नर्कक संसद

 

नर्कक संसद

“सुनैत जाइ जाउ सभासद सभ। आजुक कार्रवाही प्रारम्भ हेबासँ पूर्व पूर्व सभाक रपट पढ़ल जाएत। तदुपरान्त नवीन सदस्यक उद्घोषणा होयत आ फेर आन-आन कार्यवाही। नवगठित सदनक अध्यक्षताक भार नर्कक वरिष्ठतम सदस्य मनमोहन राउतकेँ देल जाइत अछि।”

ई ध्वनि होइत अछि। जनता दिसिसँ आवाज आयल-

“अध्यक्षजी अपन परिचय देथि।”

मुदा ताबते संसदक सचिव उठलाह-

“बेस तँ सुनि लिअ। ई अत्यन्त निष्ठावान, नर्कक वयोवृद्ध आ वरिष्ठतम सहयोगी थिकाह। हिनका मर्त्यलोकमे फाँसीक सजाय भेटल छलनि। आ ओतए ई सिद्धहस्त खूनी छलाह। इलाका भरिमे हिनक यश पसरल छल। ओना, हिनकर पुलिस रेकर्ड सभ दिन लाले रहलनि अछि, मुदा एतय अयलाक बादो वो कतेको कीर्तिमान स्थापित करैत रहलाह जाहिसँ यमराजक विशेष आज्ञासँ नर्क लोकमे रहबाक अवधि बढ़ैत रहलनि। हिनक दक्षताक सभसँ पैघ प्रमाण तँ इएह थिक जे एहू अवस्थामे नर्क लोकक सभटा सामान ब्लैकमेल कए देल आ ककरो एकर भनकी तक नहि लगलैक। सौभाग्यवश कही वा जे कही, वो सभ सामान तस्करीक छलैक आ मृत्युलोकमे क्यो प्रणी अपन पूर्वजक प्रोन्नतिक हेतु परमात्माकेँ घूस स्वरूप दान केने छल गाया जा कए। चूँकी ई सभ सामन तस्करीक छलैक, तेँ एकरा नर्क लोकसँ गुजरय पड़लैक। वो ट्रान्जीटेमे छलाह। कि एकरा नर्क लोकक चुंगीक सिपाहीकेँ मेन्डेक्सक गोली खुआ निशामे बुत्त कए राउतजी सभटा सामन ब्लैक कए देल। मुदा धर्मराजक खुपिया विभाग बड़ चौकस अछि आ राउतजीक एहि सुकृतिक पुरस्कार भेटलनि। पाँच वर्ष अतिरिक्त नर्क बाससँ।”

“बाह-बाह...! एकदम सही आदमीकेँ अध्यक्ष बनाओल गेल।”

आबाज आयल चारूकातसँ।

ई निश्चय नर्कक गरिमा बनओताह। थपड़ीक गड़गड़ाहटक बीचमे अध्यक्ष महोदय आसन ग्रहण कएल आ उद्घोषणा कएल-

“मान्यवर नर्कवासी लोकनि, अहाँ सभ जे हमर सम्मान कएल अछि से युगानुकूल अछि। कलियुगमे पापक पुरस्कार धड़ाकसँ भेट जाइत छैक। तस्करी करू कोठा पीटू, घूस लिय, इन्जीनीयर जमाय करू। त्याग, तपस्या ओ चरित्रक महत्वक जमाना चल गेलैक। आब तँ लूटि लाउ कटि खाउ। एहि बातमे अहाँ सभ गोटे पारंगत थिकहुँ। ओना, मृत्युलोकक नियम सभ किछु आर थिक। ओतए कानूनक राज थिक, मुदा नामे के। से जँ सत्ते रहैत तँ एहिठाम नर्कमे कतेको भूतपूर्व मुख्यमंत्री नहि पड़ल रहितथि। अहाँ लोकनिक सामने जे मंचपर छथि से मृत्युलोकमे वेस सम्मानित जननेता रहि चूकल छथि। जय-जयकार होइत छलनि हिनकर। मुदा काजक हिसाबे नर्कमे तृतिय श्रेणी भेटल छनि। हुनका नर्कक गेटक रखबारी करबाक भाड़ भेटलनि। हमर कहब जे जहन मृत्युलोकमे सभ किछु दनादन चलिये रहल छैक, तँ नर्कलोक कथि लेल पाछा रहए। एही बातकेँ ध्यानमे राखि कए हम नर्कलोकमे पुन: ब्लैकमेल कएल आ एकर परिणामो अनुकूले भेल।”

चारू दिससँ थपड़ी पड़ए लागल। तदुपरान्त सचिव महोदय पूर्व सभाक कार्यवाही सदनक संपुष्टिक लेल प्रस्तुत करए लगलाह-

“मान्यवर, पूर्व सभाक प्रमुख-प्रमुख कार्यवाही प्रस्तुत अछि-१. नर्कक बढ़ैत जनसंख्यावृद्धिकेँ देखैत एहिठाम यथाशीघ्र परिवार नियोजन पखवारा मनायल जाए। वस्तुत: मर्त्यलोकमे अपराधक संख्याक भारी वृद्धिक कारणेँ नर्कक संतुलन गड़बड़ायल अछि आ एहिसँ नर्कक वरिष्ठ वासी लोकनिकेँ नाना प्रकारक भयंकर कष्टक सामना करए पड़ि रहल छनि। अस्तु, ई प्रस्ताव पारित भेल जे सामान्य कोटिक पापीकेँ नर्कसँ फराक एकर सीमानसँ बाहरे उपनगरी बनाओल जाए।”

(हर्ष ध्वनिक बीचमे लोक प्रस्तावक सहमतिमे थपड़ी पीटैत छथि।)

