Man and Nature...

Ajay and his family of 4 were on their way to the holiday resort. After a lot of online-research and detailed deliberations they had finally zeroed-in on this particular resort which was pretty much in the middle of a dense forest; with the hills nearby adding to its beauty. 'A holiday in the lap of mother-nature' - they thought. Their twin-girls - two fiercely energetic 8-year olds, were excited too.

It was a 3-hour drive from home and the drive itself was a good opportunity to have some quality conversations. The couple had a lot to discuss & reflect on; back home they hardly get a chance to talk anything besides day-to-day matters. The kids too had some scores to settle among themselves - who is stronger, whose friend is smarter, whom does the class-teacher like more...so on and so forth!

So the discussion freely moved back-and-forth between very specific topics to very generic banters. How was the movie the kids watched at their uncle's last week, what gifts to buy for the wedding coming up in the family, how life in India has changed over the years, the parents' favorite of 'how things were a lot more difficult when we were your age' etc. At some point Renu touched-upon the mother's/wife's favorite of how painfully difficult it is to run a house. Ajay listened to it for a couple of moments, and then responded - with a rather long monologue. He started with the example of a lizard. 

"The lizard, while running from one corner of the roof to the other - foolishly assumes that the roof stands on it's support. That the moment it is gone - the roof will come down!"

"That is exactly how the lady of the house assumes she 'runs' the house..." continued the husband, with one hand on the wheel and the other drawing air-quotes.

"Things that she thinks happen only because of her presence, will easily find alternative ways to happen, even in her absence."

"The family that she thinks she holds together - was there before she came; and will be there after she is gone too"

It went on for a few more lines - but well, you get the drift.

There were a few moments of awkward silence after that. Renu had a million potential responses in her mind - but somehow none came out. She didn't know if she should be angered or saddened or frustrated at what she just heard. For the two 8-year old brains in the car, this was all way too hazy to process. But one of them did manage to say, 'Daddy don't compare Mumma with a lizard...that's not fair.'

It was raining heavily when they reached the resort's access road. It was a tricky terrain, and private vehicles were not allowed beyond a point. As they approached the resort in the specially-approved rough-terrain van, they saw a few posters near the gate - about protests being held by some tribals, against the planned extension around the resort. They claim that the forest and valley are ecologically sensitive zones and that any kind of construction work poses huge threat to the safety of the region. There were a few pointers they had listed in the posters - but none made much sense to the privileged lots living on the other side. 

It was indeed a stunningly beautiful resort. And the rain, in all its glory made the whole atmosphere even more vibrant and electrifying. However, since more rain was predicted that evening the resort had to cancel the evening-safari. Disappointed, the family had to retire for the day after a light dinner. They hoped that rain will subside in the morning and that they'll be able to venture out.

Nature had other plans though...

Rain intensified and kept pouring through the night. Barring a few short windows of interim calm - the resort and the access-road kept getting pounded by the mighty rain.

Lightening...thunder-storms...heavy winds...

By midnight the tribals realized that something even worse awaited the next day - for they knew their home much better than the Met department. They tried to communicate it to the resort staff and ask them to evacuate at the earliest - but were unable to reach them.

By dawn - the tribals' worst fears came true. There were landslides in some parts of the hills. Boulders had rolled down some distance and were precariously perched in points dangerously close to the resort. The resort itself seemed to be standing on very shaky grounds. Immediate evacuation was ordered.

By the time the pick-up arrived, it had started pouring yet again after a short hiatus. Ajay's family was climbing down the stairs to board the van. He was holding the two children; and Renu was carrying the entire family's luggage. She suddenly realized that some of the kids' items were left in the room and rushed back to get it. She slipped and fell on her way back, sprained her ankle; and with all the luggage, it took her a while to reach downstairs. Ajay and kids were waiting in the van. Time was of the essence and the van had to leave at the earliest, with as many people as possible. Though Ajay threatened to step-out if they didn't wait for his wife - with great difficulty the rescue-officers convinced him to leave; the lady-constables assured him that his wife will be safe and will reach the rescue camp in the next pick-up.   

Except that - there was never a next pick-up.

A few moments after the van crossed the access road, the road itself caved-in - and the resort was now like an isolated island. With the road gone - airlifting was the only option left. But - uninterrupted rains, poor lighting & petty disagreements among administrative bodies meant that rescue helicopters will take at-least 4-6 hours to reach. Moreover, if they don't get to reach by night-fall, they might even have to wait for the next day - and that could well be a little too late.

