A visit to hell !

A visit to hell !

I have spent almost 60 years in my village. During this long journey of life, I saw many ups and downs. My children were educated and finally settled in different cities. I have two sons and one daughter. My eldest son, Harish, is a Senior Officer and lives in Delhi. My daughter, Rita, is a Doctor and lives in the USA with her husband who also is a Doctor. The youngest is Dip. He is a scientist and is married to an engineer. Both of them are settled in Australia.

Harish is the only child living in India. He is very careful and sensitive person. He has lot of regards for his parents. He has been inviting us times and again to come over to Delhi but my wife always avoided going there. Ultimately, I decided to visit Delhi and stay with my son for some time.

I reached Allahabad Railway station in the evening. The train was three hours late. I kept waiting in the waiting room. The train arrived at about 10 PM in the night. I managed to get into it with the help of a fellow passenger. He was a very nice person and made me comfortable.

I reached New Delhi Railway station next day around 1PM.The train got delayed throughout the journey. By the time I reached Delhi, I was totally exhausted. Harish had come to pick up me. I and Harish left the Platform together and reached the escalator. I had never used this. So, I was scared to keep my feet upon it. Harish tried to help me but I was unable to manage and fell down. I started rolling over the speeding escalator. Luckily some passengers noticed me falling and caught me. Thus, I was saved. I sustained minor injuries in the right hand.

I reached Chanakyapuri flat of my son, Harish. He has been allotted a huge government accommodation in Delhi. My grandchildren were waiting on the veranda of the flat. I was seeing them after a long gap. Rani and Arjun were born together and were both studying in the Sixth class.

I soon mixed with the children and gave them gifts which their grandmother had sent for them. I persuaded them to open the gift pack given by their grandmother. They even opened it but were disappointed to see the home-made things which  were not of their liking..

I settled in a ground floor room which had all the facilities including attached toilet. I went to the toilet to refresh. I had lot of difficulties firstly in using it as the toilet was western type. I was not used to use such toilets.  I could not locate water required for cleaning. I kept trying for about fifteen minutes. The children got scared to see me in the toilet for such a long period. I myself was upset. Ultimately, I shouted for help. The children came running. They immediately understood my predicament. I could somehow come out as the children guided me from outside.

Everybody in the family was occupied with his work. Harish went office at 8AM sharp. The Children went to their school. My daughter-in-law was a school teacher. She, too, left for her school. I was left alone in that huge accommodation. It was difficult to spend time. I switched on the television. But could not prolong. I did not have interest in most of the programmes. Thereafter, I sat on the veranda watching the people coming and going.I suddenly started pain in my stomach. There was none to attend me. The pain was growing with time. I tried to signal the persons coming and going but no body was responding. I felt unconscious. Luckily the postman had come to deliver a registered letter. He saw me grooming and at once called the neighbours. One of the neighbour knew my son. He telephoned my son who came running and took me to the hospital. Thus, I was saved.

The Greatest problem was to spend time in the lonely environment of the flat. I was used to live in the village environment where every body was accessible. I could spend time with my friends and relatives. Hardly anyone had time and interest to meet me. Sometimes, staff from the office of my son used to come to our house. I would engage them in gossips but this was not liked by my son and his wife. They were more concerned about their status and would not talk to people with lower status.

One day while my son and other family members were out, I was alone in the flat. I closed it and went out to walk in the nearby park. I enjoyed going to the park. I saw many senior citizens playing cards and gossiping. I sat there for some time. But I could not associate much with them as they were from different places and were unable to understand my language. I ultimately left the part. I was trying to return to my flat but unfortunately, I forgot the way to my home. I was lost somewhere and reached entirely at a new place which was near a temple.

On return from the market, my son and other family members found me missing. They were extremely perturbed. They tried to locate here and there but it could not work out. Even my mobile was left at the flat itself. So, they were clueless about my whereabouts and were left with no option but to inform the police. The police swung into action and could trace me wandering on the road. They took me to the nearest police station. My son was informed and he came running to the police station. On reaching there, he found me totally distressed. I was immensely tired and speechless. He took me out of the police station after formalities. I accompanied my son to the flat. They were immensely relieved as the entire family had suffered lot of tension due to my sudden disappearance.

After this incident an identity card was tied around my neck like a school going child. Besides the beat constable was also given my details. That started another problem as the police constable used to visit the flat every now and then. There was total loss of privacy’s and other family members were feeling disturbed due to his frequent visits. My movements were limited. I hardly had opportunity to speak to anybody. Throughout the day I used to sit on the veranda and watch the persons coming and going on the street. I was feeling as if I am in a prison.

 I requested my son to allow me go back to my village home. There I could meet with my villagers freely. They know me. they have time for me. But what is here? Nobody has interest in me. My family members are too much occupied. They have their own engagements, own friend circle. They talk to me but just for formality sake.

One day while I was going to toilet, I slipped. The floor was slippery. I fell down. I had injuries near the right thigh. I had intense pain. I Started crying. I was rushed to the nearby hospital. The x-ray showed fracture near the right thigh. The doctors conducted emergency operation. I had a very painful time in the hospital. I had to undergo physiotherapy for about one month. I could not regain my original movements even thereafter. I could not recover fully thereafter.