  “नर्कक चाहरदिवारी छोट अछि जाहि कारणसँ स्वर्गलोकसँ कतेको लोककेँ असानीसँ एहिमे फना देल जाइत अछि। हमरा लोकनि एहि तरहक प्रकृयाक घोर विरोध कए रहल छी। संगहि ई प्रस्ताव पारित कएल जाइत अछि जे नर्कसँ ओतबे संख्यामे लोककेँ स्वर्ग जेबाक प्रावधान कएल जाए।”

आवाज होइत अछि-

“हमरा लोकनि स्वर्ग हरगिज नहि जाएब। हमरा सभकेँ नर्के नीक लगैत अछि। एहिठाम पाकिटमारीक खूब गुंजाइश छैक। स्वर्गमे तँ ककरो पाकिटे नहि छैक। ई प्रस्ताव नहि मंजूर अछि।”

सचिव महोदय एकाएक प्रस्ताव सभ पढ़ैत गेलाह आ उपस्थित नर्कवासीगण बेरा-बेरी थपड़ी पीटैत गेलाह। एतबहिमे नर्कक घंटा सभ घनघनाय लागल। पता लगलैक जे नर्कमे एकटा महापापीक प्रवेश भेल अछि। ओकरा यमदूत नाना प्रकारक यातना दए रहल छलैक। मर्त्यलोकमे ओ गम्भीर अपराधी छल। मुदा ओकरा लेल धनसन। नर्कलोकमे एहन यातनाक मध्यो वो कनखी मारैत हँसैत आगू बढ़ैत सभहक अभिनन्दन करैत चलि रहल छल। ताबतिमे नर्कवासीक किछु उचक्का ओकरा गोलिओलक आ ओकरा जेबीमे ओकर संतति द्वारा दान कएल गेल जे किछु कैंचा आ वस्तु छलैक से छीनि लेलक। ओ कनीके आगा बढ़ल की ओकरा अपन कका  नजरिमे अयलैक। ओकरा बड़ आश्चर्य लगलैक। ओकर कका तँ बेस भक्त छलैक। तीन फट्टा चानन करैत छलैक। भोर-साँझ स्नान करैत छलैक। ओ घंटा-घंटा भरि पूजा करैत रहैत छलैक। अरे! ओकर ककाका पाछा तँ एकटा वोर्ड लागल छलैक।

“मर्त्यलोकमे ढोंग करबामे कुशल श्री तिवारीजी अपना जीवन कालमे कतेको डकैती वो हत्या काण्डमे सम्मिलित रहला।”- भातिज गुम्म।

“बाह रे कका! ओहिठाम तँ बेस हवा बनौने छलाह।”

संसदक अधिवेशन जोरपर छलैक। नवीन-नवीन सदस्यक परिचय कराओल जाइत छलैक। पण्डालक अग्रभागमे नवीन सदस्य सभकेँ राखल गेल छल। 

“ई थिकाह ‘ब्रजमोहन दास’। भूतपूर्व मुख्य मंत्री। ई अपन शासनकालमे फुसि बजबाक कीर्तिमान कायम कएल। कहियो बैमानी करबासँ नहि हिचकला। मुदा पहिरन-ओढ़न बेस स्वच्छ सात्त्विक। हिनका नर्कमे स्थायी स्थान भेटलनि अछि। ओना सामान्य कोटिक पापीकेँ दोसर ओ तेसर सालपर कागज-पत्रक समीक्षा होइत छैक। मामलाकेँ फेरसँ जाँच-पड़ताल होइत छैक, मुदा हिनकर मामलामे यमराज एकतरफा निर्णय सुना देल जे ई नर्कक स्थायी सदस्य हेताह आ हिनकर कागज-पत्रकेँ गोपनीय कए देल जाए ताकि चित्रगुप्तक सहायक लोकनि ओहिमे कोनो प्रकारक हेरा-फेरी नहि कए सकथि।”

‘तिलक राउत’क पार आयल। टांग टुटि गेल छलनि। यमराजक पूत सभ लादि कए नर्कपुरी आनि रहल छल कि अचानक ओकर टांग नक्षत्रमे घुमि रहल स्काइलैवक टुकड़ीसँ टकड़ा गेलैक जाहिसँ भयंकर दुर्घटना भेल ओ तिलक राउत प्रेतक टांग कटि गेलनि। ओना, तिलक राउत मृत्युलोकमे मुखिया छलाह। ब्लौक डेबलपमेन्ट कमीटीक कार्यकारिणीक सदस्य छलाह ओ गाममे बेस धाख छलनि। गाममे राजनीति कए इलाकाक लोककेँ अपना दिसि कए अपन सहोदर भाएकेँ रातिये-राति निपत्ता कए देलनि। ओना, बाहरमे बेस बिलाप कएलनि। छाती पिटलनि। थानामे रिपोर्ट दर्ज करेलनि। इत्यादि-इत्यादि। मुदा संयोग जे ओहि समयमे नर्कमे ओभरटाइम चलि रहल छलैक आ भारतक विभागक डिलिंग हैंड काज कए रहल छलाह। नर्कलोकसँ वो सभ घटनाक दूर दर्शनपर देख रहल छलाह। नर्कक कागज-पत्रमे सभ लिखल छल। यमराजक कोर्टमे पहुँचि कए वो अवाक रहि गेलाह।

“के बाहर केलक ई सभ...!”

