‘NAMASKAR MAHARAH’ with anguish and trauma

Short Story      

The young couple, Kuldeep Ji, his wife Rajni and two kids again moved from Jammu to Rohtak for survival. The insurgency and terrorism pushed them out alike other Kashmiri Pandits and forced all to migrate from Srinagar, J&K to Jammu post - 19 January 1990. The scope of Jobs in Jammu was numbered which compelled these families to move to safer pastures in the country. Obviously, Kashmiri Pandits realised that they have become refugees in their own country. One and all from the community were on the roadside and the ground zero reality exposed the entire system. They lost everything in life except academic achievements which they carried along with them and it was nothing other than their education, 100 per cent literacy. This rescued the entire community. They pledged to encounter all odds coming in their way.

Kuldeep ji and wife Rajni, both had Science background and a Master’s degree at back. Both were highly convinced that ‘we will never die of hunger and tomorrow will be better’. The loss of property, (im)movable besides other belongings, scorching heat, all round change in environment, detachment from their close relatives, friends, the kiths and kins besides some good neighbours was disturbing all. The whole community was worried, “When to return home, Mauj Kashir”.

Now, Rohtak was new battle field of their struggle. Young couple was above board and used to remain calm, cool and busy in making sincere efforts to ensure their settlement. Equally, it was also a great challenge for Rattanlal ji and Mohini, the brother-in-law and elder sister of Rajni, since they had actually ventured the risk of calling them over to Rohtak.

Rajni ji was a housewife but hardworking lady and quite satisfied with a good number of tuitions. But she was sparing no chance in applying to various schools for a suitable vacancy.  Finally, she received the intimation cum order to join a reputable school as a Science Teacher. The people known to them had all praise and other inputs quite encouraging enough prompted Rajni to avail the offer. On joining, she learnt that both, the Principal and staff were very co-operative. One day, she came across a student, Rakesh 6^th standard who also had migrated recently from Kashmir. She asked Rakesh for the School dairy and put a remark therein, “Your presence in the forthcoming Parent –Teacher meeting is positively required. Please ensure your presence”. Rakesh explained it to his mother at home and handed over the school Dairy.

Next day, Rajni was surprise to get a slip with Rakesh’s details from the school ‘Main gate’. She understood the message well and rushed to the gate. They were very glad to meet each other and the meeting was really emotional than an introduction. Tears were trickling down from their eyes. The two turn to be very good friends here onwards.

One fine morning, Rakesh, Aneeta and her husband, Chand ji dropped in and caught Kuldeep ji’s family unaware. Chandji, “Namasakr Mahara, we were returning from the temple and Aneeta told me to wish you all”. They left soon since parents were waiting at home.

Immediately, Kuldeep ji called both the children, Kishu and Rishu to inquire, “Did you wish them?” Yes – Papa, replied the kids. This was endorsed by Rajni ji. Kuldfeep ji, “I found Rakesh upto the mark and he demonstrated a quality in attitude”. Kuldeep ji reminded children again, “Wish everyone, ‘Namaskar Mahra’ and do make it a habit”. In fact, whenever any guest, relation or friend visits us or we go to somebody’s place you should always wish them, ‘Namaskar Mahra’.  The two children, Kishu 7 and Rishu 6 were at home in studies and studying in a nearby Foundation school. 

One day, there was a breeze of rejoice on getting a landline set installed at home. The telephonic facility enhanced the communication channels with all relations and friends etc. Kuldeep ji once again explained to children that once you pick up the receiver for any in-coming or out-going calls wish everybody, ‘Namaskar Mahara’. In fact, the kids used to receive a counsel over ‘Namaskar Mahara’ since it did not fit in anywhere while speaking in Hindi, the    first language outside J&K. One day, kids were happy to know that Boubi ji and Babhi, the grandparents are joining soon.

Kuldeep ji in a tele-conversation with someone was discussing the grim situation in Kashmir. Subsequently, Rajjni from kitchen inquired, “Who is there on line”. Kuldeep ji back to her,“This is Malhotra ji, a senior colleague, inquiring about terrorism in Kashmir”.

Again, yes sir,“The scenario was no different than the partition of the country in August 1947. There was an organized harassment on a large scale. People from our community were threatened, especially the youngsters.  Women were feeling scared which no one has faced earlier till recently, 19 January 1990. Each and every individual is worried, highly depressed and confused about the future. The situation all around has gone tricky, fluid and confusing. Elders are disturbed whether to stay back or move out".

Buobji and Babi, the parents arrived after two days and everyone in the family was very happy on re-union especially the kids, Kishu and Rishu. Kuldeep ji’s friends besides Rattanlal ji and Mohini, the elder sister of Rajni were expected to come on Sunday. Three friends, Roshanlal ji, Surrinder ji and Bushanlal ji dropped in and surprisingly did not find Kuldeep ji at home. Rajni apprised them, “There was an emergency meeting in the office and he had to attend for two-three hours only”.