Ultimately,I could persuade my son to send me back to my village home. On reaching there, I had a sigh of relief and tremendous peace of mind. The tragedy was over Now, I could breathe freely in the open air. I thanked God that my visit to hell was over!

The horrible train journey!

The horrible train journey!

I often travel by train in the sleeper class. It is infamous for its discomforts. The number of passengers in this compartment is always above the permissible limits. The toilets are often choked. The water supply is stopped midway. Nevertheless, people use this class as it is cheap. It is easier to get reservation in this compartment. Many passengers travel in the sleeper class because of this also.

There is limited interaction among higher class passengers and they spend their journey time mostly in reading books or sleeping. Now a day’s they also remain busy with smartphones and exchanging messages through WhatsApp and Facebook. But things are often different in the sleeper class where passengers easily mix with each other.

Travel by the sleeper class is often full of events.  The seats are overcrowded and even if you have to move an inch you have no option but to request fellow passengers to give some space. Although all such travels are full of interesting developments, I cannot forget my journey in a reserved sleeper class compartment from Chennai to Kolkata.

As soon as the train arrived, a large number of persons gathered at the entry point. The passengers with reservation were finding it difficult to enter into the compartment. One old with a ten year old child was trying to enter into the compartment but the pick pocketers surrounded her at the entry gate itself and kept her occupied till they pickpocketed her money bag which she had tied around her  shoulder

. Somehow, she could manage to reach her berth and had just down. She realised that the moneybag was missing. She was immensely disappointed at the loss of money bag and started crying. Many fellow passengers tried to console her but she was unable to overcome.

The journey from Chennai to New Delhi takes more than 40 hours. So, everybody was trying to protect his berth from unauthorised passengers. But many persons without valid ticket kept entering into the compartment almost at every station where the train halted. They wanted to share the berths of the passengers with valid tickets. Initially, they would request politely but if any passenger resisted, they would resort to physical means as well.

I myself had to accommodate two additional passengers on my berth. While one was sitting near my head another passenger took position near my feet. The persons sitting near my head was a police constable and was carrying a gun in his hand. The passenger near my feet was an army man. Both of them assured me that they would get down soon. They were quite apologetic. I quietly sat down on the sleeper berth hoping that they would get down after sometime but that was not to happen.

It was around 2AM in the night. About ten passengers of different age groups carrying lot of goods, boxes etc entered into my compartment. Most of the berths were already packed with the extra passengers. There was still some space around my berth. So, the new comers asked the lady passengers travelling along with him to sit there. There were three lady passengers of different age group trying to sit somehow in between me and the police constable. I was pushed to the corner. I could somehow save myself from falling from the berth. There were still four passengers from the group searching for space to sit. Two of them sat near the passenger sitting in the front row and the remaining two went up to the top berth. The entire space in between the berths were packed with the boxes and other items.

Somehow the train reached Nagpur station. There was a tremendous rush of passengers waiting on the platform. They rushed into the compartments. Some of them even climbed up to the roof of the train. Some persons were just hanging on the stairs. It was a very dangerous scene. The station master was unable to control the situation. The huge number of passengers thus entering into the compartments made it impossible for the driver to take the train ahead.

Some passengers sat on the boxes placed in between the berths. There was not enough air to breath. Water supply was exhausted. The toilets were completely choked. It was really a horrible situation. Passengers were unable to move even an inch. The train driver was not in a position to move the train as hundreds of people were sitting over the train roof. The police were alerted but they, too, were helpless. Repeated announcements over the loud speaker by the station control room was infructuous.

A lady was pregnant inside the sleeper compartment. She was restless. There was no way she could have been helped. But she was restive. Her pain was increasing every moment and she needed immediate medical help. There was not even an inch vacant space. Ultimately, she delivered a baby in front of everybody. Both the mother and the child were in danger.

The situation was getting out of control. They repeatedly requested the passengers to get down from the roof of the train. But nobody listened. There was a stand still. Clearing the roof of the train was a must. The passengers standing on the stairs were also asked to get out but nobody was buzzing. The presence of the huge number of armed forces failed to have any impact. The local administration was finding it difficult to use force.

The authorities were totally shaken.  The matter was discussed at the highest level. At last, they ordered use of force. Immediately thereafter, the police started air firing. This followed huge chaos on the platform. People started falling upon each other. The things had gone out of hand. The railways announced cancellation of the train. By that time almost the entire train was already vacant. More than a hundred injured persons were moved to the city hospital. Luckily, the new born and the mother both were safe.

I kept waiting in the railway rest room till arrangements were made for an alternative train. It started next day evening. By that time, many passengers had already left by other means. Only a few passengers kept waiting. We were happy that the train started moving again.