सोचैत छलाह। एमम् प्रकारेण एकसँ एक नवागन्तुक सदस्यक परिचय होइत गेल।

एतबहिमे भयंकर हल्ला सुनबामे आयल। दर्शक दीर्घासँ कूड़ा-कपड़ा फेकल जा रहल छल। क्यो गोटे जोर-जोरसँ उद्घोष कए रहल छल-

“भाई लोकनि! यमराजक अत्याचारसँ हमरा लोकनि उबि गेल छी। नर्कक व्यवस्था साफ गड़बड़ा गेल अछि। हमरा लोकनि २५ बर्षसँ बिना सुनबाई-के हाजतमे पड़ल छी।”

एतबहिमे दसटा बेस नमगर पोरगर जवान सभ हाथमे हथकड़ी लेने प्रवेश कएलक। हाथमे डंटा छलैक ओ आँखि लाल कए रहल छल।

संसदमे विरोधी पक्षक नेता गड़जि उठला-

“ई संसदक घोर अपमान थिक। संसदक अध्यक्षक अनुमतिक बिना एहिमे पुलिसक एहि प्रकारक प्रवेश निंदनीय थिक।”

चारू दिससँ सदस्य सभ फानय लगलाह। यमराजक प्रतिनिधि टीक पकड़ने हुनका अगत-अगत कए रहल छल। भयंकर कोलाहलसँ जखन किछु श्रुतव्य  नहि रहि गेल तँ अध्यक्ष महोदय हारि कए सदनक कार्यवाही, ओहि दिनक हेतु स्थगित कए देल। संसदक किछु भाँगठ सदस्य भीड़मे डगमगा कए खसि पड़ि रहल छलाह। धक्कम-धुक्कीमे किछु नांगड़ सदस्यक दोसरो टांग आहत भेल जा रहल छलनि। बड़ी मुश्किलसँ वोहि दिन नर्कवासी अपन-अपन डेरा आपस पहुँचलाह।        

A happy home

A happy home

My name is Harish. I have one sister. I was born in a middle class urban family. My father had a two-bed room flat on the first floor of an apartment in East Delhi. We were having ancestral business of garments.

One day while my parents were out on the shop, my sister, Usha, had serious injury in her left leg. She had collided with a three-wheeler while crossing the road. The condition of my sister was deteriorating fast. Lot of blood came out from her body. The hospital was about two kilometres away. But nobody was helping her.

Two college girls while returning from their college saw Usha crying on the road. They picked up the mobile lying on the road. They telephoned the local police and also informed several persons in the contact list of the mobile. My father received the message and rushed towards the site of the accident.

By the time my father reached there, the police had already taken away my sister and admitted her to a nearby government hospital. On learning this, my father immediately rushed to the hospital. There he was told about the serious condition of Usha.

The doctors were trying their best. Lot of blood loss had made her condition critical. She was operated upon. The operation continued for four hours. The doctors were happy because Usha was saved but her left leg had to be imputed. This was absolutely essential to save her life. My father heard this announcement with heavy heart. In the meantime, my mother, too, had arrived. Other family members were also rushing towards the hospital.

This incident changed the life of Usha entirely. She was now dependent on others. However, she did not lose heart. She continued to go to the school regularly and secured good position. In fact, she became a source of inspiration for her fellow students.

My parents were busy with their business and had little time to take care of other issues. I was studying in class eleven in the school. I was aware with the difficulties of my parents which was compounded further by the recent incident. I focussed on my studies. I stood first in my school examination and was promoted to the class twelve. I worked very hard for the board examination. My hard work paid me. I got 96 percent marks in the board examination.

I did well in the IIT entrance examination and got admission into IIT Delhi. I got scholarship which included free food and lodging. That saved my father from lot of botheration. I concentrated on my studies and always secured excellent results.

One day while I was walking with my friends, I got phone calls on my mobile from Usha. My father had a heart attack and he died instantly. No medical care could be provided as there was hardly any time to respond. This was as ever blow for my entire family. I immediately rushed to my house.

By the time I reached there it was 8PM in the night. Everybody was looking sad. My mother was fainting again and again. Many friends and relatives gathered around the dead body of my father. My sister was unable to adjust with the situation and fell ill. The death of my father had put me in a very difficult situation. I had to manage my mother and the sister. The ancestral business was in bad shape.

One day while I was sitting alone in the hostel I got a registered letter. It was an offer of my appointment as a project engineer in a MNC at Seattle in the USA. It offered annual package of two crores besides other facilities. I was extremely delighted. I immediately informed my mother about this. She was very happy to know that I got a job but she did not like the news of my posting abroad.

I thanked God for this timely help and started preparing for my departure. I took help from a travel agent in getting my passport, visa etc. He charged some money no doubt but everything was done smoothly. I still had about one-month time for departure. I thought it proper to spend this time with my mother and sister who were yet to recover from the trauma caused by the sudden death of my father.                                                                                                      

My mother was delighted to see me back at home. She immediately called Usha. All of us sat together to discuss the future planning. It was in fact a memorable time for us. I was now in a position to save it from financial hardship.

But my mother was worried She asked:

Can   not you get a suitable job in our country?

I understood her anxiety and consoled her:

“Mother, you do not worry. I shall always keep in touch. The World is now like a family and no place is far away.”

She ultimately agreed and wished me good luck.

My mother saw me off at the airport with her eyes wet. She kept waiving her hands till I became invisible. Usha, too, was there looking straight at me. I do not know when and how they could return.

I reached my destination next day evening. In between I had a break at Dubai airport but I could not do anything and kept sitting in the plane. On reaching at Seattle airport, I reported to the immigration counter for clearance and security check. I got the formalities done in an hour or so and came out of the airport through the exit gate.

I saw a staff of the company outside the exit gate with placard containing my name. I went along with him. A private car was waiting outside in the lane. We got into it and left for the company guest house.

On reaching the guest house I found extremely friendly environment. I was welcome by [p1]  the CEO of the Company and was given assistance throughout. I joined the office next day. I was surprised to see the beautiful office campus. I joined my duty and completed office formalities in an hour or so. Thereafter, I was introduced to the Officers of my project. The entire day passed away in formalities. I never had imagined that I would have such a smooth transition from Delhi to Seattle.

