Monday, April 1

In First Person


Image Source : here

Two days back, during one of those much treasured slots of time at home with my amma where we entertain each other spilling in news from our sides sprinkled with guffaws, goofiness, groans and giggles, a question popped up from my side as to whether she would yearn to send me off to another family with a bundle of wealth to be tagged along with my ‘beauty,brawn and brains’. As a reply she assured me that neither she nor my father would construe, even in their worst nightmares to sell me away with prior consolidation of a pact or treaty of sorts that would promise a certain amount of jingling while I walk onto my groom’s house. According to her, each ounce of what they compile for me in the name of good or gold serves to satiate their mind, so that thereafter they would feel happy and satisfied that they did enough and more for their children. 

Though, unfortunately the good intention gets twisted and tweaked when spineless people utilise this gesture as a means to loot money from the backward sections of the society demanding money in the name of girl's inheritance. However, i guess now a days more and more families are shying away from the concept of dowry and I strongly feel that the welcoming change found its inception from the fact that you would rarely find a girl now a days who wouldn’t be working, her job in turn serving to be the ‘security’, if I may put it so, not intending pun of course. 

A friend of mine recited a particular incident to me a few months back concerning a marriage proposal that came her way. It so happened that during the primary discussions leading to fixing the alliance, her father happened to show the groom’s party the nooks, corners and the pristine formidable assets of their house, the climactic ending of the home-tour being a promise by her father to the groom’s family that every single inch of what they traversed the past one hour belongs solely to his daughter, the would be bride, my friend. As an anticlimax to the particular tryst, the groom’s family withdrew their proposal stating that her father insulted them by his gesture of sealing the deal in the name of money!

Well this post wasn’t supposed to be a dowry post in the first place, but on my conversations with amma and I apologize for the least enticing deviation. Thus the talks proceeded merrily with amma disclosing a dream of her to own a beautiful house, bang in the middle of the city, even when the current scenario is such that our present home is 2km from the Central railway station, 2.5 km from the Bus stand and 3.5 km from the airport. She has always been crazy about artistically built houses and in her opinion, beauty when coupled with accessibility can be a terrific combination (we are talking about houses here, be clear about that).

And before I knew, she had jotted down phone numbers from the Real Estate Classifieds and had started calling them up enquiring about the subtle details about the plumbing, attached bathroom facilities, backyard and the distance in kilometers from the main road stretch. And if at all we had a wrong assumption that a house in the central hub of the city would come for free, we were proved wrong the very next instant. The guy at the other end proposed a certain sum for each cent, hearing which amma winded up the call impromptu in an impulse or was it because she blacked out?! The second option would be appropriate for the total sum that the guy brazenly put forward would amount to a decent one crore and slightly more than that, considering the spiking real estate statistics in today's world.



Image Source : here
The first plan of action frizzled out, much to our dejection. But my amma is someone who, though utterly lazy like her daughter at times, relentlessly chases her dreams once it seeds have been sown. She came up with a plan afresh, which would see us owning a plot or two in the suburbs now only to be sold out a few years later, which would empower us with the ability to buy a house, again bang in the middle of the city, in her dream locality. My father and I sat marveling at her business acumen for sometime and then we set out yesterday in search of affordable plots in the suburbs.

Two plots down and all we could conjure ourselves to do was to sympathize with the distraught lives of the people in those regions rather than to delve in depth on the pros and cons of the plots. Not that they were sad or looked distressed, but the living conditions were shallow, something I felt that they have accustomed to over the years and might not be having complaints about now. The sight is not something new for I had been to many such families as part of my community medicine health assignments during my college days and even had written essays during my exams on the abject poverty that those people dwell in. Yet, when we thought about the context which guided us to the place, the whole scenario seemed like God’s way of telling us to be satisfied with what we have.

But then, a dream is a dream is a dream and amma has enough reasons to support her too - like the unavailability of auto rickshaws at our place and a few more rational ones. And so also, a couple of days after if amma still feels like owning a dream house - implying a house at a better place, we might as well set out on a sequel to our journey. But right now, slumping down onto my cozy bed, with my jet black laptop on my table and a few good books on the shelf smiling compellingly at me and my favorite song being played in loops by my cell phone, my room with its four sturdy walls to protect me from sun or storm seems like heaven. Maybe something like a God’s own house in 'God’s own country' ? (Argh. That sounds tacky)

                                                                         
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P.S : My previous template crashed with no prior notice and i had to come up with a new one. The last one was my favourite. But i guess i have no other option now but to start loving this and to hope that this one doesn't disappear in a bolt.

32 comments:

  1. :)

    Our room always feels like heaven is not it? However unkempt, hot or tacky it might be!!

    :D

    I miss it all the while I am travelling for work!

    ***SIGH***

    P.S: Do let me know if you want help in taking backup of your blog!

