Before proceeding any further let me confess, that this is the Sixth time now, that I try to post this. It is the parable of king Richard and the spider which keeps me going.
While in Hyderabad, both Raj and myself were each taught a light classical song by our sister- in- law. and a smart convent going girl elder to me used to come to our brother's house. It is her name, that I gave to Bhavani..On return Raj, proceeded to Delhi as he had been selected for Central Secretariat Service. Resource wise, it was pathetic at home. All we had was Rs65/= p.m. pension of my father. Poor soul he used to take only one Rupee from his pension for himself. Mother would not reduce the money spent on propitiating Gods at home and in temples .Anyway, she declared that Jaya and me will NOT be able to resume our school studies and hoped and prayed that some miracle happens giving us some money .Easy going as I am always, I just shrugged and started going to a nearby cycle shop to apprentice. But Jaya was devastated and slumped in a corner w/o food or sleep for three days, all the time weeping or crying.
On the fourth day, at about 8 PM, the postman called my mother's name and announced "THANTHI". At once all the females, less Jaya, shouted in one voice that it must be from JAYALOGAM where upon I foul mouthed as I always am suggested that it may be from Yamalogam. on which I was given an earful of abuses, this time , the gents also joining. It was indeed from "Jajayalogam" a quiz- lottery in which our mother used to participate. Among my mother's many talents, was her Faith in God's mercy and the belief that miracles can happen if He so ordains
"COGRATULATIONS. YOU WON FIRST PRIZE,BEING SENT BY M.O."---was the message in the wire. As the 1st prize was Rs 1000/=,we spent the night, debating how much "Bakshish" should be given to the postman. .Jaya stirred ,took bath and ate some "pazhedu".Next morning, the M.O was delivered-Rs26/= being my mother's share of the prize minus M.O. charges,as over 30 people had answered the quiz correctly. We gave one rupee to the postman as "inam". The balance was enough to see Jaya and me through to our new classes. A month or so later, Raj stared sending money to us- crisp, new currency notes inside Regd-Insured envelopes Rs 110 or so p.m. Jaya went on to complete her schooling and stood FIRST in the school in her Matric. She immediately got a govt job also and was very helpful in my pursuing Engineering stream in school.Rest is history.
While in Hyderabad, both Raj and myself were each taught a light classical song by our sister- in- law. and a smart convent going girl elder to me used to come to our brother's house. It is her name, that I gave to Bhavani..On return Raj, proceeded to Delhi as he had been selected for Central Secretariat Service. Resource wise, it was pathetic at home. All we had was Rs65/= p.m. pension of my father. Poor soul he used to take only one Rupee from his pension for himself. Mother would not reduce the money spent on propitiating Gods at home and in temples .Anyway, she declared that Jaya and me will NOT be able to resume our school studies and hoped and prayed that some miracle happens giving us some money .Easy going as I am always, I just shrugged and started going to a nearby cycle shop to apprentice. But Jaya was devastated and slumped in a corner w/o food or sleep for three days, all the time weeping or crying.
On the fourth day, at about 8 PM, the postman called my mother's name and announced "THANTHI". At once all the females, less Jaya, shouted in one voice that it must be from JAYALOGAM where upon I foul mouthed as I always am suggested that it may be from Yamalogam. on which I was given an earful of abuses, this time , the gents also joining. It was indeed from "Jajayalogam" a quiz- lottery in which our mother used to participate. Among my mother's many talents, was her Faith in God's mercy and the belief that miracles can happen if He so ordains
"COGRATULATIONS. YOU WON FIRST PRIZE,BEING SENT BY M.O."---was the message in the wire. As the 1st prize was Rs 1000/=,we spent the night, debating how much "Bakshish" should be given to the postman. .Jaya stirred ,took bath and ate some "pazhedu".Next morning, the M.O was delivered-Rs26/= being my mother's share of the prize minus M.O. charges,as over 30 people had answered the quiz correctly. We gave one rupee to the postman as "inam". The balance was enough to see Jaya and me through to our new classes. A month or so later, Raj stared sending money to us- crisp, new currency notes inside Regd-Insured envelopes Rs 110 or so p.m. Jaya went on to complete her schooling and stood FIRST in the school in her Matric. She immediately got a govt job also and was very helpful in my pursuing Engineering stream in school.Rest is history.
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