छल। नीलिमा जहिना देखैत सुन्दर छलीह, स्वभावो ओहिना मिट्ठ। विआहसँ साल भरि पूर्वे वो स्नातकक परीक्षा प्रथम श्रेणीमे उत्तीर्ण केने छलीह। विआहक बादसँ हुनक आभापर एक अपूर्व प्रशन्नताक सहज वोधगम्य भए रहल छल। यद्यपि वो सभ काज पूर्ववते करैत छलीह। मुदा मोन सदिखन हुनकेपर टांगल रहैत छलनि।

ओमहर हीराबाबू भोग-विलासमे नीलिमाकेँ बिसरि जकाँ गेलाह। प्रयोजने कोन छलनि जे वो नीलिमा हेतु व्यग्र होइतथि। यौवानम्, धन, सम्पति, प्रभुत्व, अविदेकताक संग्रह छलाह। तखन कमिये कथीक रहितैक।

नीलिमाक आँखि चिर प्रतीक्षासँ असोथकित भए गेल छलनि। एक दिन अपन मायकेँ संग कए हीराबाबूक डेरापर स्वयं पहुँच गेलीह। डेरापर पहुँचिते ओतएसँ एकटा बेस सुन्दरिकेँ बाहर जाइत देखि हुनकर माथा ठनकलनि। हीराबाबू ओकरे संग रूमसँ बहरायल छलाह।  नीलिमाकेँ देख वो गुम्म पड़ि गेलाह। फेर बजलाह-

“हलो! नीलिमाजी। आउ, आउ। हम तँ अहींक प्रतीक्षा कए रहल छलहुँ।”

किछु दिन हीराबाबूकेँ नीलिमाक संग खूब नीक लगलनि। किन्तु मासक धक लगिते हीराबाबूक पुरना आदति सभ कारगर होमय लगलनि।  किछु दिन नीलिमा तँ चुप्प रहलीह, किन्तु जहन मामला हदसँ बाहर भए गेल तँ वो सोचलीह जे हीराबाबूकेँ बुझायल जाय।

“अहाँ एतेक राति धरि कतए रहैत छी?”

“कतहुँ रहैत छी ताहिसँ अहाँकेँ मतलब?”

“जरूर मतलव अछि! आखिर हम अहाँक अर्द्धांगिनी थिकहुँ। अहाँक सुख-दुखमे हाथ बटायब हमर हक ओ कर्तव्य अछि।”

“टॉकिंग ननसेन्स!”

“हाइ ननसेन्स।” –नीलिमा सेहो तावमे आबि गेल छलीह।

बाते-बातमे हीराबाबू शराबक नशामे धुत एक चाटी चला देलखिन। नीलिमा ओतहि पसरल बेड सीटपर जा खसलीह। हीरा बाबू दोसर कोठरीमे जाय किदनि बजैत आराम करए लगलाह। ओहि दिनसँ जे दुनू गोटेमे शास्त्रार्थ शुरूआत भेल से अविरल चलिते रहल। घरक वातावरण कलहसँ नर्क भए गेल छल। नीलिमा हीराबाबूकेँ सुधारक हेतु कृतसंकल्प छलीह ओ हीरा बाबू सेहो अपने रास्तापर चलबाक हेतु अड़ल रहलाह। निरन्तर तनाव ओ कलहमे रहलासँ नीलिमाक स्वास्थ्य सेहो खसय लगलनि। ओ एक मास धरि लगातार ज्वरसँ पीड़ित रहलीह।

नीलिमाक विमारीक खवरि ठीकेदार बाबूक कान धरि पहुँचल। पहिने तँ हुनका विश्वासे नहि भेलनि मुदा जखन हुनका नीलिमाक पत्र प्राप्त भेलनि तँ ओ गुम रहि गेलाह।

