Daughters of India – I

FOUR FRIENDS

‘What is going on? Keep quiet.  If I find anybody talking, I will throw the girl out of class and will send her to the Principal,” announced the class teacher Ms. Pareira.

The class quietened. Complete silence prevailed. But Archana could not leave their conversation incomplete. She continued in a subdued voice. “So, you three are coming to my house tomorrow after school gets over….”.

“Yes. But we will have to leave a little early as I am expecting some guests at home. My aunt is coming.” Shubhangi said. 

Rageshri was a little upset over Shubhangi’s reply.

“You always have something or other!” Kalpana said.

Ms. Pareira was annoyed. She shouted at Shubhangi, “Oh! There is still some discussion going on! You get out of the class and wait till the Principal calls you.”

“But madam …. I have not done anything.” Shubhangi said.

“Don’t tell lies. Get up and leave the class.”

Shubhangi hesitated.

Ms. Pareira was irritated. She pointed to Archana, and said, ”And you too. You were also talking. Archana, you also leave the class.”

“What is this? This is atrocious!” Rageshri whispered to Kalpana.

Ms. Pareira noted the girls whispering and pointed to them, “And you two. Both of you also go outside and stand. You must understand what class discipline is. Be quick. Do not waste time.”

So, the four best friends stood outside the class, with their heads down, and waited for the call from the Principal. They all were tensed to receive firing for undisciplined behavior. 

When peon took them to the Principal’s room, they were almost in tears.

“So, all of you are from class 9th A. What are your names?”  the Prinsipal asked, without raising her head from the files.

“Shubhangi”

“Archana”

“Kalpana”

“Rageshri”

They said one by one.

“So, don’t you understand your responsibility? You all behaved like kindergarten children. In two years, you will appear for SSC and then you all will head for college. Is this the image you are going to carry to the outside world?”

Meanwhile, some office members arrived and waited for the Principal.

The Principal noticed them, and turned towards the girls, and said, “Ok. This time I am pardoning you. Any more complaints, and I shall call your parents to hand over the order of rustication of their daughters. Understand? Now go and attend your class.” Saying, the Principal indicated the girls to leave the office.

All the four girls, relieved a bit, quickly ran towards their classroom.

SHUBHANGI

Yes, She was one of them. Shubhangi was her full name but everybody called her Shubha.

Shubha was the only daughter of her parents. Devdhar – a middle-class family. Mr. Devdhar was very intelligent but not ambitious. Happy with whatever job he had. Satisfied having a promotion from clerk to head clerk. But after their marriage, when he got his first child – a daughter, he decided to do something not traditionally bound. The couple decided to have no more children. Against the sentiments of their family members, they were happy with a single child, that too a daughter.

Devdhars brought up Shubha in a completely different manner, which was not known to their family.

Shubha was admitted into an English medium school and not their vernacular medium. She was given the training to follow Hindu traditions along with the new thinking introduced by the school environment. Devdhars were very particular about upbringing Shubha as their son and letting the age-old traditional idea of the girl being of inferior gender not influence her upbringing.

Result-a confident, ambitious, intelligent, traditionally not so bound human being introduced to society.

ARCHANA

Archana was born to a slightly unconventional couple. Never concerned to follow the rituals; religion, cast, language barriers, etc. themselves, the Deshmukh couple naturally brought up their only daughter as a child without any inhibitions in life. Since both of them were from communities speaking different languages, the obvious choice of medium of schooling was English.

Born a little shy, Archana was cautious in opting for different activities in society. But once adopted, Archana performed exceedingly well in every field. Along with studies trekking, hiking, etc. were her field of interest. Perseverance was highly noticeable in her approach to every activity she chose. She did not hesitate to mix with different groups but did so with caution. So, usually, it took time for her to accept somebody in her circle. But once in her group, Archana would be a dependable friend in every situation when anybody needed guidance, help, assistance or just to open out her mind.

Result – a personality intelligent, diligent, bankable, having independent thinking, without the influence of preconceived notions.

KALPANA

Kalpana was the second child of the Parchure couple. A very tradition-influenced family, Parchures were concentrating on their first child, a son. All favors were reserved for the son. By a stroke of luck, Kalpana got admitted to an English medium school. But not so educated Parchures took care that their daughter follows the same path as Mrs. Parchure had lived through.

Females are born to serve the superior male gender was the basic thought being injected into Kalpana’s mind. Kalpana was intelligent, bright but always overshadowed by an inferiority complex. Kalpana was performing sufficiently well in school but did never receive encouragement from her parents.  She never got permission for picnics from school if it was extended overnight. Kalpana was burdened by kitchen work even during her examinations. She was told her goal in life should be to become a good housewife and should concentrate on only house matters.

Result- an intelligent personality not allowed to grow fully in an open field. It was trimmed to the ideas of parents who carried traditional bias against feminine sex.

RAGESHRI

Rageshri was born to a family of a very traditional business community. Education was of a very low priority not only to girls but also to male members of the family. In such a scenario Rageshri found a balance between family thinking and the reality of the present. Intelligence combined with sensitivity to other family members’ points of view played important role in Rageshri’s career. Initial opposition for post-graduation later was converted into support for further specialisation in a foreign country.

Result- a strong-willed character, taking traditional restrictions on her stride.

To be continued 

Vijay Likhite