I called my mother over WhatsApp in the evening. The phone was picked by Usha. She was extremely happy to talk to me . My mother was in kitchen. On hearing about my phone call, she rushed and picked up phone from Usha. She started weeping on hearing my voice. I consoled her. She asked so many questions about the arrangements there and was quite satisfied to learn that I was comfortable.

I settled very fast in Seattle. I was getting a handsome salary. After a few months, I bought a house there. My mother and Usha were very happy to see the palatial building which I had purchased. I requested them to come and stay with me but my mother was not willing. She had lot of attachment with her flat in Delhi and wanted to continue there. However, I was quite worried about them. I wanted to give higher education to Usha. Besides, I wanted to give a fresh try to her leg problem.

I consulted the surgeons in the USA. They went through the records and agreed to conduct fresh operation of Usha. According to them there was fifty-fifty chance of her recovery. I decided to take the risk and go ahead with the operation. I was able to get medical visa for Usha and mother, too, was allowed to accompany her.

I had personally gone to receive mother and Usha at the airport. They were very happy to find themselves in an entirely new environment. It took them one or two days to adjust with the new timings but ultimately, they started feeling comfortable.

After two days we went to the famous surgeon of Seattle. He was immensely happy to see Usha and was very much confident about positive outcome. The surgery was conducted next day. It lasted for six hours. The team of doctors came out smiling after the successful surgery. I was told that they would be required to stay there for about two weeks after which monthly check up would be required for subsequent two months.

After successful operation, Usha was given physiotherapy for two months. She responded miraculously and started walking without any aid. However, physiotherapy was continued for two more weeks as a precautionary measure. The doctors who had conducted surgery were extremely happy to see Usha walking on her own. My mother, too, was extremely happy.

I had never thought that Usha would ever be able to walk on her own. She, in fact, had got new lease of life. She started her studies with double vigour. She was admitted to the post-graduation in Science and completed it within a year. She did very well and was provided scholarship for PHD course. The University was bearing her entire expenditure.

Usha did remarkably well. She completed her PHD course before schedule and got a teaching job with lucrative salary package in the same University. The employers helped her to get the green card.

The doctor attending upon Usha was an NRI Indian. He belonged to a small village in Kerala. During the process of treatment, he had developed liking for Usha. Even after the treatment was over he continued to be in touch with her. Usha also had the same feeling towards him. The doctor was a saviour for her.

One day while I was talking to my mother, both Usha and the doctor revealed their plan to marry. My mother was initially reluctant because she wanted to marry Usha in her own community but she also ultimately agreed. The marriage of Usha and Dr Pillai was held with great pomp and show in Seattle itself. Next day they left for Honeymoon at Switzerland.

One day while all the family members were chit chatting, mother expressed her desire to return to Delhi. She wanted to spend her remaining days in Delhi flat. In fact, Dr Pillai and Usha also wanted to return to India and open a hospital for the especially abled children. So, the proposal of my mother was endorsed by them instantly. I also liked the idea to return to Delhi and to set up my own factory.

As planned, they returned to Delhi after a month. Usha opened a rehabilitation centre for the especially abled children. Her husband Dr Pillai dedicated his entire resources for the welfare of such children and also started working there on full time basis. I opened my own company of electronic goods. This gave employment to a large number of youths.

My mother was very much satisfied. She always blessed us. She would always say:

“God should bless everybody with such children!”

Years have passed away since my mother died. She did not give us any indication. She was just taking her dinner. Before anybody could guess anything, she fell down and left us for ever…….

We always miss her but have a satisfaction that I served my mother well. That she could go peacefully leaving  a happy home behind.

---

फसाद कथा संग्रहक भूमिका

भूमिका

ई कथा सभ हम सन् १९८२ सँ १९८४ क बीचमे इलाहाबादमे लिखने रही।ओहि समयमे हमर कथा,आलेख सभ मिथिला मिहिरमे छपि जाइत छल।मिथिला मिहिर बंद भए गेल।हम बदली भए दिल्ली आबि गेलहुँ।घरसँ कार्यालय आबा -जाहिमे बहुत समय लागि जाइत छल।एहि ठाम जीवन संघर्ष बढि गेल। अस्तु ,ई कथा सभ जसके तस पडल रहल।एमहर पुरनका पन्ना सभ पलटलहुँ तऽ एकरा सभकेँ  फेरसँ देखबाक मौका भेटल।

साहित्य समाजक दर्पण होइत अछि।ओहिमे तत्कालिन सामाजिक परिवेशमे होइत उठापटकक चर्च स्वाभाविक अछि। ओहि क्रममे समाजक विभिन्न वर्ग/समुदायक उल्लेख यदा- कदा भेल अछि।आशा अछि,ओकरा ताहि रूपमे लेल जाएत। एहि कथा सभमे लेल गेल नाम,ठाम ओ कथानक काल्पनिक थीक।ई कथा सभ कोनो व्यक्ति विशेषक जीवन पर आधारित नहि अछि ।

श्री उमेश मंडलजी (बेरमा)बहुत परिश्रमसँ  पुरान भेल पान्डुलिपि सभकेँ स्वच्छ प्रति टंकित केलाह जाहि सँ ई कथा सभ इजोत देखलक। एहि हेतु हुनका धन्यवाद, आशीर्वाद ।

एहि कथा सभकेँ प्रस्तुत कए बहुत नीक लागि रहल अछि।आशा अछि ,पाठक लोकनिकेँ नीक लगतनि।

रबीन्द्र नारायाण मिश्र

ग्रेटर नोएडा

२६.०१.१०१८

यमलोकक दलबदलू

 

यमलोकक दलबदलू

ओहि दिन यमलोकमे जबरदस्त गहमा गहमी छल।भेल ई जे मृत्यु लोक सँ हालमे आएल बहुत रास लोक ओतए पहुँचलाक बाद जनतंत्र बहालीक मांग पर अडि गेल रहए। नित्य प्रतिक हंगामा सँ तंग भए यमराज यमलोकक नव संबिधानक  हेतु अध्यादेश जारी केलाह । तकर बाद मृत्यु लोकक तर्जपर चुनावक कार्यवाही प्रारंभ भेल।

