The economic crisis the world is facing today takes me down the memory
lane to the day in the year 1964 when my father died leaving behind an
uneducated wife with a gigantic responsibility of bringing up four
daughters and a son. All were studying at that time, brother being the
eldest was still in college and the youngest sister in standard four.
And we were going to one of the most expensive schools of Delhi. Not
only us she also had the responsibility of my father's sister and her
daughter.What did she do? I really don't know how much my father had left
behind or how she managed. I am writing this on the basis of the
changes that took place in our household. She was told by all the
relatives that she will have to remove us from the school and move to
a smaller town but she took the advice of one well wishing friend who
told her not to do so. (That is why it is very important to have a
Krishna with you). She also got support from the company my father
worked for. Unlike the companies of today they allowed her to stay on
in the house till we were settled. Life went on as before but with changes. Her French chiffons and silks
were packed off and she took to wearing white suit made of the
cheapest material. She did not ask my aunt to leave the house nor did
she ask her to pay for her food and lodging. In management language,
she made her an asset. My aunt being educated, paid back in full by
giving her support and stood and got a house constructed for her,
which became a source of income for my mother. Some of the friends and
relatives stood by her and others when they realized that she is not
going to ask for anything returned later. She did not hold grudge
against anyone. As during my father's time our house remained open to
all. Her table always remained replenished but with a difference. The
daily course of non-veg disappeared. It was always simple dal-sabji
meal cooked in dalda. Pure ghee vanished out of the window. When
people say dalda is bad for health, I laugh at them. Same with all the
expensive dry fruits and fruits. Only peanuts and bananas. Things remained the same even when my elder brother and sister started
working. They did not try to revive the old standard. Nor did they try
to get extra for themselves. Frills were out of our lives. My brother
had already taken a decision that he will not get married. There were
still three others studying and we had to be married off also. I went
to college with just two dresses. I could not demand a third. My elder
brothers and sisters were in the same boat to the extent that my
brother did not discard his torn shirt. He would wear it under his court in winters. The dignity with which
she lived and the relationship she maintained with friends and
relatives won her so much respect that she did not have to move out of
the house to hunt boys for us. In '73 all of us having completed our
education and my three sisters having got married, we moved out of the
company house. People were shocked to see how she could afford to give
all that was given to us. Not once did the house get painted before
any wedding or akhand paths were conducted. When she passed away in
2000 she had just 8 white dresses to her name. I am not writing this
to promote my mother. The whole purpose of writing it to make the
people realize that there is always enough for your needs. If my
mother could manage to keep the ship afloat and sail through the
crises, why can't we. Sacrifices have to be made at the micro level to
take care of the macro problems. Today, when he can afford to be
extravagant my brother does not do so. If this is a global problem then we all have to make some sacrifices.
Rita Maker.
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