Immediately, after the introduction, everybody initiated with his personal experiences during the turmoil in Kashmir. Each one spoke of life threats and other encounters. They had tea, ‘SHEEIR CHAI’ with snacks which everyone liked much. Kishu and Rishu also came in and wished them, “Uncle Namaskar Mahara which they repeated a couple of times”. The three friends were just planning to move out when Rajni came in with ‘KHAHWA’. Before, they would have a sip of it,  ‘Khawa’ Kuldeep ji come in. Bushanlal ji, “Kya Mahara Sunday doh te dafhter” (What is it, office on Sunday). Kuldeep ji, “Private naukri cheh eashi aasan” (To serve in private office is like this only). Meanwhile, Kuldeep ji noticed that Kishu and Rishu came in and moved out a few times wishing them, “Uncle Namaskar Mahara”.   

Now, it was getting dark and they decided to call it a day. Roshanlal, Surrinder and Bushanlal wished everyone and left for home. It seemed, Kuldeep ji was loosing his cool, he asked his wife and parents about kids conduct which they confirmed, as satisfactory. He did not trust them since he had witnessed the repetition of “Namaskar Mahara”. He tried to read from the faces but all in vain. He did not get anything. But after sometime, there was a commotion and noise in the room and he thrashed the two kids, Kishu and Rishu badly. Both of them were weeping, rather crying at full pitch.

Both, the parents, Boubji and Babhi were accusing and cursing each other for their failure to protect them. The old parents were feeling desperate to rescue their grand-children but restrained to interfere realising that it will be un-ethical and could go against the children.

Suddenly, Rattanlal ji and Mohini, brother-in-law and the elder sister of Rajni ji as expectedly arrived. It seemed as if the God had sent them as his emissaries. Kuldeep ji having lot of regards for Rattanlal ji would always listen to him. Rattanlal ji, inquired, “Why the kids are crying so badly”. Kuldeep ji realized and started to explain, “The situation today is very bad. There are no joint families where a child would pick up lot of things by default. Now, we are unfortunately in small and nuclear family set ups. We cannot spend enough time on them. They shall have to be extra careful to pick up things fast”.  

Mohini and Rattan lal ji were unable to pick up the logics. Rattanlal ji, “Tatti (Rajni ji), what actually Kishu and Rishu have done”. Rajni, “Kihee-na-Mahra, Momuli Kaithiped”. Kuldeep ji,“Bukwas mahkar” (Nothing-ordinary thing) (Don't talk non-sense).  No, please, let us be cool. Rajni, ”Subhen asena 2-3 zaen amet”. ( Morning two –thre friends had come). Kuldeep ji, “I had repeatedly told them, Kishu and Rishu that whenever anyone comes to us always wish them respectfully, “Namaskar Mahara” but they ignore whatever is good for them in life. This time it was extreme. They crossed all the limits”.

Rattan lal ji, “Please tell me, What exactly has happened?”. Kuldeep ji, “You know, The Living room has two doors, one the main entrance and the other opening at the terrace. Kishu and Rishu, both entered the room, wished all the three very nicely and went to the terrace, returned after few minutes, wishing all of them again. They replied them properly. Then again, they entered the room and went to the terrace and return say after 5 minutes. To my ill luck they wished them on every entry from either side and in the process wished them ‘Namaskar Mahara’, about thirty times. They also used to answer them. We did not sit peacefully despite Rajni advised them to stop all this”. They have gone mad.

In fact, whatever Kishu is doing the younger one, Rishu follows and repeats. Rattanlal ji, “Kishu and Rishu, What have you done and why”. No one have any answers. Kuldeep ji, ‘Quite loudly, why both of you are silent and don’t reply’. Kishu and Rishu in one voice, “Mami and Papa told us to wish everybody on entry whosoever is sitting there in the room.” Thank God, No nothing serious, this is actually the communication gape”, remarked, Rattan Lal ji. 

Meanwhile, the grandparents signaled to Rattanlal ji to take both the kids home. Kuldeep ji, “Though equally hurt for thrashing the kids did not offer any resistance. No family in Kashmir had to feel disturbed for these small things since someone in the family would take care of such minor issues but in smaller families little lapses matter enough. The concept of smaller units or say nuclear families has done a great disservice to our community and damaged the entire fabric of our cultural heritage with no one caring. Everyone, therefore, has to take care of small tit bits”. In fact, “Our Muslim brothers threw us out of Kashmir for their own  compulsions but they have pushed us to disaster and literary speaking we will be ruined in a decade or two. We will certainly carry surnames of Kashmiri Pandits but practically nothing beyond it. God knows the future in store for us”.

Kishu and Rishu left with Rattanlal ji and Mohini. Both the children were very comfortable there with Moussa ji and Maussi for a day or two. On return, they asked the parents, Kuldep ji and Rajni besides grandparents, “We are extremely sorry and assure for future” Things were back to normal and kept on improving fast.   

  

 NOTE:-

This is a true story encountered by one of the migrant families outside Kashmir.

In fact, we all realise and know that under any circumstance the family would have never suffered the anguish and trauma in a joint family in Kashmir.

The names of the characters besides the city have been changed and surnames taken off to avoid disclosure of the identities).

Your valuable comments are always welcome.