जनप्रतिनिधि बनब कतेक कठिन बात थीक से भुक्तभोगिये कहि सकैत छथि। यद्यपि सत्तारूढ़ दलसँ लऽ कऽ विपक्षी धरिक सभ व्यक्ति अपन-अपन राष्ट्रप्रेम ओ सेवाक प्रति समर्पणक भावनाक चर्च करैत-करैत अपसियाँत रहैत छथि मुदा असलमे जे वो करैत छथि से जगजाहिर अछि। यैह सभ गप्प हम ओहि दिन सोचैत रही कि अखबारमे प्रतिनिधि सभा चुनावक समाचार निकललैक।

अखबारक समाचार देखिते एकबेर हमरा जेना करेन्ट जकाँ लागि गेल। कोना ने लागए। भुनेसरा देखिते-देखिते भुनेश्वर बाबू भए गेल..! बेटा डोनेशन दऽ कऽ मेडिकलक पढ़ाइ प्रारम्भ केने छल। स्कूलमे यश छलैक। माय मरि गेल रहैक तँ सौंसे गामक लोककेँ पुरी-जिलेबीक भोज खुओने छल। क्यो कनिको संकोच नहि केलखिन। सभठाम पुरी-जिलेबीक शोर, लहरि जकाँ लहरल। आखिर ई सभ कोना भेलैक?

असलमे जहियासँ चुनावक सिलसिला अयलैक तहियासँ कतेक घर बसि गेल। कतेको बेरोजगार सभ रातिये-राति पाइबला भए गेल ।इएह कारण थिक जे आब लोक जहाँ चुनावक हल्ला सुनैत अछि आकि टिकट लेबक हेतु एड़ी-चोटीक पसेना एक कऽ दैत अछि।

प्रतिनिधि सभाक चुनाव भेला एक मास भेल छलैक। कोनो पार्टीक स्पष्ट बहुमत नहि आयल छलैक। प्रधान बनय लेल बेस घमरथन भए रहल छलैक। यद्यपि पार्टी सभहक संख्या तँ ९ टा छल मुदा मूलत: तीनटा दलक सदस्य बेसी छलाह- कृषकदल, राष्ट्रवादी दल ओ जनवादी दल।

नव निर्वाचित सदस्यमे सँ कमसँ कम पचासटा सदस्य एहन छलाहजे कमसँ कम पाँच-सात बेर पार्टी बदलि चूकल छलाह। प्रतिनिधि सभामे कोनो दलकेँ स्पष्ट बहुमत नहि भेटलासँ हिनका सभहक लेल स्वर्णिम अवसर छलनि। नवका जनप्रतिनिधि सभ अपन-अपन भविष्य सुधारबाक हेतु बेस उत्सुक छलाह।

प्रमुख महोदयकेँ से बेस परेशानी छलनि। हुनका तीनू दलक नेता बेरा-बेरीसँ अपन-अपन समर्थनमे आधासँ अधिक सदस्यक सूची प्रस्तुत केने छलाह। तीनू सूचीमे पचासटा सिद्धहस्त दल बदलू आ पचीसटा नवका जनप्रतिनिधि केर नाम सामिल छल। प्रमुख महोदय भूतपूर्व इमानदार छलाह। मुदा जनताक हिसाब देखि कए रंग बदलि लेने छलाह। ओहो मामला नीकसँ बुझि रहल छलखिन। आखिर इमानदारीसँ होइते की छैक? नून रोटी चलि सकैत अछि। घरवाली कहथिन जे कहि नहि कोन करम केलहुँ जे अहाँक संग भेल।

जहियासँ प्रमुख महोदय अपन चालि-ढालि बदललाह तहियासँ दुनियाँ दोसर भए गेलनि। जेम्हरे देखू तेम्हरे लक्ष्मीक दर्शन। ई मौका हुनका हेतु स्वर्णिम अवसर छल। जनसेवाक व्रतधारी लोकनिक प्रथम अवतार भए रहल छल। प्रमुखजी तीनू नेतासँ गप्प-सप्प करबाक हेतु तिथि निर्धारित कए सूचित कए देलखिन आ अपने भूमिगत भए गेलाह।

जनवादी दलक नेता रातिक बारह बजे प्रमुखजीक पत्नीसँ भेँट करए गेलाह। दोसर-तेसर ओहिठाम क्यो नहि छल। सूटकेशसँ नोटक सभ गड्डी निकालि धराधर टेबुलपर राखि देलखिन।

“ई थिक पुतोहुक मुँह देखाइ ।”

फेर गप्प-सप आगा बढ़ल कहए लगलखिन-

“जे राजनीतिक हाल-चाल तँ अहाँकेँ बूझले अछि। कृषकदल ओ राष्ट्रवादी दलक नेता सभ हमर पक्षक जनप्रतिनिधि सभकेँ फोरि रहल छथि। अहाँ प्रमुखजीकेँ हमर सिफारिश कए हमरा न्याय दिआउ।”

प्रमुखजीक धर्म पत्नीजीकेँ तीनू लोक सुझि रहल छलनि, मुदा तैयो बजलीह-

“अवश्य कहबनि। अहाँसँ बेसी योग्य, कर्मठ ओ इमानदार के भए सकैत अछि। प्रधानक पद तँ अहींकेँ भेटबाक चाही।”

जनवादी नेता सहर्ष ओहिठामसँ विदा भेलाह। मुदा ओ समस्याक अन्त नहि छल। आखिर मास दिनक बादे सही, प्रतिनिधि सभाक सामना तँ करैक छलनि। तेँ कमसँ कम पचासटा आर जनप्रतिनिधि के अपनामे मिलायब जरूरी छलनि।