तेजस्वी, चंचल ओ सतत प्रशन्न रहयवाली नीलिमा पीयर, निस्तेज ओ शुष्क पड़ि गेल छलीह। किन्तु फटकियेसँ अपन पिताकेँ अबैत देखि जान-मे-जान आबि गेलनि। ओ दौड़लीह आ अपन बापसँ स्नेहवश चिपकि गेलीह। ठीकेदार साहेबकेँ आश्रुपात होमय लगलनि। हीराबाबूक कार सेहो संयोगसँ ओहि समयमे बाहरसँ आएल एवम् ओहीठाम ठहरल।

बाप-बेटीक एहि मधुर मिलनक कोनो प्रभाव हीराबाबूपर नहि पड़ल आर वो ससुरकेँ बिना गोर लगने अपन निवास स्थित कार्यालयमे दनदनाइत चल गेलाह। ठीकेदार साहेब बुजुर्ग छलाह। जीवनक रहस्यकेँ नीक जकाँ बुझैत छलाह। हीरा बाबूक रंग-ढंग ओ नीलिमाक निस्तेज देहकेँ देखि ओ सही स्थितिकेँ तुरन्त बुझि गेलाह। मोनमे भयंकर क्रोध होमय लगलनि। मुदा अपन आवेगकेँ वो बेस मुश्किलसँ रोकलाह। फेर नीलिमाक संगे हुनकर कोठरी चलि गेलाह।

पता नहि, कतेक काल धरि ठीकेदार साहेब नीलिमाक संगे बैसल रहलाह। स्नेह मिश्रित अपन गप्पसँ हुनका सुखी करैत रहलाह। एहि गप्प सभसँ नीलिमाकेँ प्रर्याप्त मानसिक विश्राम भेटल। वो क्रमश: सुति रहलीह। ठीकेदार साहेब एसगर पता नहि की की सोचैत रहलाह।

भोरे आठे बजे ओ ओहिठाम पहुँचल रहथि। दुपहरियाक एक बाजि रहल मुदा हीरा बाबू अखन धरि ससुरक पुछारि नहि केलाह। नीलिमाक संग भोजन कए ठीकेदार साहेब स्वयं हीरा बाबूसँ भेँट करए गेलाह। हीरा बाबू अपन आवासीय कार्यालयमे फाइलक बीच डूबल छलाह। ठीकेदार साहेब हुनका देखि ठिठकि गेलाह। मुदा हीरा बाबू अविचल रहि हुनक तिरस्कार करैत रहलखिन।

नीलिमा आगू बढ़ैत कहलखिन-

“बाबूजी, अएलाह अछि।”

हीरा बाबू ठीकेदार साहेबकेँ इसारा कए बैसबाक आग्रह कएलनि। ठीकेदार साहेब पुछलखिन-

“की हाल अछि?”

“ठीके। कोना अयलहुँ?” हीरा बाबू बाजि उठलाह।

“ओहिना शहरमे किछु काज छल। सोचलहुँ अहुँसँ भेँट केनहि चली।”

नीलिमाकेँ अपन पिताक उपेक्षा नहि सहल गेलनि। ओ तमतमाइत अपन बापकेँ घिचने ओहिठामसँ उठि गेलीह। हीरा बाबू पुन: फाइलमे डुवि गेलाह।  

गाड़ी मधुबनी टीशनपर आबि गेल छलैक। नीलिमाकेँ औंघी लागि रहल छलनि। ठीकेदार साहेब उठौलखिन-

“उठू नीसू उठू। मधुबनी आबि गेल।”

