“So many of our dreams at first seem impossible, then they seem improbable, and then, when we summon the will, they soon become inevitable” – Christopher Reeve
Linked to Becca’s Sunday Trees – 286
Author: Dahlia
Email me at mysilverstreaks@gmail.com or tweet me @mysilverstreaks
The Test
The air was thick with excitement and stifled giggles. The prospective groom, Ranjit had arrived with his family to see Juhi, the eldest daughter of the house.
“He’s so handsome!” gushed her friends as they peered from the doorway and ran back to report to Juhi who sat demurely inside, waiting to be summoned.
Juhi adjusted her flowing dupatta and flicked back her long plait. “And he is a doctor,” she couldn’t help boasting.
“Doctor, my foot,” sneered Reeta, “he’s just a compounder. All he does is dispense medicines.”
“Rubbish!” Juhi’s sister was up in arms, “He is a doctor. We went to his clinic. There was a huge queue of patients.”
“He may call himself a doctor but I know the truth.” Reeta shot back.
“What truth?”
“That he is only a registered medical practitioner – an RMP, not a doctor.”
“It’s the same thing.”
“That’s what you think.”
“You are just jealous.”
“Why would I be jealous?” Reeta retorted. “I am going to marry a ‘real’ doctor in the city, not some remote village which doesn’t even have electricity.”
“It does have…”
“Juhi!” Her mother came bustling in trembling with excitement and nervousness, “come along. They want to see you. Now behave yourself. Keep your head down. Don’t forget to touch their feet. Speak but only when spoken to and speak softly….”
She led Juhi out, muttering instructions.
“What is your name?” The elderly man with the big mustache asked.
“Juhi.” Her voice was barely audible.
“Can you cook? And sew?”
Juhi inclined her head.
“Have you been to school?”
“Yes, I studied till Class 5.”
“Did you just go to school or can you also read and write?”
Juhi’s eyes flew up to meet Ranjit’s mocking eyes.
“I can.” She said.
“Which? Read or write?” He smirked. “Don’t mind but I am the only doctor in the entire village. I have a certain standard to live up to. My wife cannot be illiterate…”
“I can read and write.” She asserted.
He pushed forward a notepad. “How about a little test?”
She looked at her mother, who nodded encouragingly. “I know only Hindi.” She said.
“Don’t worry. I don’t have such high expectations!” They laughed.
Ranjit began the dictation.
Juhi bent her head and laboriously wrote them down with her tongue sticking out from one corner of her mouth.
After the dictation was over, everyone held their collective breaths as he scanned the notebook.
After an eon, he lifted his head and smiled. “She passed the test.” He looked at his father. “We may put her on the shortlist…”
“Wait a minute,” Juhi spoke up, ignoring the gasps, “I want you to also take the test.”
“Me?”
“Yes.” She looked at him in the eye. “Please take down my dictation.”
He went red. He looked at his father for guidance and support in dealing with the unheard of insult.
Her mother nudged her. “Juhi! Apologize this very instant.”
But the groom’s father laughed and slapped him on the back. “Go ahead son and show her who you are – a respected and highly educated doctor.
Ranjit gave in and accepted the challenge. But not before his eyes had burned into hers, promising retribution.
“Please check it, Madamji.” He said mockingly as he handed the diary back to her after the dictation was done. “Happy?” He turned to his father and declared, “I like her spirit. Can we finalize her?”
“You may.” Juhi spoke up. Her eyes were glittering. “But I refuse to marry you.”
There was pin drop silence.
She held up the diary. “He failed the test.”
***
Written for the Daily Post’s one word prompt – Better
A/N This story was inspired by a incident reported in the news last week. Hats off to her.
COB: An Odd Collection
It’s been awhile since I participated in Cee’s Oddball Photo Challenge. Here’s the last of the photos leftover from my trip to Puducherry.
This one is at the Chennai airport. You can see the reflection of the parking lot from where we caught our cab to Puducherry
A bright pink building right next to the hotel where we stayed.
A row of autorickshaws determined to outdo the Sun’s brightness
The bright truck caught my eye and it was only later that I notice the contrast provided by the ‘widowed’ tempo on the other side 😀
A lady riding a cycle wearing a sari – quite a rare sight
A tiger striped bench for the tired
A row of neatly lined chairs outside the cafe
After you are rested you may like to do a bit of memento shopping while you inhale Puducherry! Dont miss the massive tree in the backdrop.
A few moments to marvel at the wild flowers growing out of nowhere
Hmm…I found it odd that use lift should should be so inconspicuous…don’t you?
If that doesn’t get your attention, I don’t know what will!
That’s all from my collection – for now 😉
Do let me know your favorites and thank you for visiting 🙂
For readers of Moonshine, here's Chapter 138
Protected: The Vacation
WPC: Come Let’s Wander
What do you feel about armchair travel? Better or worse than the real thing? Both have their own charms and advantages, don’t you think? Anyway, in this post I bring to you selected views of Puducherry, India, which we visited recently in an unsuccessful attempt to slake our wanderlust.
Get up at the crack of dawn – actually even before that to catch the Sun rise.