राता-राती ओ अपन विश्वासपात्र जनवादी नेताक सचिवक ओहिठाम पहुँचलाह। ओमहर कृषक दल ओ राष्ट्रवादी दलक लोक सभ सेहो बैसल नहि छलाह।  

राति भरि हुड़दंग होइत रहल। असलमे बीस-पच्चीसटा जनप्रतिनिधि कै गोटेसँ टाका लए लेने छलाह। तीनू नेता सोचथि जे ओ सभ हमरा संगे छथि मुदा असलमे वो सभ ककरो संगे रहथि नहि। ओ सभ चुनावमे खर्च भेल अपन पूँजी ऊपर करबाक हेतु अपसियाँत छलाह। मुदा प्रमुखजी सेहो आब घवरायल छलाह आ जनप्रतिनिधि लोकनिकेँ साफ कहलखिन-

“जँ अहाँ लोकनि स्पष्ट स्थिति नहि उत्पन्न करब तँ हम यमलोक प्रतिनिधि सभाकेँ भंग करबा देब।”

ई बात सुनि नवका जनप्रतिनिधि सभहक मनमे हड़बड़ी मचि गेल। ओ सभ गोटे जनवादी दलकेँ अपन समर्थन देबाक निर्णय प्रमुख महोदयकेँ अवगत करा देलखिन।

प्रात:काल जनवादी दलक नेता मंगनू बाबूकेँ प्रधान पदक हेतु सपथ कराओल गेल।

प्रात:काल सपथ ग्रहण समारोह प्रारम्भ भेल। मनोनीत प्रधानजी अपन जेबीमे सँ एकटा चिट निकालि कए अपन पी.ए.केँ देलखिन्ह। पी.ए. साहेब ओहि कागजकेँ प्रमुखक आप्त सचिवकेँ दय देलखिन।

ओम्हर जनप्रतिनिधि लोकनि मंत्री पद प्राप्तिक संभावनासँ अपसियाँत छलाह। किछुए कालमे घोषणा प्रारम्भ भेल। नवीन मंत्रीमण्डलमे तीस गोट कैबीनेट, बीसटा राज्यमंत्री ओ बीसटा उपमंत्रीक नामक घोषणा कएल गेल। एवम्-प्रकारेण प्रतिनिधि  सभाक एक तिहाइ सदस्य मंत्री बनि रहल छलाह। शेष सदस्यमे सँ सत्तापक्षक समर्थक जनप्रतिनिधिकेँ कोनो-ने-कोने पद अवश्य देबाक स्पष्ट आभास भेटि गेल छलनि। प्रमुख निकेतन खचाखच भरल छल। सपथ ग्रहण समाप्त होमय पर छल कि सत्तापक्षक एकटा जनप्रतिनिधि गरजि उठला- 

“मंत्री पदक हेतु चयनमे पक्षपात कएल गेल अछि! आदि-आदि...।”  प्रधानजी मुड़ी उठेलाह आ इशारासँ किछु कहलखिन।

प्रधान विक्षुब्ध जनप्रतिनिधि सभक गुप्त बैठक कए रहल छलाह। रात्रिमे बारह बजे मीटिंग शुरू भेल से प्रात: छह बजेमे सम्पन्न भेल। बैठकमे पचासटा जनप्रतिनिधि छलाह जे कहैत गेलाह जे जौं अहाँ अपन बात नहि राखब तँ हमहूँ सभ अपन बात बदलबाक हेतु मजबूर भए जायब। 

हारि कऽ प्रधानजी ओहिमे सँ पन्द्रह गोटेकेँ विभिन्न कैबिनेट मंत्रीक दर्जा संगे अपन-अपन जिलाक प्रशासनिक मुखिया सेहो बनाओल गेल। सभा विसर्जित भेल। 

ओमहर कृषक दल आ राष्ट्रवादी दलक नेता जनवादी दलक नेताकेँ प्रधान पदक सपथ केर विरोधमे राज्यव्यापी हड़ताल कए देलन्हि। कानून/ व्यवस्थाक गम्भीर समस्या उत्पन्न भए गेल। असलमे दुनू नेताकेँ प्रधान पद छुटि जयबाक आक्रोश तँ छलनिहे। सभसँ बेसी कष्टक गप्प छल जे हुनका लोकनिकेँ गम्भीर आर्थिक क्षतिसँ सामना करए पड़ल छलनि। पचासो जनप्रतिनिधि तीनू नेतासँ यथेष्ट पाई टानि लेने छलाह। प्रधानकेँ अपन कुर्सी बचायब पराभव भए रहल छलनि। प्रमुखक खिलाफ दुनू विरोधी दल यमलोक भरिमे गम्भीर हड़ताल कए देने छलैक। स्थिति सम्हरने नहि सम्हरि रहल छलैक। अन्ततोगत्वा प्रधानजी विरोधी दलक नेता सभसँ गोपनीय बैसार करबाक निर्णय केलनि।

दोसर दिन विरोधी नेतासभ एक-एक कऽ प्रधानजीसँ फराक-फराक भेँट करए लगलाह। पाँचटा छोट-मोट नेताकेँ शान्त केलनि। मुदा कृषक दल ओ राष्ट्रीय दलक नेता किछु सुनबाक हेतु तैयार नहि छलाह।

अन्ततोगत्वा प्रधानजी कृषक दलक नेताकेँ विपक्षक नेता बनयबाक घोषणा केलनि। हुनको कैबिनेट मंत्रीक दर्जा देल गेल। संगहि राष्ट्रवादी दलक नेताकेँ प्रतिनिधि  सभाक उप-सभापति बनयबाक निर्णय कएल गेल। दुनू नेताकेँ पॉंच-पाँच कड़ोर रूपया अपन-अपन जिलाक बिकासक नामपर खर्च करबाक अधिकार देल गेल।

