|
|
|
|
THE BLOSSOMING LOTUSLife took a new turn when Datey family shifted from Mahal to the Gorakshan Campus in Dhantoli. Kamal had completed her primary school education, and as per the prevailing custom, she was not sent to school any further. Shri Chaunde Maharaj had organized a vast campaign to save the cows from being slaughtered. All the old, sick and unwanted cows found refuge and solace in the ‘Gorakshan Campus’. Maharaj didn’t hesitate to even go from door to door begging in order to save the cows. Dai helped in this holy crusade. Whenever Dai went from house to house, asking for alms to save the cows, Kamal often accompanied her. This experience taught Kamal when and how to talk and about the virtue of humility. She learnt, how sometimes one had to endure insults while doing a service for a good cause. The epidemic of plague swept over the country. Hundreds of people fell prey to this dreadful disease. It had become impossible to get people either to nurse the sick or cremate the dead. But an example of selfless service to humanity, even at the risk of one’s own life, was set before Kamal, as she saw Dai and Anna (her father) dedicate themselves to the service of the plague victims. Dai attended the sick as well as the pregnant women, irrespective of their caste or creed. Helping Dai taught Kamal the basics of nursing. Anna taught her virtues of patience and endurance. He tirelessly attended to the sick and performed the last rites of innumerable plague victims, whom others had refused to touch. As Kamal entered her teens, she blossomed into an exquisite beauty. The beauty was not confined to mere looks but she had a glow of goodness and a wealth of virtues. Anna started the search for a bridegroom, who could look after his little dear daughter. But alas, in the matrimonial market, people often weigh the material worth instead of the real worth of a person; Kamal’s father had little to offer in the way of dowry. Kamal realized the agony her parents were undergoing in order tc find a suitable match due to their limited resources. One day as Yashodabai was cooking. Kamal quietly stood near her mother "Ma" she called out softly. "Yes dear, what do you want?" her mother asked. "Kamal, do you have any problem? Yashodabai asked again. "Ma, please tell Anna, shall not marry any person who asks for a dowry". "Beti, we can’t go against the norms of the society. We have to follow the customs. You don’ worry. We shall arrange the dowry some how". "No Ma. It’s my final and firm decision. I shall l not marry any person who values money more than any individual. I just won’t marry a dowry-hungry man". Yashodabai looked at her daughter with affection and amazement Kamal was indeed no ordinary girl. And, as per her wishes Kamal was married on her own terms in 1919, at the tender age of fourteen. Her husband Purushottamrao, belonged to the famous kelkar family of Wardha. Kamal began a new life with a new name- Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity and well being. Kamal became a wife and a mother simultaneously. She smilingly and willingly took under her loving care, Shanta and Vatsala, Purshottamrao’s two daughters from his first wife. As a child, Kamal was used to looking after her younger brothers and sisters. So in spite of being only fourteen, she had no problems looking after the two little girls. Soon, her affectionate nature, and cheerfulness won everyone’s heart in her own home, especially the young girls. But Lakshmibai soon realized that this new environment was absolutely different from her background. In Kelkar family, it was believed that the women should remain within the confines of her home, and the world outside belonged to men. The women need to be only seen (that too by only the family members, within home) and not heard. Kamal was accustomed to reading the ‘Kesari’, discussing it, and worrying about the British atrocities. But the kelkars were the devout followers of the British. In fact, Purushottamrao was quite anglicized. He enjoyed the club evenings where he lad earned the reputation of an ace billiard player. His friends had nick-named him ‘Sardar’, due to his benevolent nature and generosity. Sardar’ had a different set of values where the home was concerned. He even disliked the idea of women adorning their hair with flowers. He believed that women from good families should not wear flowers in their hair. Lakshmi, who loved flowers, had to deprive herself from wearing flowers after learning about the wishes of her husband. But, she began decorating the lovely long plaits of her daughters with colorful gajaras. In order to please his new bride, Purushottamrao remained quiet for a few days, but later he reprimanded Lakshmi. ‘Lakshmi, you know very well that I dislike anyone from the family wearing flowers, then why do you dress the hair of the girls with flowers day after day?" Bold and fearless, Lakshmi replied calmly: "I know about your likes and dislikes. Hence, I’ve stopped using flowers. However, my little dolls love them, I am their mother and it is my duty to keep them happy and comply with their justified wishes". Purushottamrao was speechless before Lakshmi’s logic. He was also assured that Lakshmi had proved to be a true mother to the little girls, though she was herself a child. Lakshmi was blessed with a son in 1920. The Kelkars were overjoyed. Shanta and Vatsala were delighted. Now they too could celebrate Rakhi and Bhai-duj. The little boy was named Manohar. Children addressed Lakshmi as Vahini’ in the same manner as their uncle. Kelkar lived in the joint family. Lakshmi’s sister-in-law Umabai, who was unfortunately widowed, was the anchor and the guide of the family. Kelkars had huge farms and family property. There were always several people coming to the house. The farm workers lived with them. A large number of the relatives were always visiting them. Friends like Barrister Abhyankar were also regular visitors. Lakshmi enjoyed the visits of the social reformers. She tried listening to their talks and kept kindled the flame of patriotism which was burning in her heart since her childhood. Purushottamrao expected Lakshmi to socialize with the ladies of equal status at the ladies club. Lakshmi met ladies of the Behere and Bajaj families, the reputed families of Wardha. The ladies indulged in light entertainment and played bridge to while away the time. Even though Lakshmi was the youngest in the group, she was endowed with exceptional leadership qualities. She told the ladies that it was improper to while away their time when the country was bound in the shackles of slavery and their countrymen were giving their very lives in the freedom struggle. What purpose was being served by their frivolous entertainment? The other ladies soon fell into Lakshmi’s line of thinking. Slowly, instead of the cards, the ladies started reading newspapers and periodicals, discussion were also held about the national issues Thus Lakshmi changed the lives of the erstwhile westernized women. |
|
|