Link of part 4
Link of part 5
Part 5
(part 6)
Chapter 4 The Hot Seat
For the next few days, no one raised the issue of holidays and destinations. It was part of a plan and decided by everyone. The agreement was each one of them would suggest two places - one for women and the other for men. Then a final decision will be taken preferably by consensus.
But after 3-4 days, Shampa raised the issue with Parul. Geetanjali was also present. But no men around. Parul said: "Chhoto Boudi, it is not fair. It has been decided that we will not talk about the holiday destinations. But one thing I want to discuss with you both. For a change the subject is not typical feminine". She said this with a mysterious smile on her face.
Perhaps both Geetanjali and Shampa could sense that mystery or a deliberate sarcasm in her tone.
Both of them knew Parul would often talk like that but she did not mean any fun towards either of them.
Such remarks came from her off and on, and neither of them really bothered much. They did not want to question Parul also.
Parul continued, "No, nothing serious that way" - as if she could sense that both her Boudis have sensed the sarcasm. But she said - "I want to raise some political issues....the other day, Hiren and Chhorda (Moloy) almost fought".
Shampa: "Oh, you don't worry much about this Parul. As we know, men will be men. Politics and booze often make men fight, but these two are fantastic unifying factors for them". She giggled. Even Geetanjali nodded her head and laughed.
"But, I have an issue, Parul. Hiren Babu was right in more ways than one. So many years since independence, while India has progressed, if you examine closely, the politics has not changed much. We have some sort of musical chair, one set of people go and another come in. Oh ya, men and women to be precise. But there is not much qualitative change".
Shampa is the most apolitical among them. She knew Geetanjali was more than serious about political issues and had also argued with the men in the past.
But from her normal off-hand knowledge, she said: "Politics actually changed; when Indira Gandhi promoted the dynasty. Both her sons were mistakes in politics".
Parul also agreed: "Actually, not much study has been done, while Indira was a successful politician. As a mother, she was ill-fated and also a failure. Sanjay Gandhi was a different type altogether. He died in an air crash, and you see Rajiv Gandhi was a failure".
Even Geetanjali said: "I agree to an extent, but there were issues again. I will speak about Raiv Gandhi's tenure more as I was a student of Political Science then and followed his ups and downs. My teacher Rehman Sir used to say, Rajiv was so mediocre and innocuous about so many things that he was bound to fail".
Parul wanted to say something. Shampa took a different line in between and said, "Often we tend to forget that things keep changing fast with time, and sometimes the changes come very fast. In the late 1990s, there was a Pager for passing messages, but it has disappeared. The cassettes for music and so called cultural shows we know, are like fictional items for generation next."
Again Parul wanted to say something, but this time Geetanjali quickly said - "I agree Shampa, that's a crucial perspective. In life, I think something we also learn with changing times; but sometimes we again do not learn. Or to put it the other way, we do not want to learn. Each individual can be arrogant in his or her own ways".
Parul shot back this time: "I feel, I do not want to learn to change certain views about mankind and the world. Hope or so called optimism is an important element in my life. I was selfish at times, but I was always optimistic. Even in an under-developed locality or little known towns, I have seen talents flourishing".
Of course Parul was coming to her own rhythm and confident element.
She was remembering Jahar Sen and his face. The personality. "I can change my beliefs, but not hope," she said and quickly added: "these are not my words Boudi, in 1952 Bertrand Russel had said these".
Geetanjali nodded, and said - "I know Parul once you and some of your friends were Russel admirers".
Parul smiled, as she knew that Geetanjali was aware of Parul's past about Jahar Sen's association.
Shampa smiled and said, "Ya, it is something like a few decades of unchanging hopes and blah blah".
All three of them laughed out loud.
Parul went on: "It may be difficult, I tell you, to realise how profoundly
India and the world have changed in the last 80-90 years. Will it be wrong to say that the changes are unbelievable ?".
Geetanjali agreed: "Yes, Parul and this has been a global phenomenon. The past looks so much historical and even fictional".
Shampa agreed - "Bhabtey para jae (This is unimaginable)".
Parul: "Most importantly, the values and ethics vanished like morning mist. It is okay to be a charso-bees in today's world". Geertanjali gave a look towards Parul. Both of them know these words and feelings - with a tinge of sadness - have a past.
Parul's voice was raised, and the face turned pale. Shampa did not understand much, for she was not privy to certain aspects of Parul's youth-hood.
Geetanjali knew some of it as she had entered into this family a few years
before Shampa.
Shampa was still thinking. Life is like a good book – rather a text book - divided roughly into two parts.
The first half could be the theoretical section – about dreams, false dreams and something about idealism presumably. The second half is practical, being pragmatic, the reality. One could be selfish, that was the harsh reality.