एवम्-प्रकारेण मंत्रीमण्डलक कृयाकलाप प्रारम्भ भेल। प्रमुख महोदय सहित जनप्रतिनिधि लोकनिके हरियरी आबि गेल । प्रतिनिधि  सभाक अधिवेशन प्रारम्भ भेल। कतेको नव गोटे एहि बेरक अधिवेशनमे देखबामे आबि रहल छल। सदस्य सभकेँ सपथ दिआवोल गेल आ तकर बाद प्रमुख महोदयक भाषण भेल। यमलोकक अगिला वर्षक बजट केर प्रस्ताव प्रस्तुत कएल गेल। एतवा कार्यक्रम भेल छल कि विपक्षी नेता सभ वर्तमानमंत्री मण्डलमे अपन अविश्वास प्रस्ताव प्रस्तुत केलनि। प्रतिनिधिसभामे जबरदस्त हंगामा होमय लागल। हंगामा नियंत्रणसँ बाहर भए गेल आ अध्यक्षकेँ प्रतिनिधिसभाक कार्यवाही स्थगित कए देबय पड़ल।

ओमहर विपक्षक नेता अपन चेला-चाटीक संगे सभाअध्यक्षक निर्णायक विरूद्ध प्रतिनिधिसभासँ वहिगर्मन कए देल।

यमलोकक राजनीतिक स्थिति कहुना ठहरिये ने रहल छल। प्रधानजी परेशान छलाह। प्रतिपक्षक नेता सभ यमलोकमे हड़तालक आह्वान कए देने छलाह। मुदा प्रधानजी कोनो कीमतपर कुर्सी छोड़बाक हेतु तैयार नहि छलाह। दोसर दिन प्रतिनिधि  सभाक सत्र फेर प्रारम्भ भेल आ सत्ता पक्ष ओ प्रतिपक्षक नेता एवम् सदस्य लोकनि हंगामा करएपर अडल छलाह। प्रधानजी जतबोकेँ मंत्री बना सकलाह ततबो लोक गड़बड़ी नहि करताह तकर कोनो ठेकान नहि छल। शेष लोकनिक कहब मुश्किल।

 ओहि दिन सेहो प्रतिनिधि  सभाक बैठक स्थगित भए गेल। एवम्-प्रकारेण प्रधानजी पाँच-साट दिन काटि लेलाह। ताधरि अनेको उद्योगसँ मंत्रीमण्डलक गठनमेजे आर्थिक दबाब पड़लनिसे आपस भए गेल छलनि। विपक्षक सदस्य सभ प्रमुखजीकेँ विज्ञापन-पर-विज्ञापन दैत छलाह जे प्रतिनिधि  सभाक अधिवेशन शीघ्र बजाओल जाय। अन्ततोगत्वा प्रमुखजी प्रधानजीकेँ बजा कऽ साफ कहलखिन जे अहाँ सात दिनक भीतर प्रतिनिधिसभामे अपन बहुमत सिद्ध करू अन्यथा अहाँक कुर्सी चलि जायत।

प्रधानजी अपसियाँत छलाह। नवका जनप्रतिनिधि-क गुटक कोनो भरोस नहि छलनि। मुदा झख मारि कऽ प्रतिनिधिसभामे विश्वास प्रस्ताव रखलाह। निर्णय भेल जे काल्हि एहिपर मतदान होएत। विपक्षक सदस्य सभ हर्षसँ थपड़ी पीटए लगलाह। 

राति भरि क्यो जनप्रतिनिधि सुतल नहि। प्रात:काल दस बजे प्रतिनिधि  सभाक बैठक प्रारम्भ भेल। सभाअध्यक्ष महोदय आशनपर विराजमान भेलाह। मत विभाजनक घन्टी बाजल। गुप्त मतदानक व्यवस्था छल। आधासँ अधिक सदस्य प्रधानक विरोधमे मतदान कए देलाह। सभाअध्यक्ष एहि निर्णयक घोषणा कए देल। प्रधान दल बदलक गम्भीर शिकार भए गेल छलाह। मुदा ई सभ कोना भेल से नहि कहल जा सकैत अछि।

प्रधानजी अपन त्याग पत्र प्रमुखजीकेँ दय देलखिन। मास दिनक भीतर एकबेर फेर नवीन मंत्रीमण्डलक गठनक तैयारी जोर-सोरसँ प्रारम्भ भेल। मुदा आब जनप्रतिनिधि सभ सेहो चितिंत छलाह। प्रतिनिधि सभाभंग होयबाक समाचार जोर-सोरसँ चारूकात पसरि गेल छल। प्रमुखजी सेहो सख्त रूखि अपनौने छलाह। तेँ हेतु सभक मत भए गेल छलैक जे एकटा ठोस मंत्रीमण्डल बनाओल जाय।

राष्ट्रवादी ओ कृषक दलक नेता आपसमे बन्द कोठरीमे बैसार केलाह। तय ई भेल जे कृषक दलक नेता प्रधान बनताह। मंत्रीमण्डलमे दूटा उपप्रधान हेताह। एकटा उपप्रधान राष्ट्रवादी दलक हेताह आ दोसरनव जनप्रतिनिधि गुटक नेता...। येन-केन प्रकारेण नव मंत्रीमण्डलक गठन भेल। जनप्रतिनिधि लोकनि आश्वस्त भेलाह जे जनसेवाक आब नीक अवसर हुनका सभहक हाथसँ नहि सरकतनि। प्रतिनिधि  सभामे एहि मंत्रीमण्डलकेँ विश्वास सेहो प्राप्त भए गेलैक। किछु दिन दोबारा यमलोकमे अमन चैन स्थापित भए गेल।

आखिर यमलोकमे जनतंत्र बहाल भए गेल।

The gold coins

The gold coins

I was lone child of my parents. They had little education. They had no regular job and were dependent entirely upon agricultural income The land was fertile but there was no proper arrangement for irrigation and people were dependent on nature. Moreover, the income from cultivation was uncertain and needed initial investment which was a problem. The condition of the farmers was not good in general. The problem compounded when there was no rain or there was, too, much of it followed by flood and other natural calamities.

