Humanity
I was five years old when China Pakistan war broke out.An incident that ensued during that period still haunt me even after 50 years !!
My father was an employee in Rourkela Steel Plant and we used to live in the Steel Plant quarters.I was born in Rourkela and from the time I was born ,we stayed in the house which was right opposite to a beautiful park where I used to spend most of my time eventually.I remember my elder sister holding my hands with her tender hands as we had hardly 5 years difference ,entering the Park with utmost care and concern for my safety.She used to make us play in the Park and she used to guard us.Us include me and three more kids from my family.Two of them being elder and one being younger to me.It was a marvelous experiences that we had in our childhood.We never need to wait for someone to come to commence our game.We were sufficient to play any game.It was just a close knit family.
My father used to leave home as per the shifts he had to attend.He used to work on night shifts sometimes.Though we barely see him during the working days weekends were really awesome as my father used to spend whole day with us playing hide and seek to every possible game a child can play.Since all of us have barely any age difference we all used to like similar games.Though my mother never played with us due to her household work and responsibilities ,she never restricted us from playing anytime.We used to spend the whole day except for lunch, literally in the Park.
I grew in such a pleasant and happy environment.
One evening,it was cold and my mother came running to the Park and summoned all of us.It was the first time ever that has happened to us.We were aghast.However ,we were not so matured to understand the emergency except for my eldest sister who was 10 years by then.My mother was almost on tears and saying something to my sister about my father not reaching home as per the stipulated time.That's when we all have realised that he was in day shift during which he would reach home by 3:00 P.M sharp where as that day though it was 6 P.M he did not reach home.Seeing my mother crying all of us started crying.As the communication system was so Sparse and scanty that we had to walk at least 3-4 km to get one house or an office with a telephone.
My mother took us in and asked my sister to take care of us and ran out to reach out the nearest telephone booth to get the where abouts of my father.Meanwhile ,my neighbour hood aunt also stepped in and expressed her anxiety about Uncle who also did not reach. In next 10 minutes most of the ladies from the neighbour hood gathered to understand that those who went in the morning never turned back.All were panic struck.Two brave ladies along with my mother went to find out about their where abouts .It was hardly 5 minutes they left the house,there was a blaring sound of Police vehicle with Siren announcing about curfew and 144 section,seeing many people gathering near our house ,the Police jeep stopped to caution them to be back and said there is a Black out day declared and all over the country Hindu Muslim riots were wide spread and informed every one to get back to their houses and close the doors for safety.They also warned people not to open the doors even if they were knocked.They explained the gravity of problem to all and left.
My sister who was able to comprehend the situation became quite panic because my mother who went out did not return and my father was anyway did not come back from office.The Police saw us standing outside looking expectantly towards the direction that our mother went,shouted at us and said "Get in and lock the door"No one can move out" .We rushed inside the house out of fear for the Police but we started looking through the window hopefully to welcome our mother.The next five minutes of trauma can still shiver me even after 50 years.
We do have our very old paternal grand mother who hardly moves from her cot,came slowly to us and tried passifying us but in vain. I can never forget the maturity that my eldest sister at the age of 10 had exhibited on that day.She very boldly said ."Don't worry in next 5 minutes if Amma is not coming I will go and bring her.She might have gone to Madhava Rao uncle's house and if I take short path across the park I can bring her safely." Next five minutes were quite tense moments to each and every one of us.Though I and my younger sister who was 4 years exactly one year younger to me felt hungry thought that this is not the right occasion to ask for food. i am sure it sounds unbelievable but I felt adverse situations can teach many responsibilities irrespective of the age.Suddenly we heard a knock at the door and my sister hesitantly half opened the door to check out whether it's our mother.Fortunately yes she is back.My mother cuddled every one of us and expressed her love.Our happiness seemed no bounds.Then slowly my sister asked about the safety of my father.My mother with a sigh of relief said ,all those went in the morning stayed back in the Plant itself due to Hindu Muslim riots and Curfew .We did not understand anything except for the fact that my father was safe.
In next 10 minutes while serving the dinner my mother explained everything to my Grand mother about the riots and how many Hindus were killed by Muslims and vice versa.... .
Though we were assured that my father was safe still some kind of in-secured feeling filled in the air.My grand mother who usually used to narrate the stories of Mahabharata and Ramayana also was quiet on her bed.
It was almost 9:30 P.M in the night ,there was a continuous knock at our door.Initially it was just a low knock but gradually increased the sound and pace,filling the fear in our mind.My mother held all of us in her bosom protecting us ,while my grand mother slowly but boldly went to check the arrival of ....should I say guest or enemy?As none of us went to our bedrooms to sleep each of us could see some one barging into the half opened door of our house.After few seconds we have realised that it was my grand mother who pulled that person inside .My grand mother offered him a seat ,then my mother had realised it was none other than Khan sir who was my sister's school teacher. On looking at the disturbed face of my mother Khan sir apologetically said "madam just half-an hour shelter is what I need. They are going to kill me" Please give me shelter.My grandmother on listening to this assured him that he can stay over night with us safely and offered him a glass of butter milk and some fruits.
My mother though little hesitant had no other choice than sheltering him.After a long disturbed night my father arrived safely and hugged all of us with tears in his eyes.
My grand mother said if we show humanity to others God will save our people !!
Yes I remember the humanity my grandmother showcased towards a person in danger despite the religion.Thus I understood Humanity has no Bounds !