Parul went in for silent for a while. Suddenly she was almost lost. Jahar Sen's words came to her mind. "Each section of society is responsible if something goes wrong in the society. I am particularly talking about journalists," Jahar had said.
She would argue - it has to do a lot with the criminal justice system. "Don't you think, our system allows one to believe that big and rich guys will never be punished in this country? People know they can get away with even murders?"
Jahar had said - "I am not denying. But what about journalists ? Does the media really follow up the stories properly? One riot takes place, people wait for anniversary stories after one year. Why are we not chasing the wrong doers and law enforcers to ensure justice?"
Her mind would have been turning towards more serious stuff. But Mrityunjoy and Hiren Bhadra walked into the room.
Apparently they heard a bid of political stuff chit-chat among the ladies. Hiren said, "It is interesting, we could be disturbing you ladies talking politics. I always believed you three women dislike Rajniti. But if that is the case, how can women rule this world?"
Mrityunjoy laughed the most. Heart in heart he admired Hiren's sense of humour. Moreover, Moloy was not around. So, Mrityunjoy knew it was safe hours. The Left wing-right activism battle would not come up today.
Perhaps he was also happy that Parul was speaking out. As an elder brother, he knew his sister and things passed by in Parul's life.
Heart in heart he had a sense of guilt. As a dutiful elder son, he had backed his father's decision when the old man disallowed Parul to pursue her life the way she wanted to.
Hiren simply said, why things are not changing the way they should despite so much technological advancements and education.
India - he knew - has done so well economically also, but some vices just refuse to go.
None wanted to answer. Perhaps everyone was aware that talking about these issues can only lead to arguments. Mrityunjoy knew how to remain silent. He also believed that argument does not serve any purpose.
But Hiren's wife Parul's mind was already occupied by certain philosophies and questions raised to her years back by Jahar Sen.
Of course, she would not take Jahar Sen's name in any discussion in the family, but the influence of Jahar's argument would be telling in her mind.
Who can open up her mind? Even her dead father may not, she thought rather in an acid manner. There was possibly a sense of hurt.
The meeting ended soon. There was not much debate on politics and the state of affairs in the country.
Thus, Parul politely put forward her views. She was convinced she had merits in her arguments. The confidence actually emerged from her knowledge bank as some of these critical views about the world were guided by philosophies and arguments made by Jahar Sen years back.
She said: "I agree with what most of you have said. But I have a few issues. History has changed a lot. We need to take a closer view at the emergence of state capitalism of the post-1990 era and also post 9/11.
What about the big role China tried to play in Africa?
Then comes the resurgence of Russia leaving the collapse of the Soviet Union in the realm of the past. Then, what about the new role of business houses in many political conflicts in the new century"?
Hiren wanted to say something. Parul was not yielding the space, and Mrityunjoy gestured to stop Hiren and told Parul that she could continue.
Parul, now more confident with the brother's support, said - "The response of the world communities to Covid19 in 2020-21 became another important chapter. What about the global response? I will raise important questions related to what is to be done; this may sound academic, but I am saying this with a new emphasis".
She further said: "The collapse of communism and aftermath was just one aspect. By 2020, we saw the collapse of the global powers.
And in fact, in 2021 August, Taliban terrorists thrived and the world could not do much about it".
Finally, the unprecedented debates came to a halt as the servant announced that dinner was ready.
In her room after Hiren moved to his for sleep, Parul lay soundless on the bed. Jahar Sen was yet again in her mind.
She remembered her last meeting with Jahar. A pensive evening. It was raining. Things had gone out ofcontrol. Her argument with her dad had become known to the rest of the family.
But she took her small leather bag and walked out of the house. When she reached Jahar's place, shetold him - "I have come to you. I cannot go back, all roads to return have been closed".
Jahar declined to appreciate her stance. He simply turned cold and said, "Love and friendship can often be different. We can continue to be friends. You must go back Parul; and marry the person your father wants.
As a concerned father, he has his concerns and it is understandable. You cannot have your future tied to someonelike me who has been playing hide and seek with sorrows and personal failures".
"Failures ought to be orphans".
Parul was angry and hurt. She kept staring towards Jahar. He enquired, :"What are you looking at?
Parul's voice choked slightly but she controlled it. "I am looking towards that man who has already left".
Jahar said: "What do you mean, taar-maaney"?
Parul remarked: "I was looking for the man who created confidence in me, and who had faith in me. In this rainy night, I did not realise that the man had left long back".
She fell asleep gradually, but the dim light in the room could not miss two moist eyes and Parul's feeble fingers trying to dry up the cheeks rather helplessly.
It's all over, she must have remarked unwittingly.
(to be continued..../..)
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