My parents sent me to the village school for primary classes. I was a brilliant student from the outset.  I always stood first in my classes. I attracted attention of my teachers. The Principal of the school, too, started taking interest in me. I got many rewards in recognition of outstanding performance in the school as well as extracurricular activities. I passed fifth class examinations in the first division and also topped in the school as I had obtained the highest marks in the entire school. Despite the fact that I was a brilliant student my family was extremely worried mainly because they did not have adequate means to support me. There was no school for higher classes in the village. The nearest school was about six kilometres away from the village. Even that school was only up to the class eight. The High School was located in the district headquarter about 10 kilometres away from the village.

One day while my father was sleeping, he heard Devi Saraswati stating:

“Ramanand! You need not worry about your son. He is very lucky. He would bring good name to your entire family. Pl open the box which is lying near your outer gate. You would find there everything that you need. Then Devi

Saraswati started further telling me: “Your son was a great saint in his previous birth. He was a great scholar but he died prematurely due to an accident. He would recover his memory soon. “I just got up to find none. I told everything to my wife. She  was immensely surprised.

Soon after getting from the sleep I rushed towards the gate of my house. There was nothing as such. Then I tried to look left and right but nothing could be noticed. I was disappointed. I heard similarly the next night while I was sleeping. This time I even saw the hidden treasure which was lying in a small bag.

Next day my father got up as usual. There was nothing new which could have invited anybody`s attention. But he saw something below the tree in front of our house. He ran towards that. In the meantime, a dog appeared on the scene and took away the small bag in his mouth.

My father ran after the dog. On seeing me running many villagers, too, started running. Gradually the whole village was running. The dog was ultimately surrounded by the villagers. The dog left the small bag it was carrying in its mouth on the nearby land.

The police had got alerted on seeing the whole villagers running and picked up the small bag left by the dog. In the meantime, the dog vanished from the scene. The police tried to open the bag but it had nothing. They, therefore, threw it on the road. The villagers ,too, scattered here and there.

 In the meantime, my father heard the voice again directing him to pick up the bag which was lying unattended on the road. He did accordingly. He was surprised to listen beautiful music coming from inside the bag. He also noticed some gold coins lying in it. He picked up the coins and threw the bag on the road.

My father reached the house with the gold coins. My mother was very happy. She was very keen to know the details. My father told her the entire story. She was, however, disappointed to know about loss of the bag. According to her the bag was mystical and would have brought us prosperity and happiness. But what could have been done now.

My father nevertheless tried to get back the bag. He went to the same place where he had thrown the bag but could not see anything. Soon, he heard a roaring sound warning him to leave the place at once as he had done a great sin by not obeying the message of God. My father got afraid and left the place.

Anyway, my father got few gold coins which helped us to arrange for immediate requirements. I got myself admitted in the High School located in the district town. The expenditure was arranged by selling the gold coins.

I passed the Intermediate examination in Science getting the highest marks in the entire board. I was awarded certificate of merit and also a monthly scholarship. I cleared the entrance examination in the very first attempt. I got admission in B Tech course in the subject and college of my choice. But arranging money for admission was a big problem.

One day while I was moving alone in the IIT Campus I met with the admission in -charge Dr Devan. He at once recognised me as he had seen my picture in the newspaper. He asked me about my future planning. I told him about my problems. He immediately offered to bear the entire cost of admission. Besides he also promised to help me in future.

While at the college I worked very hard. I cleared all the tests of my engineering course in the first attempt with excellent marks. It increased my self-confidence. I became a known face among the students.

I got B. TECH degree from IIT with full support of my teacher who kept his words and gave enough money every month so that I could manage my requirements peacefully and could concentrate on my studies.

I got many campus placements. Ultimately, I decided to join the London based company which offered me the highest salary package. Within a year  I purchased a house in a posh locality of London. With the growing income my life style changed completely.

While studying at the IIT, I had developed intimacy with my fellow student Nilima. She had been helping me whenever I needed it. She was doing well in her examinations and got good placement along with me. Luckily, she, too, got posted in London. We remained in touch during our stay there. Our intimacy grew with time. We, therefore, decided to marry. Our parents were happy to bless us and  had readily agreed to our proposal. Our marriage was a simple affair. We decided to make it a purely private affair. Besides our parents only a few personal friends were present.

Both of us started living happily in our own house. It was very conveniently located. Our offices were at walking distance. So, we used to have our lunch there. The house approved very auspicious to us. We had to kids while living in the house. We were both holding very high position in our companies. We were now economically sound and wanted to do something for our motherland.

 As planned, we returned to Mumbai. There we met with Dr Dewan, our teacher in the IIT.I told him about my planning to do something to repay my indebt to him and also to the motherland. He was very glad to know this. He said that the best way to repay him would be to help the poor and needy students who are unable to take up higher education due to financial constraints. The advice of Dr Dewan worked well. Both of us decided to return to India. We resigned from our jobs, sold our house in London and returned Mumbai with determination to follow his instructions.

On return to Mumbai we set up an institution for free coaching of the meritorious but poor students of the locality. They were provided all the facilities including books, notes and even fee for the entrance examination. Our efforts have blessed many poor and needy students. So far more than five hundred poor students trained by our coaching institute have got degree from IIT.

Years have passed since we returned to Mumbai after resigning our lucrative jobs at London. We feel lot of satisfaction and internal happiness which we never got from the gold coins which we earned during our days in London.