After half an hour or so, some well-dressed passengers entered into the compartment. They looked like gentleman. Two of them occupied the upper berths whereas one sat on the lower berth in front of me. One passenger kept standing as there was no berth available for him. It was about 9 PM in the night. I was trying to eat. The passenger standing near me pretended to bring something from the upper berth and in that process sprinkled some powders on the food I was eating. After some time, I was feeling sleepy. I had loose motions. I tried to go to the toilet but some of them tried to follow me even there.

Next day early in the morning, one of them called me by name and drew my attention towards a key ring with some keys hanging from the front seat. I was surprised to hear my name from him They wanted to divert my attention so that they could takeaway my bag. Luckily, I could not be trapped by them. They followed me till the station arrived. Everybody was waiting for the train to stop. They requested me to get down while the train was still moving. Luckily a fellow passenger alerted me and I was saved from falling on the platform.

I reached my home two days late. I was, too, much tired. While I was trying to keep my things, I could not find money which was kept in the bag. It was taken away by the miscreants after they poisoned me .

Years have passed away since then but I am still horrified to think about the train journey in which everything went wrong!

ई समय ककरो नहि

 

ई समय ककरो नहि

हम श्यामा भगवतीक दर्शनक हेतु गेल रही। महाराजा रामेश्वरक चितापर बनल ओहि भव्य मन्दिरक अद्भुत सौन्दर्य अछि। टूह- टूह सिंदुरिआ रंगमे रंगल मंदिरक दहिना कात पोखरि अछि जकर जमकल पानिमे हाथ देलासँ स्वच्छता बढ़क बदला घटि सकैत अछि। मोन पड़ि गेल जे जखन सी.एम. कालेज दरभंगामे विद्यार्थी रही तऽ ऐहि ठाम आबी, भगवतीक दर्शनक बाद पोखरिक घाटपर बैसल करी। ओहि समय पोखरिक हाल बेहतर छल।

श्यामा मंदिरमे माँकालीक भव्य मूर्ति ओहिना चमकैत, दमकैत छल। भक्तगणक श्रद्धा ओहिना वा कि पहिनहुँसँ बेसी बुझाइत छल। मंदिरमे कै ठाम भक्तसभ पूजा पाठमे तल्लीन छलाह।

“मिथिलेश रमेशस्य चितायं सुप्रतिष्ठित। श्यामा रमेश्वरीपातु रमेश्वर कुलोद्रवान्।”

मंदिरक मुख्य द्वारपर लिखल उपरोक्त श्लोक कतेक बेर पढ़ैत रहलहुँ।  

श्यामा मंदिरक बाहर आ अंदरमे प्रसादक विक्रय होइत अछि । अन्दरेमे प्रसाद किनलहुँ। भगबतीकेँ प्रसाद चढ़ौलाक बाद कनीकाल ओतहि बैसि गेलहुँ। कनी कालक बाद बाहर भेलापर चिंता भेल जे प्रसादकेँ बानरसँ कोना बचाबी कारण एक बेर एहिना प्रसाद चढ़ाकऽ निकलल रही कि एकटा बूढ़बा बानर कहाँसँ दौरल आएल आ प्रसाद लूटि लेलक। हम अबाक देखैत रहि गेल रही। अस्तु, प्रसादकेँ अंगाक अंदर कहुना कऽ नुकौलहुँ।
बाहर आगू बढ़लापर चारूकात कोनो-ने-कोनो महराजक चितापर बनल मंदिर सभकेँ देखैत मोनमे दरभंगा महराजक अकूत संपत्ति आ ओकर अपव्ययपर ध्यान हठात चलि जाएब कोनो भारी बात नहि। जँ एहि धनक उपयोग एतेक रास मंदिरक बजाए जनताक कल्याणमे खर्च कएल जाइत तऽ लोक समृद्ध होइत, आ महाराजो यशस्वी होइतथि। मुदा जे हेबाक छल से भेल। महराजक राज चलि गेल। बड़का-बड़का देबार सभ ढहि गेल। राजक हाताक अन्दरक जमीन सभ बिका गेल। आब ओहिठाम होटल अछि, दोकान अछि, सामान्य व्यक्ति सभक घर अछि। ने वो रामा ने वो खटोला। महाराजाक गौरब-गरिमाक बखान करए हेतु ढहैत, ढनमनाइत राज परिसरक दुर्दशा अन्तहीन भए गेल अछि।

श्यामा मंदिरक आस-पास बनल आओर मंदिर सभ कतेको बेर गेल छी। तें रिक्सा पकड़ि सोझे शुभंकरपुर बिदा भए गेल रही। मोनमे होइत छल जे जँ महराज वा हुनकर सलाहकारक जन कल्याणमे कनिको रूचि रहैत तऽ आइ मिथिलाक लोकक भविष्ये किछु आओर होइत।

काली मंदिरसँ आगा बढ़लापर मिथिला विश्वविद्यालयक विशालकाय परिसर आएल। दरभंगा महराजक ओहि महल सभकेँ सरकार अधिग्रहण कए ओहिमे विश्वविद्याल स्थापित कए देलक। महराजक राज-पाट नाम सभ चलि गेल। एतबो नहि भेल जे वोहि विश्वविद्यालयक नाममे महराजक नाम रहैत। मुदा भावी प्रवल। समय बलबान होइत अछि।