Some flaky satellite-images seemed to indicate that parts of the resort had already collapsed....News channels kept playing some old reports where experts claimed that the ground on which the resort stood was itself prone to land-slides....Communication was completely broken down....The tribals were trying to reach from the other end - but they weren't able to do much too.

Moments when man's might was buckling under nature's fury. Moments that remind you that if man exploits nature beyond a point - she has the power to give it back, and she will. That her patience is not his birth-right.

Ajay was devastated. He so wanted to stay in the rescue camp and await his wife; but the kids were terribly shaken - and he had to take them home immediately; and stay with them for at-least a couple of hours.

With every passing moment, he was breaking-down bit by bit...

Moments when he realized how much Renu meant to him...

He hurtfully reflected on times when he unleashed his anger on her...

Times when he took her patience for granted; took her for granted...

Times when he conveniently forgot that she is an independent individual with her own dreams and goals in life.

For some strange reasons - the lizard conversation from the previous day kept playing in his head. How unworthy of me to talk about her like that. He didn't know if he should be angered or saddened or frustrated with himself, at what he had said.

It was some relief that his parents had not seen the news and were unaware of what is happening. It also helped that they didn't use smart-phones. But the moment they saw him and the kids - they realized that something was not right. They were happy to see their son and kids back, but were extremely worried for their daughter-(in-law). He somehow managed to convince them that it isn't anything major, and that Renu will be home before dinner. Of course they were still worried and tried to find solace in prayers - for Renu meant the world to them too.

"Beta, can you get me my knee-cap; it must be somewhere in the guest bed-room"; called out his mother from the prayer room. And the 'man' of the house, the son - had zero idea where to find it. The only person who had - is out and away in the wilderness.

Food was ordered and delivered - but the kids were in no state to eat anything. And Ajay was finding it difficult to console them and make them eat. The only person who could, was not to be seen around.

His father felt some uneasiness in the chest - quite understandable given his age, health condition and the current anxiety. Ajay knew there were some SoS tablets at home, but wasn't exactly sure which ones were to be given. The only person who knew - was away...she was just gone.

After a few more hours of excruciating agony, the rain did subside and the emergency response team under the able leadership of Deputy Collector Atithi Mishra IAS, along with the tribals successfully evacuated everyone back to safety. The family was finally relieved that Renu was home.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A few days later, Ajay wanted to thank the young IAS officer in person and decided to attend a function where she was invited to speak. Known for her strong views on women empowerment, Ms. Mishra was sure to give a power-packed speech. Ajay found a seat in the front row.

After a few pleasantries at the start, the bureaucrat dived straight into her favorite social-topic. 

"An educated, employable woman in today's India is not at the mercy of anyone. She can very much prioritize her career, her sanity and her happiness over everything else. She knows that running a board-meeting would be a lot easier when you are not worried about your daughter's home-work or your father-in-law's next health check-up. She is smart enough to realize that the corporate ladder would be far less steep if you can employ all your energy in climbing it."

"Despite all of that - if she still chooses to walk the tight-rope of managing both work and home together - it is indeed a benign 'choice' she makes..." continued the young officer, drawing air-quotes with her fingers. "A choice she makes keeping the larger good in mind".

"I want to tell the women in this audience - that as much as I respect that choice of yours, I want to remind you a few things. In the quest of being a 'perfect-wife' or a 'perfect-mother', do not ever forget your own aims and goals. Do not lose track of what makes you happy. And most importantly - never be a 'tool' in the hands of people who do not deserve you." (yes - three air-quotes in one paragraph; and additional emphasis each time she said you).

"The diploma lying somewhere at the bottom of your cupboard is a reminder of the hard-work you had once put in. The accolades you receive at work demonstrate your capabilities. And if a family with people from 2 genders, 3 generations, dozens of varying life-views and a gazillion different day-to-day needs still thrives as a single unit - it is a testament to your intelligence, worldly-wisdom & patience."   

"And to the men in the crowd - let me tell you, never-ever belittle a woman's importance in your life. Don't take her patience for granted, for it has a limit too. If that limit is breached - she can, and will walk away.

If she walks away - your house comes down.

If she walks away - your home is no more a 'sweet home'.

And if she walks away - you won't anymore have 100% of your time & energy for your personal goals."

"Never-ever forget that her patience is not your birth-right". Concluded the firebrand IAS officer.

The audience stood-up in ovation, their long applause filling-up the whole auditorium. Ajay stood up too; and bowed in reverence - not to the lady-officer on stage, but to the lady who has been toiling day-in and day-out to make his home a heaven on earth.