Mother, mother… Maa, Mummy, Mama… the most loved words in the world over. But where have you gone isolating us since August 2IJ Oh! Dear mother! How could you be so cruel to usIJ
When I was four years old and sister Iti hardly a month old, our dear father met a train accidental death. We are seven brothers and sisters. Our father, a kindhearted person, was holder of a small job. He could not help save anything for us. He left you, mother, to look after us. After his death you, Iti and I had arrived at Kalarabanka, our native village, from Tata Nagar. I still remember in this village my father had two tiny rooms, smaller than even cowsheds, left unused with wild plants abound. You had opened a rusted lock. Even snakes used the rooms as nests.
Though you hailed from a very rich family, your daddy chose a suitable partner with my daddy as your lifemate. I have heard that my daddy, although poor, made you comfortable till his death. All wonder that a woman from a rich family and living in a city like Tata Nagar could live in this backward village. How could you look after so many children and yourselfIJ Because you had a strong mind and deep faith in God. There was no money nor any landed property, nor any help from anybody. What courage, willpower you had! I have seen you plucking lettuce from riverbank, catching fish from river, and with watered rice you were serving us daily. There were some days when this food was also not available. You were working in many households in the village, pounding paddy to produce rice for many families and selling the husks to spend for us. You have made ropes from coconut shell, growing vegetables and selling in the market, so much pain to make us stand on our own legs. I have seen how you were humiliated with criticisms. You never broke down even after scolding from villages. Otherwise, we would not have become what we are today. Your sacrifices have made us, seven brothers and sisters, self-dependant. You were both father and mother for us.
I have travelled 50 countries, whole India. Thousands know me and love me, salute me but I have never seen a mother like you! The reason is you have dedicated a son to the service of the society. It is said that a happy son can only be born from a happy mother’s blessings. You have made ‘Sukuta’ to ‘Achyuta Samanta’. Mother! “When you earn, I will be able to wear a beautiful Saree…” you have never said this. You stood behind me and made Kalarabanka an ideal village to which the whole world is now beholden. Your wisdom to do good things is rare seen in others. Now, the same village is known as a Smart Village and Panchayat as an Ideal Panchayat. But our own tiny dilapidated rooms have seen no change. You are so good that you never wanted to change those two rooms into a beautiful mansion or ask me to buy 10 to 50 acres of cultivable land. Neither have I seen such a mother nor will be able to see any! I have not given you anything nor have I made you happy, nor any wealth, nor afford any time to you; that is how I regret now. Up to 25th year, I studied and kept me employed, KIIT and KISS made my life full of struggles. So, to sit with you and spend some happy time was never possible for me. Mother! Hope you would pardon me. The greatest thing that happened in my life is that I decided not to marry and told you my decision, but you never forced me to get married. I have decided to be good and do good. With your blessings I have never deviated from my duty and am doing something for the society. Now you have left me alone. How would I perform my dutiesIJ I am a bachelor. Who’s there to ask me whether I have taken foodIJ You were so good that from your hospital bed you directed me to leave lest my time would be wasted. My request to you now is not to take birth anywhere so soon, wait for me in the heavens; we will spend some time together. I will decide how we will be born again as mother and son.
How nice a mother were you! Not only in appearance but also in heart and mind which were so nice! To love people is an attribute in you. You have told me often as long as you don’t exploit others you ought not to be afraid of anybody. I have not done so anytime nor will I be afraid. All the time you taught your sons and daughters to be good to others. For that only we brothers and sisters are now living with our heads high. Holding my sister Iti on the lap, one side of your body was paralysed, but you had never looked back, no deviation from duties. You know Iti will be quite alone after your departure. With whom will she talkIJ
Maa! Wherever you stay, your blessings will be doubled since now. Wish your blessings would always be by my side, and after I complete my duties to the society I will go back to you. I pledge that after I come to you, I will spend enough time with you; I will hug you for hours.