नीलिमा उतरलीह। थाकल, झमारल। निस्तेज, उत्साहहीन, नीलिमाक एक्का जौं-जौं गाम दिसि बढ़य लागल, नीलिमाकेँ भूतकालक दृश्य सभ मोन पड़य लगलनि। कतेक दुलारू छली ओ। गामक लोक सभ जे क्यो ओमहरसँ गुजरय, नीलिमा दिस तकिते रहि जाय। जेहने सज्जन तेहने सुन्दरि । स्वभाव ओ गुणक अपूर्व समन्वय। बापक एकलौता सन्तान। ठीकेदार साहेब जे किछु कमेलाह तकर प्रेरणा नीलिमेक छल। कतेक गरीब छलाह वो। नीलिमा लक्ष्मी बनि कए आएल छलि हुनका ओतए। नीलिमाक जन्म होइतहि ओ बढ़य लगलाह। मुदा आइ संगे-संग एक्कापर चलैत-चलैत ओहो गुम छलाह। गुमसुम। किछु कालमे गाम आबि गेल। ठीकेदार साहेब ओ नीलिमा एकपेरिया रस्तापर अपन घर दिस बढ़ैत छलाह। लगैत छलैन जेना हुनकर सभ आशापर तुषारपात भए गेल हो।

Travelling alone!

Travelling alone!

I was born in a remote village near Haridwar. We did not have any ancestral property. The family was dependent entirely upon small earnings from the tourists who often visit Haridwar on religious tour.

There are four holy temples Gangotri, Yamunotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath on the hills also known as Chardham. Haridwar is like a entry point to these Chardham. People visit Haridwar before visiting these temples so the town was becoming famous as Haridwar.

          My father had little formal education. But he knew Sanskrit well. He had sound knowledge of the Geography of Haridwar and Charodham. He had excellent rapport with visitors who would often refer him to his friends and relatives visiting Haridwar. He was an honest and reliable person. He used to charge reasonably. He was, therefore, considered to be a good guide. Money thus earned by him was the only means of subsistence for our family.

We were two brothers and one sister. Besides my grandfather and parents together formed a family of six. My grandfather used to spend a lot of time with us. He would tell us lot of inspiring stories. He wanted us to study and acquire the highest education which according to him was the best single instrument for bringing about total change in the life time of a man. So, he started sending us to a nearby school and would also sit with us daily in the morning and evening to complete the daily tasks.

My younger brother Raja and sister Renuka were average students. However, they excelled in extracurricular activities. My younger brother was a good singer. My sister, used to make very good paintings. I used to excel in academics and scored cent percent in Mathematics.

One day the School Inspector came to inspect the school. The teachers of the school introduced me to him. They did so because I was the best student of my school and could have satisfied the School Inspector so that the teachers could have gained some extra points. The Inspector asked me many questions drawn from different subjects. I answered them all. Then he started enquiring about my family. I told him the details. He was pained to know my poor family background and immediately recommended grant of scholarship which would cover my entire expenditure including lodging and foods. He also met with my brother and the sister. They were average students but had excelled in extracurricular activities. So, he recommended them to be sent to the Arts schools.

A small but timely help changed my life entirely. I started doing well in my studies and qualified in all entrance examinations. I soon completed my B. TECH course and became an engineer in the government. So, my life changed entirely. My sister and brother, too, did well in the arts school and got excellent degrees in the respective field. They got Government jobs immediately after passing the degree examination. Thus, the status of the family changed entirely within years.

I got married in a good family. My wife was well educated. She belonged to a respectable family. I used to keep busy with my job but she spent her entire time and energy in bringing up our children. I had one son and one daughter. We gave them our best and ensured that they did not have to face any difficulty and could develop to the best of their abilities and talent.

We also served our parents in their old days. They had brought up us with great difficulties and had left no stone unturned to provide us with the opportunities of life. No doubt we were meritorious but his contribution was immense but for which we could not have prospered as we did. My wife, too, helped me a lot in performance of my duties towards our parents.

My parents died in course of time. I was feeling their loss very much. They were living Gods for us and had always been doing the best for our welfare. But death is inevitable. One day everybody has to die. Only I remembered Vivekananda:

Great men have died. Weak men have died. Gods have died. Death — death everywhere. This world is a graveyard of the infinite past, yet we cling to this [body]: "I am never going to die". Knowing for sure [that the body must die] and yet clinging to it. There is meaning in that too [because in a sense we do not die]. The mistake is that we cling to the body when it is the spirit that is really immortal

 I was growing old. I retired from my government service with good pension and other pensionary benefits. My wife too, had grown old. We were living in a big house having four stories but there were only two persons living there-me and my wife. I, too, was not keeping well. So, I thought to call my son and request him to reside with us. He promised to return to the home town after getting transferred within a few months but this never happened.

