Maa….(Mother)
A little girl was jumping with joy, holding her father’s hand in one hand and a chocolate in the other. She was not too small almost in her teens but her innocence made her appear smaller than she actually was. Her family along with her mother, grand parents and brother had gone to visit a famous Kali Temple in the district of Bhirbhum. They were on a weekend trip and had plans of going for a little sightseeing once they finished offering the prayers. She was very happy, firstly, because it was her post-exam break. She had been cramped at home all this time and was enjoying every moment of the trip. Secondly, it was a family outing; she could do all that she wanted and her granny would save her from her mother’s scolding!
She
could see the temple from the moment they entered the narrow alley leading to
it. Both sides of the alley were littered with shops selling all kinds of
articles with the picture or name of the Goddess Tara inscribed on them;
starting from pens to key chains to photo frames and large posters…. You could
get them all here. There were some modern things of utility too, like torches,
costume jewelry, hand bags and a number of edible items like sweat meats of all
kinds, and shops selling hot kachoris
and jalebis too were aplenty. She was
making a mental note of all the things she wanted to buy and have once they
finish offering the prayers. The day being a Saturday, which was supposed to be
the best day of the week to offer prayers to the Goddess Kali, the temple was
thronged by millions of devotees. There were people everywhere!
Sounds
of ‘Joy Ma Tara! Joy Ma Tara!’ resounded all over the temple. Thousands of
devotees had thronged the Holy Kali Temple to offer their prayers to the
Goddess. The prayer hall, which offered a clear view of the Goddess’s idol, was
covered with a human carpet. The crowd was so huge it seemed like an entangled
mass of human hands and feet, all trying to get a glimpse of the goddess in the
process of being worshiped during Aarti.
Among
all this noise, the pleas of a girl barely in her teens, was getting lost. She
was small in height and was trying desperately to break free from the crowd,
the smell of human bodies and the disgusting touch of the man who was freely
roaming his hand all over her. She shouted for her mother ‘Maaa….!’ But there
was no one listening. She tried to break free, meanwhile the noises around her
increased and the rants of ‘Joy Ma Tara! Joy Ma Tara!’ was getting louder and
louder. With the increase in the decibel of the noise, the man was getting emboldened in his vile act. In the crowd she had somehow lost grip of her father's hand and got plastered in front of this man. With all her strength she tried to move out of the crowd. After a lot of struggle somehow, she broke loose and sat down on the floor. From among the web
of human legs she managed to crawl to the side of the prayer hall, which was a
little empty. She leaned on the wall and started sobbing! All her innocence was
shattered in one blow!
What
was her fault? Like all devotees even she had gone to the temple and had plans
of having a good time with her family? Is this what her family had prayed for?
How can human beings be so cruel?
[Neither am I anti-religion nor an
atheist. I believe in God. The narration of this incident is an attempt to
bring to notice the cases of rampant child incest taking place in our society
in seemingly harmless situations. This could have happened anywhere; in buses,
trains or any other crowded areas. Awareness in such cases should be increased.
Parents should educate their young children in ways and means to avoid such
situations and bring to notice any kind of uncomfortable touch by anyone
whatsoever.]
Suvanjana Ghosh
About the Author :
I am usually interested in writing short stories that highlight some intricate aspect of human relationships. Being married for some years now, my intrigue about the institution of marriage seems to increase each day. I love weaving stories around everyday characters and incidents.Get a glimpse of my writing on my blog at " Riding The Rainbow Of Life".
I am usually interested in writing short stories that highlight some intricate aspect of human relationships. Being married for some years now, my intrigue about the institution of marriage seems to increase each day. I love weaving stories around everyday characters and incidents.Get a glimpse of my writing on my blog at " Riding The Rainbow Of Life".
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its a big and important issue the author has brought up and many other related issues of abuse both verbally as well as physically. in such cases what can be done is a big question???? what lodge a complaint? which many people don't want to engage because of legal hassles n family prestige and all if not than what, seek counselling or some other intervention. I being from the social science feel that such cases must be reported and must be brought to limelight so that if not all at least few incidents can be prevented.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your effort and hope you would keep wriying on such social issues to create awareness.
BUDHISWATYA
Exactly... incidents like these becum life changing ones for those who face it... But sadly our society tries to suppress it rather than voice against it. As a first step I think it is important for parents to make their children aware with issues like this and encourage them to speak up.
DeleteSuch people should have their hands cut off. They used to do that to thieves if they were caught. Ah, but it's hard to come up with a punishment that fits the crime, just as it's hard to prove some crimes ever occurred. I'd love for there to be a way to see the first-hand memories of some people.
ReplyDeleteYes..You are right..there is actually no punishment that fits this crime...spreading awareness maybe the only way in preventing such situations from occurring...everyone should be encouraged to speak about such issues, especially the children you are at the receiving end... maybe that way we can do something on our part for the society!
Delete'Sad but true post, I am sure it has happened to many innocent children.Parents do their bit and children also know this kind of touching is wrong but their innocents minds are scarred by these inhuman acts.Speaking up becomes very painful for them.'
ReplyDeleteYes...very true...these events portray an ugly side of the society we live in....but still we should try to spread awareness...these incidents are very disturbing ones.... I heard this story from the girl herself and I cant forget the pain in her eyes!
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