Ponnu sumakara bhoomi

The title is obviously borrowed. From, "Vaazhka patta bhoomi". The book did impress me to a certain extent but did'nt gell with other aspects he mentioned. But this chapter is just amazing. It describes the life of the "gramathiya pengal" and their grit. Quite true.

My periya patti used to live in this place called kali. It is famous for utensils and especially "dosai kallu." The tava. Not nonstick. extremely safe..But we are not discussing what's special about kali or its pans are we? Patti was married into a big family in kali. Her mother in law. Total hitler. It seems she would not even let patti eat out of her eye sight. :) Marital bliss and happy motherhood was a passing dream. Patti's two kids were devoured in front of her own eyes. A beautiful girl of 10 lost on karthigai day :pei adichuduthu. !! What? The boy then all of 7 years fell prey to pneumonia. Misfortune was not to stop there. Husband sick with stomach cancer, doctors could not even diagose what it was. Running to madras, with a sick guy, beautiful and all of 27 years.

She stood by her husband till his death. Later turned to God for solace. She has travelled all over the 106 divya desams in the India and Nepal more than once. Some even twice, thrice and most scores.

At this point I stop and wonder. What would I have done if God decided to test my will? Ok. not me. Say a third man? Would he have kept to God? or become totally willless and unmotivated in life? I have seen people do just that. I did that for failing my driving test.

This is not an isolated phenomena. In rural areas, husbands are still returning home drunk, beating their so called better halfs and killing kids in drunken stupor. They are still heading for prostitutes. STill more for the cheap beedis and paans and tobacco. They are bringing home discomfort, disease and death. Leaving the women to scrap the barrel.

Construction site ellam ponnu vela pakkara edama? Is it a place for girls with their so called fragile hands and feet and health to work? The exploitation that goes on at the cornered spot on the unfinished seventh floor balcony? "inniki vanthaina intha masa contract unaku than. pasanga padikanum la?"

If it is the case for rural women, do you think office going and self supporting ladies of the city are well protected and shielded?

Countless number of accidental brushings :bus,trains,offices, cinema theaters, malls, doctors, compunders, government hospitals,private hospitals, very own relatives. What kind of a world is it? Sexually perverted? twisted?

One of my own friends was illtreated by her mother in law for not being able to bear a child. She is an accomplished musician. Well read. So is her family. Her husband, mother in law. Upto the extent of asking for a divorce.

But beyond all this. When you go home, your mom, sister or wife comes to with a smile, "coffee?". Looks after the kids. Prays for everyones safety and hers too. "May I be spared to look after them!"

Ithu ponnu sumakara bhoomi illama vera ennathu sir?