gave her hand in marriage to an IAS-passed, clever and supposedly competent husband to live in Shangri-La of a decent family. How could she have any idea of anything like this happening in future? … It has been my old art to switch off from all worries while going to bed. Therefore, I could fall asleep readily but would suddenly wake up after midnight at around two or two thirty. It was impossible to fall asleep afterwards. With hand on my forehead I used to ask myself, “What I am seeing is true or a dream?” Looking at Leela, Shreya and Gauri sleeping quietly around, I used to feel overwhelmed with sadness. What right did I have to ruin their lives?’ It was fairly late when Joshi family returned home after the school function. The girls were giggling in joy as they recalled all that had happened during the evening. Looking at their cheerful faces Joshi felt that was the first time since coming to India, he was seeing them in such a joyous mood. As a father he was feeling content as he switched off the bed lamp. But after catching a few winks he suddenly woke up. He remembered little village girl from the previous day. Daughter of a landless labourer. With the increasing farm work, he often had to stay at Angarmala. After the day’s work was done he would give tuition to the children of his labourers. Children would sit cross-legged on a cement platform at the entrance to his farmhouse and he would teach them to read and write simple Marathi words. Though dead tired, he had a strong urge to teach them. He would write simple words on the wall with chalk and children would repeat them aloud and write on their slates. That little girl too was scribbling on her slate with utmost concentration. Her passion to learn was reflected on her intense face. Joshi was very moved by that sight and for quite a while kept looking at her. And now back in his home in Pune suddenly the face of that little village girl flashed in his mind. A chain of thoughts followed. He began to compare the situation at Ambethan and Hands in Soil
Q
93
