Hi Friends,
I have shared some great moments on MS and the following one is one of the most darkest of all. This DP is deeply pierced in some corner of my heart and it dates back almost 10 years! It takes immense courage for me to write and share something of this sort with my MS family!
Caution: People with little hearts may not follow from here.... (Related to domestic violence)
Domestic violence is very very common in India and its awkward for any other person to get involved and try to resolve the matter.. since our mentality is OR rather, this is what we are up brought with,- Doosre ke phate mein pair nahin aadate, nahin to khud phas jayega" So we keep distance from such situations and actually to some extent this is fine too. Since, family ke aapas ka mamla haiand we should not get involved into it unnecessarily.
One such couple used to live just opposite to my home (Kolhapur) and always used quarrel.The woman used to start sewing at 5'o clock and I used to get up for college hearing that sound from the sewing machine - without fail - everyday, and it used to be on till 12'o clock at night. (That includes household work too by her {used to visit sometimes as neighbours with Mummy} - Great Salute to the Indian woman who keeps the home running even when all things have stopped! I owe my life to my Mother, Sisters and my wife - whenever she comes.)
Family was poor and had 4 children - all girls! Husband was a bit mentally retarded and used to abuse his wife daily. And one dark day it all ended!
The date is 25 August 1999 and me and my younger sister (Kukdi20) were playing badminton in the gully adjoining to our house and suddenly I heard the roaring of the woman and that suddenly she came running out of the house with total fire on her body! Yes, she was put ablaze by her husband! (He escaped)
I was barely 17 and my sis almost 16 - kids actually. Till that date, I had seen such scenes only in the films and heard such cries only on TVs and never in real. It just happened in front of my eyes. Lost my senses and before understanding anything both of us ran in the opposite direction. All 3 of us were shouting like mad - women with pain and we with fear! (Trembling till toe) I ran towards the gully, sister towards the main road and the lady fell on the floor in between. I dared to cross her and reach my sister who was almost fainting on the other side. People gathered on the roadside and were watching helplessly as if it was a Ravana show! No action at all.I was not getting as to what to do. Something went into my mind that I should help the lady. Gathered some courage and took the water bucket kept at the nearby fruit stall and ran towards her. Sister cried " Kya kar rahe ho bhai? I said Mujhe uski madad karni hai, tum idhar ruko..... she was crying horribly.Wept her tears and ran with water.... Phew and the fire went off. I remember those words still “why did you save me, why did you save me" I could not understand anything and was totally motionless standing nearby. Lost total control of my senses. Just suunnn. Barely moved! Soon some aunties ran with towels and bed sheets to cover the body. Within 15 minutes the ambulance arrived and took her to Miraj Mission hospital (Special for burns treatment) On 29 th August the lady died but before that she revealed everything about her plight to the police and the guy is behind bars! She only told that someone poured some water on her and I thank that person who helped me to see my daughters for the last time!
I still remember those moments in my mind. It was even more fearful because Dad and mom were out of station and were returning the next morning. None of the siblings were able to sleep the whole night and I could not for several nights.... Later, Rajan80 (elder sister) helped me to come out of that trauma. Somehow my little heart was more or less convinced since was not knowing anything as to what I did at that time and nor did I did what I did for getting any praise. Some how God or some natural power provoked me to such a thing and it happened without even my senses knew about it....
Today, I feel to some extent satisfied that something good has happened from my hands and try to keep that spirit up and serve humanity where ever I can... Let the soul of the lady receive some peace.....
I apologize the whole MSisans to share such a DP with you all and my only intention is to respect the human life and try to preserve it with utmost respect and dignity. I respect Women and value there contribution in our lives... Great gift from GOD! Lets preserve it!
Finally, I am not the hero of this episode, so dont even deserve the credit, since this incident has changed my life for ever...