My father was an employee in Rourkela Steel Plant and we used to live in the Steel Plant quarters.I was born in Rourkela and from the time I was born ,we stayed in the house which was right opposite to a beautiful park where I used to spend most of my time eventually.I remember my elder sister holding my hands with her tender hands as we had hardly 5 years difference ,entering the Park with utmost care and concern for my safety.She used to make us play in the Park and she used to guard us.Us include me and three more kids from my family.Two of them being elder and one being younger to me.It was a marvelous experiences that we had in our childhood.We never need to wait for someone to come to commence our game.We were sufficient to play any game.It was just a close knit family.
My father used to leave home as per the shifts he had to attend.He used to work on night shifts sometimes.Though we barely see him during the working days weekends were really awesome as my father used to spend whole day with us playing hide and seek to every possible game a child can play.Since all of us have barely any age difference we all used to like similar games.Though my mother never played with us due to her household work and responsibilities ,she never restricted us from playing anytime.We used to spend the whole day except for lunch, literally in the Park.
I grew in such a pleasant and happy environment.
One evening,it was cold and my mother came running to the Park and summoned all of us.It was the first time ever that has happened to us.We were aghast.However ,we were not so matured to understand the emergency except for my eldest sister who was 10 years by then.My mother was almost on tears and saying something to my sister about my father not reaching home as per the stipulated time.That's when we all have realised that he was in day shift during which he would reach home by 3:00 P.M sharp where as that day though it was 6 P.M he did not reach home.Seeing my mother crying all of us started crying.As the communication system was so Sparse and scanty that we had to walk at least 3-4 km to get one house or an office with a telephone.
My mother took us in and asked my sister to take care of us and ran out to reach out the nearest telephone booth to get the where abouts of my father.Meanwhile ,my neighbour hood aunt also stepped in and expressed her anxiety about Uncle who also did not reach. In next 10 minutes most of the ladies from the neighbour hood gathered to understand that those who went in the morning never turned back.All were panic struck.Two brave ladies along with my mother went to find out about their where abouts .It was hardly 5 minutes they left the house,there was a blaring sound of Police vehicle with Siren announcing about curfew and 144 section,seeing many people gathering near our house ,the Police jeep stopped to caution them to be back and said there is a Black out day declared and all over the country Hindu Muslim riots were wide spread and informed every one to get back to their houses and close the doors for safety.They also warned people not to open the doors even if they were knocked.They explained the gravity of problem to all and left.
My sister who was able to comprehend the situation became quite panic because my mother who went out did not return and my father was anyway did not come back from office.The Police saw us standing outside looking expectantly towards the direction that our mother went,shouted at us and said "Get in and lock the door"No one can move out" .We rushed inside the house out of fear for the Police but we started looking through the window hopefully to welcome our mother.The next five minutes of trauma can still shiver me even after 50 years.
We do have our very old paternal grand mother who hardly moves from her cot,came slowly to us and tried passifying us but in vain. I can never forget the maturity that my eldest sister at the age of 10 had exhibited on that day.She very boldly said ."Don't worry in next 5 minutes if Amma is not coming I will go and bring her.She might have gone to Madhava Rao uncle's house and if I take short path across the park I can bring her safely." Next five minutes were quite tense moments to each and every one of us.Though I and my younger sister who was 4 years exactly one year younger to me felt hungry thought that this is not the right occasion to ask for food. i am sure it sounds unbelievable but I felt adverse situations can teach many responsibilities irrespective of the age.Suddenly we heard a knock at the door and my sister hesitantly half opened the door to check out whether it's our mother.Fortunately yes she is back.My mother cuddled every one of us and expressed her love.Our happiness seemed no bounds.Then slowly my sister asked about the safety of my father.My mother with a sigh of relief said ,all those went in the morning stayed back in the Plant itself due to Hindu Muslim riots and Curfew .We did not understand anything except for the fact that my father was safe.
In next 10 minutes while serving the dinner my mother explained everything to my Grand mother about the riots and how many Hindus were killed by Muslims and vice versa.... .
Though we were assured that my father was safe still some kind of in-secured feeling filled in the air.My grand mother who usually used to narrate the stories of Mahabharata and Ramayana also was quiet on her bed.
It was almost 9:30 P.M in the night ,there was a continuous knock at our door.Initially it was just a low knock but gradually increased the sound and pace,filling the fear in our mind.My mother held all of us in her bosom protecting us ,while my grand mother slowly but boldly went to check the arrival of ....should I say guest or enemy?As none of us went to our bedrooms to sleep each of us could see some one barging into the half opened door of our house.After few seconds we have realised that it was my grand mother who pulled that person inside .My grand mother offered him a seat ,then my mother had realised it was none other than Khan sir who was my sister's school teacher. On looking at the disturbed face of my mother Khan sir apologetically said "madam just half-an hour shelter is what I need. They are going to kill me" Please give me shelter.My grandmother on listening to this assured him that he can stay over night with us safely and offered him a glass of butter milk and some fruits.
My mother though little hesitant had no other choice than sheltering him.After a long disturbed night my father arrived safely and hugged all of us with tears in his eyes.
My grand mother said if we show humanity to others God will save our people !!
Yes I remember the humanity my grandmother showcased towards a person in danger despite the religion.Thus I understood Humanity has no Bounds !
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