|
|
|
|
THE TURNING WHEEL OF FATEWardha has a very prominent place in the history of our freedom struggle. Mahatma Gandhi led the masses and guided them in the struggle for freedom. after the sad demise of Lokmanya Tilak. When Gandhiji left Sabarmati and selected Wardha for his Ashram, it acquired nationwide prominence. Sevagram became the nerve-centre of all the political activities. Freedom fighters from all over the country thronged the place, buzzing with endless activity. A massive public rally was organised in 1924. Lakshmi’s patriotic feelings couldn’t contain themselves. She politely approached Umabai and asked, "Didi, all the great leaders are assembling for the meeting today. We also wish to know more about their efforts to free our Motherland from the bonds of slavery. Please permit Shantabai and myself to attend the meeting. We shall come home, as soon as the meeting is over". Umabai couldn’t turn down the polite request of Lakshmi. She gave them the permission to attend the meeting, but also warned Lakshmi to remember that her little baby would be lonely without her. Lakshmi’s joy knew no bounds. She was happy like a child who had been given his favourite toy. The public meeting left an indelible impression on the minds of the people. Finally, a call was given to all to contribute their own might to the freedom struggle. A volunteer took a cloth bag around for the donations. Lakshmi removed her heavy gold necklace and put it in the collection bag. Shanta followed suit. Both sisters-in-law were deeply motivated to join the mainstream of the freedom struggle. Their enthusiastic description of the meeting, created an impact on Umabai as well. She didn’t reprimand them for donating jewellery without permission or even knowledge. In those days when women could not take any decision on their own, this was indeed a very bold step. Lakshmi and Shanta also got a green signal to participate in the various programmes associated with the freedom struggle. Purushottamrao disapproved these activities. His conservative mind disliked the fact that the women should step out of the home. But, Lakshmi co-coordinated the two so well that Purushottamrao didn’t get any opportunity, to voice his disapproval. Lakshmi kept all the family members pleased with her sweet nature and excellent domestic abilities. On the one hand, Lakshmi’s desire to make herself socially useful was becoming stronger. but on the other hand the domestic chores were binding her more firmly, with the birth of Padmakar, Dinkar, Ratnakar, Kamalakar and Anand respectively. Yet, Lakshmi managed everything with amazing ability little knowing what cruel joke the fate was about to play with her. The year 1932 beckoned dark clouds on the happy horizon of Lakshmi’s world. This was ironically the year when her youngest son, ‘Anand’ was born, but instead of joy, her life was filled with sorrow. Purushottamrao’s health began to deteriorate gradually. His ailment was finally diagnosed as tuberculosis. In the thirties tuberculosis was one of the most dreaded diseases, as almost always, it proved to be fatal. Yet Lakshmi. hoped against hope, she left no stone unturned for her beloved husband’s treatment. She observed fast and performed every kind of worship. She circumambulated ‘The Audumbar’ tree a lakh of times and kept every possible fast for the well being of her husband. Although her worship wouldn’t eventually save Purushottamrao, yet it gave her a spiritual strength to bear the greatest blow of the fate with stoic courage. When Purushottamrao saw the shadow of death looming large, he urged his sister-in-law, Umabai to take the reins of the household and look after the family. At the tender age of twenty seven, Lakshmi had to taste the bitterest poison of life - the agony of widowhood. At this age, with large family and small kids, life would have been an unbearable burden, but for the spiritual strength, self-confidence and the staunch support of Umabai, who assured Lakshmi that they are not sister-in-laws bt sisters. She pledged to take care of Lakshmi till the last breath of her life. Umabai always remained true to her word. Lakshmi pushed her own grief and misery into the background and took the management of home and the family affairs in her own hands. Although she had to learn everything from scratch - as she knew nothing about the financial matters, property etc. but her sharp brain was quick to grasp the mundane.. She learnt that though, there was plenty of landed property, there was a cash crunch. Money was most essential for day to day expenses. Lakshmi took firm steps to resolve the crisis, forgoing the false social norms, she did away with the outward pomp and show. She sold some of her jewellery and repaired the dilapidated house. A part of the house was given on rent to ease the financial problem A talented young man was called from the village to manage the farms. Thus, Lakshmi managed to bring what were supposedly affairs of ‘male domain’, firmly under her control. But, fate had decided to take still more acid tests, Shanta, Lakshmi’s eldest daughter, also contacted the dreaded tuberculosis. Lakshmi tried her utmost to snatch at least her daughter from the jaws of death but, once again, she was helpless. Lakshmi steered herself and got involved in the care of the family, with exemplary courage and determination. |
|
|