“जो उग्या सो अन्तवे

फूल्या सो कुमलाही

जो चिनिया सो ढही पड़े,

जो आया सो जाही।”

कबीरदासक उपरोक्त कथन ध्यानमे आबि रहल छल। संसारक नियम अछि जकर उदय भेल तकर अस्त होएत। समय रहिते जे किछु कए गेल वएह रहि जाइत अछि।

विश्वविद्यालयक दहिनाकात बदरंग भेल इन्द्रपूजा स्थली आ तकर सामने बड़ीटा खाली मैदान- बिना कोनो देखरेखकें। आश्चर्यक बात थिक जे एहि ऐतिहासिक, सांसकृतिक धरोहरक रखरखावक उचित व्यवस्था किएक नहि भए रहल अछि?

कनीक आओर बढ़ू तऽ बड़का-बड़का देबार जे महाराजा सभ बना गेलाह ओहिमे यत्र तत्र गाछ सभ जनमि रहल अछि। देबारक बीचमे बनल हनुमानजीक मूर्तिकेँ लोक सभ पूजा करैत देखाइत। आश्चर्यक बात ई थिक जे बिना कोनो देखरेखकेँ एतेक पुरान देबार सभ अखनो ठाढ़  अछि?

श्यामा मंदिरसँ शुभंकरपुर लौटबाक क्रममे महराजी पूलसँ पहिने जाम लागि गेल छल। रिक्सा आगू नहि बढ़ि सकैत छल। संगहि साइकल, स्कूटर, ठेला, पैदलयात्री,कार आ पैदलयात्री तेना ने लदमलद भए गेलाह जे कनी काल लेल भेलैक जे आब एतहिसँ आपस होमए पड़त। पैरे जेबाक सेहो जगह नहि बाँचल छल। चूपचाप रिक्सा पर बैसल रहि जेबाक अतिरिक्त किछु विकल्प नहि छल।

जाबत ओहि जामकेँ हटि जेबाक प्रतीक्षा करैत रही ताबतेमे किछु गोटे “राम नाम सत्य है, सबका यही गत्त है” बजैत एकटा मृतककेँ कान्हपर उठौने ओतहि आबि कऽ अटकि गेलाह। हुनका पाछा- पाछा २०-२५ लोक चलि रहल छलाह जे मृतकक अन्तिम संस्कारक हेतु ओकरा पाछा -पाछा वएह सभ बजैत चलि रहल छलाह।

कहुना कऽ कनीक जाम खुजलै। उसास पबिते अन्तिम यात्रापर निकलल वोहि मृतक आ तकरा कान्ह देनिहार सभकेँ लोक सभ आगा जाए देलक। महराजी पूल पार करैत वो सभ आगा बढ़ि गेलाह। हम ताधरि रिक्सेपर थामहि प्रतीक्षा करैत रही जे आब लोक आगा बढ़त तऽ ताब। 

 कनीके कालक बाद फेर वएह ध्वनि। “राम नाम सत्य है, सबका यही गत्त है...।”

किछु गोटे मृतककेँ कान्ह देने छलाह। आगा आगा गोरहाक सुनगैत आगि, कोहा लेने कर्त्ता आ तकर पाछा पाछा मृतकक महायात्राक गवाह सभ राम नामक महिमा गबैत आगा बढ़ि नहि सकबाक कारणें ओहिठाम ठमकि गेल रहथि। हम रिक्सापर रही आ ठीक हमरा सामानान्तरमे पीताम्बरीसँ आवृत, गेनाक फूलसँ लादल वोहि मृतकक निष्प्राण शरीर छल। ओहि दिवंगत आत्माकेँ मोने-मोन प्रणाम कएल। किछु-किछु सोचाए लागल। मोन कनी एमहर ओमहर भेल। ताबे जाम कनी ढील भेलैक। ओ सभ राम नाम सत्य है, सबका यही गत्त है, बजैत आगा बढ़ि गेल। आ हम रिक्सासँ महराजी पुलपर चढ़ि गेलहुँ।

कनीके आगा पुलपर रिक्सा चढ़ले छल कि फेर वएह ध्वनि। राम नाम सत्त है, सबका यही गत्त है। किछु गोटे एकटा मृतकक शवयात्राक संगे राम नामक महिमा गबैत आगा बढ़ि रहल छलाह। मृतकक फूलक मालासँ लादल चारि गोटेक कान्हापर आगा बढ़ि गेल। अगल-बगल कतेको लोक मूकदर्शक छलाह जेना कोनो खास बात नहि भेल हो। तरकारी वाली तरकारी बेचि रहल छल। माछक दोकानपर ओहिना माछक खण्ड बिका रहल छल। कोन पर चाहक दोकानपर लोक चाह पीबि रहल छलाह। कतहु कोनो प्रकारक आलाप, प्रलाप नहि। रिक्साबला गप्पक क्रममे कहलक जे एहिठाम तऽ नित्य एहने दृष्य रहैत अछि। आगा बनल श्मशान घाटमे ओकर दाह संस्कार होइत अछि।

