Let us look into incidents which happen before the family shifts to Siddarthnagar. Shimpli is 180 kms. away from Sagarpur. Rani’s father hails from Shimpli and stays with his parents after marriage. While in Shimpli, mother is pregnant and is sent to Meenanagar in Sompur for delivery. She gives birth to a rickety babe because she is not cared for in a joint family. Dad is shocked to see the paltry, ugly looking figure of the baby. Mom is worried about the girl child who will face troubles in a traditional society. Dad gets employment in Sagarpur. So the family shifts from Shimpli to Mornath, a place in Vanavli jungle in Sagarpur.
In Mornath there are mangroves and very few human settlements. It is luscious green all around with dense tall trees. Sounds of various animals and birds are heard. Mother is taken care of by a Sindhi woman Makhijani when dad is away for work. Makhijani presents a photo of Goddess Saraswati as a token for the new babe. Night is eerie with calls of creatures around.
Parents cannot think of having another babe since their time is spent on treating their first babe. Dad gets irritated by the shrill cry of the babe while he is having his rest after night duty. Rani’s father cannot control his violent anger. He bangs the baby’s head against the wall. In the second instance, he puts the babe in a drum full of water and in the third instance, he lits fire under the hammock. Mother protects the babe every time. Mom and dad have frequent rifts. Mother takes a long time for preparing food. Father wants to reach his office on time. This results in violent anger and dad flings plates and things around.
Dad changes when the babe is critically ill. Doctor reveals that the baby is serious. He says it will be lucky if it survives. Dad is moved and visits temple and prays for his daughter’s life with tears in his eyes. He is happy when the babe recovers and names the babe fondly as Rani. Dad books a house with the Government Housing Board and the family shifts to the new house in Mogra Chawl.
Second video is available on You tube by typing Ripples Roping Memories.