Then be too captivated to leave the mesmerising pull of the ocean, the rising sun, the spraying surf, the salty tangy wind messing up your hair (and heart), the shrieks of carefree laughter fun and frolic.
We managed to drag ourselves away only to gape in awe and wonder at the intricate designs and workmanship.
And almost yielded to the intense urge and try out the dance poses and steps.
Explore the quaint sleepy town in search of a highly recommended rooftop cafe which was closed for repairs
And land up for dinner at the very same place we had first thought of staying at while shortlisting hotels.
And off again for a picturesque boat ride to Paradise beach.
But Paradise beach was anything but. The hot sun and sand deterred us from venturing out into the tempting waters. But, I have to confess that we were the only ones to beat a hasty retreat. The others had come armed with food, beachwear and hats. But the sand was really hot….
In our defence, there were other greener pastures and bigger goals to be achieved – after a long trudge in the blistering heat.
Matrimandir, at the Auroville is a modern structure built for the practice of Yoga. Matrimandir has a lotus-shaped dome almost 30 meters high and is covered by golden discs that reflect sunlight.
Auroville is an experimental township or a universal town, designed by famous architect Roger Anger. Auroville is a popular tourist attraction of Puducherry. Another view of the Matrimandir framed through the trees – which view do you prefer?
On the way despite the heat I marvel at the sticks and stones
Be grateful for any shaded paths
It was an exhilarating trip no doubt but by the end of it I was guilty of sidelining the massive banyan tree and making a beeline for the bus.
Can you see it?
That’s all from me folks but if you like to see more of Puducherry you could click here for gopurams, for Kolam and for local women.
And don’t miss this one here 😀
Do let me know if have any favorites and thanks for your company 🙂
Protected: The Guilty Conscience
Spring or Fall?
Spring is Delhi is strange – on one side flowers bloom and on the other trees begin to shed leaves in apparent anticipation of the imminent heat. And yet when it is hot, really hot amaltas bloom a fiercer yellow, challenging daring. Or perhaps it is just inspired by the blazing Sun. Watch out for a glimpse of the amaltas, they have already begun to flower 🙂
For Becca’s Sunday Trees 285
A Sparkling Gem from the Interiors
Image from here
When he was 10 years old, Haldhar Nag lost his father and was forced to drop out of school to sustain his family. He worked as a dishwasher at a local eatery. Later he became a cook at a high school, where he worked for 16 years. As schools mushroomed, he took a loan of Rs 1000 (about 16 $ today) and opened a stationery shop for school children. He used to fill ink pens for 10paisa (I can’t even do the Math – neither can Google!).
Why am I telling you all this?
Today his humble shop has been renovated and is frequented by his admirers and researchers. What’s more, in 2016, the President of India awarded him the Padma Shri. There are 5 PhD theses on the writings of this barely ‘literate’ man from Odisha.
A Kosli (or Sambalpuri) language poet, Nag wrote his first poem Dhodo Bargachh (The Old Banyan Tree) when he was 40. It was published in a local magazine. Subsequently he sent four poems to the magazine and all of which were published.
There was no looking back. A prolific writer, Nag has a series of works to his credit including poetry collection Bhaab, Surut and more than 20 epics like Achhia, Bachhar, Mahasati Urmilla, Siri Samalai, Santha kabi Bhimabhoi, Rushi kabi Gangadhar to name a few.
Sambalpur University in Odisha, is now coming up with a compilation of his writings – Haldhar Granthabali-2 – which will be a part of the university’s syllabus.
In addition, Nag has a phenomenal memory. He remembers each of his works and can reel them off on demand. The quintessential Indian, he always dons a white dhoti and a vest. He has never worn any footwear. Popularly known as Lok Kabi Ratna in Odisha, he writes mostly on nature, society, mythology and religion. Social oppression and exploitation, protection of human dignity and women’s issues are some of the topics that are close to his heart.
Haldhar Nag has a huge following in Odisha and Chatishgarh where they flock to listen to his readings. His technique and way to writing serve as inspiration to poets and has triggered a HaldharDhara in Odisha. I hope that soon someone takes up the task of translating Nag’s work so that it is available to a larger audience.
Haldher Nag’s journey from a class 3 dropout dishwasher to an acclaimed author is the stuff of fairy tales and awe inspiring. And I thought quite the perfect submission for the monthly We Are the World Blogfest which seeks to promote positive news.
Do share your views, opinions, suggestions and positive news.
Thank you for reading 
For readers of Moonshine, here's Chapter 136
Haiga #2
sunshine –
that’s all she needs
to cook
A/N Just in case you were confused or worried, the gas stove is the only place which gets sunshine 🙂
WPC: Earthy Matters
This earth is a wonderful thing.
It can be plain old mud, fine as dust, scattered by a gust of wind or washed away in a summer shower.
Yet, add a measure of water, light a fire and it can become almost anything you would like it to be – earthenware
or terracotta buildings that can last centuries.
Wake up to the beauty that envelops us, learn to read between the lines
Heaven or hell depends on what you make of the ingredients.
In response to Weekly Photo Challenge – Earth
For readers of Moonshine, here's Chapter 135
Stories and more 