संभवत: मृत व्यक्ति सभ वृद्ध छलाह जाहिसँ वातावरणमे, संगे कटिहारी गेनिहार लोकोमे कोनो भाव विह्लता देखबामे नहि आएल।  

ओहि दिन साँझमे ओही सड़क बाटे फेर जेबाक अवसर भेटल। हम सभ बरिआती जा रहल छलहुँ। महराजीपुलसँ पहिने जाम लागि गेल छल। लोक ठसाठस भरल छल। हमरा आगा पाछा दोसर बिआहक बरिआती  छल। लोककेँ आगू पाछू घसकबाक रस्ता नहि भेटि रहल छल। सजल धजल बरक कार ठामहि छल कि आगूसँ अबैत कोनो दोसर गाड़ी पों-पों’क आबाज करए लागल। के आगा बढ़त, के पाछा जाएत, कोनो ठेकान नहि। आधा घण्टा धरि ई स्थिति बनल रहल। फेर केना-ने-केना रस्ता खूजल। लोकसभ आगा बढ़ल। हम अपन कारमे आगा बढ़लहुँ। शेष बरिआती, बर पाछा छुटि गेल छल, तथापि ओहिठाम ठाढ़ भाए प्रतीक्षा करब उचित नहि छल। एक्के दिनमे एकहिठामसँ तरह तरहक दृष्य गुजरि गेल छल। राम नाम सत्य है’सँ लए शहनाइक धूनपर नचैत गबैत जाममे थकमकाएल बरियातीक धमाचौकरी देखएमे आबि रहल छल। मुदा ओही स्थानक चारूकात बैसल, ठाढ़ लोक सभ हेतु धनि सन। ने हर्षो न च विष्मय :।

असलमे कोनो घटना विशेष अपने आपमे ताधरि कोनो माने नहि रखैत अछि जाधरि हम ओहिसँ कोनो ने कोनो कारणसँ जुड़ि जाइत छी। तात्पर्य ई जे कोन वस्तु हमरा कष्ट देत आ ककरासँ सुख होएत ओ पूर्णत: ओहि वस्तु विशेष वा घटना विशेषक प्रति हमर रूखिपर नर्भर करैत अछि। अस्तु, एकहि दिनमे श्यामा मंदिरसँ शुभंकरपुरक मध्य कतेको तरहक दृष्य देखबामे आएल। कतेको पुरान घटना सभ स्मृति पटलपर फेरसँ उगि आएल। ई समय ककरो नहि अछि। दरभंगा महराजक नहि अछि, आम आदमीक नहि अछि। मोन हो कठिआरी जाउ,  मोन हो बरियाती भऽ जाउ। मुदा समय ठाढ़ नहि रहत। भोर साँझमे बदलि जाएत। छोड़ि जाएत मोनक कोनो कनतोसमे एकटा आओर निसान’ जे दिन भरिक घटनाक क्रम हमर अहाँक देने गेल। काल्हि फेर प्रात:काल ओहिना सूर्य उगताह, दिन भरि किछु ने किछु होइत रहत, साँझ हैत। सभटा हैत, मुदा हमर अहाँक जिनगीक एकटा आओर दिन कम भऽ जाएत। समयकेँ की हेतै? ओ तऽ एहिना आगू चलैत जाएत। गुजरि जाएब हम ओहिना जेना कतेको गुजरि गेलाह आ लोक राम नाम सत्य है... कहैत महराजीपूलक एहि पारसँ ओहि पार भए जाएत।

२/११/२०१७

Miracles do happen!

Miracles do happen!

I  am Deepika. My family was living in a rented accommodation on the third floor of an apartment in Allahabad. The roof of the flat used to leak during the rainy season. The flat was old and the landlord was not undertaking any maintenance work. He wanted us to vacate the flat. But we were unable to get a suitable accommodation on the existing rent.

My father had shifted from a remote village in Kerala. He was not even matriculate. My father initially used to sell tea. After that he used to sell vegetables. After some time, he started working as a security guard and was given job at a private company.  He used to work with a great devotion. The owner of the company got impressed and gave him job of labour supervisor in his company.

 Despite hardship my father was very much concerned about our education and did his best to provide us with the basic facilities. I and my sister Rakhee were admitted to a nearby government school.

The struggle of our parents was always a source of inspiration to me. I worked hard . I passed Matriculation in the first division. My sister, Rakhee also had passed it in the first division. Both of us got admitted in Inter college. My uncle was Subedaar Major in the army. I was immensely inspired by him. I developed interest in joining as an officer in the Indian Army. I, therefore, got enrolled in the N.C.C.

While I was a student of Intermediate, my father expired. Thereafter, we had to face lot of financial hardship. My mother used to take private tuitions. But that was not enough. Therefore, I also started private tuitions.

After sometime my mother and Rakhee fell ill. They were unable to recover for a long. Arranging proper medical treatment was a great problem.

One day while I was going to teach a student in a nearby village, I saw a saint. He started telling my problems as if he knew everything. I was surprised to hear him. The saint told me that my future was bright. He gave me a packet containing some magical ring and directed to open it on reaching home and to wear it in the right hand.On reaching home, I did exactly as advised.