My daughter is married to a Computer Engineer settled in USA. At the time of marriage, he was serving in India but moved to the USA and finally settled there. My daughter although well-educated is house wife. She has two sons. Both are school going. My son is holding top position in a MNC and is posted at Mumbai. His wife, too, is an MBA from IIM and well employed.

 Years have passed since then. I and my wife are living without any assistance from my son or daughter. One night while it was raining heavily, my wife became seriously ill. I had none to help me[p1] . I took her to the hospital. I was driving the car. It was difficult to manage the situation as I was driving and caring for her as well. Somehow, I reached the hospital. By the time I reached the hospital her condition was deteriorating fast. Luckily the Doctor attended on her promptly. At the outset it looked as if she was improving but that was only a temporary relief. Her condition started deteriorating fast. The Doctors attending upon him tried their best but she was not responding.

The Sun was spreading its rays all round. It was time for people to get up, and start daily Corus. But my life partner was breathing her last. Her heart was stopping to work further and finally she breathed last at about 8AM.It was darkness around my eyes. The radio was playing the music:

Anshu bhari haiye jivan ki rahen……….

I had lost my life partner. I searched around. There was none to console. I had informed my daughter as well as my son but neither could come. Their mother kept waiting. She often remembered her son whom she had so fondly nurtured. She was always talking about her daughter but could not talk to either of them even once. Now that she was lying dead, and I was weeping all olone.

I asked hospital authorities to put the dead body of my wife in the ambulance and leave me at my place so that I could wait for my son to come. In the meantime, I sent telegrams to my son and daughter. It took time to get the ambulance as it had gone to drop another dead person. It was made available around noon. By the time it came I was, too, much tired. With hardly anybody around I was not understanding how to move further. Anyway, I left alongwith the dead body of my wife in the ambulance alongwith a staff of the hospital which was made available by the medical superintendent on my request.

The dead body of my wife was lying for more than 24 hours. My son and daughter both were unable to reach. They could not pay even to pay last homage. I was left with no option to perform the last rites on my own. Some neighbours helped me. I lit fire to the pyre of my wife. My eyes were full of tears. Everybody present there was sad and sympathising with me.

I did everything to educate my children. I gave them best education which helped them to settle well in life but neither of them could help us in the crucial moment when I needed them most. Her mother kept waiting till the last but could not see them even for a moment. She died with her eyes open and ever thirsty to see her children even once before it was shut down for ever.

After two days I received condolences from my daughter. She conveyed her inability to attend the rituals because of visa problem of her husband. My son came after three days when everything was over. He had so many stories to tell about his own difficulties because of which he could not come earlier. I was really socked to listen such things. All through my life I kept on worrying about my family. I invested my entire energy for their welfare. But none of them could help me when I needed them most.

 After completing formalities relating to the last rites of my wife, I left my home to take solace in the silent zone of a forest. There I met with a saint who was passing by. He took me to his ashram located nearby. I stayed there with him for a few days. In between, I had frequent interactions with him. He had in depth understanding of life and was free from temptations. He had no ego. He had no greed. He, in fact, was a living God!

Gradually I understood futility of earthly possessions. These could never deliver peace of mind rather create more difficulties in the form of routine upkeep and sense of ownership. So, I dedicated my entire wealth to this Ashram. The saint was not interested intaking anything but I convinced him that this wealth be used for the welfare of senior citizens and differently abled persons. The saint agreed with the condition that he would not be bothered about the management of the ashram.

Years have passed away since I left home and decided to live alone ….Now ,I am free from all bondage. I am living in perfect peace . I expect nothing. I have realized that one should do good things without expecting anything in return.Walking alone with knowledge of reality of life has given me lasting peace of mind.Now I firmly believe that real happiness is within and running after material things do not help in the long run.

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 [p1]