    TC

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    1. Ihe same with me when i work and this self induced short break will soon come to an end. Thereafter it would be duties, irregular timings and more of studies. Living a relaxed life when it stays ripe:)

      I will contact you regarding the backup soon ok. The problem is solved to some extent now i think. Thank you so much for the offer and for reading the post :)

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  2. Interesting post. Nice to see you are savoring these day to day experience with loved ones.

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    1. Thank you so much TF. Little pleasures of life those are!

      I checked flipkart to order your book. But i guess its out of stock. Good news that right:) Infibeam is the suitable option and i am going for it.

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    2. Thats nice, Maliny. It is nice if that is how people view it. But actually the reason was I guess publisher did not send enough copies, though I shouldn't be saying that.

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    3. I did view it that way:)I deduced that your blogger friends might have leaped for a copy. You already have a reader base who will buy a copy for sure, an advantage that many budding authors don't have.

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  3. It's when we see those who are less privileged that we realise how blessed we are, alle? :)Enjoy your home and your room till amma's dream is fulfilled. Here's wishing you guys all the very best in the hunt should you decide to set out again.

    I love your new template. It's very pretty. :)

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    1. It is indeed so. Seriously, there are so many better things to do in life than blindly chasing money.

      Many thanks for the visit:) And i hope the template stays this way always:)

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  4. We complain about our lives at times, not realizing that we are "lucky" to have more than the basic necessities of life ... beautifully written ... your posts are always an eye opener.

    And yes, dowry is certainly one of the worst things to have ever cropped up in our society. Thankfully, people are getting out of it gradually !!!

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    1. Thank you so much for agreeing Amrit. Your comments are always awaited:)

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  5. Nice post Maliny. Your Mom's craze for beautifully designed house is genuine, Every woman longs for her dream house. I hope she finds one soon. Good luck.

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    1. Some ten to twenty years back, the house where we reside now was created out of a dream. Actually its not about the dream anymore, but concerning a few other reasons. Let us see what is in store. Thank you for the words ma'm:)

      And yes a beautiful house still continues to be looked upon as an eye candy by my mother. At times i feel that i am the most mature person in my house, leaving all household chores and such responsibilities apart ofcourse :)

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  6. Nice write, Maliny. To own a house has been a dream most of us. Let your mom's dream come true.

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    1. We own a house sir. I was talking about a shift of locality. She doesn't dream big, but then if need arises regarding household matters and other facilities concerned there is no stopping her, or most mothers for that matter.

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  7. Brilliant written, as always ! Firstly thanks for sharing the conversation with us, according to me the one between a mother & a daughter (no matter what the topic is) are the best one's ;) Now, all the best for your Amma's lovely dream... :) Take care dear !! :D


    Regards

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    1. Thank you so much Tanya. Seeing you here after long and i know the reason after having read your latest post:)

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  8. Interesting Conversation and so the interpretation :)

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  9. Yes i believe so too:)Nice to see you here Ashwini. Love your writings myself!

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  10. I am newbie in blogging, when I searched for Indian bloggers cam across your blog.. very interesting write-ups.. also your command over the words..really liked their usage.
    :)

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    1. Many thanks for the visit Sharon. It feels great to have a new reader. I am glad that you liked what you read here :)

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  11. i have been trying to read this post since yesterday and then finally managed to read it in the afternoon but wasn't able to comment. it's really difficult for a shopkeeper to read blogs :D.

    a dream is a dream is a dream - how cool is that! loved how she is chasing that sweet dream!

    it was a lovely read :). wish i could comment in details :(

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    1. The fact that you tried reading my blog even while managing your shop is reason enough to be really happy about, Deb :) Thank you so much for the words. And yes its a wonder how she transforms to a two year old when wistfulness takes over her. Cute, i feel so too :)

      Your comment has already served its purpose of making me happy. Enough and more :) Eagerly awaiting your new post.

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  12. You have packed so much in a seemingly simple post. Very well written; wish you and your mom the best!

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    1. Its easier to write a personal post than a short story or an attempt in poetry. And fun too if done once in a while. Thus the post:) Thank you so much Umashankar ji for reading and for the words:)

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  13. Beautiful post. Like Umashankar said, you packed a lot of meaning into just a few words. As for the dowry system, it's probably the worst thing to come to Indian society since the caste system.... and totally unnecessary for someone with your "beauty, brawn and brains". :-)

    Best of luck to you and your mom!

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    1. I am glad that you agree with the post, Dark knight. Thank you so much for your visit and for your words. Seeing a jump on the follow widget usually makes my day :)

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    2. You're quite welcome, dear Malini. Seeing you on my follow widget made my day as well. :)

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  14. Excellent Post. Its doesn't matter big or small.. living under your own roof itself a blessing.

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  15. Nice read Maliny :) When we bought our apartment, we(My husband and I) were not very enthusiastic about it, but my MIL wanted us to have our own house in Blore. Now I love my home, every time I see it I'm filled with pride, even though it may not be a large one, it's still home to me :)

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