 I really progressed very fast since then. My financial problem was solved as the college Principal offered me scholarship which was enough to meet our daily requirements. Besides, he also provided me a double seated room in girl`s hostel where I could live there with my sister.

Now I concentrated fully on my annual examination. But this could not last long. In the meantime, the magical ring given by the saint was lost inadvertently. I was always careful about the magical ring. Nevertheless, it was lost.

After some time, my mother became seriously ill. I took her to the government hospital. She had developed lung cancer. The disease was in advance stage and treating cancer in this situation was impossible.

Nevertheless, I kept trying. Soon thigs went out of hand. The disease spread to different organs very fast. Her condition was deteriorating day by day. The doctors advised us to take her back to home. We had no choice. As soon as we reached our flat, she collapsed. She was trying to say something but could not.

On seeing this Rakhee became nervous. I was also socked.The news of death of my mother spread very fast. My relatives and friends came immediately. Almost everybody from my neighbourhood attended the cremation. They were sad to see us weeping and tried their best to console us.

]The death of my mother was a severe blow to us. But I did not lose hope. I kept my efforts despite hardship. I continued with private tuitions. I became serious in my N.C.C. classes.

One day while I was travelling in train from Delhi to Pune to attend the national level N.C.C. camp, I saw the same saint sitting on the front berth. He at once recognized me. He knew about the death of my mother and also had information about the loss of the magical ring. I was amazed to see him talking about these things. He said:

 “Your problems have compounded due to loss of the magical ring. It was vested with power to neutralise the impact of negative forces. But do not worry. I shall give you another magical ring. You must ensure that it is not lost otherwise it may cause too much damage.”

I assured him to take full care of the magical ring. The saint shut his eyes and whispered something. In the meantime, a small ring appeared in my right hand. It was like diamond. It had golden colour. I put it on my right hand and turned back to touch the feet of the saint. But he was not there. He just vanished away.

I could not believe that. I had seen the saint travelling with me. He even discussed my problem and gave me that magical ring. In the meantime, the saint vanished. Nothing could have been more surprising than what had just happened.

Now I was finding things moving in the right direction. I passed the N.C.C. ‘C’‘Certificate and obtained the first grade. I was now eligible for direct entry into the commissioned rank of the Indian army. I thanked God for being so kind to me.

I was soon invited by the Service Selection Board for interview -cum- selection tests to be held at Allahabad. I made the entire preparations as given in the guideline. I consulted my NCC Commander and also took his help in practising for the Ground Testing which formed part of the selectin procedure.

I appeared before the Selection Board as scheduled and got selected without any difficulty. I was very happy to learn about this development.

I returned home with a sense of pride on my face. My sister Rakhee was very happy. We went to the temple and thanked God for his constant help.

After a month or so, I joined the Indian Army as Lieutenant but I could never forget the saint for his blessings and the magical ring which really did wonder in my life. Now I am a Lieutenant in the army. I have lot of respect in the society. All this seems to be a great dream fulfilled. I am surprised by the sequence of events. It is rightly said:” A saint can change the fate. {जो न करे लकीर सो करे फकीर}”!

बरियाती

बरियाती

ओना हम अनदिना घण्टों पूजा-पाठ करेत छी,मुदा जखन कखनहुँ नोत पड़ैत अछि किंवा बरियाती जएबाक हकार देल जाइत अछि तँ पूरा ताकति लगा कए सभसँ पहिने अपन  मैलका गमछा साफ करएमे लागि जाइत छी।

ओना हमर गमछा कोनो ततेक पुरान नहि अछि,मुदा समस्या तँ छैक साबुनक।मैल तँ बैसलि-बैसलि चिपरी जकाँ भए गेल रहैत छैक।तेँ बूझल जाए जे तिन-चारि घंटा धरि लगातार परिश्रम कअलोपरान्त ओकर पियरी नहि छुटैत छैक।कुर्ता तँ अपन अछि नहि ,तेँ मंगनी करबाक हेतु अतिशय तत्पर होमए पड़ैत अछि। ओना आब गाम घरमे कपड़ा लत्ताक कोनो कमी होइक से बात नहि। से-से प्रकारक कपड़ाक चलनि भए गेलैक अछि जे ओ पहिरने तँ एकदम जोकर जकाँ लगैत अछि। एक खण्ड धराउ धोती पाँच-सात बर्खसँ अछि आ ओकर उपयोग मात्र एहने-एहने अवसर पर होइत रहलेक अछि आ तेँ ओ बचलो अछि।

कतेक दिन सँ प्रतीक्षामे छलहुँ जे बरियाती क्यो लए जाइत।ओना हमर नाम लोक रिजर्व लिस्टमे रखने अछि।तकर कारण हमर कोनो आन गुण नहि थिक। हमरामे एकमात्र विशेषता ई थीक जे हम जाहि बरियातीमे रहैत छिऐक से किछु ने किछु नाम अवश्ये करैत अछि।ओना हमर नामो लम्वोदर अछि।नाम ओ गुणक ऐकठाम समावेश दुर्लभे।मुदा हमरा संगे से नहि अछि। हम १००-२०० रसगुल्ला पनपिआइमे देखि लैत छिऐक।धरि तेँ की? बरियातीक बाते किछु आओर छैक। ओतए तऽ युद्ध पर युद्ध होइत छैक आ ओहि मे विजय प्राप्त करब कम पौरुखक बात नहि थिक।

ओहि दिन घुड़ लग बैसल छलहुँ के क्यो गप्प लाड़लक जे सिद्धु बाबूक पुत्रक विआह परसु धार लगक गाममे  तय भेलनि अछि।तखन सँ बुझल जाए जे जिह सँ पानि खसए लागल।कहुना कोशिश मे रही जे बरिआतीक आग्रह होअए ।कतेक दिन सँ भरिपेट्टा नहि भेल छल आ तेँ प्रवल इच्छा भेल जे बरियाती हम अवश्य जाइ।

प्रात भेने दतमनि करैत सिद्धु बाबू ओहिठाम पहुँचलहुँ कि ओ अपनहि सँ विआहक चर्चा उठा देलनि।फेर बजला जे बरिआती मात्र एगारहटा आनए हेतु कहलक अछि।एतबा सुनिते जेना हमरा मोनो पानि पड़ि गेल।मुदा धन्यबाद दी भगवान के जे सिद्धु बाबू हमर मोनक बात ताड़ि गेलाह आ झट दए कहि उठलाह- “हे ! हम अपनेक हेतु कुर्ताक इंतजाम कए देल अछि,अवश्य जयबैक।सैह भेलैक।ओहि दिन भोरे सँ हम बरियाती जेबाक तैयारी प्रारंभ कए देल।

गोर मासक धक लागल छल।जाड़क मास छल। पानिक डरे तऽ होअए जे पनिछुआ धरि छोड़ि     दी।मुदा ओहि दिनभोरे उठिकए स्नान कएलहुँ आ सोडरमे डुबा गमछाकेँ पटकए लगलहुँ।ओ गमछा अपना आपमे नमूने छलैक।दस बजे धरि पटकेत-पटकैत जखन हाथ पैर थाकि गेल आ सर्दी सँ सौंसे देह दुलकए लागल,स्थिर भए गेलहुँ मुदा गमछामे चमक अखन धरि नहि अएलैक।की करी?फेर ओहि गमछाकेँ सुखाए दए देलहुँ आ स्वयं दुर्गा पाठ प्रारंभ कएल।

दुर्गा देवीक कृपासँ हमरा भोजन करबाक ओ पचेबाक असाधारण शक्ति प्राप्त अछि।“रुपं  देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि" मंत्रक पाठ कएलाक बाद भूख अपन चरम सीमा पड़ छल।नेबो बाड़िएमे छल।नेबो तोरि पानिमे मिलाए भरि लोटा पानि गट-गट पीबि गेलहुँ।फेर तऽ बूझल जाए जे घंटा भरिक बाद पेट एकदम फिट भए गेल आ बरह बजे दिनसँ बरियाती जेबाक हेतु तेयारी प्रारंभ कए देल गेल।कुर्ता मंगनी कएल आ सभसँ पहिने सिद्धु बाबू ओतए हमही पहुँचलहुँ।

ओना आब लोक एडवांस भए गेल अछि आ बरियाती सभकेँ कोनो खास परेशानी नहि होइत छनि।मुदा कहबी थीक जे गेलहुँ नेपाल मुदा करम गेल सँगे।बीच रस्ते मे छलहुँ कि पेट गड़-गड़ बाजए लागल आ लगैत चल जे सौँसे पेटसँ जेट विमान छुटि रहल अछि।कएक बेर पोखरि दिस गेलहुँ। तकर बादो लगैत छल जे पेट फुलले चल जा रहल अछि।अन्तमे हारि कए एकटा गाछ तर बेसलहुँ क एकटा नढिआ बाम सँ दहिन भेल।बुझा गेल जे कोनो अशुभ भए गेल। मुदा बरियाती जेबाक अवसर तऽ कतेक दिनक बाद भेटल छल।जा धरि पेट रहत कहिओ नीक कहिओ खराप होइते रहत।मोने मोन हनुमान चलीसा पढैत आगा बढए लगलहुँ  कि लागल जेना सौँसे धोतीमे बमपाट भए गेल।माथा हाथ दए बैसि गेलहुँ।

दर-दुनियाँ मे एकटा धोती छल।सेहो एन मौका पर खराप भेल चल जाइत चल कि बेसुम्हार दौड़लहुँ।सभकेँ हमरा दए होइक जे बरियाती जयबाक जोशमे दौरि रहल छी।मुदा हमर बात तऽ दोसरे छल।की करी से बुझा नहि रहल छल।किछु दूर पर पोखरि भेटल।कपड़ लत्ता केँ खिचि कए सुखाए दए देलिऐक।अपने गमछी पहिरि बैसि गेलहुँ।दम फुलि रहल छल तैयो भिजले धोती पहिरि आगा बढलहुँ।ताबे आओर बरियाती सभ अगुआ गेल छलाह।कहुना कहुना कए एगारह बजे रातिमे बरियाती सभ पहुँचल।

बरियातीक पहुँचैत गामसँ विआहक गीत सुनाए पड़ए लागल कि हमर छाती उपर नीचा होमए लागल।पेट फुलिकए तरेरा लागि गेल छल।मुदा एतबा तँ अवश्य जे हम जानो पर खेलि कए बरियातीकेँ सफल बनयबाक हेतु दृढ संकल्प कएलहुँ।किछु कालक बाद दरबाजापर पहुँचतहिँ पानि पड़ए लागल छल।लोक सभ धड़फड़ाए आगा बढ़ल चल जा रहैत छलाह कि आगा लाइटक प्रकाश पर आँखि चोन्हिआ गेल।छपाकसँ खसलहुँ।चारू कातसँ ठहाका पड़ल।उठलहुँ तँ कपड़ा लत्ता खराप भए गेल।मोन तँ घोर भए गेल।होइत छल की करी,की नहि? हारि कए पुआड़क टालक औढ़मे चलि गेलहुँ आ ओहीठाम थाल सभ पोछलहुँ।खैर....हमरा लोकनि पहुँच गेलहुँ सएह कोन कम।

बरियातीक स्वागतक तैयारी धूमधामसँ कएल जा रहल छल।थोड़ेक कालक बाद बड़का बड़का पिलेटमे जिलेबी,मुंगबा,आदि मिठाई सभ परसाय लागल।ओमहर बरक परिछन करबाक हेतु सेहो स्त्रीगण सभ तत्पर भए गेल छलीह।वरके सकपकाएल देखि हम हुनका स्त्रीगण सभ लग लए जेबाक इशारा कएलिअनि की स्त्रीगण समेत सभ गोटे हमरा अँखिआबए लागल।भेल पराभव। अन्ततोगत्वा कहुनाकए जान छोड़ा मिष्ठान्न सभ पर टुटलहुँ । एतवहिमे भयंकर आवाज भेल।चारु दिस लोक ठहाका देबए लागल।की भेल?की भेल?एतबहिमे परिछाएल जे हमर पेट बाजल छल।मुदा हमरा तँ कोनो सुधिए नहि छल।चाह पान पिलाक बाद हमरा लोकनिक परिचयक क्रम प्रारंभ भेल।हमर आँखि लागए लागल कि क्यो खुरलुच्ची छौँड़ा मुँहमे किछु राखि देलक।थू थू कए ओकरा बाहर कएल।चारु दिस सभ लोक सहटि कए हमरे लग आबि गेल। की करी? की नहि,किछु बुझा नहि रहल छल।

कहलिअनि हमर जान बहार भए रहल अछि आ अहाँ लोकनि हेतु धन सन।कहाँ गेल ओ खुरलुच्च छौड़ा?एतबहिमे क्यो कहलक जे ई सभ चहु दाँतक टुटि गेलाक कारणसँ भए रहल छल।मुँहमे पाथरक टुकड़ी धए देने छल । हम ओकड़ा सुपाड़ी बुझि कुड़कुड़ाबए लगलहुँ। हमर चारू चौह पहिनेसँ हिलि रहल छल।

कनिके जोर पड़ितहि तर दए टुटि गेल।साहस कएलहुँ।दबाइ-दारु लगाओल।क्रमशः मोन शांत भए गेल।आंगनसँ भपाइत सुगंधके सूंघि-सूंघि मोन आगा-पाछा करए लागल।घंटा दू घंटा एहि तरहे घोलफचक्का केलाक बाद बिझो भेल।हमरा कतहुसँ जानमे जान आएल।

सभसँ बड़का पीढ़ी चूनिकए बैसलहुँ कि टांग पिछड़ि गेल।पीढ़ी तरमे किछु पिछड़ाह राखल छल।पएरमे मोच पड़ि गेल।चुप्पे रहि गेलहुँ मुदामोन तामसे गोर भए गेल छल।रंग वरंगक मिष्ठान्न एवम् अन्य भोजनक सामग्री सभ देखि तामस किछु कम भेल।खाइत खाइत पेट तरास लागि गेल।भगवान हमरा हजारमे एकटा गुण देने छथि जे खाइत काल क्यो कतबो खौंझाबए हम टससँ मस नहि भए सकैत छी।पेटतऽ पहिने सँ गड़बड़ छलहे।ताहु परसँ फेर डबल भोजन देलिऐक।दरबाजा पर पैर धरितहि पेट फूलए लागल।सुधि हरा गेल।डाक्टर बजाओल गेल।दबाइ दैत छल।मुदा पेटमे तऽ कंठ धरि अन्न ठूसल छल।कहलिअनिः

“हे! हमरा दबाई जोगर जगह रहैत तखन एकटा छेना आओर नहि खा लितिऐक?”

सूई लागल।प्रात भेने अधमरु भेल गाम पहुँचाओल गेलहुँ।